Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover offers some of the best views of Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland. Did you know you used to be able to get a similar view of Disneyland Park's Tomorrowland? In fact, PeopleMover was often referred to as the "highway in the sky!" We'll learn this and more during the secret history of the Tomorrowland PeopleMover!
===>Hop here for Tomorrowland Transit Authority wait times, ride details and more!<===
The Secret History of the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
The PeopleMover first opened at Disneyland Park with the New Tomorrowland in 1967. Tomorrowland was completely redesigned and renovated to include new attractions, new looks, designs, etc. Some of the attractions included the Rocket Jets (now known as Astro Orbiter and in a new location), Carousel of Progress (now at Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland), Flight to the Moon and more. High above all of these attractions (well, actually below the Rocket Jets) was the Tomorrowland PeopleMover.
As you may know, a few of the attractions in the park, like the Carousel of Progress, made its way over from the 1964 World's Fair. Ford's Magic Skyway was an attraction at the World's Fair that didn't make its way to Disneyland Park. However, its system was used for the PeopleMover! The Ford attraction featured motorless Ford convertibles on a gliding track that supported a continuous boarding system. The Tomorrowland PeopleMover was created to also feature this so that the capacity of the attraction was very high. Guests were constantly hopping on and off the ride!
Throughout the years, Tomorrowland went through more redesigns and renovations, trying to keep up with the future. Sadly, the Disneyland Park PeopleMover was closed Aug. 21, 1995. The Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland welcomed its very own PeopleMover in 1975, named WEDWay PeopleMover. The Tomorrowland on the East Coast also went through massive refurbishments in 1994, and with that, the name of the PeopleMover was changed to Tomorrowland Transit Authority (PeopleMover was added onto this during a later refurbishment). In 2009, the PeopleMover closed alongside Space Mountain for major refurbishments and reopened once again 2010 with new narration.
Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover Fun Facts
- During part of the ride, you catch a glimpse of the model of E.P.C.O.T. (Walt's futuristic city) Originally, the model was found in the upper level of the Carousel of Progress when it resided in Disneyland Park.
- Via The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World by Susan Veness, listen for ride's paging system, "Paging Mr. Morrow, Mr. Tom Morrow!" This is a reference to Tomorrowland!
- Back during Magic Kingdom Park's 1994-2009 version of the PeopleMover, the narration said there were three different lines of the ride - the Green Line, Blue Line and Red Line. The Blue Line was actually the ride, while the Green Line was transportation to other cities and the Red Line took you to other planets!
- When Disneyland Park closed its PeopleMover, the ride was transformed into Rocket Rods that opened with the New Tomorrowland in 1998. It consisted of similar elements but was a faster ride. It closed shortly after in 2000.
- Even though the PeopleMover no longer operates at Disneyland Park, you can still see its tracks!
Did you ever get to experience the PeopleMover at Disneyland Park? What's your favorite part of the ride at Magic Kingdom Park? Let us know in the comments below, and don't forget to check out Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover wait times and more!
Stay cool!