Sources
Help build the largest human-edited directory on the web.
Submit a site - Become an editor
Wikipedia. Licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
Are you an expert in this subject? Join the discussion and share your knowledge at Wikipedia.org.
Tomorrowland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article does not cite any references or sources. (October 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. |
Tomorrowland is one of the many "themed lands" at the many Disneyland parks run by The Walt Disney Company around the world. Each version of the land is different and feature numerous classic and unique attractions that depict the numerous views of the future. All have the Tomorrowland name, except for Disneyland Paris, where this area is named Discoveryland.
Walt Disney was known for his futurist views and showed the American public through his television shows, how the world was moving into the future, and Tomorrowland was the realistic culmination of his views. In his own words: "Tomorrow can be a wonderful age. Our scientists today are opening the doors of the Space Age to achievements that will benefit our children and generations to come. The Tomorrowland attractions have been designed to give you an opportunity to participate in adventures that are a living blueprint of our future."
Ironically, it is this movement into the future that has, on occasion, left Tomorrowland mired in the past. Disneyland's Tomorrowland is now in its third generation, and the Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland is on its second. Disney itself has mentioned that it wanted to keep Tomorrowland from becoming "Yesterdayland," and Disney's 2007 film Meet the Robinsons features an amusement park called "Todayland" that has rides that look remarkably like Space Mountain and Disneyland's original Rocket Jets.
Contents |
The first Tomorrowland opened at Disneyland on July 17, 1955, with only a subset of its planned attractions due to budget cuts. Because the timeline in the first park's construction was rushed, Tomorrowland was the last land to be finished. Walt Disney was reluctant to turn his land into a corporate showcase, but when the time crunch came he accepted any offer he could. Monsanto Chemicals, American Motors, Richfield Oil, and Dutch Boy Paint were some of the many company showcases that were open in Tomorrowland in the first few years. Since the park was on a strict budget, one cost cutting idea was to use the sets from the 1954 movie 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea as a walk through attraction, which remained until 1966. For the first four years, most of Tomorrowland was generally open space and considered to be very corporate fueled.
However it was not solely exhibits and had many attractions which have since been retired to Yesterland. Tomorrowland's showpiece was the TWA Moonliner, derived from the "Man in Space" set of three television shows in the 1950s. It was the tallest structure in the park at the time. Autopia, an opening day attraction, gave visitors a view of the soon to come National Interstate System. The Attraction still remains open, though has received numerous updates.
1957 brought Monsanto's "House of the Future," a plastic house with four wings cantilevered from a central plinth. This too had its precursors at World's Fairs, though in those cases they were simply homes with modern conveniences and aimed at housewives. Aside from displaying "modern" conveniences such as picture phones and television remote controls, this house introduced many people to their first microwave oven.
In 1959, three major attractions, the park's first billed E-ticket attractions opened. The addition of the ALWEG Monorail, Submarine Voyage, and Matterhorn (later changed to the Fantasyland realm), were so big it was televised as the second opening of Disneyland. New attractions came, as Walt Disney focused his efforts on the 1964-65 New York World's Fair. After the fair he turned his attention to a new Tomorrowland and his original Florida Project.
Unfortunately, Walt Disney died in December of 1966, almost seven months before a vast new Tomorrowland opened. In 1967 the area was completely rebuilt with new rides and scenery. The original layout was demolished, and a new set of buildings was erected. The addition of the Carousel theater, Flight to the Moon building, the Adventure Thru Inner Space building, a new Circle-Vision building, and the PeopleMover/Rocket Jets platform, gave Tomorrowland the "World on the Move" theme. In time, Walt Disney's idea of a Space Port, opened as Space Mountain; Star Tours; and Magic-Eye Theater opened in places of older attractions.
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the planning phase of Michael Eisner's "Disney Decade" called for both American Tomorrowlands to receive makeovers. "Tomorrowland 2055" was slated to be completed by the late 1990s. The backstory of this renovation would be that with mysterious alien relics having been excavated in Disneyland, aliens were given the signal that Earth was now ready for intergalactic tourism and a century after Disneyland's opening, Disneyland would have become a popular destination for aliens visiting Earth. Within the new land were proposed attractions such as ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter; which later made its debut at the Magic Kingdom Park in Florida. The Timekeeper; the American version of Disneyland Paris' Le Visionarium. Plectu's Fantastic Intergalactic Revue; an audio-animatronic musical revue, and makeovers for classic attractions. However, due to financial difficulties surrounding the EuroDisney project, the plan was cut drastically and plans were shelved until 1997.
