Yesterworld: The History of Rocket Rods & The Abandoned Peoplemover
Вставка
- Опубліковано 22 січ 2018
- Hey all! To try Audible for yourself, use the link www.audible.com/yesterworld or text code 'yesterworld' to 500-500 to get a free book and 30 day free trial.
Exploring the history of Disneyland's failed Tomorrowland 1998, the troubled Rocket Rods attraction, and why it became one of the most expensive and short lived attractions in Disney history.
Donate on Patreon: / yester_world
TWITTER: @Yester_World
SHOP: yesterworldentertainment.spre...
INSTAGRAM: yester_world
FACEBOOK: / yesterworldentertainment
Yesterworld website: yesterworld.squarespace.com
Special thanks to:
Theme Park Review for use of their Rocket Rod's POV video:
Channel: / @themeparkreview
Video link: • Rocket Rods Front Seat...
Disney Dan - / @distorydan
MouseSteps / JWL Media - / jefflangedvd
MrDisneyfanman - / mrdisneyfanman
SOURCES:
micechat.com/25976-accountanee...
mickeymousepark.com/disneylan...
land.allears.net/blogs/jackspe...
disneyparks.wikia.com/wiki/Roc...
www.ultimaterollercoaster.com...
meettheworldinprogressland.blo...
davelandweb.com/peoplemover/
disneylandcompendium.blogspot....
discuss.micechat.com/forum/di...
duchessofdisneyland.com/park-h...
forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/c...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_...
Videos used:
Remodeled Tomorrowland
ozzyray - • Re-Dedication of Disne...
Rocket rods footage
David Oneal - • Video
asdTubeU - • Disneyland Rocket Rods...
My Disney Park Memories - • Disneyland's ROCKET RO...
MrDisneyfanman - • Rocket Rods - Tomorrow...
Bob Hakesley - • Disneyland - Rocket Rods
Ford Mustang Magic Ride
CinePost - • World's Fair 1964 Ford...
People Mover footage
kindragon8 - • 1993 Disneyland Tomorr...
dvdmc7 - • Video
Kevin Yee - • Disneyland's PeopleMov...
ParkHopper - • People Mover (Disneyland)
Tomorrowland construction
TokyoMagicToo - • New Tomorrowland Const...
Rocket rods attraction ThemeparkThrills - • Video
Other:
Misc Disneyland televised footage - David Oneal - / @july-lj8dd
Tomorrowland 1967 - CFSAS - • Video
Walt Disney Treasures: Disneyland Secrets, Stories & Magic
Walt Disney Treasures: Your Host, Walt Disney
Tommy Boy
Toy Story 2
Cars
Jurassic Park
Liar Liar
Earthquake
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Seinfeld - Розваги
I was lucky enough to ride Rocket Rods at least once during a trip to Disneyland around 1999-2000 (can’t remember the exact year), and I’ve always found the elements surrounding it’s creation and eventual demise absolutely fascinating. There’s a lot more to the story than meets the eye, with many connections to other events in Disney’s theme park history, so I hope you enjoy this exploration of how the PeopleMover & Rocket Rods came to be, their eventual tragic fates, and how essential they were/are to Tomorrowland’s history and future!
Mark aka Yesterworld
Yesterworld Entertainment hi how are you doing?
Yesterworld Entertainment ur videos are one of a kind man very impressive
Yesterworld Entertainment Being that I'm 26 & my family used to go to DL once a year, I got to ride Rocket Rods many times, and it was definitely my favorite ride at the time. I too have always been fascinated with everything surrounding them and their closure. Thank you so much for this video!!
I also was able to ride Rocket Rods once. I remember they were down the first day were there, then we were able to ride it the second day. It was a pretty cool ride. RIP Rocket Rods.
Yesterworld Entertainment love your videos
“Wait time: Half Your Day from this point”, and I complain about a 90 minuet wait time
lol
I waited 1.5-2 Hours for Rocket Rods in June 1999, it was the longest wait of the day, but I'm sure glad I did now.
I don't know why, but I find the Rocket Rods story the most fascinating part of Disney lore. It's just crazy how a company that prides itself on planning and imagineering could have missed the mark so spectacularly with the RR conversion, and then just leave it all behind to rot away over the following decade.
Yes. And if you were lucky enough to have been on the ride, even better. It’s Disney history.
Tomorrowland used to be the most dynamic land of the park. The central tower with the rockets spinning around, the people mover circling below the tower, and the spinning Innoventions building. It truly felt like a future in motion. Now everything is at a standstill and the rockets clog the entrance. They need to revert back.
