Condition of the Tomorrowland Speedway

[ChrisFL]

I've happily ignored riding this for over a decade...but on Sunday a friend of mine decided to get an extra FP and that is what was available.

Disney seriously needs to consider either massively upgrading this, or removing it entirely. My friend's car broke down as soon as he got in, and my car was bouncing non-stop back and forth the whole time on the rail.

Then we got stopped for about 20 minutes at the end as they decided to add more cars, while inhaling the exhaust fumes of 30+ lawnmower engines around us. This can't be healthy for CM's in the long-term.

I think if they decide to keep it, maybe GM should sponsor it and make the cars electric, give the cars some special anti-collision technology so you can't actually hit the car in front of you, because that also happens too frequently (yes, I realize some people prefer that, but technically it's not allowed).

It definitely feels unchanged since the 70's. If they do upgrade it, I can't imagine it would cost that much money. There's tons of different things they could do to make it more modern, and still keep the kid-friendly "my first time driving/racing a car" feel to it.

 

[Arthur Wellesley]

The only time I ever rode this was back in 1985. Ever since, we just walk right on past and pretend it doesn't exist. For ride ambience & theme that rivals any given Six Flags or side-of-the-road amusements which offer go-carts, this does the job. But completely useless otherwise. (imo)

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

I'm not really sure what goes on in board rooms regarding this attraction. Likely a chorus of laughter.

My mom and I rode it for the first time in 2006. After all the walking around WDW in bad shoes, this was the icing on the cake of me getting tendinitis in my right foot and needing PT for weeks afterwards. It felt extra horrible after using that foot on the pedal on that hunk of metal. Never again.

 

[Clamman73]

The only thing I only really like about it now is the ambient sound of it while riding on the Peoplemover overhead reminding me of like 30 years ago when I would enjoy cruising around the Speedway while barely being able to push the pedal down the whole way, but otherwise now it's just the nostalgic sound of it in the Tomorrowland area. Eventually something's got to change with it though...

 

[Arthur Wellesley]

but otherwise now it's just the nostalgic sound of it in the Tomorrowland area.

Or when you realize your neighbor is mowing their lawn pretty early for a weekend.

 

[Matt_Black]

Yeah, they need to do something with this. At least with something like The Mad Tea Party, while yes there are dozens, if not hundreds, of imitations all over the world, MTP has a little bit of Disney Magic to make it stand out. The Speedway has nothing to differentiate it from the countless other similar rides all over. Heck, the one at Hershey Park lets you choose either "modern" race cars or old timey cars.

And for those who say, "But the children! This is THEIR tomorrow!" Save the ride-splaining. You can upgrade this and improve it while still letting kids have their fun.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

What to do, what to do. Hmm...

 

[Kate F]

This attraction has always felt out of place for me. Every time I walk past that area, I think "Oh yeah, that's a thing..." I've never done it myself and have no desire to because it just seems like a giant waste of time.

I agree that it needs to be replaced or heavily updated and have yet to see a really good reason for it to remain untouched. The main excuses I've seen are either nostalgia-based: "I remember loving it as a kid" "It's a classic!" or the common "It's a chance for the kiddies to drive." None of these hold any weight in my opinion. It's not a classic to me and kids can have the same basic experience anywhere else.

 

[MaryJaneP]

Let's see. Do we think it would be more realistic if you stuck your feet through the bottom a la fred flintstone? Yes, yes we do. Is it possible to have the lawn mower audio effect without the exhaust fumes? Yes, yes it is. Is it likely that a current sponsor of a ride at another park in WDW would object to any other auto manufacturer sponsoring the speedway? Yes, yes it is. Would a DeLorean or SW Land Speeder fit into Tomorrowland better than the existing "fleet"? Absolutely, just wrong park. Do we think anything will ever be done to fix this wart? No, no we don't have that much faith.

 

[JT3000]

I wouldn't mind seeing this get the axe. I haven't been able to appreciate it since I was too little to realize I couldn't actually steer. It doesn't fit the theme of Tomorrowland, the cars are constantly breaking down, and it isn't even kept well manicured like Autopia.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

They should build a more modern Auopia next to Test Track and use this space for something else.

 

[rucifee]

Imagine if you will, all of the potential of ripping this old thing out and replacing it with...











wait




for




it













SHOPPING EXPERIENCES AND A CHARACTER MEET AND GREET!

 

[JennSmith]

The funny thing is, while reading this thread I hear the engine sput sput sputtering in my head lol.

 

[rucifee]

The funny thing is, while reading this thread I hear the engine sput sput sputtering in my head lol.

Hah, I was reading this remembering the stink of the fumes.

 

[emmaandrewdad]

For years i thought this was the worst attraction in the magic kingdom. Then I rode it with my son and it brought me back to riding it with my dad. I think it needs a serious update but would like to see it stay.

 

[mouse_luv]

I'm telling you guys, Sugar Rush Racers! (Minus the lawn mower engines)

 

[ford91exploder]

Hah, I was reading this remembering the stink of the fumes.

Not to mention the burning eyes from the poorly maintained lawnmower engines, Why can't WDW have one as good as HKDL (electric cars)

Oooh, Oooh I Know I Know ... It would cost money.

 

[ford91exploder]

For years i thought this was the worst attraction in the magic kingdom. Then I rode it with my son and it brought me back to riding it with my dad. I think it needs a serious update but would like to see it stay.

As do I and considering that WDI already did an electric version for HKDL...

 

[brb1006]

Imagine if you will, all of the potential of ripping this old thing out and replacing it with...











wait




for




it













SHOPPING EXPERIENCES AND A CHARACTER MEET AND GREET!

I'm in

 

[Matt_Black]

I'm telling you guys, Sugar Rush Racers! (Minus the lawn mower engines)

I've been saying that as well. It would make for an excellent transition between Tomorrowland and Fantasyland.