Tomorrowland
Of all the Disney themed lands, Tomorrowland always seems the most problematic. How do you keep to futuristic themes, with a look and feel you can’t find today? Especially when once you built it, it then becomes the present? Tomorrowland is always on the move, so it’s hard to get this land timelessly positioned in a perfect way.
That said, a remodel of Tomorrowland here in the 1990’s led to a fairly solid experience that continues to this day. At night, this may be the most beautiful Tomorrowland you can find in any of the parks world-wide. And with a new Tron coaster coming in the next few years, it’s going to get even better.
The great icon of Tomorrowland is Space Mountain. It is the original, with not one, but two tracks running around each other in an infinite amount of deep space. Add an interactive queue, and a cute little post show, and one should have a solid experience. The problem is that the ships were built in similar style to Disney’s first foray into roller coasters, the Matterhorn bobsleds. As such, the ride is anything but smooth. Still, it’s exciting, and people line up all day to experience its thrills.
The real thread to this land is the Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover. This experiment in urban transportation is the perfect way to see all of Tomorrowland without leaving your seat. It is a favorite of guests, and it manages large crowds at a time when moving. It also creates a kinetic energy to the land, making the entire experience all the more futuristic.
Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor is a stretch when one thinks of the future. One wonders if perhaps this attraction shouldn’t have found a home in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It’s a comedy improv show done in a high-tech/high-touch way with characters from Monstropolis. It’s a clever, fun show, and if you’re “that guy” you will find it unforgettable. It’s also a great way to escape the heat.
One signature attraction found in most every Tomorrowland has been the opportunity for kids to drive a car. That possibility is made real at the Tomorrowland Speedway. It goes from zero to slow in nothing flat, but if you’re a kid behind the wheel, it seems all too real.
Another favorite is Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. Here guests fire lasers to defeat the Emperor Zurg in a shooting gallery-style game. It’s cartoonish in style, but guests generally get into building points, and the result is a lot of fun.
High above it all is the Astro Orbiter. If kids love driving a car, why not fly your own spaceship. No matter how high you fly on this attraction, you will find stunning views of the Magic Kingdom all around you.
If a spin in the sky makes you dizzy, consider a more leisurely rotates on the Carousel of Progress. This is a signature attraction that originally premiered in the 1964 New York World’s Fair. This attraction was personally designed by Walt Disney, and celebrates a century of progress. The theater rotates around different stages showcasing various decades and seasons and featuring a family of audio-animatronic characters. It may seem dated, but this is one of the originals dating back to before Walt Disney World was even built. And it’s great way to get out of the heat and into some air conditioning.
Tomorrowland is not the home to fine dining, but that doesn’t dismiss the possibility of it being unforgettable. Consider Cosmic Rays, one of the biggest counter service restaurants in the entire country, much less Walt Disney World. Hamburgers, fries, grilled chicken sandwiches and chicken nuggets are the order of the day.
But the highlight is Sonny Eclipse, singing songs that are truly out of this world.
Nights come alive, not just with the amazing lighting but with the help of an outdoor DJ stage where Disney characters can often be found mingling with those who need to shake it up on the dance floor.
