‘Tron: Legacy’ an opportunity to bring back the PeopleMover
Remember back in the day when Tomorrowland at Disneyland was a bustling center of activity? It seemed like everywhere you looked, there was something to do — especially if you looked up.
But then the Skyway to Fantasyland closed. And the Rocket Jets were taken from their perch high above Tomorrowland and moved down the lane, much closer to Earth. And the PeopleMover, with its winding track that took us over and through Tomorrowland’s attractions, was killed off and replaced by the short-lived Rocket Rods, which never really got off the ground, so to speak. And the land of Tomorrow became just a bit dimmer.
Today, if you’re in Tomorrowland and look up, you’ll still see the empty, unused track of the PeopleMover. It’s a piece of real estate that just begs to be used again, and, with Disney’s “Tron: Legacy” getting a big promotional push from the studio, now is the perfect time to bring back the old attraction.
What does “Tron: Legacy” have to do with the PeopleMover? Well, if you remember way back when, images from the original “Tron” were projected onto the surrounding walls as the PeopleMover glided silently through the Carousel Building, which housed America Sings at the time (and is now home to Innoventions). When the PeopleMover shuttered, so too did any references to “Tron” in the park.
So far there is no plan in place to resurrect the PeopleMover, but the Disneyland Resort is planning to celebrate “Tron: Legacy” by retheming its nightly “GlowFest” celebration at Disney California Adventure (working title of the event: “ElecTRONica”). There will be drinks, dancing and a “Tron”-inspired video arcade set up in the Hollywood Backlot.
It’s a mildly interesting concept, but I still hold out hope that “Tron: Legacy” is so successful it will make a permanent home at Disneyland, bringing back an old favorite with it.
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Responses to "‘Tron: Legacy’ an opportunity to bring back the PeopleMover"
YES!–was an awesome break from the hustle-bustle, to enjoy the park from above!!
Rocket rods–not so much, waay too many breakdowns!!
found the page!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bring-Back-the-PeopleMover/289946228746
Loved the ski-lift-ee things…those were there forever. I miss them.
The Rocket Rods….I was there when they were testing them. Never knew if they ever actually opened to the public.
The Monsanto-sponsored Rocket to Mars and wierd people-shrinking display on the outside—I think they cancelled that when they found out what Monsanto does to the real world.
In my family, we called the ski-lift-ee things “the buckets” (I assume you’re talking about the Skyway).
When I was a kid, I was convinced that we actually shrank down as part of Adventure through Inner Space. I’d see a guy in a red shirt in line ahead of me, and then see a shrinked guy in a red shirt and think it was the same person.
Rocket Rods did open. I rode it once or twice, but it was frequently closed.
Agreed, something needs to be done with the People Mover/Rocket Rods tracks. Dunno what, but something.
I also enjoy checking out that abandoned house thing in Fantasyland, where you got on the Skyway. It’s right behind Casey Jr. They should turn that into something.
I used to love pointing out that abandoned Skyway station to people, but I haven’t looked for it in a couple of years. You’re right — it should be re-themed, maybe as Snow White’s house or something.
I’m actually surprised it hasn’t been turned into a shop yet. Maybe because it’s only accessible via stairs, it doesn’t comply with ADA regulations and is unusable.