This is actually one of the most important rides in Disney’s History, the idea behind it is what some believe led to Test Track and Radiator Springs Racers which are two of the most popular attractions at their respective parks.
winningfreak1 Except Test Track has already been in development since 1996, so in reality Test Track was the inspiration for Rocket Ross
@@coltonandjen Walt Disney company class starts at wonderful would of Disney world Walt Disney own life story ture life movie made into the world and Disneyland Disney company class starts in Disney plus on the best part time in time travel would be there in the world magic morning online free time years before New York woulds far away magic 🪄✨🌠 and make sure most
@@coltonandjen but the people mover closed in 1995 so that meant rocket rods was in development first…
I really like Radiator Springs Racers.
@@AsgardianQueen I LIKE LIGHTENING MCQUEEN!
I’m so glad they still have the People Mover in Disney World. It’s such a simple ride but I love it so much
I am so glad they didn't screw up the people mover at WDW.
k re I agree. That’s one of the first attractions you see when you walk into tomorrowland & If they had abandoned it the tracks just sitting there wouldn’t look good at all. It definitely brings a certain chill vibe to Tomorrowland that I like.
Great video!!
Wow your Bright Sun Films I love your abandoned series
Hi Jake!
0:39 I'm Mitt Romney, and I approve this message.
This is one of the most underrated channels on UA-cam
That really means a lot to read, thanks for taking the time to not only watch my video but leave such a fantastic comment. Really lifts my spirits!
Yesterworld Entertainment you and defunctland are my favorite youtubers to watch because I enjoy that content
Uganda Knuckles So true! 👍☺
Uganda Knuckles this channel knows da wea
True. So underrated, that I wasn't subbed until today and I have subbed to so many Disney/theme park channels bc I love them... But I had always watched their videos. Now I'm subbed. ☺
I've also seen Defunctland videos, but not sure if I'm subbed either... These 2 channels like passed under my radar lol 😢
Another amazing ride history! Nice work Mark!
Thanks for the thumbnail advice ;)
Yesterworld Entertainment you make great videos
Hey Disney Dan loved your video with Defunctland or Kevin Perjurer
Hey dan I subscribed like a month ago I think
@@jamesandmattsnews9281 9:36 What Scene is that from?
I was very young when Rocket Rods was around, probably around six or seven max. I do remember one summer trip where my brother, dad, and I rode Rocket Rods. I don't remember much about the ride, just the flashing lights at the end, but I DO remember the long wait and the insane amount of breakdowns and stops the ride had. When we went back two summers later and when we found out it closed we weren't surprised. I remember it being fun, but wasn't worth the hassle of it all.
Disney is the ultimate procrastinator “We’ll fix that tomorrow” Guess what’s? Tomorrow never comes and the customer is stuck with stuff that is broken or was meant to be there only for a brief while.
bloated late capitalism at its finest
Grizzly Head lmao this is so true
River country, discovery island (sorta, they just sorta said fuck it with that one), wonders of life, image works, disco yeti, PeopleMover, and the imagination pavilion
Thank goodness Disney World still has the Peoplemover and never did the Rocket Rods. They just looked so tacky.
I was able to ride this exactly once, after something like 4 hours in the queue, watching that godforsaken travel history cartoon about a hundred times while guests cheered every successful (but empty) ride vehicle that whirred by overhead. There was something weirdly communal happening in the monotony of that queue lol. We were bound together by common purpose and suffering.
Most of the time the vehicles would speed by the window you could see from the inner queue, then suddenly stop. Cast members repeatedly came down to apologize, and most guests gave up when they realized they’d been in line for an hour without moving. The ride would work fine for a dozen guests, then go down again. I don’t remember why teen me was so bound and determined to ride it, other than it being new, but we stuck it out.
By the time we got upstairs and into the loading area it was dark out, and I seem to remember the lights on the vehicles, so I must have gone after they were added. For what it was, and even with the slowdowns, I remember it being pretty fun, but that might have been my brain trying to justify waiting hours in line for one ride. By the next time I went to Disneyland, it was gone forever.
Disney World still has the people mover right? Used to love to just sit on that thing at the end of the day and relax for an hour or two since there was barely ever a line.
FANTAVISION In tomorrowland in Magic Kingdom, yes 😏 it’s always running!
Thank god Magic Kingdom's getting a retrofuture overhaul, That means the Peoplemover will be sticking around for a pretty long time.
FANTAVISION yes it. Still has the people. Mover, I went there about a month ago and went on it!
