A New Tomorrowland

L.A. Times Archives

May 14, 1998 12 AM PT

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A whole new Tomorrowland will launch at Disneyland on May 22, with a new look and a handful of attractions, including Rocket Rods XPR, billed as the fastest and longest ride in distance. Rocket Rods XPR zips along the old PeopleMover path covering the previous 16-minute ride in 2 1/2 high-speed minutes. A look at what’s new on the launch pad and the $100-million renovations at Tomorrowland:

What’s In, Out

New rides and restaurants replace the following Tomorrowland attractions:

BLASTING OFF: “Honey, I Shrunk the Audience”

END OF THE LINE: Captain EO

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BLASTING OFF: Innoventions

END OF THE LINE: Carousel Theater (America Sings)

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BLASTING OFF: Rocket Rods XPR

END OF THE LINE: CircleVision Theater, PeopleMover

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BLASTING OFF: Astro Orbitor

END OF THE LINE: Moonliner ride

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BLASTING OFF: Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port

END OF THE LINE: Mission to Mars

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SHORT-LIVED

House of the Future

Flying Saucers

New (*) Improved Attractions

* Astro Orbitor: This multi-armed, altitude-controllaable rocket ride stands like a 64-foot-high hookah pipe at the Tomorrowland entrance, making it the area’s signature attraction. Disney designers say it was inspired by a drawing in which Leonardo da Vinci tried to make sense of the solar system. Trip time: 90 seconds

* “Honey, I Shrunk the Audience”: You know the basic plot: Wacky scientist invents device capable of shrinking matter, then something goes wrong! In this 18-minute 3-D attraction, a series of in-theater effects makes the 500 audience members feel as if the theater is shrinking to the size of a shoe box.

* Innoventions: Five thematic areas showcase interactive displays of new products and technologies; displays change every six months. Show times: Unlimited access.

* Rocket Rods XPR: Boarding area features nine screens showing fast-paced music videos themed to transportation. Trip time: 2 1/2 minutes

Rocket Rod Raceway

Route through buildings

Fastest parts of route

Flat track ranges 15-40 feet high. Track material is same as on aircraft-carrier decks to ensure rods get enough traction to take off.

* Observatron: Arms of this “alien transmitter” unfold, pointing radar dishes skyward and playing music and beaming lights in a message of goodwill from Disneyland. Show times: Every 30 minutes

* Cosmic Waves: Designed after Elizabethan concept of hedge mazes, 5-foot-tall jets of water shoot from ground in synchronized patterns; features a floating 12,000-pound granite ball. Show times: unlimited access

Space Mountain: Familiar white spires repainted metallic green and copper; speakers have been built into headrests to increase immediacy of ride

Star Tours: Queue area has been redesigned to bring guests waiting to board flights “indoors”

Submarine Voyage: New colors at entrance and inside ride

Autopia: Hot pink and orange neon marquee with ‘50s look.

Moonliner: Replica of original ride shoots steam and dispenses beverages

Monorail station: Flow neon, a new lighting technology, decorates the station.

Train station: New colors, spires and neon-lit sphere rising through roof

Food for Thought

To fit with Disney’s vision of the future, all trees and plants in Tomorrowland will be edible. Many of the smaller vegetables and herbs will planted in rows and change with the seasons:

Citrus and fruit trees: Apple, orange, lemon, banana, avocado, olive, date, kiwi and coffee plants

Vegetables: Cabbage, corn, kale, radicchio, red and yellow peppers.

Hot Rods that Rock(et)

Rocket Rods XPR track travels around and through other Tomorrowland rides:

Length: 16 feet

Height: 5 feet

Weight: 5,000 pounds

Horsepower: 250

Seating: Deep bucket seats absorb force while taking high-speed corners on flat track. Seats five.

Fast Rides

The five speediest Disneyland rides and how long each ride lasts:

MAXIMUM VELOCITY