Tomorrowland Setting...
 | | The original concept of this land was to showcase Walt's |
| | own vision of the future. However, upon completion, it
was designed with bland colors, concrete, and
showcased mildly interesting technology.
|
| | By 1994, Imagineers knew that the future came and went |
| | leaving Tomorrowland looking dated and incorrect. In a
brilliant move, Imagineers decided that keeping up with
the future, and running the risk of getting it wrong, that
they would redesign the land based on a 1950's retro-
look into the future. In other words, "the future that never
was, is finally here."
|
Rockettower Plaza...
| | Loosely based on New York City |
| | and Rockefeller Plaza in concept, it
serves as the future "League of
Planets" central hub, much as New
York City is a world hub for us now
|
| | Rather than the MTA (Metropolitan |
| | Transportation Authority) in New
York, Tomorrowland has the TTA
(Tomorrowland Transportation
Authority).
|
| | In keeping the New York references, |
| | after the 1994 refurbishment,
Tomorrowland is often referred to as
"New Tomorrowland." As guests
walk through this land, they take on
the role of tourists visiting this
intergalactic metropolis.
|
Tomorrowland Indy Speedway...
| | Was originally sponsored by Goodyear Tire & Rubber
|
| | The track was shorted with the addition of Mickey's |
| | Birthdayland, now Mickey's Toon Town Fair.
|
| | There is a Corporate Sponsor VIP room located in the |
| | "stands."
|
| | The original name was Grand Prix Raceway and was |
| | based on Disneyland's Autopia.
|
Space Mountain...
| | The first company to sponsor the attraction was Radio Corporation of America (RCA)
|
| | Federal Express (FedEx) was the second to sponsor Space mountain until 2004.
|
| | FedEx wanted the attraction to promote a story that shows that FedEx in the future. The |
| | concept of intergalactic cargo shipping was used and can be seen throughout the attraction.
Today, the FedEx logos have been removed but the story remains.
|
| | On the first incline, guests pass by a train of "cargo pods" and an astronaut who is upside |
| | down. More of these pods can be found in use as guests exit the attraction. They are part of
the story that is based on interplanetary shipping (by the former sponsor, FedEx.
|
| | Guests in the queue must pass under the Walt Disney World Railroad tracks. Upon entering |
| | the attraction, guests actually begin a descent, first by going down a set of stairs and then a
gradual slope. After the queue levels off, guests begin an incline (after they've passed under
the tracks).
|
| | This is attraction was added in 1975. Imagineers anticipated a longer wait than most other |
| | Magic Kingdom attractions so the decision was made to make the queue inside and air
conditioned.
|
| | The queue is referred to as the "Star Tunnel" and the main room is the "Star Field." |
| | |
Tomorrowland Transit Authority...
| | Known as an "Automated Guideway Transit System" the first of it's kind debuted in 1924 a the British Empire Expo. Later, Goodyear would |
| | attempt to create an AGT in 1954 by using a system of rubber conveyor belts. Although the invention never took, the Speedramp and
Speedwalk technology (also used in WDW--including the queue to the TTA) were a byproduct of this technology.
|
| | It was Walt Disney who created the term "People Mover" which became more popular than an Automated Guideway."
|
| | Both Disneyland and Disney World had their own variations, both known as the WEDway "People Mover" but WDW version offered newer |
| | technology that used linear-induction-- a system of electromagnets that switch on and off that attract and resist (push and pull) the moving
train cars.
|
| | TTA's use of the electromagnetic power system was among the first of its kind. Today, linear induction is used to propel roller coasters |
| | (such as Rockin Roller Coaster) and fighter jets on aircraft carriers.
|
| | People Movers are most commonly used in large airports. Imagineers consulted with Houston Intercontinental to develop a linear induction |
| | system while Orlando International Airport uses a system similar to the now defunct Disneyland Wedway, which used rubber tires rather
than track and on-board electric motors.
