Can we talk about Autopia?

[mickEblu]

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).

Sorry I wasn't clear .... I agree that Autopia isn't futuristic anymore but I disagree that it should stay if there was ever a TL renovation.

 

[RandomPrincess]

Was Autopia ever futuristic?

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

It's futuristic in that young Autopia drivers will drive real cars in the future.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Was Autopia ever futuristic?

Somewhat. The muti-lane highways back then hadnt been kicked into gear (no pun intended) just yet. It's kind of like hovering cars. They're not a thing right now, but they've been in development.

 

[NobodyElse]

The one semi-reasonable argument I've seen for Autopia being "futuristic" is that for the under-15 crowd, operating an automobile is futuristic. We may not all agree with that, or believe that it matters enough to be properly included in Tomorrowland, but it's a valid POV.

I do remember as a kid eventually taking the ride somewhat seriously and doing my best to make it around the course without bumping the guides (or the car ahead). It took some skill.

**EDIT** sorry to those who posted while I was typing. I didn't intend to seem so redundant.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Sorry I wasn't clear .... I agree that Autopia isn't futuristic anymore but I disagree that it should stay if there was ever a TL renovation.

Now that I can't agree with haha.

 

[RandomPrincess]

I like Autopia, I would be sad if they got rid of it, but I do feel it need an update. My armchair imagineer says the the Subs and Autopia would be better off as part of Fanasyland or a landless transition area between FL and TL.

 

[mickEblu]

Was Autopia ever futuristic?

I think it was in the 50s ... In a very DCA/ Bugs land ( there's bugs in California) kind of way

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

It certainly doesn't fit the modern theme of Tomorrowland, which is sci-fi/fantasy spaceships. Seriously. That's every ride. Space Mountain, Star Tours, Buzz Lightyear, Astro Orbiter, all riding in spaceships. It's surprising they haven't just made Autopia and Submarines an extension of Fantasyland. What a crappy land! It's so sad.

 

[NobodyElse]

The submarines are "Liquid-Spaceships", so they can stay.

 

[RandomPrincess]

I think Tomorrowland is the hardest land. They really have to make an effort to keep things progressive and redo things over time. They have not been making a really effort with the theme for a long time.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

Absolutely no effort. In other parks, you find Monsters Inc. these days. What?

 

[Nland316]

-bulldoze everything except for Space Mountain. There is nothing else really relevant or current to today's future that is worth salvaging.
-Tron coaster
-Returm of the Peoplemover attraction
-New buzz lightyear attraction (ala Shanghai)
-new rocket jets (ala Shanghai)
-completely brand new submarine attraction that is extremely reminiscent of the original attraction. Actually showcases the future.
-architecture and landscape resembles Shanghai's tomorrow land.
-ATIS returns

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

I support that plan!

 

[Californian Elitist]

Disney has refused to make an effort for Tomorrowland for decades.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

That's not true. They added a smoke machine to the radar thing and a Marvel gift shop!

 

[yookeroo]

Was Autopia ever futuristic?

Nope. Neither were the subs.

-bulldoze everything except for Space Mountain. There is nothing else really relevant or current to today's future that is worth salvaging.

OK, I'm on board. I'd even be OK with bulldozing Space Mountain.

-Tron coaster
-Returm of the Peoplemover attraction
-New buzz lightyear attraction (ala Shanghai)
-new rocket jets (ala Shanghai)
-completely brand new submarine attraction that is extremely reminiscent of the original attraction. Actually showcases the future.
-architecture and landscape resembles Shanghai's tomorrow land.
-ATIS returns

You lost me. A blank slate and you want to to build Yesterland. Yawn.

 

[Deleted member 107043]

Never understood the fondness for ATIS. People sometimes act like it was one of WDI's finest achievements.

 

[dweezil78]

We've got a whole land dedicated to cars across the way now... In the words of the great Adele Nazeem, "Let it go."

Between Autopia, the subs, and carousel theater -- that's some serious real estate that is long overdue for finding a much more exciting tenant.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

I appreciate ATIS for being basically a precursor to The Haunted Mansion. It must have been so weird in that era to have an omnimover dark ride with Paul Frees narration open and then a couple years later, Haunted Mansion is the same kind of thing, but like a spookhouse version. I prefer that 60s sci-fi incarnation of Tomorrowland to the current sci-fantasy (if you could even call it that) take. It was more EPCOT Center, very Roddenberry. Modern Tomorrowland is dystopian, with cosmic wars and remains of defunct attractions that once symbolized the essence of the land. It's a place I'd never want to go. It's the complete opposite of the original intent.