Disneyland's Dirty Secret in 2026

Walt Disney's original kingdom holds a big dirty secret that they don't want let out to the public. It's one that's hidden in most all promotional materials but talked about within the halls of the Company's suits as well as in Imagineering. What is it? The park's Tomorrowland is an embarrassment and no longer worthy of the Disney name. Yes, the land of the future was barely finished in time at opening. Yes, the "new" Tomorrowland of 1998 was not an improvement over the 1967 version, and yes, Disney's been teasing a new entry is coming ever since, well, forever. 

Disneyland may be the original and the one with the most charming Fantasyland as well as a beautiful New Orleans Square and Rivers of America, but on the other side of the park, it's a mess.

The skeleton of the beloved Peoplemover hangs as a grim reminder of previous greatness and innovation. Or if you're younger, it's a reminder of the short lived Rocket Rods, a great attraction killed by budget cuts and short-sightedness. The useless Carousel of Progress building is a huge wasteland. Star Tours belongs somewhere else- if only they had a land dedicated to the Star Wars franchise. The centerpiece  Rocket Jets are uselessly grounded, making Dumbo more appealing. As beautiful as the land's lagoon is, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage has run its course.

Space Mountain is the land's only redeeming factor. It's time to get ride of everything else and start fresh. Imagineering could have some great ideas. Will we see something at the 2026 D23? I doubt it, but I'd love to be wrong.

(Top photograph from DocumentDisney.)

The Sparkle of Disneyland's Tomorrowland 1967

The Submarine Voyage and the Peoplemover. What more can you say? Plenty! Add in the Carousel of Progress, the late and great Adventure Thru Inner Space and a refreshed entrance to Tomorrowland.  The year 1967 would remain one for the books in the annals of Disneyland history. 

Walt's park seemed better than ever under the guidance of those first generation Imagineers. And, boy, they were on a roll! It's a Small World was first, then Pirates of the Caribbean in the Spring of '67 and the Haunted Mansion a couple of years later. Let's not forget Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln coming hot off the World's Fair. 

Things would slow down for awhile, but as this photograph from the late and great Vintage Disneyland Tickets shows, the future was also moving at Disneyland- unless you look at Tomorrowland. That revision in 1998 was a dud- Rocket Rods aside-, and it was the last time that area of the park had even the slightest bit of cohesion. Will the Imagineering team bring a great new person of the future for the park's 75th Anniversary? Your guess is as good as mine!

(Photograph copyright Vintage Disneyland Tickets.)

There's A Great Big Beautiful Yesterday

Sing along with me, "There's a great big beautiful tomorrow, shining at the end of every day..." Those simply wonderful lines from long time Disney songwriters Robert and Richard Sherman convey the optimism and hope of the 1960's Disneyland. Walt Disney knew what he was doing to get these brothers involved in creating memorable tunes for his stellar attractions! 

The Carousel of Progress was one such incredible fan favorite. Found in the brand New Tomorrowland of 1967, the attraction's cast grew the Audio-Animatronic family at Walt's park.  With the Peoplemover and the great Adventures Thru Inner Space, this land of the future just had to be experienced. For those who came shortly before, Pirates of the Caribbean had just debuted and the Haunted Mansion would come in 1969. 

It was a season when the park's expanded because of the love of the art and not the love of the dollar. But the dollars came in quantities unexpected, because Walt respected his guests and treated them well. What today's Disney leadership could learn by looking backwards!

(Photograph copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Beating Disney at It's Own Game: Disney vs. Universal Day Three- Magic Kingdom

If you want to beat Disney at its own game, it takes a bit of advance planning, but it certainly can be done! Hitting them in the wallet can certainly work in your favor- and in favor of all guests in the long run. Yet, flexibility is key if you really want to walk this out. And one more thing: you've got to be willing to make a sacrifice or two. But I believe it is more than worth it. How? Read on.

Today would begin the Walt Disney World portion of our trip. This would be the day I finally got to experience my most anticipated new attraction in any theme park: TRON Lightcycle / Run at the Magic Kingdom. Now, that pesky Virtual Queue would become a problem as we were off property staying at Universal Orlando Resort's Dockside Resort. How could we beat the system?

