The previous version, looking similar to Rocket Jets at Disneyland, but with different rockets, was called Star Jets.Īstro Orbiter is more colorful than its cousin in California, and still sits atop the PeopleMover platform in the heart of Tomorrowland. The rest of this article is a quick photo tour to look at the rest of them.Īstro Orbiter at Magic Kingdom Park, Walt Disney WorldĪstro Orbiter (with an “e” instead of an “o” in the penultimate position) at Walt Disney World is also the result of a makeover of Tomorrowland-in this case, Magic Kingdom Park’s New Tomorrowland of 1994. There is (or was) a spinner ride in the Tomorrowland (or Discoveryland in the case of Paris) section of each of Disney’s six Magic Kingdom-style parks around the world. It’s human nature that people tend not to look upward. When it operated (every 15 minutes in its early years), it spun like a spinner ride, with its arms moving around, its dishes changing their orientation, and music blaring-but hardly any guests noticed what was happening. It was supposed to be a device that communicates with a distant home planet,Īlthough cynics suggested it was just a way to recycle the remains of the old Rocket Jets ride. It was a kinetic sculpture with satellite dishes on arms. Observatron with its arms raised and its dishes facing up On the level where the Rocket Jets had orbited the USA rocket, something called Observatron appeared.Ībove Rocket Rods, Observatron with its dishes facing outward The loading area of PeopleMover became the loading area for Rocket Rods.
The old Rocket Jets structure gained a new mission in 1998. The New Tomorrowland of 1998, with Observatron where Rocket Jets had been
It’s too bad that Disneyland can’t have the best of both worlds-the visual exuberance of the Astro Orbitor, located high on the old elevated platform of Rocket Jets. Guests board the ride at ground level, so it lacks the “high in the sky” thrill of Rocket Jets. It makes the entrance to Tomorrowland overwhelming, compared to the entrances to Frontierland and Adventureland-especially at night, when it’s all lit up.įrom some angles, it even detracts from Sleeping Beauty Castle. The location changed from the top of the PeopleMover platform to the entrance to Tomorrowland.Īstro Orbitor looks great, but the ride’s location close to the Hub of Disneyland isn’t so great. The moving planets add to the fun of the ride. This version is reminiscent of brass astronomical models from centuries ago. In 1998, Disneyland opened the third incarnation of this type ofĪttraction, the visually stunning Astro Orbitor. Unlike the Rocket Jets, the Astro-Jet loaded at ground level, similar to Dumbo. Rocket Jets replaced an earlier ride, Astro-Jet, which opened in March 1956. It wasn’t the first or the last rocket-themed spinner at Disneyland. Rocket Jets circled above Disneyland’s Tomorrowland from July 1967 until January 1997-almost 30 years. When the ride begins, use the lever to raise and lower your rocket.īecause the rockets fly so high above Tomorrowland, the ride is surprisingly The space is rather tight, and the seating is quite cozy. Squeeze into an open rocket with a friend, date, family member, or spouse. You’re now high above the PeopleMover loading area. Taking the elevator is like being a NASA astronaut preparing for an Apollo launch. Take a gantry elevator from ground level up to the loading area. Walk under the PeopleMover track, as PeopleMover trains continually glide overhead.Įnjoy the huge tile murals by Mary Blair as you walk between them.
Rocket Jets, aligned with the flagpole, PeopleMover track, and Carousel of ProgressĪs the focal point of Tomorrowland, the attraction is centrally located. The centerpiece of Rocket Jets is a rocket that would look at home on a NASA launchpad, complete with three prominent letters-USA.įrom the central rocket, twelve arms holding open-air rocket vehicles radiate in all directions.
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