Autotopia

[disney4life77]

Any update if they are changing it or making it better because the ride kind of sucks and it takes up so much space. Space that could be used for other rides

 

[DznyPrnces]

Just because you think it sucks doesn't mean everyone does. I loved it as a kid and my kids love it now. And the long lines seem to support that.

 

[crystal1313]

Just because you think it sucks doesn't mean everyone does. I loved it as a kid and my kids love it now. And the long lines seem to support that.

Agree!

 

[Disney Dreams]

There is nothing official to support that it is going anywhere.

And if they destroyed attractions that I think "suck," many would not be happy. Remember, Disney has something for everyone, not everything for everyone

Welcome to DIS! I noticed you joined yesterday. I hope you enjoy it here.

- Dreams

 

[Mayhem1976]

One of the things my 7 YO asked when we started thinking about going to DL was if they have the race cars! He loves it. I have to say, i keep hoping that they will update them to electric/hybrids though.

I don't know about at DL, but in WDW it's a great way to watch the fireworks!

 

[bcla]

My only wish would be that they change the engine technology. It's still a simple engine with a carburetor, which spews lots of unburned fuel. They could probably have their manufacturer design a new vehicle using something like a fuel injected golf cart engine. Maybe even a catalytic converter. It would be ideal since they run all day, and a little restriction in the exhaust would quiet down the engine. I've stood next to a running tailpipe of a modern fully warmed up car, and there's no discernible smell of unburned fuel.

Disneyland has done a lot to try to be more environmentally sound, including B98 biodiesel (replacing #2 fuel oil) to run the Disneyland Railroad.

And Autopia otherwise rocks. I remember taking my kid for the first time on Autopia. Couldn't even reach the pedal, so I had to control it. The grin lasted well after we got off. "You mean I get to drive a real car?"

 

[bcla]

One of the things my 7 YO asked when we started thinking about going to DL was if they have the race cars! He loves it. I have to say, i keep hoping that they will update them to electric/hybrids though.

I wouldn't want electric. I've been on an electric system similar to Autopia - one that ran on an electric rail down the center that functions similar to the floor of no-ceiling bumper cars. There's no pedal and the vehicle either goes or doesn't based on the operator clearing it to leave the staging area. It was just too quiet. I think part of the charm of Autopia is that it sounds like a real engine. Right now it might be a bit too loud, but a catalytic converter would do wonders.

I'd just want pollution controls, even if they're theoretically not required. It just smells bad.

 

[d1gitman]

We love Autopia. For us it's 10x better than Tomorrowland Speedway at WDW.

 

[crystal1313]

DS4 non stop laughs and giggles the entire time we are driving. It's SO much fun with him!

 

[momof6princesses]

I don't care much for the ride unless I'm with my children, they love it! Seeing them hit the rails (have 6 girls so I usually have one with me, behind me and I front of me), giggle and having the best time is worth the waiting! It's exciting for a young child to drive since in normal circumstances they can't.

 

[disney4life77]

Ok so mabey not get rid of it but just make it better it is always breaking down when ever I try to get on it and the smell of gas is terrible I do think its a fun ride, and yes sucks was a little harsh. But I just have bad memories of it from when I went

 

[bcla]

Ok so mabey not get rid of it but just make it better it is always breaking down when ever I try to get on it and the smell of gas is terrible I do think its a fun ride, and yes sucks was a little harsh. But I just have bad memories of it from when I went

I don't think you're going to find any disagreement that they should do something about those lawmower style engines without pollutions controls. However, it's a popular ride and one of the original ones at DL. I remember when there were two different rides where the layout was interconnected.

 

[Cheshirecatty]

DS4 non stop laughs and giggles the entire time we are driving. It's SO much fun with him!

Love this!!! I think riding with children is a fun experience too!

I'm probably in the minority that "loves" Autopia---Hubby doesn't, but he humors me, and I'm usually laughing the whole way around as well---at the look on DH's face!