From a financial standpoint, we were saving well over $140 per night by staying at Disney's competitor and for a much nicer experience than All Star Sports. (Two bedrooms and a breakfast table, chairs, a microwave, and a refrigerator.) But it all came at a price: We had to use Uber to get to and from Universal to Disney. Thankfully, that was inexpensive, about $25 more or less each way depending on the time. The more expensive price than Uber was when it came time to book an attraction that getting in a virtual queue was a necessity. 

We narrowed it down to two attractions: TRON and Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind. We were not going to Florida and missing either one of these. Then we prioritized the new Magic Kingdom E Ticket at Number One, so that if we missed riding the first day, we had another one to try again. But here's how we beat Disney at its own game.

A great spot for breakfast and a happy son!

The night before, we scheduled our ride for 6:15am the next day. Now, it's not like waking up at 5 minutes before that necessary 7:00am time slot to get on your phone, but there were unexpected benefits to being up that early. But we had to be up early anyway, so what was an additional half hour? Nothing.

After doing a bit of research, we decided our landing spot would be the Grand Floridian. Our plan was to arrive early, walk around a bit, and be on our phones at the needed time in hopes of securing a spot in the queue. Next, we would stop to have breakfast at the Grand Floridian Cafe before taking the monorail to the Magic Kingdom. It was ambitious, but it ended up being the perfect plan.

We arrived at 6:35. This allowed of plenty of quiet time with no one around to walk through the resort and the grounds, taking plenty of photographs with the lovely glow of early morning. It was peaceful and beautiful as the rising sun changed the landscapes every few minutes. We set our phone alarms for the correct time so that we didn't have to watch the clock and could enjoy the serenity. After snagging an early boarding group, we enjoyed a terrific breakfast at a leisurely pace. 

With a short monorail ride, we entered the Magic Kingdom and queued left for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. We have a family joke that has been going one for over a decade now. Our youngest daughter loves this coaster, so whoever rides it must send her a photo of the ride when she's not with them. Quick photo and playful text sent, we walked right on for two successive rides on the Wildest Ride in the Wilderness. Still fun after all these years. Imagineer Tony Baxter and team sure knew how to create an instant but enduring classic. 

Speaking of Mr. Baxter, Tiana's Bayou Adventure was not open, but a quick walk by left me wondering what would be in store for guests who loved the original Splash Mountain. I'd soon have my answer. My thoughts on this Princess and the Frog makeover are here.

Not the best version but still never missed.

In any Disney castle park, Pirates of the Caribbean is one of the best attractions to be found. The truncated version of the California original is in Florida, but it is still a must-see adventure every visit for us. The attraction was in tip top shape. From the multiple Audio-Animatronics to the volume of the sound effects, everything worked terrifically. 

One thing I just love about visiting the Magic Kingdom is that the guests do not shout out dialogue or sing the attractions theme song and disturb other riders. In Florida, it seems people are a bit more respectful of others who paid way too much to experience things only Disney used to create. Passholders and regular visitors to Disneyland would be their reputation a favor by following similar standards. 

It was time to ride TRON. I couldn't wait. The walk to Tomorrowland seemed like an eternity- even longer than it takes Disney to build something new unless it is a DVC location or a brand new hotel. Priorities, people, priorities. 

Oh, the thrill of experiencing a brand new attraction for the first time! Now, I'm a person who watches all the YouTube videos, partially out of curiosity and also because I know the in person experience will greatly differ than what can be seen on a computer screen.

When the attraction debuted at Shanghai Disneyland, I was so jealous. When it was announced for Florida in 2017, I was thrilled. When I finally rode it for myself seven years later... I was truly disappointed. 

A view from the queue.

After having just ridden Islands of Adventure's most popular roller coaster, Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, I couldn't help but make the comparisons. Yet, on its own, TRON disappoints- and it kills me to say it. The queue to the ride is terrific. It should be as it carries the visual look of the movies. The build up is great with the voiceovers and the idea of a thrilling race across the Grid. So far, so good.