A new Tomorrowland opened in 1998, loosely based on Disneyland Paris' Discoveryland and a "retro-futurist" concept. In place of the slow-moving PeopleMover was the ill-fated Rocket Rods. Most of the rides remained the same, except for the removal of Circle-Vision 360, Captain EO, and Mission to Mars attraction theaters. The Rocket Jets were replaced by a similar attraction called the Astro Orbitor, placed at the entrance of the land, at ground level. The original Rocket Jets ride mechanism remained intact atop the Rocket Jets queue, converted into an unmanned show element dubbed the "Observatron". Two EPCOT attractions found their place in Tomorrowland, "Honey, I Shrunk the Audience!" & "Innoventions". The whole land, including Space Mountain, was painted in bronzes, golds, and dark browns, with emerald green trims on some attractions. Landscaping, with apparent vegetable plots being planted in some locations, made reference to "neo-agrarian" concepts.
The overhaul was unpopular among many fans,[citation needed] and its flagship new attraction, Rocket Rods, closed in September 2000 for financial and mechanical reasons. Many shops and restaurants opened, but few new attractions were built, in accordance with policies set by Paul Pressler and Cynthia Harriss mandating the expansion of retail space. Many Disney fans complained that the space in Tomorrowland was poorly used and that lack of maintenance was taking its toll on the land.[citation needed] They also complained that the placement of the Astro-Orbitor in Tomorrowland's entrance led to congestion problems.[citation needed] While some guests were pleased with the new color scheme and shift toward "future-that-never-was" elements,[citation needed] others claimed that Tomorrowland had taken a turn for the worst.[citation needed]
In late 2003, Matt Ouimet became president of the Disneyland Resort and sought to change some of the cost-cutting trends established by the former management. Space Mountain was closed for two full years, as the entire ride was refurbished and the track was completely replaced, albeit with the same track plan. The empty Rocket Rods queue, the old Circle-Vision theater, was converted into "Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters", a new version of the popular attraction at the Tokyo & Florida Disney Resorts.
In February 2005, Walt Disney Imagineering approved a repaint of Tomorrowland for the Happiest Homecoming on Earth fiftieth anniversary celebration. The new paint scheme incorporates a mix of blue, white and silver while keeping a little of 1998's gold and bronze colors.
Most of Tomorrowland has been repainted and new plans are being considered for the land. New monorail trains will open in late 2007. Rumors on some Disney-related internet forums have been abuzz over a new film for Star Tours and a return of the Rocket Jets to their original location, as well as plans for the PeopleMover track which may include variable-speed personal gyroscopes, the pod transport system used by Syndrome in The Incredibles, the People Mover seen in the futuristic city in the movie Meet the Robinsons, or a new PeopleMover altogether.
Currently, the "Mayor" of Tomorrowland in Disneyland is an Audio-Animatronic Robot named Tom Morrow, who is seen at Innoventions at Disneyland. He is voiced by actor Nathan Lane
- Astro Orbitor
- Autopia
- Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
- Disneyland Monorail
- Disneyland Railroad
- Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
- Honey, I Shrunk the Audience
- Innoventions
- Space Mountain
- Starcade
- Star Tours
- Redd Rockett's Pizza Port
- The Spirit of Refreshment
- Tomorrowland Terrance
- Star Trader
- Autopia Winner's Circle
- Little Green Men Store Command
- Hatmosphere
- Tomorrowlanding
Since 2004, both Disneyland's and the Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowlands have featured the same background area music, which includes updated instrumental versions of classic Tomorrowland attractions from both parks:
- "Miracles from Molecules" (Adventure Thru Inner Space)
- "Strange Things" (Buzz Lightyear attractions, originally from Toy Story)
- "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" (Carousel of Progress and Innoventions)
- "The Best Time of Your Life" (Carousel of Progress at Magic Kingdom from 1975 to 1993)
- "If You Had Wings" (If You Had Wings)
The second Tomorrowland opened on October 1, 1971 at the Magic Kingdom in the Walt Disney World Resort, Florida, and, like at Disneyland, opened unfinished. But by 1975, the entire land was completed, and was built much closer to Walt Disney's vision for Tomorrowland.
