Bairstow
Well-Known Member
I think the Speedway's ideal demographic skews under-8, not above it.
Boys that old are going to want something that actually moves faster than they can run.
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Do you like Tomorrowland Speedway/Autopia?
- Thread starter deltaandthebannermen
- Start date
I think the Speedway's ideal demographic skews under-8, not above it.
Boys that old are going to want something that actually moves faster than they can run.
Deno
Well-Known Member
Before you get your driving licence it is a blast. Even though it's on a track, the feeling that you're actually driving a petrol engine car is a feeling you don't forget.
I first rode it in 1988 and 30 years later I still love it. Maybe it's a nostalgia thing but I would be gutted if they took it away. It's every bit WDW as Cinderella Castle, Peoplemover and Space Mountain. I just love cruising around the track looking at Space Mountain and the castle, every time I ride it takes me back to that special feeling I had when I first visited the Magic Kingdom.
I first rode it in 1988 and 30 years later I still love it. Maybe it's a nostalgia thing but I would be gutted if they took it away. It's every bit WDW as Cinderella Castle, Peoplemover and Space Mountain. I just love cruising around the track looking at Space Mountain and the castle, every time I ride it takes me back to that special feeling I had when I first visited the Magic Kingdom.
KikoKea
Well-Known Member
Our boys never cared much for it, and DH and I, now that we are empty nesters, went over 10 years without riding it. Passing by, we walked quickly and held our breath because of the smell. Last visit, it was dusk and the ride was a walk on, so we rode it. I took a few pictures as he and I banged around the course and we had a few laughs, but agreed that the land could be put to much better use...even if it only a shady place with benches to sit and chill. It's long overdue to be torn out and replaced.
Yeah, like maybe a Guardians of the Galaxy drop tower...
mergatroid
Well-Known Member
I agree. We ride it if the queue isn't over say 15 minutes though I always let me wife drive. She really enjoys it and I find it sort of relaxing and rather nostalgic too.
DisneyAndADoleWhip
Active Member
I don't have any real attachment to WDW's Speedway. I wouldn't be sad to see it go. During my DL trip, we made sure to try Autopia, since I heard it was superior to WDW's. I did enjoy the length of the ride, and the "off-road" section where you seemed to follow a path different from everyone else. With that being said, I think it needs replaced in both parks, but especially in WDW.
graphite1326
Well-Known Member
Keep it. I remember as a young pre-teen at the end of the school year our school offered a bus trip to Hershey Park. We were a group of boys who couldn't wait to get on the cars which was a ride similar to this one. We thought it was going to be like driving a real car which for us was just a few years away. Couldn't wait. We rode it several times.
ALSO, it ties up a lot of people so the lines for the other rides are just a little shorter.
ALSO, it ties up a lot of people so the lines for the other rides are just a little shorter.
copcarguyp71
Well-Known Member
I know for many there is nostalgia associated with it and speaking as someone who has been going since 1977 I can say I guess I can understand that but my own personal thoughts are that by keeping this attraction open and un-updated is really just Disney phoning it in and using nostalgia as an excuse. It is an area of the park that is supposed to be based on a theoretical Utopian future and the ride just does absolutely nothing to project that in any way, shape or form. I am sure there are 100 different lower dollar overlay ideas out there but an electric car tron-track sort of idea comes to mind. There are plenty of electric cart based tracks all over the country so the technology is there and easily attainable. Adding a small indoor tunnel area would also help to "put lipstick on the pig" (pardon the expression) to help build interest and give another opportunity for a lower dollar idea than a total re-do. It is nice for the little ones to be able to drive their own cars and build that sense of wonder but also remember that when this attraction opened no child had electric big wheels as is the case nowadays (especially true of anyone who can afford a Disney vacation) so I think to an extent that portion of the draw for the ride has also been lost. Just my own meandering thoughts...take em or leave em.
Surfin' Tuna
Well-Known Member
I think going electric would ruin any nostalgia that some of us old-timers feel for the attraction, but I would not mind seeing the stink go. In an ideal world, they'd get GM to sponsor it as an electric vehicle of the future track. Part of that would be getting rid of the test track as part of a redo to Epcot, since that's also an awful and ruined attraction IMHO. Disney keeps a sponsor to offest the cost, we get an updated ride that the kids can enjoy, and there's room for a new adult ride at Epcot. I'm not sure Disney is ready to make that much sense, but it would be nice.
copcarguyp71
Well-Known Member
I'd rather see Tesla get involved. I would imagine they could do an entire green attraction where the ride vehicle recharge would be facilitated by creative use of their new solar array shingle technology. I see Tesla actually putting in the legwork towards a truly remarkable upgrade whereas GM would only do as much as it took to get their name plastered everywhere. Like all the other gas engine automakers GM is only putting enough into it to make the government and (pardon the expression) tree huggers happy and content to see a small portion of their offering as electric whereas Tesla is a solely electric company so I could see them putting more into it than GM.
21stamps
Well-Known Member
That's actually not true at all. GM is absolutely doing a lot with electric and autonomous technology right now. Outside of Tesla, they're probably investing the most.
OP- Yes. I love the Speedway. I would hate it to see it go.
copcarguyp71
Well-Known Member
Of the two who makes their biggest nut off of internal combustion technology? I just personally think an entirely electric company could put a better effort into it...but that's just me.
21stamps
Well-Known Member
Tesla is a niche company. GM has multiple brands and is a household name. This is not against Tesla, they have great vehicles. But GM has been changing dramatically in recent years, and this is one area that they have been pouring millions upon millions of dollars into. Much more than any other traditional manufacturer.
KrzyKtty
Well-Known Member
I agree, and although I want my next car to be a Tesla, the GM Bolt is one I was seriously considering. I just think the design of the Tesla 3 is more classy...
But at least with GM you don't have to wait 2 years for your car.
21stamps
Well-Known Member
I agree. I think Tesla cars are incredibly sharp looking. But GM is a lot more relatable, and atainable for the majority. And, personally I think it's pretty neat that a classically known auto company such as GM is trying to be a leader for the future. The name alone reaches multiple generations.
A few years ago I would never have given GM, or any domestic brand, a second look. I'm impressed with their new lineup, technology, and the steps they're taking towards the future.
I think sponsoring the Speedway could be a great thing. Change it some, but keep the land, and the attraction.