|
| | WEDway, named after Walt Disney for his vision of the project, was changed in 1994 to TTA. Disney purists should note that "WEDway" |
| | still appears on the operator's control terminal which serves as a subtle reminder of this was one of Walt's personal projects.
|
| | To many, the highlight of this attraction is the model of Progress City--Walt's original concept for EPCOT. Notice on the model the use of |
| | People Movers, which are similar in appearance to the Orlando Airport's shuttles.
|
| | The track is nearly 1 mile long at 4600 feet. Along the route, there are 533 electromagnetic motors.
|
| | TIP: The TTA seldom has a long wait, even on the busiest days. It's a great attraction for getting in a much needed rest |
| | without the hassle of long lines and crowds. It's also a great way to scope out the lines and wait time for other attractions in
Tomorrowland.
|
The animatronic RCA dog's fur was
removed to show his true robotic
structure. This change was made when
FedEx began sponsorship of Space
Mountain.
Also, one of the many cargo pods can be
seen in the background, which help tell
FedEx's story of intergalactic shipping.
Astro Orbiter...
| | Although not of the famous Disney mountains, this attraction |
| | is quite high. Can be seen peaking over the tree line from the
Contemporary and Polynesian resorts.
|
| | Added in 1974, it was originally named "StarJets" and was |
| | updated in 1994 with the refurbishment of Tomorrowland. The
planets were added not only to tie in the theme of space
travel, but to create the illusion that the rockets are traveling
faster than they actually are.
|
| | The massive centerpiece of the previous attraction, StarJets, |
| | can be seen today at the MGM Studios Bone Yard found in
Backstage Tour. While on the tour, look for the green rocket.
|
| | Orbiter completes 11 evolutions per minute and the 12 ride |
| | vehicles are extended on 40 ft. arms. Each year, this spinning
attraction spins a total of 1.2 million miles per year. (Courtesy of
Magic Kingom, An Imagineer's Eye Tour)
|
Stitch's Great Escape...
| | The previous attraction, Alien Encounter, was part of the 1994 |
| | refurbishment project to create "New Tomorrowland." Michael Eisner
reportedly commissioned the attraction after touring the park with his
nephew. His nephew had been disappointed that there weren't thrill
rides in the Magic Kingdom resulting in the Alien Encounter attraction
where an alien gets loose in the theater. The show was was criticized
for being too frightening for the Magic Kingdom. Stitch's Great Escape
replaced it in 2004.
|
| | To celebrate the opening of the attraction in 2004, the Cinderella |
| | Castle was "vandalized" by Stitch. Toilet paper hung from the spires
and graffiti was spray-painted on the exterior walls.
|
| | In this attraction, Stitch is one of the most advanced animatronics in |
| | the WDW resort. As an A-100 model, he has 48 functions and is able
to "walk" around with the use of digital technology and hydraulic
actuators. Other A-100 animatronics are the Wicked Witch in the Great
Movie Ride (the first one ever produced) and Abe Lincoln in Hall of
Presidents.
|
Stitch's Great Escape opened in 2004
|
Planets were added to Astro Obiter to
create the illusion that the ride vehicles
are going faster then they actually are.
|
New Tomorrowland is most
impressive at night.
|
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin...
| | Prior atractions in this building were If you Had Wings (Opening-1987), If You Could Fly (1987- |
| | 1989), Delta DreamFlight (1989-1995) and Take Flight (1996-1998).
|
| | The Buzz Lightyear animatronic in the entrance queue uses a rear-projection screen to create a very |
| | realistic face.
|
| | The attraction is loosely based on the animated feature, Toy Story 2
|
| | The back story, told by Buzz Lightyear himself in the queue area is that on Evil Emperor Zurg, who |
| | has stollen the crystallic fusion cells, aka batteries, from other toys. Guests assume the role of new
recruits fresh out of basic training and being thrown into combat with Zurg.
|
| | While assuming the role of a new recruit, guests will also feel as though they have been reduced to |
| | the size of a toy. Notice how large the View Finder toy is that Buzz uses to show his training footage.