Some of the most popular Disney park attractions premiered here, such as Space Mountain which opened in 1975 and is now part of every Tomorrowland around the world. Some classic Tomorrowland attractions which have closed in Disneyland still live on at the Magic Kingdom Park: the PeopleMover is here under the name of the Tomorrowland Transit Authority, and the Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress was moved here from California.
For most of its history, this Tomorrowland's color scheme was predominantly white with soft blues. In 1994, using the just-completed Discoveryland at Disneyland Paris as its guide, Tomorrowland was renovated to resemble a galactic spaceport as it would have been envisioned by the science-fiction comic strips of the early 20th century, like Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers. In essence, Tomorrowland would represent "the future that never was." Today's Tomorrowland has a much more metallic look, along with darker blues and purples, especially along its main concourse leading from the central hub.
- Astro Orbiter
- Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
- Space Mountain
- Stitch's Great Escape!
- Tomorrowland Indy Speedway
- Tomorrowland Transit Authority
- Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress
- Galaxy Palace Theater
- Tomorrowland Arcade (Also known as the Tomorrowland Light and Power Co.)
- Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
At Tokyo Disneyland, Tommorowland opened on April 15, 1983 after the Imagineers set out to create an urban Tomorrowland, much more like a working community than a showcase of future technology. The rides are much more technology-specific, and effects are much more expensive, due to a much larger budget from The Oriental Land Company. Many see the Tokyo Disneyland Tomorrowland as the definitive representation of Walt Disney's vision.[citation needed]
The entrance and front area are similar to WDW's Magic Kingdom Tomorrowland, while the Space Mountain area is similar to Disneyland's Space Mountain area. The paint scheme of the Tomorrowland at Tokyo Disneyland is also mostly white.
- Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters
- Grand Circuit Raceway
- MicroAdventure!
- Space Mountain
- Star Tours
- Showbase
- Starcade
- Star Jets
- Monsters Inc: Ride And Go Seek (Coming 2009)
- Plaza Restaurant
- Soft Landing
- Pan Galactic Pizza Port
- Tomorrowland Terrace
- Space Place FoodPort
- Lite Bite Satellite
- The Popping Pod
- Cosmic Encounter
- Planet M
- ImageWorks
- Stellar Sweets
- Solar Ray's Light Sopplies
- Circle-Vision 360° theater
- Meet the World
- Captain EO
- Magic Journeys
- Eternal Seas
Disneyland Resort Paris realizes Tomorrowland with an entirely new concept, Discoveryland. European culture was used distinctively in the park and Discoveryland uses the ideas of famed European thinkers and explorers, with Jules Verne featured most prominently.
Architecturally designed using Jules Verne's vision of the future as inspiration, the land is laid out very differently. The major Tomorrowland classics are there, such as Autopia and Star Tours, but Space Mountain is significantly changed. Originally conceived as "Discovery Mountain" it was to hold more than one attraction (including an improved replica of Horizons from Epcot) and a restaurant. But due to budget cuts, it was finished in 1995 as an improved version of the classic, but named Space Mountain: De la Terre à la Lune (From the earth to the moon).
Bordering the Space Mountain show building is Lake Nautilus, with a walk-through recreation of the Nautilus from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Also in Tomorrowland is Autopia and "Honey, I Shrunk the Audience". The showcase attraction on opening day was a Circle-Vision 360 film, titled Le Visionarium. The attraction featured two time-travelling robots that take Jules Verne into the world of the today, which was the future he dreamed and came true.
Parts of Discoveryland have been heavily inspired by the abandoned Disneyland expansion concept, Discovery Bay, which was to have sat on the north bay of the Rivers of America in the Californian park.
Space Mountain was completely refurbished in 2005 for the Happiest Celebration on Earth event, with a new soundtrack and special effects. Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast opened April 8, 2006, in the former building of the Le Visionarium attraction, which closed in September 2004.
