Astro Orbitor
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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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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 music machine known as Observatron was built.
Magic Kingdom History
At the Magic Kingdom, the attraction opened in 1974 and was called Star Jets. It was placed on top of the WEDWay PeopleMover station, and you arrived and left the ride by riding a elevator next to the station. It became Astro Orbiter when "The New Tomorrowland" premiered in 1994.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 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.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.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.
Attraction facts
- Grand 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
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