Once on it, I found the lightcycle itself uncomfortable. The ride is very smooth- and incredibly short. The outside portion looks more fun than it is. Certainly, good advertising for the ride, but you don't really have a chance to get used to the ride or the story of the race before it all ends. Let's be honest- fans of the film want to ride in the darkness of the Grid. Why does it begin outside? By the time your eyes adjust to the darkness, the ride is half over. And the whole thing runs about one minute long. One minute. 

Beyond the brevity of the ride, I found the indoor visuals lacking. With all their storytelling skills and creative tricks, there should have been a better way to experience the race than how it was done. Will I ride it again? Sure- with other family members who haven't been before, but probably not on my own. I'd consider TRON an epic fail. Wasted potential of what should have been as good if not better than Space Mountain next door. 

A much better experience.

Aside from the unnecessary long lines due to Genie+, the Magic Kingdom's first roller coaster remains a very satisfying experience. It is a bit rougher for all the wear and time for a track replacement, but that aside, it reminds Disney fans of the storytelling excellence of the old school Imagineering greats. Great story, compelling setting, and a ride worth the wait. TRON and Space Mountain are like opposite sides of a coin. The older Magic Kingdom coaster is a classic for a reason.

While in Tomorrowland, do what the locals do: Ride the Peoplemover. When I think of the attractions that have been removed at Disneyland but still exist in Florida, this one is at the top of the list. (With my humblest of apologies Country Bear Jamboree!) I could hop on this  several times of day and still enjoy it just as much as the first ride. Viewing the Contemporary Resort from the transportation system of the future just feels right. Those Imagineers went out of their way to make sure everything was in theme and the visual intrusions of show buildings were out of the ordinary. You really can't say that anymore.

One big misstep, but a better overall experience awaits in Florida.

Much like Pirates, we do not miss the Haunted Mansion on our visits. The big curiosity this visit would be the addition of the Hatbox Ghost. While I do think the Florida mansion is an overall better experience, the placement of him is just wrong and so is the cartoonish queue. The rest of it, however, I find to be a much better storytelling device to ride through each scene. The Portrait Gallery takes on a whole new feel when you're in your Doombuggy, and the Florida exclusive Library is a real fine addition, befitting the grandeur of the creepy old house on the hill. Again- all of it in fine working order.

On the opposite side of the scale, there were many things not working in the classic It's A Small World. That was disappointing as it is one of my very favorite old school attractions. I just love the sweet sentiment behind it, and I also absolutely love the theme song by the Sherman Brothers. The sound settings were off and some of the dolls did not move. There were burned out bulbs in the finale. It's a broken world after all- just as it is in reality. 

After a visit to Ariel's world, we walked to the train station and got off in Frontierland to head to the Jungle Cruise. As is customary, our skipper was really good, but the line had swelled well beyond the normal range due to Genie+ again. What a disaster this money making gimmick has produced. The lines seemed to be at least 50 percent longer because of this change. I hate the new Disney for pulling crap like this. Really.

It's now time for me to give out two awards. The first one goes to the Worst Lunch during our entire trip. Actually it was my worst meal at Walt Disney World ever. The "winner" is Comic Ray's Starlight Café. My hamburger meat was dry. But the worst offense was the bun itself. The entire bun, top and bottom, was so hard that I had to use a bit of force to push my finger into it. To make matters worse, the fries were undercooked. I never return my food- but I made an exception this time. 

The second award was for Worst Dinner during our trip. Yes, also to be found in the Magic Kingdom. You've guessed it- Pecos Bill Cafe. We tried to eat in Adventureland- at the Tortuga Tavern actually. The menu looked terrific! But it was closed. The closest thing available was around the corner. And boy, was it busy! Now, the food wasn't that bad- but compared to all of our dinners, this meal was the bottom of the rung. If only Cosmic Ray's was this good...

After our meal, we took a quick ride with Buzz Lightyear and then headed out of the park. We had just been to Disneyland a year before, so we had been on everything we wanted. Besides, there are way fewer attractions at the Magic Kingdom compared to Disneyland. With it getting dark, we wanted to be outside the park before the fireworks. A quick monorail rode out of the Magic Kingdom to the nearby Contemporary Resort. As we waited for our Uber, we watched the fireworks. Almost exactly when they were over, our ride arrived, and it was a short ride home. We beat all the crowds and had a great day- meals aside.

