New Tomorrowland @ Disneyland? Is this the year it finally gets announced? No, and that’s OK

[TheRealSkull]

Lol @ going through the Pizza Planet kitchen. So true. I’d like to see those escalators come back too.

Now I’m thinking of a shortened People Mover. Unless they utilize some of the Autopia loading area or use Buzz’s show building for some interior show scenes that would be way too short of ride wouldn’t it? Too short for this type of attraction at least.

If they can find a way to make it go through Space Mountain, I say it'd be long enough. Depends on how fast it goes too. WDW's PeopleMover is a much faster attraction than Disneyland's was.

 

[DrStarlander]

Now I’m thinking of a shortened People Mover.

I honestly think if they brought back the PeopleMover there would be a "huh...this is what the big deal was all about?" reaction. Don't get me wrong, I have fond memories of it. But I don't think "the kids" (it closed 30 years ago...so anyone under 40? ) would be very impressed or appreciative.

 

[mickEblu]

I honestly think if they brought back the PeopleMover there would be a "huh...this is what the big deal was all about?" reaction. Don't get me wrong, I have fond memories of it. But I don't think "the kids" (it closed 30 years ago...so anyone under 40? ) would be very impressed or appreciative.

lol I don’t disagree. That’s why it can’t be billed as some huge new offering. Just part of the new TL that gets unveiled with a new aesthetic and one new ride in addition to the PeopleMover. It’s more about the Kinetic energy. I also think with today’s crowds it would have much better ridership. They can also add some show scenes to beef it up.

 

[britain]

I honestly think if they brought back the PeopleMover there would be a "huh...this is what the big deal was all about?" reaction. Don't get me wrong, I have fond memories of it. But I don't think "the kids" (it closed 30 years ago...so anyone under 40? ) would be very impressed or appreciative.

3-6 year olds would love it. So would the elderly.

 

[Gusey]

The timing is interesting as you think now would be the time to get out of the Autopia “business” and start planning for the future of that area. If it wasn’t for everything going on in DCA/ DL Forward I imagine that’s what they’d be doing. I think Autopia’s life probably got lengthened because of the timing with everything else’s going around the resort. But they can always make the next contract a shorter one.

I do think that the 2026 electric vehicles Date was chosen because he Honda deal would be coming to an end, so either Honda could help foot the bill or another sponsor could be encouraged to pay for it and it could be seen as a larger upgrade. It'll be interesting to see what happens and if they commit to the electric vehicles

 

[DrStarlander]

I still have doubts that Cars in MK will use the slot car ride system like RSR/Test Track, just doesn't lend itself to a mountainous range "race" in my mind.

Also I have real doubts they would use that Cars attraction from MK to replace Autopia in DL, not with RSR and the rest of Cars Land 3k feet away.

Are you thinking the ride system is different than RSR yet too similar to be in the park next door?

If so, that may be true. From watching the videos of Imagineers off-roading it looks like quite a different feel than RSR. I definitely don't think they'd do a Cars (vehicles-with-eyeballs) version in TL but if the ride feels different and the vehicles look different (spacey some way), I'm not sure it would feel redundant. Lot of "ifs" though.

But to me the point is that I don't see any "New Tomorrowland" without a LL attraction to drive the investment (the way the Cars ride is driving all of Piston Peak). That has to be central to any plan.

And while they could come up with a new ride system -- always an exciting possibility -- it's likely they could re-use a ride system they have. Something special to anchor a project this big. And there's only a few options (like Shanghai boats or Peter Pan at Fantasy Springs) and they seem spoken for at DLR. Maybe there are others. Maybe they repeat the TRON approach. But I got to the speculation about the Cars system somewhat from process of elimination.

3-6 year olds would love it. So would the elderly.

Who are you calling elderly? Yes, I think people will enjoy it. I just think anything Disney does seems to come with a high price tag and I'd be surprised if PM was felt to have the payoff. The decision to do it would lean hard on nostalgia from several decades ago and I'm not sure I see nostalgia being a big decision-driver for new attractions and big investments, almost the opposite. In 20 years, problem solved, the nostalgia has almost entirely dissipated except for in the deep fan sphere. And by the way, why doesn't the Skyway get that kind of love. It went through a frickin' mountain from one land to another!

 

[mickEblu]

I’ve always thought the most sensible approach would be to remove the Carousel Building and relocate the PeopleMover/Rocket platforms there. That would get them out of the middle of a high-traffic walkway and instead tuck them back into a more intentional, purpose-built area.