|
| | TIP: There are 4 different shaped targets. Round, square, triangle, and diamond shaped. |
| | The triangle and diamond shaped targets are worth the most points.
|
| | Imagineers used video games as inspiration for the theming of this attraction. This was the first |
| | attraction that Disney created an at-home version video game where gamers can use the Internet to
play against guests riding the attraction.
|
| | Despite the attraction's Omnimover system (a continuously moving ride vehicle) lines can reach 60 |
| | minutes on crowded days. A Fastpass feature was added shortly after the attraction opened.
|
| | HINT: If the ride should stop temporarily, the "Astro Blasters" will continue to work and |
| | guests can accumulate a large number of points.
|
| | Guests will have their photos taken while on the ride. In the exit queue, they will have the option of |
| | purchasing their photo with their point score and can email it to themselves or to a relative. Scores in
the top 10 of the day are posted here as well along with their initials.
|
This Buzz Lightyear
animatronic uses
rear-projection technology
to give him realistic facial
features.
|
Carousel of Progress...
| | A true Walt Disney original, this attraction was personally designed by Walt and |
| | Imagineer John Hench, and was a major attraction at the 1964 World's Fair in New York.
General Electric was the sponsor.
|
| | After the 1964 World's Fair, Carousel was relocated to Disneyland. In 1975, it was |
| | dismantled once again and then shipped to Walt Disney World. Sponsor, GE felt they
would get more advertising if it were in WDW rather than Disneyland. At the time, 80% of
the Disneyland visitors were from California but in WDW, 80% were from other parts the
country.
|
| | With the move from Disneyland to Walt Disney World, the original theme song was |
| | changed from There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow to Now is the Best Time of Your
Life. During the 1994 refurbishment of Tomorrowland, Carousel was changed back to it's
original version and so was the theme song.
|
| | As a reminder that this was a true Walt Disney original attraction, the sign outside the |
| | attraction displays it's official name, "Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress" one of the few
attractions in the Magic Kingdom (possibly the only attraction) to bare Walt's name in the
title.
|
| | There are six scenes in the attraction and each one takes place during a different |
| | season and holiday of the year.
|
| | In the original version, guests exited the attraction and went up to a second level via a |
| | Goodyear Speedramp where they were show a massive model of Walt Disney's plan for
Progress City (aka Epcot). Also, the original attraction moved counter-clockwise to
symbolize going back in time however, this was rethought to show progress and going
forward in time. The attraction now rotates clockwise.
|
| | When the attraction first arrived in WDW, lines reached over 60 minutes. Recently, |
| | rumors have surrounded Carousel of Progress about it being marked for indeffinate
closure due to unpopularity with today's park guests. Disney executives have refuted
this rumor saying they have no plans to close it due to it's strong ties with Walt Disney
himself.
|
Carousel of Progress at the World's Fair.
Photo courtesy of Extinct Attractions Club (click to
be taken there)
|
In 1994, Walt Disney's name was included
in the attraction title to identify Walt's
personal touch to this attraction.
|
The voice of "Father" was recorded by
actor, Jean Shepard. You might
remember him from such films as the
narrator in A Christmas Story.
|
Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor...
| | Just before opening in April 2007, the name was changed from Monsters Inc. |
| | Laugh Floor Comedy Club to its current title.
|
| | The attraction employs a behind-the-scenes cast of very talented human actors. |
| | Live action animation and improvazational talents are used to put on the show. If
the cast members are out and others can't cover, the attraction has to be closed.
|
| | Prior to the show starting, guests can text message a joke to a number presented |
| | on a screen. There is a chance that the joke will be used in the show.
|
| | Water headed for the Rivers of |
| | America in Frontierland and
Adventureland surfaces here at
Cosmic Rays Starlight Cafe. This
water travels via underground pipe
that runs under Fantasyland and is fed
from a canal located behind the Magic
Kingdom. Here, it appears as a simple
waterfall but it serves an important
purpose for the Magic Kingdom.
|
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|
