As the name suggests, Tomorrowland is Magic Kingdom’s futuristic land. Originally, it was a somewhat “realistic” vision of the future. However, To avoid the land from becoming “todayland,” tomorrowland was reimagined in 1994 to showcase a more “timeless” approach to the future. This included more elements of science fiction, and it is sometimes referred to as the “tomorrow that never was.”
Attractions
Astro Orbiter – The inspiration for the name of this blog. This is a spinner ride very similar to Dumbo the Flying Elephant and The Magic Carpets of Aladdin, however, this one is higher and faster than any of Disney World’s other spinner rides. This ride is on a rooftop, and you’ll find yourself flying 80 feet above the ground with some impressive views of the park.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin – This interactive ride puts you right the middle of an arcade game. The slow moving track takes you through space where you’ll be shooting targets with the laser guns that are attached to your vehicle.
Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor – This show is full of laughs as the Monsters are trying to harness all of your laughter to use for energy. This is a very fun, interactive show that gets the audience involved in creative ways.
Space Mountain – One of Disney World’s most iconic attractions, this simple roller coaster is still a fan favorite today because of it’s theming. After you board your rocket, you’ll be taken through the dark of space at speeds of 28.7 mph. That may not sounds exciting compared to todays roller coasters, but it is a completely different experience in the dark and the “Starry-O Phonic Sound” around you.
Tomorrowland Speedway – Drive your own mini gas-powered sports car in this attraction. This is a favorite for families with kids, because, although you do have control of your steering, ultimately, the car runs along a track. This gives kids a good opportunity to be to drive their own car (keep in mind that you do have to be 54” tall to be able to drive alone). Don’t forget to stop by the photobooth afterwards to get a Tomorrowland Speedway driver’s license.
Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover – This puts you on a tramlike car that is magnetically pulled, and it will take you on a tour through Tomorrowland. It even goes inside of attractions, such as Space Mountain. This leisurely ride is great to do when you need a break from the hustle and bustle of the day, and it will give you some great views of Tomorrowland.
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress – A very unique 4 act show that lets you follow a family (with the dad as the main narrator) through the 20th century using human audio animatronics. There is a strong focus on electric and technological advances. The show is unique because each “act” is in a different room, but there is no need to move. The whole theater will rotate to get you to the next part of the show.
FUN FACT:
WALT DISNEY WORLD ISN’T WHERE THE CAROUSEL OF PROGRESS ORIGINATED, AND IT’S NOT EVEN THE FIRST THEME PARK IT’S BEEN IN. WALT DISNEY’S CAROUSEL OF PROGRESS ATTRACTION DEBUTED AT THE NEW YORK WORLD’S FAIR WHEN GENERAL ELECTRIC APPROACHED WALT DISNEY TO DEVELOP A SHOW FOR THEIR PAVILION. THE SHOW WAS ORIGINALLY NAMED “PROGRESSLAND,” AND DEBUTED APRIL 22, 1964. IT THEN REOPENED AT DISNEYLAND PARK ON JULY 2, 1967, AND IT WAS RENAMED “CAROUSEL OF PROGRESS.” IT THEN CLOSED ON SEPTEMBER 9, 1973 AND WAS MOVED TO FLORIDA, WHERE IT OPENED AT WALT DISNEY WORLD ON JANUARY 15, 1975.
Dining
Tomorrowland has no sit down restaurants. All of these locations listed are either quick service restaurants or snack carts.
Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies – You’ll find all of your sweet, frozen desserts here. This restaurant offers soft serve ice cream, sundaes, soda floats, smoothies, and fountain drinks.
Cool Ship Cooling Station – This space themed stand features churros and beverages. Next to it, there is a “Cool Scanner” that sometimes sprays mist to help cool you down on a hot day.
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe – The main quick service restaurant in Tomorrowland, this restaurant serves American theme park classics such as burgers, hot dogs, and chicken. If you sit in the right area, you’ll enjoy the entertainment of Sonny Eclipse, an audio-animatronic singer that plays the space-organ.
Lunching Pad – This is located at the base of the Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover. It serves a some quick lunch items (such as hot dogs) and snacks (such as Mickey pretzels and churros). This not a full restaurant, and it’s more of a stand, but there is some limited outdoor seating with tables around it.
Revive Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Company – Get your coffee fix here. An alternative to the Starbucks on Main Street (albeit more limited), this stand offers specialty espresso drinks (hot and cold), tea, and pastries.
Tomorrowland Terrace – This restaurant only opens up seasonally. It is not on a regular schedule, but it is usually during the busiest times of the busiest seasons. It is, however, home to the fireworks dessert parties, which you need to have reservations for.
PRO TIP:
TOMORROWLAND TERRACE HAS PLENTY OF COVERED SEATING, AND MANY PEOPLE DON’T REALIZE THAT THE SEATING IS OFTEN OPEN, EVEN WHEN THE RESTAURANT IS CLOSED. THEREFORE, IT IS A GOOD PLACE TO FIND A SEAT IF YOU ARE GETTING FOOD FROM A NEARBY RESTAURANT THAT HAS LIMITED SEATING (SUCH AS CASEY’S CORNER, WHICH IS ACROSS THE STREET, BUT IT CAN BE WORTH THE HASSLE OF CARRYING YOUR FOOD OVER FOR A LESS CHAOTIC MEAL).
Shopping
Mickey’s Star Traders – One of the largest shops in the Magic Kingdom (other than the Emporium), this shop is located near Space Mountain. You’ll find a variety of merchandise here, including Disney plush, clothing, snacks, and much more!
Tomorrowland Light & Power Co. – Located near Space Mountain, this is where you will find all of your Space Mountain themed merchandise!
Characters
There aren’t any “official” character meet and greets in Tomorrowland, but there are a couple characters that frequently make appearances.
Buzz Lightyear – Buzz Lightyear will often be spotted hanging around his namesake attraction.
Stitch – There is no more Stitch’s Great Escape attraction, but the character is often out doing meet and greets in the area where the attraction used to be, which is on the left side of Tomorrowland, if you are walking into it from Main Street U.S.A.
Other Entertainment
Dessert Parties – Briefly mentioned above, evening dessert parties take place regularly in the Tomorrowland Terrace area. However, you do need to have advance reservations to be able to partake in these events. The parties are “all you can eat.” By having a reservation to a dessert party, you also get a reserved viewing area for the evening fireworks.
Tron Lightcycle Run (not yet open) – This is going to be an attraction, but I am listing it here because right now it is just something to look at as it is not completed as of the time of this writing. This is going to be a thrilling attraction, themed like the Tron movies, that is based on a ride that is currently in Shanghai Disneyland. The track will take you inside and outside of the attraction’s building and is said to reach 60 mph.
Conclusion
Tomorrowland has been through a lot of changes through the years, but today it provides an entertaining and energizing atmosphere with it’s space themes and exciting attractions. This land comes alive at night with it’s fun lighting, so you will want to make sure to spend some time in it when it is dark. Packed with 7, soon to be 8, attractions, you’ll definitely need to make sure you have some time in your day carved out to experience everything there is to experience in Tomorrowland!
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