- Autopia
- Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast
- Disneyland Railroad- Discoveryland Station
- Honey, I Shrunk the Audience
- Mysteries of the Nautilus
- Orbitron, Machines Volantes
- Space Mountain: Mission 2
- Star Tours
- Videopolis Theatre (The Legend Of The Lion King)
- L'Astroport Services Interstellaires
- Arcades Alpha & Beta
- Café Hyperion
- Buzz Lightyear's Pizza Planet
- Rocket Café
- Cool Station
- Constellations
- Star Traders
The newest Tomorrowland opened on September 12, 2005 at Hong Kong Disneyland. Like the newer generations of the American Tomorrowlands, Hong Kong's version features an emphasis on metallic trim, with lots of blue and purple hues.
- Starliner Diner
- Comet Café
- Space Traders
- Star Commmand Suppliers
|
|
|---|
| Main Street, U.S.A. · Fantasyland · Tomorrowland · Frontierland · Adventureland · New Orleans Square · Liberty Square · Mickey's Toontown · Critter Country |
| Disneyland Park (Paris) Attractions | |
|---|---|
| Main Street U.S.A.: | Disneyland Railroad - Main Street Station | Horse-Drawn Streetcars | Main Street Vehicle Discovery Arcade | Liberty Arcade | Dapper Dan's Hair Cuts |
| Frontierland: | Legends of the Wild West | Big Thunder Mountain | Phantom Manor Thunder Mesa Riverboat Landing | Rustler Roundup Shootin' Gallery | Pocahontas Indian Village Disneyland Railroad - Frontierland Depot | The Chaparral Theater | River Rogue Keel Boats |
| Adventureland: | Le Passage Enchanté d'Aladdin | Indiana Jones et le Temple du Péril Pirates of the Caribbean | Adventure Isle | La Cabane des Robinson | La Plage des Pirates |
| Fantasyland: | Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant (Sleeping Beauty Castle) | Le Carrousel de Lancelot | La Tanière du Dragon Blanche-Neige et les Sept Nains | Les Voyages de Pinocchio | Peter Pan's Flight | Alice's Curious Labyrinth | Le Pays des Contes de Fées Casey Jr. - le Petit Train du Cirque | "it's a small world" | Dumbo the Flying Elephant | Mad Hatter's Tea Cups Disneyland Railroad - Fantasyland Station | Le Théâtre du Château | Fantasy Festival Stage |
| Discoveryland: | Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast | Space Mountain: Mission 2 | Star Tours | Honey, I Shrunk the Audience Les Mystères du Nautilus | Autopia | Orbitron | Disneyland Railroad - Discoveryland Station | Arcade Alpha, Arcade Bêta | Videopolis |
| Entertainment: | Disney's Once Upon a Dream Parade | Disney's Fantillusion | Wishes Candleabration | Disney Characters' Express | The Tarzan Encounter | The Legend Of The Lion King |
| Hong Kong Disneyland Attractions | |
|---|---|
| Main Street U.S.A.: | Hong Kong Disneyland Railroad | Main Street Vehicles | The Disneyland Story | Animation Academy | Santa's Workshop |
| Fantasyland: | Sleeping Beauty Castle | Mickey's PhilharMagic | Dumbo the Flying Elephant | Cinderella Carousel Fantasyland Train Station | Fantasy Gardens | Mad Hatter Tea Cups | The Golden Mickeys at Disney's Storybook Theater The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh | Sword in the Stone | Snow White Grotto | "it's a small world" (coming soon - year 2008) |
| Tomorrowland: | Space Mountain | Stitch Encounter | Orbitron | UFO Zone | Autopia | Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters |
| Adventureland: | Festival of the Lion King at Theater in the Wild | Rafts to Tarzan's Treehouse | Tarzan's Treehouse | Liki Tikis | Jungle River Cruise |
| Entertainment: | Disney on Parade | Disney in the Stars | The Dapper Dans |
| Seasonal Entertainment: | Mickey's WaterWorks | Glow in the Park Halloween Parade | Let It Snow Christmas Parade | Sparkling Castle Lights |
Categories: Articles lacking sources from October 2007 | All articles lacking sources | All articles with unsourced statements | Articles with unsourced statements since November 2007 | Articles with unsourced statements since April 2007 | Hong Kong Disneyland | Disney themed area | Disneyland Park | Magic Kingdom | Tokyo Disneyland | Disneyland Park (Paris)