Astro Orbitor
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Astro Orbitor | |
 |
|
| Locations, openings and status | |
| Disneyland 1966 | |
| Open | |
| Magic Kingdom November 28, 1974 | |
| Open | |
| Tokyo Disneyland | |
| Open | |
| Disneyland Paris | |
| Open | |
| Hong Kong Disneyland |
Astro Orbitor is an attraction at Disneyland, and is the third generation of the family of Tomorrowland rocket-spinner attractions. The latest version opened on May 22, 1998 for the new Tomorrowland. Similar rides can be found at Disneyland Paris as Orbitron, Machines Volantes, at the Magic Kingdom as Astro Orbiter and at Hong Kong Disneyland as Orbitron.
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[edit] Disneyland history
The current version of the attraction is not the first version to be on groundlevel. The original version was known as the Astro Jets. The attraction stood near the Submarine Voyage and Flight to the Moon. When United Airlines, a sponsor in the park disputed the name as free advertising for rival company, American Airlines, the name was changed to Tomorrowland Jets.
In late 1966, the Tomorrowland Jets were demolished only to return in August 1967 as Rocket Jets. This version was located on top of the new PeopleMover platform, and was accessible via an elevator. The focal point of this version was its replica Saturn V/NASA-themed rocket in the center. This version remained open until 1997, when it closed for renovations with the rest of Tomorrowland.
The Astro Orbitor was planned to be placed where the Rocket Jets were, but weighed too much for the current building. Instead, it was relocated to the entrance of Tomorrowland, and placed on the ground, thus making the ride the new focal point as guests step from the main plaza of Disneyland into Tomorrowland. The mechanism for Rocket Jets was dismantled and a kinetic satellite-themed sculpture known as Observatron was built out of the ride's skeletal structure.
[edit] Magic Kingdom history
At the Magic Kingdom, Astro Orbiter replaced Star Jets when "The New Tomorrowland" premiered in 1994. The ride offers futuristic rockets spinning past planets and moons. The effect gives guests a feeling of going faster than they really are.
It is the centerpiece of Rocket Tower Plaza as mentioned on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority, and Stitch can be seen riding it on a video screen during Stitch's Great Escape.
The ride at the Magic Kingdom does 11 rotations per minute and averages 1.2 million miles a year.[1]
[edit] Star Jets
Star Jets opened on November 28, 1974 during the second phase of expansion at Walt Disney World's Tomorrowland. It was built on top of the WEDWay Peoplemover station and featured a rocket with 20 foot arms with shuttles attached. Just like Astro Orbiters, guests could control the height of the shuttle and make it rise or fall over 80 feet. The ride was one of first rides you were required to take an elevator to reach at Walt Disney World
The ride closed in early 1994 and was replaced by the Astro Orbiters during the major rehab of Tomorrowland. The Astro Orbiters have a more futuristic look than Star Jets did. Star Jets can still be found at Tokyo Disneyland.[2] [3]
[edit] The future of the attraction
Since it retained the gold and bronze color scheme when most of Tomorrowland was repainted blue and silver in 2005, reminiscent of the white and blue 1967 paint scheme, the attraction may be repainted in the 2005/2006 off-season. Rumors on some Disney fan sites are that along with a return of the Peoplemover, a new version of this ride will replaced upon the Peoplemover platform. Reasons to support these rumors are due to controversy among Disney fans that it obstructs the view of Tomorrowland's main thoroughfare, and takes up space that could be used for the frequently overcrowded viewings of Remember... Dreams Come True fireworks show.
[edit] Spelling issues
The Walt Disney Co. has never explained why Disneyland version has the spelling Astro Orbitor, while the Magic Kingdom version has Astro Orbiter, but some guests have speculated that it may be derived from the French version of the attraction, Orbitron, Machines Volantes.
[edit] Facts
- It is an improved version of Disneyland Paris' Orbitron Machines Volantes.
- The names of the rockets are the same as its Magic Kingdom counterpart, Astro Orbiter.
- It has one of 50 hidden "Mickey 50 Ears" added as part of the Happiest Homecoming on Earth celebration.
[edit] Attraction facts
[edit] Disneyland
- Previous names:
- Astro Jets
- Tomorrowland Jets
- Rocket Jets
- Current name: Astro Orbitor
- Grand opening: 1966
- Re-opening: August 1967
- Re-opening: May 22, 1998
- Designer: Walt Disney Imagineering
- Rockets: 12
- Rocket height: 26 feet (7.9 m)
- Rocket distance from tower: 20 feet (6.1 m)
- Ride duration: 1:30 (11.5 revolutions)
- Ride system: Controlled moving rockets rotating around central tower
[edit] Magic Kingdom
- Previous name: Star Jets
- Current name: Astro Orbiter
- Grand opening: November 28, 1974
- Re-Opening: 1994
- Rockets: 12
- Rocket distance from tower: 20 feet (6.1 m)
- Ride duration: 1:30 (11 revolutions)
- Ride system: Controlled moving rockets rotating around central tower
[edit] Tokyo Disneyland
- Current name: Star Jets
[edit] Disneyland Paris
- Current name: Orbitron, Machines Volantes
[edit] Hong Kong Disneyland
- Current name: Orbitron
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Astro Orbiter. WDWHistory.com. Retrieved on August 12, 2006.
- ^ Star Jets. WDWHistory.com. Retrieved on August 13, 2006.
- ^ Star Jets. Walt Dated World. Retrieved on August 13, 2006.
