Rocket
Rods Close
September
5, 2001
On September 5, 2001 Rocket Rods, a high-speed Tomorrowland
attraction closed. The Rocket Rod took riders through the building housing Star
Tours, Star Trader and the Starcade, offering views of all three through a
glass tunnel. The ride, meant to evoke a
futuristic rapid transit system. Opening
on May 22, 1998 as part of the New Tomorrowland, this high-speed attraction ran
on a renovated PeopleMover track. Riders entered the attraction through the
former Circle-Vision 360° building at the front of Tomorrowland.
Guests boarded an unusual 5-seat Rocket Rod before moving
forward to a staging area similar to one used for drag racing. Anticipation was
built by the lights changing from red, to yellow, to green, and then having the
vehicle zoom down a straightaway toward the entrance of Tomorrowland,
before quickly decelerating at the curve in the track. During the development
phase, Disney was unable to obtain sponsors to aid in the funding of the
attraction; thus, the turns remained without any super elevation, requiring the
sudden acceleration/deceleration. When the attraction was open, this
straightaway was used for a small wheelie as well. Segments of the tunnel were
entirely opaque, and one turn created the effect of nearly colliding with an
oncoming Rocket Rod. In reality, this was only the vehicle's reflection in a
mirror.
Afterwards, the Rocket Rod took guests into Space
Mountain, during which the riders could catch a very brief glimpse of the
ride. The vehicle then took riders back outside again before entering the
Carousel Theater, home of Innoventions.
Due to the long, slightly curved nature of this stretch of track, the Rocket
Rods were able to accelerate to a comparatively high speed here. After leaving
the other side of Innoventions, the Rocket Rod took riders through a series of
turns and dips above Autopia and
the Submarine
Voyage, which closed only a few months after the opening of Rocket Rods.
Finally, the Rod passed next to the Disneyland
Monorail station before entering the Rocket Rods queue building, where the
riders were surprised by a strobe light and blast of air. The vehicle then
traveled along the straightaway from the first leg of the ride back to the
station.
Rocket Rods was the first Disneyland attraction to house a
Single Rider line due to its long lines and limited capacity. Throughout the years, rumors continue to
surface about new uses for the still remaining tracks, but the thrill of riding
the Rocket Rods will live on in the memories of those lucky enough to blast
off. And that’s what happened today in
Disneyland history.
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