Can we talk about Autopia?

[Kramerica]

My last couple trips down to Disneyland, Autopia has been closed looking like it's under a pretty hefty refurb, rebranding or something. I'm not really sure and honestly I haven't really looked into it. But, and I'm sure this has been mentioned over and over again, but don't you think autopia needs to change fundamentally? I'm not saying remove it altogether, regardless of the real estate it could free up. it's an iconic attraction, and people seem to love it. But, it's supposed to be tomorrowland, and you have two stroke motors buzzing around, heard from across tomorrowland. Not to mention, and I know this issue seems to be even worse in Florida's Magic Kingdom. But the smell of oil and gasoline is VERY strong. How futuristic is that?!

What do you think could happen here? Electric cars?

 

[Curious Constance]

My last couple trips down to Disneyland, Autopia has been closed looking like it's under a pretty hefty refurb, rebranding or something. I'm not really sure and honestly I haven't really looked into it. But, and I'm sure this has been mentioned over and over again, but don't you think autopia needs to change fundamentally? I'm not saying remove it altogether, regardless of the real estate it could free up. it's an iconic attraction, and people seem to love it. But, it's supposed to be tomorrowland, and you have two stroke motors buzzing around, heard from across tomorrowland. Not to mention, and I know this issue seems to be even worse in Florida's Magic Kingdom. But the smell of oil and gasoline is VERY strong. How futuristic is that?!

What do you think could happen here? Electric cars?

I would love for Autopia to be removed. It's literally my least favorite attraction at the resort. It takes up so much space for so little return.

 

[dweezil78]

My last couple trips down to Disneyland, Autopia has been closed looking like it's under a pretty hefty refurb, rebranding or something. I'm not really sure and honestly I haven't really looked into it. But, and I'm sure this has been mentioned over and over again, but don't you think autopia needs to change fundamentally? I'm not saying remove it altogether, regardless of the real estate it could free up. it's an iconic attraction, and people seem to love it. But, it's supposed to be tomorrowland, and you have two stroke motors buzzing around, heard from across tomorrowland. Not to mention, and I know this issue seems to be even worse in Florida's Magic Kingdom. But the smell of oil and gasoline is VERY strong. How futuristic is that?!

What do you think could happen here? Electric cars?

It's just a re-paint, spruce up as it's going under new sponsorship from Honda. The gas cars should have gone away with the last big overhaul in 2000. The fact that they are still not electric and exist in the first place in is a head scratcher for sure. I have to imagine they've been on the chopping block plenty of times over the years only to get saved last minute due to budget cuts.

 

[Californian Elitist]

None of the attractions in Tomorrowland are futuristic anymore. It's truly sad.

Autopia needs to be updated, yes. Electric cars are no longer futuristic, and are therefore not the answer. They need to come up with something that is not recurring.

 

[dweezil78]

Electric cars are no longer futuristic, and are therefore not the answer.

Well, the future is automated cars... But that would make them too much like every other ride vehicle at a Disney park!

 

[Kramerica]

Well, the future is automated cars... But that would make them too much like every other ride vehicle at a Disney park!

People mover, anyone?

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

Autopia, like Tomorrowland Speedway at WDW, is reviled on Disney fanboards, but yet the attractions are always packing them in and driving a dinky car at slow speeds is undeniably a definitive iconic Disney theme park experience. I personally love Autopia. It works best in DL because it just oozes that classic 50s Walt Disney charm.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Autopia, like Tomorrowland Speedway at WDW, is reviled on Disney fanboards, but yet the attractions are always packing them in and driving a dinky car at slow speeds is undeniably a definitive iconic Disney theme park experience. I personally love Autopia. It works best in DL because it just oozes that classic 50s Walt Disney charm.

EXACTLY. It's one of my favorite attractions. Driving through the car park, under the Monorail and past the Matterhorn is one of the best experiences in the park. I love the off road section. Definitely classic Disneyland.

 

[FigmentForver96]

I would love for Autopia to be removed. It's literally my least favorite attraction at the resort. It takes up so much space for so little return.

Agreed, literally so much land and potential sitting there.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

Agreed, literally so much land and potential sitting there.

In my opinion, that would be most of the rest of Tomorrowland.

 

[FigmentForver96]

In my opinion, that would be most of the rest of Tomorrowland.