This is obviously speculative, but I’ve long suspected that a big reason Tomorrowland hasn’t been meaningfully updated is that Disney knows the fanbase wouldn’t accept a major overhaul without the PeopleMover returning. And that raises a difficult question. Does bringing the PeopleMover back effectively require demolishing and rebuilding most of Tomorrowland, given how deeply the old track weaves through the existing buildings?

I understand why running vehicles on the original outdoor track again isn’t practical but I’ve never quite understood why the old interior tunnel space couldn’t be reused with an entirely new track system. From everything I’ve heard and pieced together it seems like a true PeopleMover revival would require tearing out a large portion of the current land and starting fresh. Just to clarify I'm no insider tho lol

And if Disney were to lean fully into a retro-futuristic, early-1960s aesthetic to avoid the “dated future” problem altogether, why not make that explicit? Officially calling it “Walt Disney’s Tomorrowland” would frame the land as a timeless vision of optimism.

Look what just popped up on my FB feed.

 

[mickEblu]

But to me the point is that I don't see any "New Tomorrowland" without a LL attraction to drive the investment (the way the Cars ride is driving all of Piston Peak). That has to be central to any plan.

This is a good point but I think this is one place where Disney has to bite the bullet and think long term. There is no space for a true new E ticket in TL proper but at the same time the land could really use some sprucing up. They need to use the Fantaysland E ticket, shop and high margin revenue generating restaurant that would go on Autopia’s land as motivation to make the investment on Tomorrowland. It’s a package deal to go with a land reskin, PeopleMover and maybe a new small attraction in the Buzz or Launch Bay building. The lands main draw and E ticket will always be Space Mountain.

 

[DrStarlander]

There is no space for a true new E ticket in TL proper

If you mean Tomorrowland Terrace and south, I agree. If you include the Lagoon and south, there's room.

The biz model I think the accountants get behind is losing two functioning attractions (Autopia, Subs), one of which is expensive to maintain supposedly, and an underutilized building (Launch Bay) and fit three new LL level attractions: a very new ride system (Cars system, different theme, in my example), Frozen boat, Frozen coaster (or other IP).

While I don't think they'll fix TL up without a new Tomorrowland E-ticket, I absolutely could be wrong, they did it in 1983 in Fantasyland, but that was a different era. And I guess they did it with Avenger's Campus since Web Slingers is...[digression terminated ]

 

[mickEblu]

If you mean Tomorrowland Terrace and south, I agree. If you include the Lagoon and south, there's room.

The biz model I think the accountants get behind is losing two functioning attractions (Autopia, Subs), one of which is expensive to maintain supposedly, and an underutilized building (Launch Bay) and fit three new LL level attractions: a very new ride system (Cars system, different theme, in my example), Frozen boat, Frozen coaster (or other IP).

While I don't think they'll fix TL up without a new Tomorrowland E-ticket, I absolutely could be wrong, they did it in 1983 in Fantasyland, but that was a different era. And I guess they did it with Avenger's Campus since Web Slingers is...[digression terminated ]

I think considering that Autopia is the last large plot of land in DL proper it has to be viewed as what IP do we need to get in the park that makes sense in the area. Considering that Fantasyland is on the border of TL it makes sense that they would use that space for something like Frozen or BatB. There is no slam dunk TL IP IMO that is worthy of taking up any of that space.

Yeah FL 1983 was a different era but I think this is the sort of Anomaly where it can happen again. The PeopleMover and a new ride inside Buzz or launch bay buildings would be something even if not the huge splashy E ticket. That would come next door in Fantasyland as a sort of package deal. TL, FL etc. They re just lines on a map. Granted they could do the FL expansion without touching TL proper but at certain point the place needs to be updated. Might as well be a smaller piece of land they need to worry about keeping relevant in the future. And getting rid of TL completely isn’t an option as far as I’m concerned.

 

[mickEblu]

If you mean Tomorrowland Terrace and south, I agree. If you include the Lagoon and south, there's room.

The biz model I think the accountants get behind is losing two functioning attractions (Autopia, Subs), one of which is expensive to maintain supposedly, and an underutilized building (Launch Bay) and fit three new LL level attractions: a very new ride system (Cars system, different theme, in my example), Frozen boat, Frozen coaster (or other IP).

