#Disneyland60....Today In Disneyland History....September 8, 1998

Disneyland Submarine Takes Last Voyage

September 8, 1998

On September 8, 1998, Disneyland's Submarine Voyage attraction closed its hatch with a 7 a.m. ceremony officiated by U.S. Navy Commander Robert Thomas. Started in June 1959, the Nautilus and seven sister submarines - the Triton, Sea Wolf, Skate, Skipjack, George Washington, Patrick Henry, and Ethan Allen - had allowed 38 Disneyland guests at a time to take their own voyage with a major portion of the  simulated  voyage taking place under the Arctic Ocean's polar ice cap. 

 The attraction, which featured ride vehicles designed to look like Navy nuclear submarines, opened on June 14, 1959 as the Submarine Voyage and was one of the first rides to require an E ticket. The Submarine Voyage was part of a major expansion of Tomorrowland and Fantasyland, which also included the Matterhorn Bobsleds roller coaster, an expanded version of Autopia, the Disneyland Monorail, and the Motor Boat Cruise with the attraction originally planned to feature glass-bottom boats and when initially conceived, the Submarine Voyage was to feature real fish and other sea creatures, though the idea proved to be unfeasible. 

 It closed on September 9, 1998, at that time, it was reported that the attraction would reopen with a new theme by 2003, but that did not come to pass. The attraction ultimately reopened in June 2007 themed to Disney·Pixar's Finding Nemo, and now operates as Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage. 

 Currently, the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage is also undergoing reimagining but it is tentatively planned to reopen this fall.  Whether it is to the North Pole, or to Australia, the Submarines at Disneyland remain one of its iconic attractions.  And that’s what happened today in Disneyland history.  

#Disneyland60...Today In Disneyland History.....September 5, 2001

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. 

#Disneyland60.....Today In Disneyland History...................August 30, 2007

ASIMO Debuts At Innoventions

August 30, 2007

On August 30, 2007 Disneyland guests experienced the newest version of ASIMO at the Honda ASIMO Theater inside the Innoventions attraction.  Guests visiting the popular Innoventions attraction at the Park could now see ASIMO in an all-new live science show with the all-new ASIMO (Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility)

For the first time, guest were treated to a demonstration as ASIMO interacted with a live host and operated in a modern home environment by using all of its unique technological capabilities, including walking forward and backward, climbing and descending a flight of stairs and taking direction from a person. The 15-minute high-tech demonstration was designed to offer visitors a glimpse into a not-too-distant future when humanoid robots, like ASIMO, will assist humans in their homes.

When ASIMO first made his debut, Koichi Kondo, president and CEO of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. stated, "We are excited to showcase ASIMO's remarkable capabilities in Innoventions at Disneyland, where visitors gain first-hand experience with cutting-edge technologies. Our hope is that ASIMO will inspire young people to dream of what technology will make possible in the future."

Matt Ouimet, then president of the Disneyland Resort added, "We are very pleased to welcome ASIMO and Honda to Disneyland as we celebrate the park's 50th anniversary. Walt Disney always looked for creative ways to showcase the latest technology to guests, so Innoventions is the perfect place to demonstrate ASIMO's advanced abilities."

Say 'Hello' to Honda's ASIMO shows still take place several times daily in the Honda ASIMO Theater in Disneyland, the only permanent installation of ASIMO in North America. 

So just what is Innoventions? Located in the heart of Tomorrowland at Disneyland, Innoventions continuously transforms itself to represent the ever-changing world of technology. Here, Disney celebrates the breakthroughs in science and technology that inspire us in the new millennium -- everything from exploratory medicine to personal global communications to the ultimate in home entertainment. At Innoventions, guests are entertained while they discover tomorrow's technology today through hands-on experiences that activate the imagination and renew our hope for a better tomorrow.  Be sure to stop by and visit ASIMO, as well as the latest visitors from the Marvel Universe on your next visit to the Disneyland and see what the future may hold for you. And that’s what happened today in Disneyland history. 

#Disneyland60.....Today In Disneyland History.........August 21,

People Mover Closes

August 21, 1995

On August 21, 1995 The PeopleMover, sometimes referred to as the Goodyear PeopleMover or the WEDWay PeopleMover in Tomorrowland at Disneyland made it's last trip.   Guests of the PeopleMover boarded small trains that ran on elevated tracks for a "grand circle tour" above Tomorrowland by entering the attraction's vehicles that were always in constant motion, and were accessible by a large turntable inside the station. The trains were not powered by motors within themselves, but rather by being pushed by rotating tires each with its own electric motor, embedded in the track once every nine feet.

Each car included its own sound system that broadcast a continuous audio commentary and soundtrack, relative to the train's location. The commentary pointed out Disneyland's attractions along the way as well as announcing promotional items.

The tour continued from the center of Tomorrowland through many of Tomorrowland's buildings, for a look inside, and then over Disneyland's Submarine Lagoon and Autopia areas, before returning to Tomorrowland.

In 1977, the SuperSpeed Tunnel, located in the Carousel Building, then housing America Sings was added to the ride. Here race cars were projected on the walls all around the trains. In 1982, the scenes were changed to clips from Tron's light cycle race scene, and the tunnel was renamed Tron SuperSpeed Tunnel. These were edited clips of World of Motion's SuperSpeed Tunnel movies designed to look like computer generations.

Sadly, the PeopleMover closed on August 21, 1995 and was replaced by the short-lived Rocket Rods in 1998. The ride track infrastructure, which served both the PeopleMover and Rocket Rods, still stands unused in Tomorrowland. And that’s what happened today in Disneyland’s history.

