Why no love for the Speedway?

[scottnj1966]

The future should not smell like diesel. End of story. Besides, cars with wheels? What kind of future is this? I could see modern cars being futuristic if Tomorrowland was Discoveryland, with a more Da Vinci-era view of the future, but that's not the case.

It's a nice ride (aside from the fact that it should be electric), but it just doesn't belong in Tomorrowland.

The original reason why This ride was built for tomorrowland was Walt, Disneyland, and the fact that the future in travel was freeways.
We dont think that way anymore because we have interstate's everywhere now, but in the 50's they were in the planning stages.

They should be switched to electric and restyled for the future as it stands now, but for some reason they have stayed the same for years.

I hate them because they have slowed them up so much from they opened, and the track has been shortened. But this ride is still a big hit to children. They love being able to drive a "car". I know I did when I was little

 

[Raven66]

I think it excites the little ones (that are tall enough) because they get to "drive" on their own. I don't care for the ride either for all of the reasons that others have mentioned and one I didn't see but the cars are really hard to turn. My arms feel like jell-o after I get off of them. I just won't stand in that line anymore. It's always packed so that is a good thing.

 

[darthspielberg]

I've never cared to ride this, and it seems to me that it remains mostly due to nostalgia. Many memories of the premier of Disneyland in California had celebrities and their kids putting about in these cars, and then those who grew up riding it bring their kids to ride it, starting a cycle.

I think the worst thing about this ride is the utter atrocious lack of hiding the work they are doing in the area now. Disney is usually so good about hiding it's construction behind scrim, painted facades or walls, but here, pipes and ground up earth are just strewn about while cars zip around the speedway. It's disgusting and looks terrible.

 

[docdebbi]

i'm taking my two year old grandson in march, this is high on our list of priorities for two reasons:
first, nostalgia (clearly the only reason they keep it). i did it as a kid and loved it, took my daughter as a kid, she loved it. now it's his turn!
second, it's one of the few things he can do as a 2 year old, that he actually gets to DO something, not sit and watch stuff as he goes around on dumbo, PoC, IASW etc. Not knocking those, think he'll love them, but he can DRIVE this car. To a 2, 3, or 4 year old- BIG DEAL.
so leave the little kiddies their little kiddie ride, we parents/grandparents will stand in the long, boring, smelly line.
as you walk by (as i did for all those blessed years between my daughter doing it and now), just laugh at us and be glad you're not there!

 

[Thrill Seeker]

Not sure what all the complaints are about. It is what it is. It doesn't hide what it actually is because you can see it. Yes it takes up a lot of space but it has been there since 1971 and it always gets the crowds. That's the thing, the line up is huge everytime, obviously it's still a popular ride. People don't walk off there expecting Space Mountain.

Besides, I have never been to Disneyland, but why do people hate the Speedway but love the Autopia (I think that's how you spell it)? It's the same ride, no?

That's mainly because it loads slowly. If it loaded quicker like, say, an omnimover, there would be little to no line all the time.

 

[xdan0920]

This ride is in theory a great attraction. It needs major updating.

1. No more gas cars. Removing the load sounds of the combustion engine, along with the smell and pollution would be a huge step forward.

2. No more boring cars. Paint them nice, add electronic effects, make them more comfortable.

3. No more physical guide rails. The technology now exists to have the cars stay in their lanes without the use of physical guide rails. Give the illusion of free reign. You can allow a larger range of speed with this tech, and it would be way more fun to drive the cars thinking you have total control.

I am sure Disney is already thinking these same things, but the money needed to bring the speedway up to this level is probably prohibitive for them at the moment.

 

[Mickey_777]

It takes up so much space that could be used for newer/better attractions.

It no longer fits in with the Tomorrowland theme.

It's boring.

 

[googilycub]

Why is there no love for the speedway on this site? I would say because just about everybody on here that posts is over the age of 8. If you asked people under that age their opinion, I think you would get a different feeling about that ride.....

 

[Mansion Butler]

Why is there no love for the speedway on this site? I would say because just about everybody on here that posts is over the age of 8. If you asked people under that age their opinion, I think you would get a different feeling about that ride.....

Yes, I liked Speedway more when I was a kid. As has been said many times here, you could fix all or most of the things people have a problem with and still maintain allowing kids to do something they can only daydream about away from the park.

 

[flavious27]

Motorways at amusements parks aren't as exciting as they use to be to keep injuries and damages down.