A visit to the Magic Kingdom is still satisfying, but even less so this visit. Maybe the unplanned stop in First Aid had something to do with it. (No story here.) It definitely had something to do with the sub-par eats. But how I long to be in the park for several hours after dark- and at no extra cost. But those were the old days when Guest Satisfaction meant more than the profit margins. Sorry, Walt. Things have changed with the company you built. They are greedy, pure and simple.

Our second day at Walt Disney World would be at my favorite Disney park in Florida: Epcot. And I couldn't wait. The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival was in full bloom. Would it be a good one?

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft.)

Stunning and Sleek Tomorrowland

When Disney Imagineers are at the top of their game, they can be pretty tough to beat. In the early days of Disneyland, Imagineering pulled out all the stops, and their pieces of concept art for the new park certainly pleased Walt Disney. They were forward thinking when it came to the land of the future. In 1955, Tomorrowland was full of corporate exhibits and not much else. That changed when a 1967 version was revealed. The Carousel of Progress, right from the 1964 World's Fair, an amazing Adventure Thru Inner Space attraction, and of course, the fan favorite Peoplemover made their debut. The thrills were still to come. Space Mountain took a bit longer, but it was well worth the wait. 

Just for fun, here's a pretty rare piece of art for Walt Disney World's Space Mountain, before Tron's Lightcycles came in.

I might have more concept art on the world wide Tomorrowlands than any other parts of the parks. Explore on! You've only scratched the surface with this post, but this article might be the best place to start...

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

When Tomorrowland Was Cool!

It's hard to imagine, but one day in the distant long ago, the Land of Tomorrowland was cool! Yes, Disneyland's Tomorrowland was once forward looking- the original DisneylandForward. Thanks to the Imagineers and the great Walt Disney. Want to this all this retro/vintage vive in its Black and White glory? Watch a nine minute video (without sound) here.

1967 Disneyland Map

Want to see a Disneyland map with the Peoplemover, the Mine Train Thru Nature's Wonderland, the Skyway, and the Mike Fink Keelboats? Well, here it is! These long gone gems of Disneyland are right here on this 1967 map. Or is it "Fun map"? I never can remember. Regardless, the vintage, retro, very cool image is just the very bright and charming piece I wanted to show this Monday morning. With all the doom and gloom in the world, a little fun never hurt anyone. 

(Image copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Three From Tomorrowlounge 67 Plus A Bonus

 Disneyland fan Mike Cozart's and his now (very sadly) defunct  Tomorrowlounge 67 site hosts some of the most incredible information and images you will find on Anaheim's Land of the Future. Here's three pieces of Imagineering concept art- plus a bonus one- to prove my point.

 

Yes, this once was Disneyland's Land of the Future.

The top image is in vibrant 60's era colors, so Tomorrowland sparkles with an energy it is certainly missing today.  The Peoplemover, the Rocket Jets overhead, and the elevated ramps brought vibrancy and movement. Toss in the Skyway and the Monorail, well, you didn't need to see the blue waters of the Submarine Lagoon to realize the future was definitely one on the move, one that looked very inviting.

 

 

 

So good were the Imagineers at their craft that even in these muted brown tones or in charcoal, a clear sense of excitement there, easily communicated in these renderings. 

 

Although long gone from Disneyland where the Peoplemover tracks rot, the great bones for stunning Tomorrowland now reside only in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. 

TRON will certainly add to the excitement, and now that those long lines will appear all over the land for two attractions with a height limit, I'd say it is high time to give some love and care at a deep level to classics like the Carousel of Progress. Folks who don't ride the land's thrill attractions need something to enjoy. So why not give them a taste of the excellently designed gifts of the first and greatest generation of Imagineers?

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland is Better Than Disneyland's Version of the Future

Among Disneyland purists, it's an unpopular opinion, but I've long maintained that Walt Disney World's Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom is far superior to its older California sibling. My last visit to Anaheim, we did not ride a single attraction in the Land of the Future. In contrast, during our last trip to Florida, I did as many as possible.

