[Question] Is anyone REALLY Surprised that the Autopia is on the chopping block?

[s8ntmark]

I understand that people like it and that parents like taking their kids on it, but its been around since the park opened, and they haven't really done anything exciting with it since. The cars are still loud, and stinky, the peddles are a little tough to keep pressed down for the whole trip. The center guide rail is a pain when you bang against it.

The main compliments that people seem to give is either they want their kids to experience the same fun that they experienced when they were young, or Its a classic Disney attraction that's been around since the park opened, or Kids still love it! Honestly though, I think the main reason people like it is nostalgia. It was something they liked when they were young and they want their kids to experience it too...but it takes up a LOT of land that can built upon.

I personally have no love for the Autopia, it hasn't been "Walt's" Autopia for over a decade so I'm not really sure where the nostalgia stems from, but I personally cant wait to see what they do with the space

BTW, Screamscape reported this today:

Tomorrowland Update - Rumor - (6/29/12) An anonymous tip sent in to Screamscape confirms that the word going around Disneyland is that Innoventions and Autopia are very likely to be walled off by this time next summer as they work to remove them, along with the old Peoplemover track around this area as well.

[doppio]

Re: Is anyone REALLY Surprised that the Autopia is on the chopping block?

Is anyone REALLY Surprised that the Autopia is on the chopping block?


NO!

[MrsMonroe]

Re: Is anyone REALLY Surprised that the Autopia is on the chopping block?

no not really

[Sir.Mouse]

Re: Is anyone REALLY Surprised that the Autopia is on the chopping block?

Okay I'll admit that when I read Al's article I was a tad surprised. But when he claimed that the subs were also supposedly on the chopping block it made sense. Basically the subs stink and they're tied into valuable land. Chop chop.

[bbrooke]

Re: Is anyone REALLY Surprised that the Autopia is on the chopping block?

As much as the kids love Autopia, I can't love it.. I think it's because I drive everyday anyway, it's just, why do I want to be behind the wheel...again!? :lol:I would love for Tomorrowland to get a whole new look...

[Stitch626626]

Re: Is anyone REALLY Surprised that the Autopia is on the chopping block?

Not really...

Now the subs on the other hand, I was a bit shocked to find out about.

[s8ntmark]

Re: Is anyone REALLY Surprised that the Autopia is on the chopping block?

I think people will be OK with losing the Autopia if something really cool replaces it.

[film975]

Re: Is anyone REALLY Surprised that the Autopia is on the chopping block?

It disturbs me somewhat that everyone thinks that the Submarine Voyage maybe getting the axe. This rumor doesn't make any sense. Not after all the money Disney spent on refurbing the attraction a few years ago. And especially not after the fact the ride is still popular. Now if they have to close the Submarine Voyage temporarily while they reworked Autopia, that makes a little more sense.

[spankyourstank]

It doesn't make sense... it makes Dollars!!! Lol

[ArchimedesWhatWhat]

Re: Is anyone REALLY Surprised that the Autopia is on the chopping block?

I am not surprised. 6 years ago my wife (then gf) and I were about to board cars on utopia, and I was talking about the burning fuel smell. My wife replied well they are cars so it’s the gas. And even though I could smell it, and it’s obvious, I kept saying, "No, there are no way they run all of these off gas, that’s so bad, and must be expensive, and a lot of engine up keep. I asked the CM who replied, yes they run on gas.

This was 6 years ago. They have no upgraded them to electric, or hydro, or natural gas or anything??!?! (I know, Chevron was the sponsor so that wouldn't happen.) But 6 years have passed and nothing has been done?!?!

It all makes sense now... they knew it was doomed, but why not let it soak up guests while the company is focused across the esplanade... I am so excited to see what comes next.

Now looking at my post... it would have made for a cool ride, if they upgraded the cars to each of the energy sources I listed. You never know if you'll get the hydro car, or the electric, or the natural gas. And then you can all laugh at the one guy in your group who gets stuck with the old gas car.

[Sheriff Lightyear]

Re: Is anyone REALLY Surprised that the Autopia is on the chopping block?

I'm pretty surprised actually. I love the ride! Not only that but I've been a passenger to many youngin's driving this one and it's something that really puts a smile on their face just for being able to drive. Shorten the track? Change up the cars? Sure, go ahead. But I would hate to see it gutted completely.