While I don't think they'll fix TL up without a new Tomorrowland E-ticket, I absolutely could be wrong, they did it in 1983 in Fantasyland, but that was a different era. And I guess they did it with Avenger's Campus since Web Slingers is...[digression terminated ]

I mean sure you could demo Launch Bay and utilize Autopia loading area for an attraction but what TL IP is worth the trouble? A condensed 1960’s version of TL hits all the right notes for me. All the best of the land is still present + a PeopleMover and potentially a new ride where Buzz is.

 

[DrStarlander]

I mean sure you could demo Launch Bay and utilize Autopia loading area for an attraction but what TL IP is worth the trouble? A condensed 1960’s version of TL hits all the right notes for me. All the best of the land is still present + a PeopleMover and potentially a new ride where Buzz is.

What I'm saying is that by the same logic you might say they should bite the bullet and do something not-quite-optimal (invest in sprucing up TL without a new LL cash driver), I think they may need to do something slightly suboptimal and go with an IP that isn't a monster IP (like TRON wasn't, or Snow White in MK New Fantasyland, or Indy isn't) and take the LL revenue that will come regardless.

I don't think the IP makes it worth the trouble. I think the capacity and LL revenue make it worth the trouble, and the IP is sometimes a "good enough."

(Also, I'll add, I'm not mad if PM is restored, I do like it.)

I think considering that Autopia is the last large plot of land in DL proper it has to be viewed as what IP do we need to get in the park that makes sense in the area.

As far as the 5ish acres there, agreed. That's a big play and they don't have to pick from suboptimal options as they do in TL. They can make a big splash there IP-wise.

Might as well be a smaller piece of land they need to worry about keeping relevant in the future.

Agreed that TL needs to be trimmed down. But as far as keeping it relevant, they need to go retro-future. It's the only way. Predicting the actual future in an earnest way is a waste of money. I posted some thoughts yesterday over here in, drumroll, Imagineering: Here

 

[Disney Irish]

Are you thinking the ride system is different than RSR yet too similar to be in the park next door?

If so, that may be true. From watching the videos of Imagineers off-roading it looks like quite a different feel than RSR. I definitely don't think they'd do a Cars (vehicles-with-eyeballs) version in TL but if the ride feels different and the vehicles look different (spacey some way), I'm not sure it would feel redundant. Lot of "ifs" though.

There have been some conflicting reports, but the initial testing video released was a trackless off-road ATV style ride system, which is obviously different from the slot car ride system used for RSR/Test Track. But nonetheless the Piston Peak Road Rally in MK is suppose to be the Cars "land" for WDW. It would seem redundant to me to have another Cars "land" in DL with one already existing 3k ft away (even if its technically in a separate Park), especially not to replace part or all of TL. And while a new IP could be used, it just doesn't seem to fit in with the rest of the land, so unless TL is going away or being diced up to section out mini-lands, I just don't see this ride system being used in any TL redo.

But to me the point is that I don't see any "New Tomorrowland" without a LL attraction to drive the investment (the way the Cars ride is driving all of Piston Peak). That has to be central to any plan.

I would agree, whatever they do put in any future TL redo will be a LL attraction.

And while they could come up with a new ride system -- always an exciting possibility -- it's likely they could re-use a ride system they have. Something special to anchor a project this big. And there's only a few options (like Shanghai boats or Peter Pan at Fantasy Springs) and they seem spoken for at DLR. Maybe there are others. Maybe they repeat the TRON approach. But I got to the speculation about the Cars system somewhat from process of elimination.

There are plenty of other IPs and existing rides systems that can be used without having to use the new Road Rally ride system with or without the Cars IP.

For example, and I know many don't want it, but Tron has always been a potential ride system and IP to be used. Same thing with Cosmic Rewind, albeit with a different slate of characters from Marvel or another franchise. Basically my guess just based on how they are and have been redoing TLs in other Parks, another coaster is more likely than not in any future DL TL redo.

Who are you calling elderly? Yes, I think people will enjoy it. I just think anything Disney does seems to come with a high price tag and I'd be surprised if PM was felt to have the payoff. The decision to do it would lean hard on nostalgia from several decades ago and I'm not sure I see nostalgia being a big decision-driver for new attractions and big investments, almost the opposite. In 20 years, problem solved, the nostalgia has almost entirely dissipated except for in the deep fan sphere. And by the way, why doesn't the Skyway get that kind of love. It went through a frickin' mountain from one land to another!