You've got the Peoplemover, the Astro Orbiter (way up high where it belongs), the Carousel of Progress, and of course, the wide open views of Space Mountain, the Contemporary Resort, and the upcoming TRON Lightcycle Run. Regardless of its charms- and the Submarine Lagoon itself is beautiful- Disneyland just can't compete in this arena.

In Florida, there are a good amount of classic vintage, retro focused attractions. Finally, the suits and Disney Imagineering are embracing this! The Tomorrowland Speedway gets a Christmas layover with a vibe straight from the 1960s and 70s. This piece of promo material / concept art makes me wish West Coast Disney fans had a chance for something similar. 

The food in either land is still bad, and the shopping is a joke as well. Yet, the vibe in Florida feels fresh not tired. TRON will only make it better. 

Now, about that space used up by Stitch's Great Escape...

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Will Time Stand Still in Tomorrowland?

So many rumors abound that D23 will announce an total and much needed revamp to Disneyland's tired Tomorrowland. It's not that Imagineering's Tony Baxter and team didn't create something with potential. It's that even the fun but short-lived Rocket Rods was budget engineered. Bargain Basement Imagineering, actually. Much like Disney's California Adventure was at the time. (That's an entirely different multi-part story I've already told here. Just search for it. But let's not even talk about Tokyo Disneysea which opened the same year as the disaster that was DCA!)

But look at what Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom got in the 90s! A brand new sparkling Tomorrowland with the epic Alien Encounter, the Timekeeper, which also debuted at Euro Disney/ Disneyland Paris, and a whole slew of beautiful design pieces. Like this sweet entrance marquee. The fanciful approach to the land stayed fresh for years.

Unfortunately, we can't say that at Disneyland!  With the corpse of the Peoplemover there for over 20 years now and acres of unused space, the place is a thematic mess. Walt would be rightfully embarrassed. Is MiceChat correct? Is a new Tomorrowland on the way? We shall see.

(Photograph copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Is This Art for A New Magic Kingdom in India?

Is this the proof that a new Disney theme park in India is on its way? The way things are going with The Walt Disney Company under the leadership of Bob Chapek, it wouldn't surprise me one bit if he decided to make his mark on the Disney legacy by building a new park in Asia. Certainly the population of the country could support it. With more than 1.3 billion people and a growing middle class, it's an untapped source of revenue. Yet, the current leader of the country deals with a major humans rights violation, one which he actually helps perpetuate: India has become a hotbed of Christian persecution where there are growing reports of violence and murder at the hands of Hindu extremists. Looking at the World Watch List which studies the top 50 places it is most dangerous to be a believer in Jesus, India has quickly moved up the ranks to Number 10 in recent years. But I guess these issues haven't stopped Disney before- Shanghai Disneyland was pursued and built after all.

But I digress: Is this a Magic Kingdom that locals would embrace?  Just look at this more recent piece of concept art by Greg Pro. Imagine a Peoplemover station inside the iconic castle! The Imagineers have always thought outside the box. ("Why does it have to be a box?") If the Imagineers can turn Main Street U.S.A. into Mickey Avenue in China, they can certainly come up with lands and themes that remove any flavor of the American way of life. In fact, would a Pandora themed World of Avatar be a perfect fit? The spiritual similarities are striking and certainly the hot moist climate would create a striking landscape.

Will Chapek and company move ahead with a project like this? I wouldn't put it past him- if he survives long enough.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Vintage Disneyland: A World on the Move

We take it for granted now, but only several decades ago, Disneyland was a marvelous new idea, an amazing place that filled the dreams of kids and adults. Walt Disney gambled all he had to pull it off. It was his baby, and the desire to keep adding to it was always on his mind. Tomorrowland may be the best example of constant change. Here's a great old school shot of the Matterhorn Bobsleds, the Skyway, and the Submarine Voyage. The Monorail is not in the shot, and we can just make out the Peoplemover, but the place was a world on the move! Off inn the distant are the spires of It's A Small World. 