[ArchimedesWhatWhat]

Re: Is anyone REALLY Surprised that the Autopia is on the chopping block?

I'm pretty surprised actually. I love the ride! Not only that but I've been a passenger to many youngin's driving this one and it's something that really puts a smile on their face just for being able to drive. Shorten the track? Change up the cars? Sure, go ahead. But I would hate to see it gutted completely.

The problem is though, it takes up too much room. It would be nice to have a expierence for little ones to drive cars, but it takes up too much room.

[ScottG]

Re: Is anyone REALLY Surprised that the Autopia is on the chopping block?

Not surprised about Autopia but a little saddened even though I have only a little desire to ride it anymore. This is a very popular ride with the kids though and I would rather see it reconfigured into a denser layout rather than be scrapped altogether.
As far as the subs are concerned I personally don't think for one minute they are going away soon.

[greeeneyes17]

Re: Is anyone REALLY Surprised that the Autopia is on the chopping block?

I am surprised, but only because I thought Disney would never do this.

Do I agree with getting rid of it? Absolutely!!

It's old, tired, and worn out. It takes up a lot of valuable room.

Again, I didn't think Disney would ever agree with me on this one, but hopefully finally it is true

[frollofan]

Re: Is anyone REALLY Surprised that the Autopia is on the chopping block?

I was not surprised, but the Subs removal was what shocked me

[Baloo]

Re: Is anyone REALLY Surprised that the Autopia is on the chopping block?

no not surprised, actually kind of glad it is going along with the innoventions building. Lots of land there to build something much more interesting.


I am surprised that a smaller version of autopia was not integrated into Carsland though. A midget autopia for the little ones would have been cool

[SparkChaser]

Re: Is anyone REALLY Surprised that the Autopia is on the chopping block?

Frankly I believe Autopia lost relevance long before Chevron. When it debuted it represented the future of interstate highways which President Eisenhower had yet to sign the deal to create. When highways became more in use Autopia lost relevance. So ya I'm not all that surprised.

See ya wakin' right down the middle of o'l Main Street USA

[MikkiandtheMouse]

Re: Is anyone REALLY Surprised that the Autopia is on the chopping block?

Autopia takes up a HUGE amount of land, now that Carsland is open it really makes the ride obsolite. I enjoyed it as a kid, but the demographic is from say age 5 to age 10... after that it's lame. The cars are slow and it's smelly.
In a world where you can go go-cart racing in almost any town, I do nothing think the experience is ultra valuable. One of the reasons for going to Disneyland is to experiance rides and environments that I can not/do not get where I live.

Innoventions, It is a waste of space and the "tomorrow" factor, to showcase new technology isn't maintained. We were laughing just last weekend that the "House of the future" is now more like "the house of 2010" and Asimo is cool but once you have seen the show, there is no reason to go back again.

I find the demo of the submarines surprising from the standpoint of it being popular and likable to many but from a park standpoint it is unimpressive, taking up A LOT of space, the loading and unloading takes a long time and the ride queue moves slow.

Personally, I am excited to see what Disney has in store for the not so futuristic Tomorrowland.

[ArchimedesWhatWhat]

Re: Is anyone REALLY Surprised that the Autopia is on the chopping block?

no not surprised, actually kind of glad it is going along with the innoventions building. Lots of land there to build something much more interesting.


I am surprised that a smaller version of autopia was not integrated into Carsland though. A midget autopia for the little ones would have been cool

I wrote a post about this a long time ago... Radiator Springs Elementary... (RSR meets Autopia) It would be neat... But then there would be 3 "childish" rides in Cars Land and people would compare it even more to Bugs Land.

[s8ntmark]

Re: Is anyone REALLY Surprised that the Autopia is on the chopping block?

On another thread someone posted a picture from Google Maps of all the land this would free up (If they took out the Subs, Autopia, Fantasia Gardens area, and the Carousel Theater. and WOW that's a lot of space. It looked like it was bigger than Fantasyland (Although I could be wrong about that). You could put a whole new land back there!

With that said, I hope they keep the Subs :/

I'll bet, though, that it won't all be devoted to Tomorrowland. I think we'll see a Fantasyland expansion in there somewhere too.