Allisonmarie567 *right when you say it’s always running it breaks down* really?
Haven't been to Disneyland since I was a little girl and hearing this makes me so grateful that the people mover in Magic Kingdom still exists today. I can't imagine a Tomorrowland without it.
I remember waiting in line FOR HOURS with my family to ride this ride. The hype was crazy and even as a kid I was unimpressed with it. We all felt as if we had been cheated. I always think about that experience when I see the tracks overhead in the park.
I wish they had kept tomorrow land retro.
Sadly I was never able to ride the Rocket Rods, but something about them always seemed off to me. Whether it be the queue, the ride vehicles, or the ride itself. For me it didn't give off the right vibe when you walk into Tomorrowland and see these hunks of junk "zooming" above the land. I've certainly learned a lot about the attraction and its history in the 3 videos I've done about them, it's awesome to see another UA-camr cover them! Love this channel! Keep up the good work!
It comes down to, I think, a great idea that was rushed and compromised and not given the proper budget with shortsighted intentions (not by Imagineers, but by management at the time). It was doomed from the beginning using a track meant for a 7mph ride without any sort of major alterations.
It was a cheap answer to a problem that didn’t exist. The ride vehicles looked terrible and didn’t fit in with the rest of Tomorrowland as well.
Fido you could say the same thing about the look of the monorail today. At the time rocket rods fit the theme of steam punk. The tech though was very poorly designed and could be done so much better today. Making a lighter, just as fast ride. I do hope they can fix the support problems though.
I never got to ride them either. I never knew they existed even though I did ride the Peoplemover as a kid and always wondered about the empty tracks.
I’ve never rode the ride myself as well but it looks like it was a great ride. If they would have had enough money in the budget they could have modified the track. That would have been an awesome Tomorrowland attraction if it was still here
I got to ride rocket rods when my parents took me to see new tomorrowland. I like the ride and love the story the que told. Ironically I know work at Disneyland in tomorrowland and every day I see the abandoned track. Thinking of what could be speeding down that track. Sometimes I can still hear the people and the screams they had on rocket rods and the aww they had with the people mover.
I'd never heard of Rocket Rods, prior to this video... It kinda bums me out to learn it existed on a repurposed, and since abandoned, People Mover track. One of the last times my family was able to visit the Magic Kingdom, I think it must've been just a year or two after the Tomorrow Land refurbishment, that 'futuristic' metallic chrome deco it still has today. And the People Mover there was still in full swing. So much so that my sister, cousin and I rode it for an hour straight, just conversing and relaxing. This, after asking the ride attendants if we could just stay on, three separate times, and then one of them telling us we didn't have to ask every time, and saying we could just stay on as long as we wanted, lol.
sXeblues lol that’s a cute story!! I’m glad you had fun!! I had never heard of that either. There’s a lot about Disney I’m slowly finding out from this amazing youtube channel!!
Wow, can’t even explain to you how happy this made me, I had such a bad day today. This made it all better. Thanks
That warms my heart, glad I was able to lift yours spirits! And thanks for taking the time to watch!
Yesterworld Entertainment of course. I’ve always loved your content. Like many here, Disney theme parks are nostalgic and have a dear place in my heart. Watching you videos makes me feel like I’m back in my hotel room about to go out to magic kingdom for the day. (It’s a wonderful feeling/memory) never stop creating content. We love you.
I was 18 years old and got to ride the Rocket Rods in 1998 on our senior class trip to Disneyland. They had closed the park down for the schools who were visiting that night, and it was an amazing experience. I had no idea at the time that I was going to be one of the lucky few who got to enjoy that ride, and the brand new Tomorrowland in its infancy. I remember walking in and just being blown away by how different everything looked. I had no idea they were even renovating Tomorrowland and the new color scheme and attractions caught almost all of us by surprise. I thought the ride itself was awesome. The stops and starts didn’t bother me and in fact made it that much more fun because you’d get to slow down and enjoy the view for a few seconds before blasting off again. It had us all laughing together and I’m so bummed it didn’t last.
Another professional and entertaining look into the past of tomorrow!
That means a lot to hear, glad you enjoyed it!
Always a great night when there's a new Yesterworld video
Thank you!
I have vivid memories of Rocket Rods. It was my third favorite ride when I was little; the first being Indiana Jones and the second being Star Tours! I remember riding it over and over again. Being Premium Annual Passport holders, my family knew the perfect times to go to beat the crowds. I do remember it breaking down a few times when I was on it and walking the track to the exit. It was an amazing view and something that was surreal for an 8 year old to walk on the ride track that only Cast Members got to walk on.