As decades come and go, each Disneyland Resort president and Disney corporate CEO will make their mark, but masses of guests will continue to come and experience "Walt's park"... which can still be found if you know where to look.

(Photograph copyright Getty Images.)

The Disneyland Tomorrowland We Almost Got

I've never seen this piece of concept art for Disneyland before! A brand New Tomorrowland of EPCOT Center influence. It's one with smooth wide walkways of glistening white, multiple flags, elegant fountains, and streamlined curved wing roofs. Imagine a land on the move where the chain of cars in the Peoplemover are a variety of different colors instead of one individual color per train. Instead of a glowing Spaceship Earth, the Rocket Jets take center stage high above it all. Although I love her work, there wasn't a Mary Blair mural in sight. Very different than what was built, but both versions looked inviting. 

When those iconic Disney Imagineers of old began to dream up what could replace the pennant filled early and temporary land of the future, the final result was just astounding. It's true Disney park fans still speak of Adventure Thru Inner Space fondly, but it is so much more than nostalgia. This was a land of optimism and discovery! A living Carousel fo Progress. Under the watchful eye of Walt Disney who never got to see it open, the land was executed to perfection. How the Company that bears his name needs someone that visionary more than ever!

Tomorrowland 1967 at Disneyland remains the best version of the Land of the Future ever built in California! 

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Imagineer John Hench's Concept Art for Disneyland's Peoplemover and Rocket Jets

The title says it all! This rare piece of Tomorrowland concept art by Imagineer John Hench perfectly captures the energy and movement of the new attractions that premiered at Disneyland in 1967. With the innovative Peoplemover, eye candy filled Adventure Thru Inner Space, and a brand new version of Carousel of Progress coming from the World's Fair, Tomorrowland was the place to be. Pirates of the Caribbean had recently debuted and the Haunted Mansion was on its way. Walt's magical little park continued to expand and proved itself a beloved theme park year after year after year. All while offering groundbreaking family entertainment at prices everyone could afford. What an incredible thought!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

A Golden Tomorrowland and a Revamped Space Mountain

Tomorrowland 1967- an iconic, much beloved, incarnation of the Land of the Future. And Disneyland was all the richer for it! This piece of concept art by the Imagineers reveals a new profile for Space Mountain than we've seen, a look at the Peoplemover and the Carousel of Progress, and a view of the entrance to Mission to Mars. 

The plan oozed ambition and a determination to give guests more than just an experience they deserved. It was to be an immersive journey into the future- and beyond. It worked...until it didn't. And then the land had to be revamped to keep up with an ever growing future. Then we mourned the loss of Adventure Thru Inner Space and the innocence of the age. Never to be seen again.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Rare Concept Art for Disneyland's 1967 Tomorrowland?

It took a visit to the Walt Disney Family Museum to see this piece of concept art! I had never seen this before, which was kind of a surprise as I am just a huge fan of the work created for Disneyland's 1967 re-envisioned Tomorrowland. The best of Disneyland's Land of the Future. Adventure Thru Inner Space? Check. Peoplemover? Check. Carousel of Progress? Check again. What a line up! 

This blog is stuffed with some of Imagineering's best renderings of it all. Say what you will about the newer attractions like Rise of the Resistance. They may be great, but they lack the charm, optimism, and innocence of an era where the future was seen as a great, big, beautiful, tomorrow.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company. Photograph by Mark Taft.)

Rare 1967 Disneyland Painted Map

Here's a fresh and bright and charming 1967 map of Disneyland. It seemingly wasn't used much if at all as there are no labels or text, but it is full of vintage goodness. Used shortly after the opening of Pirates of the Caribbean that same year, the graphic design of the icons sparkle with life. 

It was during a season when Audio-Animatronics were new and exciting. Take a look at the prominence of Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln right at the hub, the Enchanted Tiki Room makes its splash on the map, and the beautiful clock tower of It's A Small World stands proudly behind the castle. Beyond those highlights, the beloved and iconic New Tomorrowland shows off the Peoplemover while older school attractions still have a place. From the Swiss Family Treehouse to the Matterhorn Bobsleds and the Jungle Cruise, Disney knew their market and that variety is the spice of life.

