Photo by Erin Heaton

During my childhood trips to Walt Disney World, there was no doubt about my favorite area in The Magic Kingdom. Tomorrowland presented a future where anything was possible. I believed we’d have a PeopleMover in every town by 2020 and probably much earlier. You could take a high-speed journey to space or board a plane for the Caribbean! Optimism about the potential for technology was everywhere. There were no dud Tomorrowland attractions, and you could spend hours there.

Last year, I ranked 40 attractions from EPCOT’s Future World throughout its history. Now it’s time to dig into Tomorrowland in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. I only visited Disneyland once as a kid, so I don’t have enough background to cover that park. In both cases, Tomorrowland isn’t the same wondrous place it was in the ‘80s and ‘90s. In Florida, the awkward mix of IP with original attractions leads to a strange combination. Even so, there are still great experiences to enjoy in its current incarnation. There are very few bad eggs in this group. In fact, only two really miss the mark for me. That’s a pretty strong batting average.

I should clarify that I didn’t have the chance to ride Flight to the Moon in the early ‘70s. It existed before my time, but I was lucky enough (in two cases at least) to visit that space’s other attractions. I also don’t have clear memories of the first two Circle-Vision 360 films, America the Beautiful and Magic Carpet ‘Round the World. Finally, I combined multiple incarnations of attractions that are similar. There was one exception that I couldn’t overlook, however.

16. Stitch’s Great Escape!

There was no doubt about the pick that would occupy the bottom spot on this list. Disney has frequently added new overlay attractions to show systems, and the results can sometimes work. This is not one of those cases. Disney banked on the fact that the Stitch craze would continue much longer than it did. They also didn’t consider just how frightening the presentation would be for kids. Having Stitch made it seem like a family-friendly attraction. Being trapped in the dark isn’t a favorite pastime for many kids. The last straw was the chili dog. The saddest part is that Stitch remained part of Tomorrowland for so long. There are endless possibilities for this space.

15. Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor

On the surface, the idea of a show where animated characters from Monsters, Inc. interact with the audience isn’t bad. The differences between each visit should allow for repeatability, but I rarely visit it. Something feels off, despite some laughs. It also doesn’t connect to Tomorrowland and would fit much better in the Hollywood Studios. The fact that it sits in the spot of great Circle-Vision 360 films also makes it feel like a missed opportunity. It’s a fun show; I just would hope for a bit more.

14. Tomorrowland Speedway

Few attractions feel more out of place in Tomorrowland today than boarding a car in this exhaust-filled location. Even so, it’s still exciting for kids to get their first chance to drive. My six-year-old daughter was thrilled to pilot our car every direction but straight in our last trip. I definitely understand why this ride is still popular. I just wish that Disney would look for a way to connect it to Tomorrowland. Partnering with Tesla or another car company focused on making technological advances would be a start. Kids could still have the experience of driving while also sticking with the Tomorrowland theme. They also might learn something too.

13. Astro Orbiter/Star Jets

Few attractions in The Magic Kingdom offer a better view of the park than the Astro Orbiter. It’s essentially a basic carnival ride, but the location on top of the PeopleMover platform makes it quite thrilling. It’s easily my favorite of the Dumbo-like rides, which isn’t a big surprise. I did like the white colors of the original Star Jets better; everything was less busy. The big downside of this attraction is the extremely slow-moving line. It’s rarely short even during the off-season because of limited capacity. Regardless, all it takes is a trip to Disneyland to realize how good we have it with the Florida version. Beyond the fun of riding it, the Astro Orbiter helps bring a sense of movement to all of Tomorrowland. It’s truly a world on the move!

12. American Journeys (Circle-Vision 360)

I love the Circle-Vision 360 technology and wish it had a larger place in Disney’s parks. There are still two films in World Showcase at China and Canada, but the Tomorrowland spot was replaced by the Laugh Floor. Optimism about our world really comes across in these films. Flying over the Grand Canyon with glorious music playing should wow even cynical guests. There’s a reason that Soarin’ is popular. As a kid, we regularly saw American Journeys during its 10-year run in Tomorrowland. The nine-screen format sells this broad look at the U.S. and its history. This isn’t new technology, but it still conveys a stirring feeling that anything is possible.

11. Mission to Mars

Few rides encompass Tomorrowland in the ‘70s and ’80s better than Mission to Mars. Replacing Flight to the Moon in 1975, this old-school simulator used sounds, visuals, and shaking seats to depict a journey to the red planet. The Mission Control pre-show with animatronics set the stage well for the upcoming trip. Everything would seem hokey today, but it connected well to the area’s forward-thinking concept. We still haven’t visited Mars, so you can’t say its theme was behind the times. The ending was disappointing, but it did help explain why we exited back into Tomorrowland. I have a real soft spot in my heart for this attraction.

10. If You Could Fly

This is one case where I had to split different versions of the attraction because the tone was so different. If there was any doubt that the theme song from If You Had Wings was important, changing it made that point clear. Following the loss of Eastern Airlines as a sponsor in 1987, the beloved ride came back with a strange tune that was missing the original tune’s cleverness. The other elements that made If You Had Wings great remained, but it felt more disjointed. The song didn’t match the mood of specific scenes, which was essential to the original. It’s no big surprise that the new version didn’t even last two years.

9. ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter

Along with The Timekeeper, the ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter was a key part of the overhaul of Tomorrowland in 1994. While I’m still partial to the original look, both of these attractions were inventive. I can’t say the same thing about current inhabitants of those spaces. What makes the Alien Encounter so cool is how different it was from a normal Disney attraction. It was clever and had lot of fun details, but it was also more thrilling. Sitting in the dark while an alien chomps on others behind you was no joke. Disney created an attraction for teens and adults that employed thrilling special effects in a novel way. It’s too bad there wasn’t enough love from the general crowds to keep it afloat.

Photo by Dan Heaton

8. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Easily the best of the Pixar attractions in Tomorrowland, Buzz Lightyear is fun and perfect for repeat visits. Few rides were more enjoyable during our recent trip to Walt Disney World. There are a few reasons Buzz isn’t even higher. First of all, it occupies a space formerly taken by two of my favorite Omnimover rides. Second, it doesn’t fit in Tomorrowland despite having toy aliens. Finally, the technology of this original version doesn’t match the California and Paris clones. It wouldn’t take a huge investment for Disney to add guns that you can remove from the vehicles. Despite all those reasons, I still love trying to get a higher score. It’s fun and never gets old.

This cool mix of Circle-Vision technology, a time-travelling adventure, and Robin Williams deserved a longer stay in Tomorrowland. Despite a few outdated jokes, it could still work. Disney brought back Captain EO after Michael Jackson died; why not do the same here? I realize that will never happen because The Timekeeper doesn’t sell a brand like the Laugh Floor. Instead, it provides a cool journey that puts you right in the middle of the story. We aren’t just marveling at the landscapes of our country; we’re taking the journey to the past and the future! Imagineering was firing on all cylinders in the ‘90s, and The Timekeeper is a perfect example.

It doesn’t reach the heights of If You Had Wings or have the same affection from fans, but there’s still plenty to enjoy with Dreamflight. It employed better technology and really sold the idea you were experiencing a fun journey. The whimsical tone matches EPCOT Center rides from the early days, particularly World of Motion. It’s hard for younger visitors to understand the thrill of riding slow-moving attractions like Dreamflight. There was a unique sense of excitement about what humanity can do with technology. I still miss it.

5. Skyway

Strolling through Tomorrowland and Fantasyland today, I miss the energy of having the Skyway moving above the action. It offered amazing views of the park that you can’t see today, but it was more than just a cool observation spot. The Skyway allowed you to escape the crowds and experience another different form of transportation. It also added to the feeling in Tomorrowland that our future would include novel ways of getting around. Who wouldn’t want to ride a Skyway in their hometown? It’s a real loss that Disney couldn’t find a way to save this ride.

Photo by Dan Heaton

4. WEDWay PeopleMover

We’ve reached the big four that were immediately slotted at the top of my list. I’ve enjoyed many others, but none came close. Part of me feels like the PeopleMover should be in the #1 spot. It’s more than just a relaxing way to see Tomorrowland and avoid the lines. The PeopleMover is the essence of what Walt Disney tried to accomplish at Disneyland and beyond. Its technology should be commonplace in our world, but it’s still futuristic because we’re too stubborn. Instead, the PeopleMover remains a novelty that we can enjoy at Walt Disney World. I’m glad the Florida version remains intact and can show a hint of the potential for better technology.

Photo by Erin Heaton

3. Space Mountain

Another contender because of its thrills, Space Mountain wonderfully delivers on its promise of a high-speed journey to space. You aren’t going as fast as you think, but that means little because it’s such a great time. If the Florida version had on-board audio and a few more effects, it might deserve the top spot. Those small differences in this incarnation drop its ranking, but only a little bit. Space Mountain provides an immersive experience with an excellent queue and a goofy post show. It’s hard to ask for much more.

Photo by Dan Heaton

If any attraction embodied Walt Disney’s view of technology and our future, it was the Carousel of Progress. He closely worked on the original show for the 1964 World’s Fair, and the Sherman Brothers wrote the song “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” with Walt in mind. It’s amazing that the Carousel of Progress is still regularly open at Walt Disney World. Despite the hilariously outdated final scene, it still works for fans. It connects directly to our childhood visits with my dad singing “The Best Time of Your Life” with a big smile on his face. With a few minor updates, this attraction could be even better and live on for years. No matter what happens, I still treasure the chance to see it every time we step into Tomorrowland.

As a kid visiting Tomorrowland in the ‘80s, I spent more time on If You Had Wings than any other ride. It rarely had a line, so we just rode it over and over. Like Horizons at EPCOT, it’s the type of ride that’s impossible to explain to visitors who never experienced it. How could a four-minute Omnimover ride cramped into a tiny show building work so well? It was essentially a commercial for Eastern Airlines, but that didn’t matter. The perfect combination of a wonderful song, a fun environment, and cool scenes like the speed rooms made for a true classic. Grainy YouTube videos can’t do justice to the charming experience of If You Had Wings.

Related Articles: Tomorrowland Attractions

Disney’s If You Had Wings: A Tribute

The Timekeeper: Jules Verne Meets Robin Williams

Splitting Tomorrowland at Disney World

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