![]() The mechanism for Rocket Jets on top of the PeopleMover was re-used as a kinetic satellite-themed sculpture known as the Observatron, built from the same skeletal structure. One concept drawing had guests boarding the attraction underground and others had the center of the attraction featuring a water moat (similar to the "Dumbo the Flying Elephant" attraction in Fantasyland). Instead, it was relocated to the entrance of Tomorrowland, and placed on the ground level, thus making the ride the new focal point as guests step from the main plaza of Disneyland into Tomorrowland. The Astro Orbitor at Disneyland was planned to be placed where the Rocket Jets were but weighed too much for the current building. The new version is a replica of the Orbitron, Machines Volantes at Disneyland Paris. The new form of the attraction opened one year later as Astro Orbitor at Disneyland. This version remained open until 1997 when it closed for renovations with the rest of Tomorrowland. The focal point of this version was its replica Saturn V/ NASA-themed rocket in the center. This version was located on top of the new PeopleMover platform and was accessible from ground level via an elevator. The attraction returned in August 1967 as the Rocket Jets. The name lasted until September 1966, when the attraction was closed to make room for the newly renovated Tomorrowland. After this dispute, the name was changed to Tomorrowland Jets. The name Astro Jets was changed in 1964 when United Airlines, as a new park sponsor (sponsoring " The Enchanted Tiki Room"), contended the name was free advertising for American Airlines' coast-to-coast Astrojet service. ![]() The attraction stood between the Submarine Voyage and Rocket to the Moon. The "jets" made a 50-foot circle around a large red-checkered rocket and guests were able to climb upwards of 36 feet in their ride vehicles from the ground level they were boarded at. The attraction was made by Klaus Company Bavaria and similar to several versions found in traveling carnivals. I like the gold accent colors.In 1956, the first rocket-spinner attraction opened at Disneyland and was known as the Astro Jets. The new blue and red color scheme on the rockets is very sharp. ![]() Don’t they look great? Here is a view looking toward Space Mountain and the Contemporary Resort. Let’s take a look at the new and improved Astro Orbiter: Let’s take a spin on the Astro Oribiter. Fun Factsĭid you know that the Astro Orbiter ships travel about 1.2 million miles a year?ĭid you know that you can find a similar rocket ship spinner ride in all five Magic-Kingdom styled theme parks around the world?ĭid you also know that the current Astro Orbiter attraction opened way back in 1994? Do you remember what was located on top of the PeopleMover loading platform before the Astro Orbiter? It was the Star Jets, which was a D-ticket attraction that opened in 1974. The refurbishment included not only cleaning everything up but also giving the rocket ships themselves a new paint scheme, replacing the former yellow and gold colors with vibrant blues and reds. In May, 2014 Disney announced that the Astro Orbiter would be down for an extensive refurbishment.Ĭonstruction crews removed the huge planets as well as all the rocket ships from the classic spinning attraction and made everything look sparkling new.
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