Tomorrowland
One of Disneyland's original lands, Tomorrowland has changed significantly over the years, along with our ideas of what the future will bring.
Ages 2–4: |
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Ages 5–10: |
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Ages 11–15: |
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Ages 16–adult: |
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Astro Orbitor
This ride is a spectacular sight, an intricate design based on an orrery, a planetary model popular from the fifteenth through nineteenth centuries, and it's especially striking when lit up at night. Aside from the pretty design, it's a simple ride quite similar to Dumbo the Flying Elephant. The ride rotates the rocket jets and the riders control the altitude. It lasts ninety seconds.
Astro Orbitor is a popular ride among kids, and the lines move slowly, which means the wait can be long. Although the experience is fun, if there's a long wait, you might want to think twice about whether it's worth it.
Autopia
Ages 2–4: |
N.S. |
Ages 5–10: |
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Ages 11–15: |
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Ages 16–adult: |
* |
For kids, driving a car on their own is always in the future. At Autopia, originally called the Freeway of the Future, they can get an early start. Guests take off in model sports cars (sort of like go-carts) along a predefined track, but the cars don't move until the checkered flag waves. The cars are about 10 feet long, weigh 1,100 pounds, and have real motors. They travel at a fast-paced 7 miles per hour but can't leave their track. Kids get to control the speed and steering as they go around curves, over bridges, and even try off-roading. They are sure to find Autopia a lifelike and fun driving experience. And adults can get an idea of what it will be like when their kids are driving!
FAST FACT
Suzy, the cute little coupe that's one of the three Autopia vehicles, is based on Walt Disney's 1952 short animated film, Suzy the Little Blue Coupe. An off-road vehicle and a little sports car are the other two designs.
Anyone who already has a driver's license will probably want to skip Autopia, especially since waits can be so long that it's a fastpass attraction.
Kids over 52 inches tall can ride Autopia alone. Smaller children can ride with an adult, but they must be at least one year old. Autopia is suitable for most people, but sometimes the cars get bumped sharply from behind.
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
Ages 2–4: |
N.S. |
Ages 5–10: |
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Ages 11–15: |
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Ages 16–adult: |
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Part ride and part game, Astro Blasters is an interactive ride. Two people ride per vehicle, shooting at targets and accumulating points. One of the riders can also control the car's rotation. In a modern twist, online players can affect what happens to riders in the park. The whole thing lasts about five minutes.
Astro Blasters is popular and lines can get long. fastpass is available. Riders of all ages are allowed, but it can intimidate small children. The ride is noisy, and there are lots of flashing lights.
Disneyland Monorail
When the Disneyland Monorail opened in 1957, it was the first of its kind. It travels through Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure, crossing the replica Golden Gate Bridge that spans California Adventure's entrance and stops in Tomorrowland and in Downtown Disney.
Round trips are not allowed, and you'll have to get off and reboard if you want to go right back where you came from.
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
Inspired by the Disney/Pixar film Finding Nemo, this new ride was scheduled to open in summer 2007 when this book was written. It is located in the space once occupied by the Submarine Voyage and recycles eight of the submarines from that ride, and guests will embark on a mission to observe an undersea volcano. Characters from the animated film will appear swimming just outside the windows, and riders will get involved in the hunt to find Nemo.
Don't worry about sinking. The “submarines” do not submerge. Instead, they're really boats with the passenger seating located below the water level.
“Honey, I Shrunk the Audience”
Ages 2–4: |
N.S. |
Ages 5–10: |
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Ages 11–15: |
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Ages 16–adult: |
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Based on the humorous film Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, this 3-D show features inventor Wayne Szalinski (played by actor Rick Moranis) who is to accept the Inventor of the Year award. Guests get a preview of things to come while waiting in line and then enter the auditorium. Things go awry (of course), and the hapless innovator ends up shrinking the audience. Eventually most everything returns to normal, but not without some startling moments along the way, including a “fourth dimension” effect of scurrying mice.
This attraction is suitable for everyone, but smaller children may not be able to keep their 3-D glasses on, and some of the effects may be a little scary for them.