#Disneyland60.....Today in Disneyland History.....August 17, 1981

First Disney Transportation Used Outside the Park

The PeopleMover

August 17, 1981

On August 17, 1981 the WEDWay PeopleMover opened at the Houston International Airport in Houston, Texas. The People Mover System was originally constructed by Disney's Community Transportation Services division and with it’s debut in Houston, history was made as it marked the first time ever that a Disney transportation system was used outside of the theme parks.

The PeopleMover, sometimes referred to as the Goodyear PeopleMover or the WEDWay PeopleMover, was a transport attraction that operated from July 2, 1967 to August 21, 1995 in Tomorrowland at Disneyland.   Guests boarded small trains that ran on elevated tracks for a "grand circle tour" above Tomorrowland by entering the attraction's vehicles that were always in constant motion, and were accessible by a large turntable inside the station. The trains were not powered by motors within themselves, but rather by being pushed by rotating tires each with its own electric motor, embedded in the track once every nine feet.

Each car included its own sound system that broadcast a continuous audio commentary and soundtrack, relative to the train's location. The commentary pointed out Disneyland's attractions along the way as well as announcing promotional items.

The tour continued from the center of Tomorrowland through many of Tomorrowland's buildings, for a look inside, and then over Disneyland's Submarine Lagoon and Autopia areas, before returning to Tomorrowland.

In 1977, the SuperSpeed Tunnel, located in the Carousel Building, then housing America Sings was added to the ride. Here race cars were projected on the walls all around the trains. In 1982, the scenes were changed to clips from Tron's light cycle race scene, and the tunnel was renamed Tron SuperSpeed Tunnel. These were edited clips of World of Motion's SuperSpeed Tunnel movies designed to look like computer generations.

Sadly, the PeopleMover closed on August 21, 1995 and was replaced by the short-lived Rocket Rods in 1998. The ride track infrastructure, which served both the PeopleMover and Rocket Rods, still stands unused in Tomorrowland.  And that’s what happened today in Disneyland’s history.

#Disneyland60.....Today in DIsneyland History......August 7, 1964

Astro Jets Renamed Tomorrowland Jets

August 7, 1964

On August 7, 1964 The Astro Jets at Disneyland become known as the Tomorrowland Jets.  First opened in 1956, the Astro Jets was the first rocket-spinner attraction at the park. As the story goes the in 1964, United Airlines (then the new sponsor for “The Enchanted Tiki Room”) disputed the name “Astro Jets” was free advertising for American Airlines’ coast-to-coast jet-airline service. To appease United, and because Disney wanted to avoid an implied association with their company.the name was changed to Tomorrowland Jets. The attraction closed September of 1966 to make room for the new Tomorrowland, when the Tomorowland Jets would reopen in August 1967 as the Rocket Jets. The new, improved version was located on top of another brand new attraction, the PeopleMover platform and was accessible from ground level via an elevator. The focal point was its replica Saturn V/NASA-themed rocket in the center. Rocket Jets lifted guests 70' above ground. This version remained open until 1997, when it closed for renovations with the rest of Tomorrowland. 

The new form of the attraction opened one year later as Astro Orbitor. The Astro Orbitor was planned to be placed where the Rocket Jets were, but weighed too much for the current building. Instead, it was moved to the Tomorrowland entrance and placed on ground level, making the ride the new focal point as guests step from the Main Street Plaza of Disneyland into Tomorrowland. The top Rocket Jets mechanism was dismantled and a kinetic satellite-themed sculpture known as Observatron was built out of the ride’s skeletal structure.  And that’s what happened today in Disneyland’s history.

#Disneyland60.....Today In Disneyland History.....August 6, 1961

Flying Saucers Open in Tomorrowland

August 6, 1961

On August 6, 1961 one of my all time favorite attractions, The Flying Saucers opened in Disneyland's Tomorrowland.  The ride actually allowed guests to board their own personal flying saucers. The saucers flew several inches off of the 16,000 square foot arena floor on a cushion of air, similar to how an air hockey game works. Once in flight, the Flying Saucers were very much like bumper cars with guests ramming each other with their saucers.

At the beginning of the ride, saucers were subjected to a high volume of low-pressure air directed underneath them by means of a grid of circular valves. As the saucers floated and moved above the field, the valves would open and close in response to their proximity. As guests shifted their weight in any direction by leaning, the saucer movement would respond.  If the weight was centered, the saucer would begin to "hop" up and down as the air randomly escaped around the plenum. All that was required to regain control was for the guest to lean in any direction.

The ride consisted of two sets of saucers (approximately 14 each) on a semi-circular field and a mechanical boom that would sweep the arc of the field and corral one set of saucers in the loading area. As the boom moved, it would free the other set of saucers (with their new riders) from their loading area to roam the field while the other set was unloaded and loaded in-turn.  Sadly, the ride was expensive to operate, maintenance was intensive, and it did not fit the normal Disneyland "guest flow" in that a relatively small number of riders were able to participate on any given day. After only five years of flight, when the transition to the New Tomorrowland took place, the Flying Saucers did not survive. When New Tomorrowland opened in 1967, the space that The Flying Saucers had once occupied had been transformed into the Tomorrowland Stage.

On June 15, 2012, a new ride using similar technology opened in Cars Land inside Disneyland's sister park, Disney California Adventure. This ride is named Luigi's Flying Tires, and is themed on Luigi's Tire Shop from the film Cars This version holds two or three passengers per ride vehicle instead of one.  And that’s what happened today in Disneyland history,