I rode the PeopleMover several times back in the early 90's & I thankfully got to ride the Rocket Rods one time with my family back in the summer of 2000, right before they closed for good. I really liked them from what I can remember. They felt fast & very smooth & it was awesome watching the vehicles zoom by wherever you were in Tomorrowland. They thankfully didn't stop or breakdown while we were riding them, but I could see people in the distance stuck on the ride when we were waiting to get on the Monorail to leave Disneyland later that night. I was last there two years ago & it's sad to see that track still sitting there abandoned & rotting away. I never liked Tomorrowland as much since the Rocket Rods closed. I really miss them despite the major problems.
I was 10 maybe 11 and I loved it. I go to Disneyland as often as I can but I get sad when I see that not only the peoplemover track is rotting away but also how unimpressive Tomorrowland has gotten. I hope they do something soon as Galaxy’s Edge is opening next year and Star Tours and the Launch Bay have to close.
I agree that TL has lost its luster. With the opening of galaxies edge I believe that Disney could have a prototype of a whole new imersive experience. I can’t wait to see how that turns out and see if they use it for the rest of the park.
I never got a chance to ride Rocket Rods growing up, though I vaguely remember getting to ride People Mover before it was taken down. Ever since Rocket Rods was closed, I've always felt disappointed how such a significant element in Tomorrowland's infrastructure remains abandoned. My last Disneyland trip prior to the pandemic, I was noticing how much of Tomorrowland was sadly abandoned (Rocket Rods, Starcade, the features Rocket Rods would have passed by originally). I hope sometime in the near decade, they give Tomorrowland a proper overhaul to use a lot of the abandoned spaces.
I was lucky enough to experience Rocket Rods when I was a kid. I enjoyed them and was sad to see they were gone. Although funny enough when we returned after they were taken away I was the only one in my family that noticed and I almost thought I imagined a ride that went through those obvious tunnels near the Tomorrowland entrance. It's sad, but incredibly fascinating seeing an abandoned ride just out in the open. Maybe when Tomorrowland finally gets it's big overhaul we'll finally put the Peoplemover/Rocket Rod Tracks, to rest.
Franclin!!!
Am I the only one that hates the current theme of Tomorrowland? The retro 50s style of the future is so aesthetic, timeless and fucking sexy. It looked beautiful back then. And roomier.
Miss-Jazz-DaFunk
To me the original version eventually started looking sterile and depressing. White, featureless concrete everywhere. I like the newer sci fi version better.
Or like me, who likes neither. I think the video states my feelings well, “...tomorrow always becoming today.” Each revision just gets tiring for me pretty quickly, but even trying to use fictional depictions like another parks failed also. Tron seems like the only viable depiction I see working for today’s view of “tomorrow,” maybe because I like it, but who knows how long that will last.
Fido Montoya me too. It definitely gives you those “future” vibes, which is what tomorrowland is supposed to be. It’s supposed to be futuristic!
I was actually thinking that since vintage is so trendy at DL right now, it would have benefited if they left it alone. I could see the Dapper crowd hanging out there (though I concede that trends come and go).
Though even when it looked so dated, Tomorrowland conveyed Walt's optimism for the future better than the land does now. I would concentrate more on that optimist feeling than being futuristic. Having hope for a good future is timeless.
It doesn’t even look futuristic now either. So 90s and obnoxious. Also the biggest sin was covering up the beautiful Mary Blair artwork. Fucking Mary Blair.
I remember riding the Rocket Rods at least once, possibly twice when I went for my tenth birthday. I was so excited...also does anyone remember when Radio Disney had a hub in Tomorrowland? Like you could watch them through the window while they were on air. The space is now used for retail, but I always thought it was cool.
I got to ride it the last time I went to Disneyland in 1999. It was a lackluster ride, but it had a cool concept. I wouldn't go back to Disneyland now though.
I was fortunate enough to ride the Rocket Rods once as a little girl. My mom and I waited many hours in line. Only to get to the head of the line and I needed to use to restroom. *Sorry Mom!* I remember the ride being amazing. It was so fast that tears were streaming down my face. We broke down above Tomorrowland for a few minutes and had an amazing view. Obviously RR weren’t perfect, but I’m so glad I had the opportunity to have rode this ride. I wish it still existed... just in a better functioning state. My son is as old as I was back then. I wish I was able to take him on the ride rather than just telling him about something that used to exist.
It's really a shame, since the Peoplemover at Magic Kingdom is one of my favorite rides. It's really sad to me that its sister attraction at Disneyland is closed permanently, especially since the track still remains.
