Disneyland’s Tomorrowland: Vistas of the Future
Welcome to 2025. As promised, my expose and focus on Disneyland’s 70th anniversary is a key part of my podcasts, videos and Patreon experiences this year. To that end, I thought to start out on Main Street, U.S.A. But since we’re starting a new year, why not look at the future? So our first podcast of 2025 is on Disneyland’s Tomorrowland. There have been several version of this and they add up to not only why guests love Tomorrowland, but why it really matters in a world like ours. This one however, is the original, and speaks not only to those that followed, but to Epcot as well. We’ll look at the history, and then take a ride on the old PeopleMover to consider the attractions that once were and continue to be part of this land. We’ll then come back to Why Tomorrowland Matters and some thoughts about what the future might behold. Join us for Disneyland’s Tomorrowland: Vistas of the Future.
The substance of this topic can be found on our podcast. You can find this podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Podbean, and ListenNotes. Please subscribe to the podcast and to this website so you can be notified of upcoming posts and podcast.
Be sure to subscribe to this podcast and give us a rating, review, or referral to others. Also check out Disney Insights where we offer key points, photos, videos, links and more. While there, please subscribe to Disney Insights where you can be notified of upcoming podcasts. Also check out our Facebook page, Disney Insights.
The following is a summary of what we share on the podcast:
Back to the Past of Tomorrowland
The Original 1955 View
The most incomplete land at Disneyland’s opening, it did create a unique experience with attractions like the Autopia and Rocket to the Moon.
The 1959 Addition
The first major remodel of all of Disneyland came the Mighty Matterhorn, the Submarine Voyage and the Disneyland Monorail.
The 1967 New Tomorrowland
This is the Tomorrowland of every Baby Boomer’s dreams. It is a seamless white canvas with Rocket Jets and PeopleMovers and a Carousel of Progress.
The 1998 “Timeless” Remodel
Borrowing from a page at Disneyland Paris’s Discoveryland, Imagineers used a restricted budget to revamp Tomorrowland. It offered a different look with few improvements, and a very bad ride concept known as Rocket Rods.
The 2005 Reform
In time for the 50th anniversary Tomorrowland went from its 1998 scheme of bronze, gold, and copper to a new look of blue and white. This especially played out on Space Mountain.
Entrance–Astro Orbiter
This is based on the Orbitron created for Disneyland Paris and was a key feature in a major redesign of Tomorrowland in 19928. This was a study of “ancient planetary models, scientific instruments and astronomical instruments and [Imagineers] toured the Arts et Metiers museum [Museum of Arts & Crafts] in Paris. It has the look of a Leonardo da Vinci planetary model, but many other inspirationalists of earlier decades. The ride vehicles take on a Flash Gordon, Buck Rogers look from the 1930s. It was Ray Bradbury’s idea to have the planets orbit in the opposite direction of the rockets.
To Imagineer designer Tim Delaney, It is a ride, an icon, and a piece of art. It is a piece of technology, but a friendly piece of technology which is the message intended for guests as they enter Tomorrowland. So with centuries-old astronomical designs it becomes a starting place for discussion of this land.
Going down the “Main Street” of Tomorrowland we come to one of the most beloved Disneyland attractions of all time. The PeopleMover. This ride gave you a complete journey through all of Tomorrowland. It’s a great guide to our past, present and event future study of this land. It is the ribbon that ties this entire land together. So…
Let’s Take a Ride on the PeopleMover
This ride allows us to consider the following:
From Rocket Jets to Observatron
From Mighty Molecules to Star Wars
Window Shopping From Mickey’s Mart to Mickey’s Star Traders
Starcade to DVC Lounge
Space Mountain
Space Stage to Magic Eye Theater
Rocket & Flight to the Moon, Mission to Mars, Pizza Planet & Even Tron
Carousel of Progress, America Sings, Innoventions & Star Wars
The Disneyland Railroad Featuring the Grand Canyon Diorama and the Primeval World
Autopia–Electrical Vehicles Underway
Submarine Voyage to Finding Nemo
Monorail
CircleVision to Buzz Lightyear and Else?
Why Tomorrowland Matters
- Epcot’s Precedent
- Two Vistas, Three Horizons
Keeping an Eye on The Future
- Disney California Adventure Changes
- Disneyland Forward
- Autopia Electric Vehicles
- Magic Eye Theater
- Carousel of Progress
- Space Mountain
- Ant Man
Join Our Patreon Group & Discover Disneyland!
Announcing our newest Disney Insight Fan Discovery that is tied with the 70th anniversary of Disneyland. Land by land you will find decades of incredible details, heritage and insights. Joining our Discoverer level gives you complete access to our Interactive Disney Insight Fan Discoveries. Among our library that looks at Pandora, Pirates of the Caribbean and Mystic Manor is a whole celebration of Disneyland on its 70th anniversary. Your membership becomes a key for unlocking scores of fascinating details few know about the park. With text, images, video and audio, we explore these realms whether you are right on the streets of the “Happiest Place on Earth” or enjoying it virtually from your own couch at home. It’s a guide, a scavenger hunt, and a multimedia archive all in one place.
Check out the Wayfinder’s Society to see these Sneak Peeks!
Want more Disney magic you can’t find anywhere else? The Wayfinder Society is our Patreon group. Here we bring the best details of Disney both in terms of the magic of the parks as well as the business behind the magic. It’s part of what you get when you help support the Wayfinder Society. This Patreon group not only helps to support this podcast and attending websites, but also gives you access to one of our Disney at Play Interactive Guides, with hundreds of places to explore all things Disney.
Want to visit Disney?
Hopefully this podcast has made you realize you need help and support in planning your next trip to Disney. David and Leah with Zanolla Travel know Disney in ways few do and they can make your next trip on land or sea an exciting one–or at least less stressful! Be sure to contact them as you explore your next vacation, whether it is a Disney theme park vacation, a cruise, or an Adventure by Disney. There is no charge to utilize their services, but it will save you enormous time getting all the details right, and with their insight you can be assured you’re going to experience the best trip possible. Contact them today!
David & Leah Zanolla
ZanollaTravel.com
Owner/Agents
Books From Your Host at Disney Insights
My new book, A Century of Powerful Disney Insights, Volume I 1923-1973, The Walt & Roy Disney Years is available!
Also, check out my two of my other books, The Wonderful World of Customer Service at Disney and Disney, Leadership and You.
Also, for those examining other business benchmarks beyond Disney, check out Lead with Your Customer: Transform Culture and Brand Into World-Class Excellence.
Join the Wayfinder Group!
Find Excellence in Your Organization!
This podcast and post is provided by J. Jeff Kober and Performance Journeys, which celebrates more than 20 years as a training and development group bringing best in business ideas through books, keynotes, workshops, seminars and online tools to help you take your organization to the next level.
Want a Keynote Speaker? More than just nice stories, I offer proven insight and solutions having worked in the trench.
Need Consulting? I’ve worked for decades across the public, private and non-profit arena.
Need Support? We offer so many classroom, online, and other resources to help you improve your customer service delivery, leadership development and employee engagement.
Contact us today, and let us help.