PM return seems to always be on the docket for any future TL redo, based on former insiders that used to be here. There have been movement that showed this being the case, ie Imagineers seen reviewing the track and such as recently as a few years ago. So I suspect any new plans for a TL redo will include a PM of some sort. As for whether it'll get a love form guests, I suspect many will enjoy it and flock to it initially just for the "new" factor, how long that remains will be the question.

Skyway does get love, its just for the wrong reasons.

 

[coffeefan]

I do think that the 2026 electric vehicles Date was chosen because he Honda deal would be coming to an end, so either Honda could help foot the bill or another sponsor could be encouraged to pay for it and it could be seen as a larger upgrade. It'll be interesting to see what happens and if they commit to the electric vehicles

Unless Disney has other plans, I don't see why Honda wouldn't want to renew. Especially now, with Honda's move into space travel and EV push. The TL partnership makes even more sense for them. The question is whether they are willing to pay for it.

 

[DrStarlander]

It would seem redundant to me to have another Cars "land" in DL with one already existing 3k ft away (even if its technically in a separate Park), especially not to replace part or all of TL.

Just to be clear, I definately don't think there will be any "Cars" IP in TL. Just suggesting the ride system could end up there, in my mind. My guess on IP was Buzz/Aliens because it's already in TL two places (Astro Blasters and Pizza Planet) so they must feel the IP is both solid, and fits. So, something like this vehicle-wise wouldn't surprise me:

And while a new IP could be used, it just doesn't seem to fit in with the rest of the land

I could see them thinking an alien landscape/rock formations would complement the buildings similar to the french-fry rocks or the rockwork in Discoveryland at DLP. But arguably that may be too optimistic on what they would want to spend. They're probably more likely to build a giant show building for any new E-ticket and paint it blue.

There are plenty of other IPs and existing rides systems that can be used without having to use the new Road Rally ride system without or without cars.

For example, and I know many don't want it, but Tron has always been a potential ride system and IP to be used. Same thing with Cosmic Rewind

another coaster is more likely than not in any future DL TL redo.

I do think a coaster is always a possibility. Very marketable and understandable. Hadn't thought about those two formats, either could be great additions to DLR, though with different IPs to keep it fresh, hopefully.

PM return seems to always be on the docket for any future TL redo, based on former insiders that used to be here.

It keeps being included, and the projects keep not happening, I wonder if that's been part of the problem?

Skyway does get love, its just for the wrong reasons.

I'm scared to ask what you mean.

 

[Disney Irish]

Just to be clear, I definately don't think there will be any "Cars" IP in TL. Just suggesting the ride system could end up there, in my mind. My guess on IP was Buzz/Aliens because it's already in TL two places (Astro Blasters and Pizza Planet) so they must feel the IP is both solid, and fits. So, something like this vehicle-wise wouldn't surprise me:
View attachment 902514View attachment 902515

SM was going to get an overlay with Buzz, but Lightyear's failure in theaters put a stop to that. And why I think it wouldn't happen here either. Had the movie done better we might be having a different discussion.

I could see them thinking an alien landscape/rock formations would complement the buildings similar to the french-fry rocks or the rockwork in Discoveryland at DLP. But arguably that may be too optimistic on what they would want to spend. They're probably more likely to build a giant show building for any new E-ticket and paint it blue.

After them going through the expense of removing the french fry rocks I kind of doubt they'd go back to any sort of rock work in TL. At DLP it works because of the steampunk theme they are doing. But other than that I don't think any rock work, let alone a ride with mountainous features, will be coming to any future DL TL.

I do think a coaster is always a possibility. Very marketable and understandable. Hadn't thought about those two formats, either could be great additions to DLR, though with different IPs to keep it fresh, hopefully.

It seems like the most logical thing they can do, especially with how popular Tron as been at MK. I know that people don't want it because they think it'll overshadow the land with track running everywhere, but I think there are ways to add a coaster there and still keep much of the overall scale of the land the same. I mean they put SM in a "mountain", so there is obviously ways to have a coaster stay hidden in TL.

It keeps being included, and the projects keep not happening, I wonder if that's been part of the problem?

I don't think PM is the hold up. I think the article referenced previously is pretty close. In order for TL redo to happen the execs need to see that the ROI is going to be there, ie a boost in attendance to the land. If its just a lateral move it doesn't get the purse strings to open. So I suspect that much of why its been delayed really comes down to tying it to an IP that is going to bring in the crowds. Several chances have come about, like the Tomorrowland movie, Lightyear, even Tron: Ares this last year and a few others over the years, but none materialized into an IP that has moved the needle.

I'm scared to ask what you mean.