I absolutely love the Disney related uploads to the channel! They're always rich with history and genuinely fascinating. Keep up the fantastic work! 😃
Thank you so much! Comments like these make my day/night!
I was fortunate to have experienced the ride once. At the time I felt the ride experience was only so-so, this was probably because I wasn't happy with the loss of the People Mover. The queue was really well done and I admire that they had a means of tunneling under Tomorrowland's main avenue so that the queue could begin in the old Circlevision theater and pop-up into the People Mover loading area.
If they had just paid to bank the track in a few spots...
I went to Disneyland on a class trip in 1998 right after the refurbished Tomorrowland opened. Buzz Lightyear was in one of the cars waving at park goers. Some other kids rode Rocket Rods, but when they told us we would have to wait most of the day to ride it we went to another land.
I was one of the first kids to ride this, they still were testing it and my stepmom worked there, so she got me on the ride before anyone was allowed to ride it! Pretty cool !
I got to ride it once (maybe twice) and remember waiting in the super long line, but also loving all the line theme'ing and stuff to look at. I loved the ride and instantly wanted to make it a regular "have to ride" when visiting the park, but each time I went back on subsequent trips it was closed. I had an annual pass, so was super disappointed that even with being there so often I was never able to catch it when it was open. :-( When they announced it was closed for good I was surprised, especially since even with the slow turns, it was a really fun ride. I also didn't know the People Mover was there before (me = b.1988), so I'm sad to have missed out on that AND lose Rocket Rods. Epic sadface.
+ I was happy to get the Buzz Lightyear ride, but in the way you're happy to get any other parental bribe for doing something you didn't want to. R.I.P. RocketRods
12:22 (GASP!) That's me! There I am!!! I am famous! 😁😉 Haha! GREAT video as always, Mark! Thank you!👍☺ I unfortunately never rode on the Rocket Rods. In fact, I think it shut down shortly before my family & I went on our Disneyland trip. I would have loved to have gone on it!
Hopefully I did our random Twitter convo about Jim Henson justice ;)
And thanks again for recommending that book!
Yesterworld Entertainment Oh, you did! 😀😉 Again, excellent video. You do such outstanding work! Thank you!
Yesterworld Entertainment AND I really need to reread that book again...maybe I will use Audible...😏
Yesterworld Entertainment you're welcome! Anytime! I am so happy that you enjoyed it!😀
By the time I was finally able to go back to Disneyland after 12 years, the Peoplemover was long gone and Rocket Rods had already destroyed the tracks and was left abandoned. It’s a shame that guests walk in Tomorrowland and not know what resided above them and the loading platform sits unused.
I was also fortunate enough to ride the Rocket Rods in June 1999! It was very cool, and I was sad it closed.
Never clicked so fast! I got to ride the rocket rods when they were open!! I remember it feeling ridiculous after being the people mover! I love your channel you do great work!
Thanks so much! I remember awkwardly having the ride stop toward the end. No joke, a construction worker was maybe 15 feet away from me, and he was like, "Hey, how's it goin? You ok?" And I responded with a thumbs up, as we then got back into gear.
Was the rocket rods ever not in some sort of construction era? 😂😂I definitely need to find the home footage of my parents and I on it because I'm pretty sure there were construction workers and maintenance being done when we were there! Keep the great content coming
Wish I could have ridden People Mover. I think my favorite rides for all of Disneyland are the ones from the 1967 update.
Wonderful video. I rode Rocket Rods just once, but I enjoyed the People Mover many times and miss it. It was the thing you got on when you wanted to kick back after a long day. Plus TRON! The first time I traveled to WDW for business as a Disneyland CM in 2007, I made a beeline for their People Mover and rode it all night.
Very grateful for my family being able to take us as kids almost every other year. Luckily we got to experience this one at least once. Though it was awesome fun + getting to see "behind" some attractions, I only remember two things. 1. The long wait 2. That blast of air blew off the only ball cap I owned at that age
I remember going to Disneyland in 1999 and going on Rocket Rods. Wait time was "only" 2 hours, but surprise surprise, it broke down, so it turned out to be 3.5 hours. Ride itself was short and boring, I remember the people behind us going "That's it? We waited 3 hours for this?"
I LOVE the People Mover! That has to be the best attraction in Tomorrowland!
great work, again! really enjoying your videos! the conversation about rocket rods and the whole tomorrowland update makes me so sad. its such a mess now because of it, and i never got to experience tomorrowland in a state that wasnt post-90s. so many things were ultimately affected and i wish i could have gone back to see tomorrowland in the 60s or 80s. awesome work though!! keep up the great content!
