Magic Kingdom: Tomorrowland

Tomorrowland at Magic KingdomLake Buena Vista, Florida: The white peaks of Space Mountain shine over the metallic futuristic structures found within Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom. Like the pages from a comic book, Tomorrowland gives visitors a glimpse at the future holds.

Tomorrowland was one of the original lands of the Magic Kingdom when the park opened in 1971. Walt Disney modeled it after the original Tomorrowland at Disneyland in California. The land was not quite finished when in time for the grand opening of the park, but that did not keep it closed come opening day. The finishing touches were completed and Tomorrowland was completed by 1975.

The keystone attraction of Tomorrowland is Space Mountain. One of the three mountains at the Magic Kingdom, Space Mountain was opened in 1975. Located inside the futuristic mountain, the coaster is located entirely indoors and in the dark, much like that of outer space. Riders board a rocket and blast into space, reaching speeds of 30 mph on the 2 1/2 minute ride. The speed feeling is enhanced by the darkness as stars and planets go zooming by throughout the ride.

Also opened in 1975 was the Carousel of Progress. Believed to be Walt Disney’s favorite attraction, the Carousel of Progress was originally built for the 1964 World’s Fair. It was relocated to Disneyland in 1967 and then later found its permanent home at the Magic Kingdom in 1975. Guests enter a rotating theater that rotates around a central stage featuring six scenes. The show takes its guests through the modernization of everyday life from the 1900’s through the future. The show follows a family through the inventions of each time period that help ease everyday life.

The only original attraction still in operation today that was in the park on opening day is the Tomorrowland Speedway. The multiple lane speedway takes drivers on a slow speed road course race against other drivers. The ride remained virtually the same since opening day with a few minor upgrades and name changes along the way.

The second oldest attraction in Tomorrowland is the Tomorrowland Transit Authority. Here guests board a monorail style train for a ride through Tomorrowland. Built to resemble a mass transportation system of the future, the train passes through many of the attractions of Tomorrowland with viewing windows for an overhead view. You will also pass the model for the Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow, a vision Walt Disney had that eventually led to the creation of the Epcot theme park.

Tomorrowland is also home to three of the Magic Kingdom’s newest attraction. The first is Stitch’s Great Escape. Opened in 2004 to replace Alien Encounter, the attraction is based on the cartoon movie Lilo and Stitch. Here the audience has been selected to guard a prisoner at the Galactic Federation. The prisoner, Stitch, breaks free and causes chaos throughout the theater and the park.

Another one of the newer attraction is Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. Join Buzz on a mission to defeat the evil emperor Zurg. Hop aboard the space cruiser and embark on the laser shooting mission to help save the universe. As you shoot the targets, a score is accumulated on your cruiser.

The most recent addition to Tomorrowland is the Monsters Inc Laugh Floor. The attraction is an interactive comedy club featuring the monsters from Monsters Inc. Mike Wazowski opened a Comedy Club in an effort to help generate electricity. But it isn’t long until members of the audience are part of the show. The 10 minutes show leaves everyone in the family laughing hysterically and the Monsters Inc laugh canister full of energy.

In addition to all of these great rides and attractions, Tomorrowland is also home to a few restraraunts and shops. Here are the restraraunts found in Tomorrowland:
  • Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies: ice cream, smoothies and drinks.
  • Cool Ship: drinks.
  • Cosmic Rays’s Stralight Café: cheeseburgers, chicken, sandwiches and more.
  • The Lunching Pad: smoke turkey legs and more.
  • Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station: noodle bowl, stir fry and more.

Here is a list of the shops found in Tomorrowland:

  • Buzz Lightyear Shop
  • Buzz Lighyear’s Star Command
  • Geiger’s Counter
  • Merchant of Venus
  • Mickey’s Star Trader
  • Space Mountain Shop
  • Ursa’s Major Minor Mart

For photos of the land, visit my Tomorrowland photo gallery.

Updated October 16, 2010

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