Innoventions
Ages 2–4: |
N.S. |
Ages 5–10: |
** |
Ages 11–15: |
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Ages 16–adult: |
** |
Innoventions is a showcase for current and future technology, more of a minimuseum or display than a ride. In the past, featured technology has included the Segway human transporter (and a chance to take a short ride on one), but the current feature attraction is Honda's walking robot ASIMO.
Innoventions is intended to showcase cutting-edge technology. Unfortunately, cutting edge quickly becomes trailing edge, and at any time, some of the displays may seem a bit outdated.
Space Mountain
Ages 2–4: |
N.S. |
Ages 5–10: |
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Ages 11–15: |
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Ages 16–adult: |
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Perhaps one of Disneyland's most famous and popular attractions, this roller coaster takes you for a fast-paced ride through space. A renovation completed in 2005 left the track unchanged but with new effects added.
After waiting in a space station themed queue and boarding area, twelve passengers board each “rocket” and soon find themselves traveling in the dark — at speeds up to 30 miles per hour — whizzing around sharp turns. Hollywood-style special effects surround you with stars and galaxies that make you feel as if you're on a rocket flying through space.
What sets Space Mountain apart from most roller coasters is that it travels fast but offers no steep drops. Even if you tend to get scared riding a traditional roller coaster, since you're in virtual darkness and don't experience any massive drops, the whole experience is rather enjoyable.
FAST FACT
The term E-ticket ride, which now means an exciting experience, comes from the way Disneyland tickets were once sold, in lettered categories A through E, with an E ticket giving entrance to the most expensive and exciting rides.
Space Mountain should not be experienced by children less than 40 inches tall, pregnant women, anyone with a heart condition, weak back, or any type of physical problems that might be aggravated by the high speeds and g-forces. Because it's in the dark, motion sickness is not such a big problem as with other roller coasters, but if you're prone to it, you may still need your favorite remedies. Make sure you secure all loose items, including your glasses before you get on.
There's always a wait for Space Mountain, which can be as much as ninety minutes or more on busy days. You will definitely want to take advantage of fastpass.
Starcade
Starcade features some of the hottest new arcade games, plus some of your old favorites. Like all of the Disneyland arcades, it accepts tokens (which are not included in the cost of admission to the park).
Star Tours
Ages 2–4: |
N.S. |
Ages 5–10: |
** |
Ages 11–15: |
*** |
Ages 16–adult: |
*** |
Based on George Lucas's Star Wars movies and featuring characters like R2-D2 and C-3PO, Star Tours is a simulator ride.
An elaborate preshow includes Animatronic characters from the Star Wars movies and video monitors that feature Star Tours travel information. The storyline is that you are an intergalactic tourist on a shuttle ride to Endor.
When you reach the ride, you and thirty-nine other guests will board a StarSpeeder, but it turns out that your pilot is inexperienced, and you end up on a whirlwind tour of the galaxy by mistake.
Using flight-simulator technology, the StarSpeeder is on hydraulic lifts and its movements are synchronized with the movie you watch on the ship's main view screen. The overall effect is that you'll feel as if you're traveling at ultra-fast speed through space, when in reality, your StarSpeeder is only a few feet off the ground.
TRAVEL TIP
The best time to ride the Star Tours attraction is late in the evening. If the line doesn't extend out the front door, the wait will be less than twenty minutes.
Star Tours is a fast-paced, turbulent ride with a Star Wars twist. It's suitable for people of all ages, except children under 40 inches tall and people who suffer from back problems, heart conditions, motion sickness, and so on. Once you board the StarSpeeder, stow all of your loose articles and fasten your seat belt. The ride is bumpy but not scary. It lasts about five minutes.
Be prepared for long lines while you're waiting to board the StarSpeeder (up to forty minutes), but the waiting is somewhat offset by the decorated waiting area, which looks like a star base.
Tomorrowland Terrace Stage
As you chow down on snacks from the nearby Tomorrowland Terrace Refreshment Stand (where hamburgers, hot dogs, French fries, drinks, and other goodies are available), you can often enjoy live musical performances or hang out with Disney characters. This is also a great place to sit down (at tables covered with large umbrellas to block the sun) and rest for a few minutes.