For all its many changes over the decades, "Walt's park" certainly remains just as astonishing as ever!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

My Ride on Disneyland's Long Lost Rocket Rods

Growing up in Orange County, California meant Disneyland was a part of my life for as long as I can remember. For better and for worse. I grew up a geek, anticipating every addition to Walt Disney's magic playground. Few construction projects were as highly anticipated as the brand New Tomorrowland of 1998. 

Rocket Rods was the one most everyone looked forward to. The name now represents one of Disney's most high profile failures, right alongside Light Magic, California Adventure 1.0, and Superstar Limo. Bargain Basement Imagineered and poorly engineered because of a minuscule budget, Rocket Rods was long long for this earth..  

Visiting the family at the right time, I was at Disneyland within the first few weeks of the opening. My first stop was to be expected. I happily jumped into the lengthy queue. The beautifully re purposed America the Beautiful building showcased blueprint type art and vintage Tomorrowland graphics. Getting to the old Peoplemover platform involved a bit of Disney engineering magic bringing guests upstairs in a very clever way. Soon enough, I was high above Tomorrowland waiting for my one and only ride on the attraction's futuristic sleds.

As everyone knows, the ride itself was a constant stop and go experience. At full speed, it was great fun! Cruising above the land was just so classic Disney with a twist. A roller coaster of sorts fully outdoors but also in theme. When we had to slow down for those pesky unbanked curves, it was a step backwards in what should have been another must-do in the park.

Imagineer Tony Baxter lead the Tomorrowland project and took a fair share of the blame for its failure. Of course, I debate that view. The suits and Michael Eisner's cold feet were the real culprits. I make my case for the excellence of Tony Baxter's work here in part one and part two of this very popular series of articles. 

As things worked out, it was my one and only ride. I planned to get back into line but there was still the rest of Tomorrowland '98 waiting  to see. My next trip out would be in 2001 for California Adventure, and the once promising Rocket Rods were now a piece of Disneyland history.

(Top photo from Yesterland. Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Disneyland Without Space Mountain?

Disneyland without Space Mountain? Don't be so sure it could not happen. Shanghai Disneyland opened with Tron Lightcycle Run in its place- and not a single person seems to have expressed outrage they did not get to ride one of Imagineering's iconic attractions. But that is exactly what happened in 1967. The plans were clearly in the works to add Space Mountain to the brand New Tomorrowland, and you can see it in this page from the Disneyland Guide book. The concept art is right there front and center. When the revision of the land did open, Adventure Thru Inner Space made its debut and Carousel of Progress opened up on the West Coast after a great response to the show at the World's Fair. The Peoplemover covered the land in style. There was excitement everywhere! Except Space Mountain would not make its debut. That had to come later. Much later. A decade in fact.

Love Space Mountain and want to learn more about its history? Check out this mega-post with all the history and concept art you could want!

Entirely Different Tomorrowland Entrance for Disneyland

Full confession mode: I used to love Disneyland's incredible Tomorrowland. Not so much anymore. Now, it's nice to look at (the Matterhorn Bobsleds against the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage Lagoon), but aside from Space Mountain, I just kind of move on. My favorite era was the 1967 version of the land, fresh with Adventure Thru Inner Space, PeopleMover, and the Carousel of Progress. 

At opening, Imagineer Herb Ryman created several different pieces of concept art for the entrance to the Land of the Future. The one above was not chosen, but it still has value as a piece representing a Disney History when looking to the future was still in vogue. 

Now that Epcot Center is fully abandoning its origins of a forward thinking Future World, and the castle parks' Tomorrowland has become an excuse for attractions based on animated movies which took place in the future, these renderings provide a look back to what once was. A time when Disneyland was more than just a theme park, when it also highlighted a hopeful future for mankind and a world where we would truly see progress. Unfortunately, as politics and human nature proves, this hopeful future on earth is a thing of the past. We are selfish and broken at our core (this author included), and we need a savior- one to forgive us, set us free from an awful eternity apart from God, and one to give us hope.  Even Walt Disney couldn't create that!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)