I once again agree. A third of the land could literally be demoed, and while it would be sad from a nostalgia viewpoint, the potential for something amazing would be worth the demo.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

Get rid of Carousel Theater AKA the Star Wars/Marvel gift shop or put an actual attraction in there, Pizza Port, Magic Eye Theater, Star Tours once Star Wars has its own land, the Buzz Lightyear ride no one would really miss, even if it's fun, the radar thing with a smoke machine, Astro Orbiter practically on Main Street, the empty PeopleMover tracks. Just leave Space Mountain.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Here is everything Disney should get rid of in Tomorrowland, in my opinion:

-People Mover tracks
-the location of Astro Orbiter
-Buzz
-Star Tours
-Season of Force
-pretty much everything in Innoventions... I'd like to see the building stay and have a proper Tomorrowland attraction put in it
-Pizza Port
-Tomorrowland Terrace
-the arcade
-Nemo Subs
-the current version of Autopia; the ride should stay, bug needs an update
-anything else that has to do with Star Wars that I haven't mentioned

 

[Curious Constance]

Get rid of Carousel Theater AKA the Star Wars/Marvel gift shop or put an actual attraction in there, Pizza Port, Magic Eye Theater, Star Tours once Star Wars has its own land, the Buzz Lightyear ride no one would really miss, even if it's fun, the radar thing with a smoke machine, Astro Orbiter practically on Main Street, the empty PeopleMover tracks. Just leave Space Mountain.

I can agree with pretty much all of what you just said. You better write this down, that might never happen again.

 

[RandomPrincess]

I've always wondered why they didn't have the subs and Autopia be part of Fantasyland.

 

[Californian Elitist]

I've always wondered why they didn't have the subs and Autopia be part of Fantasyland.

Autopia used to be, back in the 50's/60's:

I like the idea of subs in the park, but not subs themed to Finding Nemo.

 

[FigmentForver96]

Get rid of Carousel Theater AKA the Star Wars/Marvel gift shop or put an actual attraction in there, Pizza Port, Magic Eye Theater, Star Tours once Star Wars has its own land, the Buzz Lightyear ride no one would really miss, even if it's fun, the radar thing with a smoke machine, Astro Orbiter practically on Main Street, the empty PeopleMover tracks. Just leave Space Mountain.

I agree with this one hundred percent. So much potential for the land.

 

[mickEblu]

I'm usually in favor of keeping around classics but I think this one can go. I will admit I don't have any emotional attachment as this is just one my parents never took me on as a kid for some reason. I don't think I rode Autopia until I was 18. However, I think it takes up way too much land for the experience it provides without offering any atmosphere the way the ROA or Storybookland do.

In a landlocked park like DL, especially since those backstage 14 acres have been allocated for SWL, they need to be clever with solutions for capacity issues that are only going to get worse. Turning Autopia into 3 or 4 rides would help.

 

[mickEblu]

Here is everything Disney should get rid of in Tomorrowland, in my opinion:

-People Mover tracks
-the location of Astro Orbiter
-Buzz
-Star Tours
-Season of Force
-pretty much everything in Innoventions... I'd like to see the building stay and have a proper Tomorrowland attraction put in it
-Pizza Port
-Tomorrowland Terrace
-the arcade
-Nemo Subs
-the current version of Autopia; the ride should stay, bug needs an update
-anything else that has to do with Star Wars that I haven't mentioned

The location of the Astro orbiter is awful. I can't understand how that was ever green lit. To have this ugly spinner in the hub with the Castle !?

I agree with all except Autopia and Tomorroland Terrace unless you just mean a renovation for Tommorland Terrace ?

 

[Californian Elitist]

The location of the Astro orbiter is awful. I can't understand how that was ever green lit. To have this ugly spinner in the hub with the Castle !?

I agree with all except Autopia and Tomorroland Terrace unless you just mean a renovation for Tommorland Terrace ?

Disney has made plenty of awful decisions in the past, one of the biggest ones coming in 2019 (or so). The location of Astro Orbiter is no different.

I don't think it can be denied that Autopia is no longer futuristic. I'd like for Disney to change. It would break my heart if Disney ever tore out the ride completely. I put Tomorrowland Terrace on the list because the food is absolutely disgusting (I'm referring to the restaurant, not the stage).