D23’s announcement from the chairman was welcome, a little unexpected, and long overdue. It has been years—if not decades—since Disneyland had a truly new Tomorrowland. I know because I worked on the last one, Tomorrowland: Imagination and Beyond. That project was doomed from the start because there was never enough money to fulfill the vision or meet the land’s needs. In Disneyland’s earliest days, Tomorrowland was a technology-focused land with a simple story: a vision of the future set around the time Halley’s Comet would pass Earth.
Starting 1967 Tomorrowland was a ‘World on the Move’.
Tomorrowland remained a showcase of technology until the mid-1960s, when it was reimagined as “the world on the move.” Nothing has topped that version because it had one clear vision: technology served the story. Today, Tomorrowland feels like a mix of ideas, and its central conflict remains unresolved. Fixing that conflict is the key, but finding the right balance is essential. So how should Tomorrowland change?
This is subjective, and reasonable people can disagree. But the first step is to break Tomorrowland into its individual attractions and apply sound creative design principles to each one. From that approach, a list of options begins to emerge, starting with the land’s entrance.
The best welcome Tomorrowland has ever had.
First, I would remove the Astro Orbiter and place a Tomorrowland marquee facing the hub. It serves no purpose where it is other than to block the views into the land. Currently it’s a wall when what’s desired is a doorway.
A billboard is what’s needed at the doorway, and If the park is serious about hope and optimism, there is no stronger statement than bringing back the House of the Future.
The House of the Future was inspirational and helped define the tone ofTomorrowland. Ruth Shellhorn’s drawing shows how clearly, she organized the approach to the land: simple, direct, and framed by two buildings. One was the Hall of Chemistry, sponsored by Monsanto, which would continue sponsoring attractions in this location for years to come. Inner Space was part of Tomorrowland’s DNA and holds up as a classic example of Disney theme park design.
Before Star Tours guests visited the Hall of Chemistry.
After Monsanto left, Star Tours moved in. It is hard to argue that this space needs to change, but I will offer two possible options.
The first is Iron Man Experience. The second is Body Wars.
Body Wars would serve as a tribute to Adventures Through Inner Space and to the version that premiered at Epcot’s Wonders of Life. Both options are simulator attractions, so the ride system is already in place, and both films are strong. Iron Man, however, has one clear advantage: it would give Marvel, and specifically Iron Man, a presence inside Disneyland.
Body Wars was the star ride at Epcot’s Wonders of Life.
For the location housing Buzz Lightyear, there are two options. The obvious choice is to keep Buzz and improve it by coping elements of the recent update made to the Florida version.
The other option is to follow Tokyo Disneyland’s lead, where Tomorrowland is preparing to open a new Wreck-It Ralph attraction. The ride system could stay, while the story and characters change completely.
For the beam way that runs through the land, there is only one real option: bring back the PeopleMover. It would not be simple, but no better choice exists. There is a unique charm in watching guests glide overhead.
The PeopleMover embodies hope and optimism, ease of use and net technology. If Tomorrowland is going to make a statement, this is the one to make.
Rocket Rods had its merits, but nothing has replaced—or ever will replace—the PeopleMover.
Return the Rocket Jets and the PeopleMover to deliver ‘Hope and Optimism’.
Earlier, I removed the Astro Orbiter from the front of the land. Now I would returnit to its original home. To make that work, the park would need either a new elevator or an exterior ramp. Just don’t put your fingers in the metal cage.
For the carousel building, there are again two options: bring in Florida’s updatedCarousel of Progress show or build an Anaheim version of the Tron roller coaster. Much like Florida Tron would then be placed next to Space Mountain but a big, launched coaster would be popular. Both present challenges, but becausethe carousel sits at the end of the path, the space needs a stronger purpose.
When it comes to theater options, there’s really only one that feels natural. Disneyland doesn’t have an enclosed live theater right now, so this would be the place to build one. And then there’s the submarine lagoon. This is the kind of big, out-of-the-box idea I’d consider: replace the subs with Aquatopia.
Aquatopia replacing the Subs would add a ride and kinetic activity.
Tomorrowland has too much nostalgia—and too many memories—to simply erase it and start over. So, for me, the perfect Tomorrowland is a mix of the old and the new, while still holding onto Walt’s original vision: hope and optimism, told through stories grounded in technology. So, looking back at all of theseoptions, this is my list for building a better Tomorrowland. You may agree, you may disagree, and that’s part of the fun. Leave your thoughts in the show notes, and we’ll keep the conversation going there. But no matter where you land, a new Tomorrowland is exciting—as long as they keep the neon, Mickey Mouse.
Neon Spacemouse Mickey defines Hope, Optimism and fun.
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