It was known as a ride for teens to escape and be alone for two reasons, one you can guess and the other to be rude to guests below. I said it before in this thread I believe, can you imagine the little bastards of today's generation what they would do in an unsupervised gondola even for 3-5 minutes. No thanks. Somethings should remain in Yesterdayland.

 

[TheRealSkull]

Look what just popped up on my FB feed.

View attachment 902485

Wow. I guess the PeopleMover track itself isn’t nearly as far gone as people assume. Idk how much has changed in the last 13 years, or whether that approach would even still be viable today.

I’ve also heard that the Carousel Theater building is in pretty rough shape now, specifically that parts of the ceiling are collapsing. Probably lack of maintenance, but if they kept maintenance up, seems likely the original plan would’ve used the second floor of the Carousel Theater as the PeopleMover queue. I actually like the movie Tomorrowland, but it underperforming at the box office probably killed any momentum that project had.

Still, it’s encouraging to know that Imagineering has wanted to bring the PeopleMover back for a long time. I just hope it's not Disneyland Forward holding it back, but it probably is. Would be really nice to have something big for Disneyland's 75th.

 

[DrStarlander]

can you imagine the little bastards of today's generation what they would do in an unsupervised gondola even for 3-5 minutes.

We wouldn't have to imagine, it unfortunately would be on TikTok

 

[mickEblu]

What I'm saying is that by the same logic you might say they should bite the bullet and do something not-quite-optimal (invest in sprucing up TL without a new LL cash driver), I think they may need to do something slightly suboptimal and go with an IP that isn't a monster IP (like TRON wasn't, or Snow White in MK New Fantasyland, or Indy isn't) and take the LL revenue that will come regardless.

I don't think the IP makes it worth the trouble. I think the capacity and LL revenue make it worth the trouble, and the IP is sometimes a "good enough."

(Also, I'll add, I'm not mad if PM is restored, I do like it.)

I see what you're saying. I guess the part I cant get around is the double whammy of not having a slam dunk IP AND the fact that it would require tearing down the Launch Bay building. Seems one step too far from being an actual possibility. If they re doing this makeover on the semi-cheap it doesn't seem like that would be in the cards when they can just stick a Spaceship 220 restaurant in there and make boat loads of money. It's also a really cool building aesthetically. I know people crap on it becasue nothing of value has been in there for years but they can do much worse and it would be right at home with the TL 67 makeover. I personally think people would be more than happy with a nice 60's reskin, PeopleMover and something replacing Buzz. As far as the LL issue, does whatever might be replacing Buzz count? It wouldn't be a headliner unless they find a way to do do something cool with a People Mover/ Rocket Rods situation and use that building as its show building.

Agreed that TL needs to be trimmed down. But as far as keeping it relevant, they need to go retro-future. It's the only way. Predicting the actual future in an earnest way is a waste of money. I posted some thoughts yesterday over here in, drumroll, Imagineering:

Definitely. It's a no brainer. Ive been asking for this for years. Way before I even knew Disney was even considering it.

 

[TheRealSkull]

It seems like the most logical thing they can do, especially with how popular Tron as been at MK. I know that people don't want it because they think it'll overshadow the land with track running everywhere, but I think there are ways to add a coaster there and still keep much of the overall scale of the land the same. I mean they put SM in a "mountain", so there is obviously ways to have a coaster stay hidden in TL.


I don't think PM is the hold up. I think the article referenced previously is pretty close. In order for TL redo to happen the execs need to see that the ROI is going to be there, ie a boost in attendance to the land. If its just a lateral move it doesn't get the purse strings to open. So I suspect that much of why its been delayed really comes down to tying it to an IP that is going to bring in the crowds. Several chances have come about, like the Tomorrowland movie, Lightyear, even Tron: Ares this last year and a few others over the years, but none materialized into an IP that has moved the needle.

2 Things:

1. I see what people mean about Tron overshadowing everything else and they are right. If you try to fit Tron as it exists into Disneyland's Tomorowland, it won't fit. But Disney has reconfigured the same/similar rides to fit into different spaces for years. It wouldn't be much different here. I did read a rumor in 2019, though, that a new Tomorrowland would include the portion of the Tron track arching over the entrance to the land at the hub. Kinda beckoning the guests inside the land.

2. Tron isn't really a popular IP but it didn't stop them from cloning it in Florida. It's more of the thrill than anything else, but it doesn't mean there aren't older popular IPs they could use. Wall-E, Big Hero 6, Stitch.