I was able to ride the Rocket Rods a few times when I was a kid. I remember having to wait 3 hours to ride it as this was before Fastpass came out. A couple times we waited for 2 hours then the ride broke down and we were out of luck. It was a lot of fun when it would actually speed up but the constant slowing down for turns really killed it
I was able to ride Rocket Rods a few times and it was fun, but I also remember it being shut down periodically throughout my visit. Once, I had waited over an hour and the ride went down shortly before I was supposed to go on so they gave out those vouchers to get in through the exit of any ride. This was the first time I ever got one of those and why I will always wait to get one any time a ride closes while I'm waiting.
Ooh, I've been waiting for this one! I love that your intro includes a lot of topics you would do later. Reminds me of watch shows that included clips from other episodes and you could point out what you've seen so far from the opening
I think Tomorrowland needs another overhaul, maybe add another attraction in the Star Wars Launch Bay building restore the People Mover or the Rocket Rods, change the theme of Autotopia again, update Space Mountain and Astro Orbiter and the Finding Nemo queues and the Disneyland railroad and monorail station, a new attraction in the Path of the Jedi, and redesign most of the buildings exteriors. I’m thinking it be either 1950s-1980s future, Discoveryland but without all the budget cuts, or a new modern future, or just make everything chrome. And me fixing all my commas
Edit: if they were to go through with this it probably won’t happen until after Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge opens
Also: an example of modern future is something like guardians of the Galaxy Mission Breakout’s architecture or in a similar style as the Tomorrowland movie
People are saying that Tomorrowland is getting a massive overhaul before 2025 (70th anniversary of disneyland). Like you said, it probably won't happen until Galaxy's edge opens but I imagine that the extra income will help fund it. I hope they do a big overhaul because Tomorrowland is my favourite land and it needs a lot of love.
"Everything is chrome in the future"
Yes there was a rumor floating around that there will be an overhaul. But that overhaul will just make people piss and moan about how awful it is when it would look fine. However I disagree with the guardians tower look. I love the ride but the exterior was rushed, looks unfinished, and ugly af. Nothing like the concept art. I don’t think space mountain needs another face lift. It was built in 1979 and had a face lift in like 2004. But I agree that the capitan EO theater needs some love as well as the launch bay. Autopia needs new engines in the cars that don’t sound like they are going to explode when you drive them or that stupid gas pedal lag. They should make the cars electric with an electro magnet charge powering the cars ( kinda like the wireless phone chargers) and have Tesla sponser. And last I feel like a reboot of the people mover is stepping backwards. As well as the rocket rods. I think it would be cool to have something with electro mag suspension. Kinda like a bullet train that I have heard about. It would overhaul the track and Add a new E ticket back to the park.
I agree with pretty much everything you said. I think they should just leave the people mover track alone because it's honestly pretty lame. If it was like the disneyland railroad where it goes around the park and has cool scenery sure but going through the shops and queue and part of space mountain honestly sounds really boring
I think they should at least use the people mover track cuz it’s just taking space and it looks ugly by just sitting there and what I meant is the Mission Breakout concept art
The ride the PeopleMover was at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA was from Sunday, July 2, 1967 until it broke down on Monday, August 21, 1995. Then it became Rocket Rods on Friday, May 22, 1998 and lasted through Monday, September 25, 2000.
The Tomorrowland's above ground platform has been standing but not operating since Tuesday, September 26, 2000.
After the completion of Star Wars Land, the Tomorrowland could remove the Rocket Rods Observatron from the pylon then they could remove all the old PeopleMover / Rocket Rod tracks between tearing down and rebuilding.
Around 2021-2023, as opposed to the Old PeopleMover with motorized tracks (1967-1995) & Rocket Rods (1998-2000), in the same above ground platform, because of the possibility of people with wheelchair or mobility scooters, instead of the a new ride with motorized tracks, we all know it could be the New PeopleMover without motorized tracks, it could beHeathrow Pod Tour, it could be iMover, it could be Boxcar Tour or it could be a new ride with normal speed that is more comfortable than ever before.
Thomas Schofield huh. Good to know.
I just love this channel I could watch it all day
I used to be a busser at Tomorrowland Terrace and I would stare up at that mural every shift. I never knew of the background behind it. Amazing! Thank you!!