 

[Peace.love.mickey]

DS4 non stop laughs and giggles the entire time we are driving. It's SO much fun with him!

This is us!!!! We giggle the whole time when I'm with my little sister! She's 30 though! Ha ha ha

 

[kitayama]

My opinion of Autopia was the same as the OP until I took my 2-year-old son on it...
It is his favorite place on the planet! If we don't want to go on it, we have to avoid a Tomorrow land altogether.

 

[d1gitman]

I always thought this attraction would be a good candidate for a "Meet the Robinsons" make over. Change the cars over to a time machine space ship like in the movie, have them levitate on an electromagnetic track. Have the beginning and ending portion of the ride automated with a video screen that you interact with, much like Spaceship Earth in Epcot.

Then again, the people mover would work for this idea too, maybe better.

 

[DarthMole]

I wouldn't want electric. I've been on an electric system similar to Autopia - one that ran on an electric rail down the center that functions similar to the floor of no-ceiling bumper cars. There's no pedal and the vehicle either goes or doesn't based on the operator clearing it to leave the staging area. It was just too quiet. I think part of the charm of Autopia is that it sounds like a real engine. Right now it might be a bit too loud, but a catalytic converter would do wonders.

I'd just want pollution controls, even if they're theoretically not required. It just smells bad.

Who's to say an electric system would have an electric rail? They could build electric vehicles with batteries. Wouldn't it be amazing to see the old Chevron sponsorship replaced with one from Tesla, a high tech California company.

Rather than the exhaust note of a put-put mobile, they could amplify the wizzing sound of the electric motor to give it a futuristic (realistic) sound.
The sound the vehicles make now is good for nostalgia, but that's about it. If the ride is going to stay, it would be nice to see a modern update.

 

[VandVsmama]

I love the Autopia ride. Loved it as a kid and now that I have children of my own, there is something special (even with the exhaust fumes) about going on the exact same ride with my kids that I went on when I was 7 years old. I feel the same way about a lot of other rides at DL, too, like Peter Pan, Dumbo, Pirates of the Caribbean , and Haunted Mansion. The first car I ever drove was an Autopia car. It keeps the magic going from one generation to the next.

Although realistically, if enough people complained and if DL saw enough of a drop in ridership on that attraction, they probably would remove it and replace it with something else.

IF that happened, they should replace it with an attraction that has an equally large rider capacity. Autopia is able to move an incredibly large number of people through per hour...even more than POTC from what I read somewhere. and THAT has an affect on lines in other attractions at the park.

** edited to add **
The videos of DL's Autopia on opening day are pretty cool in case anyone hasn't seen them.

 

[kitayama]

I think the smell of exhaust and noise the motor makes has something to do with the kids' love of the ride... When all our cars no longer run on gas, then the smell and noise won't matter anymore.

 

[bcla]

I think the smell of exhaust and noise the motor makes has something to do with the kids' love of the ride... When all our cars no longer run on gas, then the smell and noise won't matter anymore.

Modern cars don't smell once they're warmed up and the cats are warmed up and at full efficiency. I can also easily tell when there's a vehicle in front of me from before catalytic converters. The exhaust from an old Beetle or muscle car is pretty obvious these days when the vast majority of cars have emissions controls. I'm pretty sure I took it for granted when I was a kid in the late 70s. And back then I probably didn't notice that Autopia smelled bad. The Disneyland tram probably smelled pretty bad too. I remember visiting in the late 80s when vehicles started polluting less, but DL was still using the legacy trams (with black California plates since they sometimes crossed the street to go to the Disneyland Hotel). The modern ones running on CNG is probably way healthier than those old cars running on leaded gas.

And come to think of it, maybe they could use CNG or perhaps propane. I've been to one country where a large proportion of taxis run on propane. Sometimes I'm not sure what to do since it also takes up half the trunk with the supplemental tank.