I went on rocket rods when I was younger and of course as a kid i had no idea the ride had so many problems. I actually loved that ride because it went really fast, but didn't give me motion sickness haha, I was always sad they got rid of it, but good thing they did because if it wasn't functioning properly, someone could get hurt.
I remember the People Mover. It was a nice chill ride and I always looked for it when entering Tommorowland. I did not like the Rocket Rods, though. It was weird speeding up, then slowing down, speeding up, then slowing down, and on and on. It was odd and I only went on it once. Was glad when they got rid of it.
I do miss Honey I Shrunk The Audience, though. It was so much fun and immersive. :)
The most underrated channel on UA-cam. Keep it up Mark!
I rode it one time around 99-00 when I was only eight or so. I remember my dad and I waited what felt like 2 to 3 hours to get on. It was fun from what I remember and I only remember getting stopped once on the track. Shame it didn't last long.
I remember first going to Disneyland in the 2000s. I always wondered what those tracks were there for.
omg I'm not crazy! I remember seeing these above Tomorrowland as a kid but when I mentioned it to my parents as an adult they couldn't remember them. I thought I dreamt it or something but these were real! I really wish I'd ridden them, it looks like such a fun ride.
I was lucky enough to visit Disneyland a lot as a kid, but it was right after people movers and rocket riders had closed for good. Going to the park and seeing the old tracks, noticing all the off limits background details in Tomorrowland I wanted to explore but couldn't, and being told that "They're the old people mover tracks" or "it's probably just decoration" without any other information fascinated me. I think it really influenced my current fascination with amusement parks as a whole. I'm glad they're still there, what a cool story!!
I wish I rode the Rocket Rods! :( But TBH, we need something to go back on top of that Track!!!
It's funny because everyone I know doesn't remember this ride. I started believing that I made it all up but thanks to this video I know I'm not crazy
Another great video! I've heard a lot about the notorious Rocket Rods, but this video had a lot of information I hadn't heard before.
Tomorrowland has always been my favorite. I’m all for a refurbishment, but I’m also worried about what they’ll try to do. I’m not concerned with Tomorrowland not actually being futuristic. I’m not even worried about the theme not being as cohesive as others. TL could really use some new paint and some life brought back into it. What I am worried about, is this “everything needs an IP” path Disney has been on. I don’t care for hardly any of the changes that have recently happened, or are in the works. I’ve always thought a huge part of the Disney magic is that they could create so many amazing things from nothing. I always compare it to Universal Studios. I don’t want every ride to be tied to a franchise. You can’t convince me that slapping a character on a generic ride will make that ride any better. My favorite Disney rides are Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, the Matterhorn... I want more of those rides. Disney has the money, creativity and resources to make such wonderful things. I think it’s a disgrace the way things have changed over the past few years. I’m also so disappointed in the changing of Paradise Pier. If Disney wants to change rides (...that already work just the way they are) then why not actually CHANGE the rides? Slapping an unneeded theme on and changing a name doesn’t do it for me. I hope much sooner than later Disney gets away from this. Show us something NEW Disney!
That also goes for universal. I hate their new ceo hes asshole. Just like eisner.
Universal needs to also get their act together stop removing rides
Late to the party as I always am, but I was actually in the park when something came flying off Rocket Rods. They were testing the ride after a closure as the park was closing, and my parents ending up informing a cast member that something flew off. Not sure if it was a break shoe but it did get some distance and came down with some noise.
I love every video you make thanks for putting so much effort into them
I used to ride the Peoplemover like 3-4 times in a row just to see the Space Mountain portion and the Epcot model (This was in the early/mid 90's) my family would go to Disneyland every other year when I was a kid and I got to experience so many of the classic rides/attractions before the Eisner Overhaul. I'll always be grateful for that.
I never was able to ride Rocket Rods, unfortunately. I was very upset they took out the Peoplemover as it was one of my favorite attractions and Rocket Rods was shut down every time I visited Disneyland. I came close one year as I was in line and going up the stairs when the ride was shut down and didn’t reopen the rest of our trip.
I’m honestly surprised they didn’t do an assessment on whether or not the Peoplemover track could even support the stress of the forces that were going to be exerted on it by the Rocket Rod vehicles constantly speeding up and slowing down. They had to have realized that to cause such stress was going to mean very costly repairs to the track would have been inevitable to keep the ride going beyond the “two” years it was operating (my guess is that it only actually operated a total of maybe a year with its constant shut downs).
Whenever I go to Disneyland and see the track, or look at the track online, my heart sinks at what once was and how it's just left to rot on display for everyone to see. I feel like the track should be torn down as I don't think it can be salvaged and rebuilt.
I'm lucky that I got to experience both Rocket Rods and the Peoplemover. I miss both rides (Disneyland's Peoplemover most of all). Sure the wait time for Rocket Rods was hell but that didn't stop me from enjoying the ride.
So glad this tacky abomination never destroyed the TTA in Disneyworld. The Peoplemover is one of my favorite experiences there.
Great content again, fantastic work Mark
I have so much for the People Mover. I rode the Magic Kingdom version a million times in a row. Not sure what about it clicked for me as a kid, but it was just so calming and peaceful.
A thumbs up, just for that short glimpse through the Tron screens. I remember that so vividly as a child, and yet it disappeared into a dream-like ether. Thank you.
I really like your editing style! Keep up the good work!
Sadly. I've never experienced any of these. But glad to know it's history. But one I did experience, was the Back to the Future ride! Which, I hope. Is next. Consider it's the one still missing, from the intro
Haha, very true! Though I only got to ride it a handful of times, I loved that ride and was so devastatingly sad to see it go. Other creators have done such a great job covering it that I've been hesitant, but if enough of all of you want me to do my own take it, I'll gladly oblige ;)
Yesterworld Entertainment we hope you do, some day. Hopefully, within the next few months
The JurassicMan We're still missing Journey Thru Inner Space too, I bet that ones going to be real interesting :)
The JurassicMan The people mover is still in tomorrowland in Magic Kingdom park in Orlando. I just went in February of last year with my family. I jokingly said “hey, let’s ride that” to my mom and my mom said “what? The people mover?!”. It’s been updated to match the “Tomorrowland” theme and since it’s 2018 now it has a more energy efficient motor :)
I was lucky enough to ride Rocket Rods twice. The first time I rode it I waited 6 hours! Even though the attraction kept breaking down my family was determined to ride it because we all thought it would close soon due to the maintenance problems.
Awesome video as always!
You always do an amazing job with ride history videos I love them!
Wow thank you for all this information. I always go to Disneyland and wonder what exactly happened?? It’s such a lonely track and it just makes you wonder... thank you for the breakdown on what happened!:-)
"futuristic transport vehicles of the future" = Ed Wood approves ;)
Eisner’s short sighted and self centered handling of Disney is supremely baffling. You'd think that he'd have a better grasp on things seeing as he ran the entire Disney company for a time but anything he made whether it was this, the now Disneyland Paris, California Adventure, DisneyQuest, and many others. Are unceremoniously swept under the rug. I'm glad channels like this exist though makes me happy to see that the consensus is we miss what was there but understand why it's no longer a thing
I’ve never been to Disneyland. Seeing this literally is so cool and sad at the same time. This ride could have been amazing, if they would have constructed a better track for the ride. It would have made Tomorrowland so much fun. They don’t need to bring back the PeopleMover, they should just rebuild and remodel the track and bring back Rocket Rods.
Just came across your channel, love it!
This channel is slept on
These videos get better and better
Glad to hear it!
I rode rocket rods when I was about 6 years ago. Can’t say I remember much, but it was one of my favorite rides in Tomorrow Land at the time. I do remember going thru different attractions in the carts and I thought that was the coolest thing. I remember the following years, I always wanted to ride rocket rods but it was always closed. I didn’t fully realize the story behind its closure until this video so thank you. I feel like I personally have some closure to one of my favorite rides as a child now haha
I've been subscribed to you since you had only a few videos. You never fail to make a great video, keep up Tue awesome work!
Your videos are incredible.
I didn't know this ride was so shortlived, I'm very glad that I had the opportunity to ride it.
Really great video. I love all the obscure pictures you find.
I do my absolute best :)
I loved Rocket Rods when I went as a kid, but during my second ride my seatbelt came completely undone on the first wheely part. My mom had to hold me in my seat the whole time. Super scary! Needless to say we didn't go back on them after that!
0:59 And a track that sits abandoned in Disneyland to this very day. Awesome video by the way!
How did you edit the pictures in your intro? It really looks like they are all concept arts, which i really like!
Great video btw, as always
This is direct from a friend who worked on it, but the #1 cause of the Rocket Rods problems stems from a failed GM sponsorship that made them slash the budget. This effected EVERY aspect of the ride, down to removing banked turns to fixing possible structure issues that ultimately closed the ride.
Rocket Rods was a great ride! Didn’t realize it was so short-lived. I wish they would bring it back as Disneyland could use another fast ride and especially since the tech for Radiator Springs and Test Track are now well vetted.
Great job as usual ! Thanks