If Disney does't get rid of that darn Tommorrowland Speedway...

[agame2323]

That is exactly the point that Robo was making. And I don't know too many kids who say: I don't like the Speedway because its a very standard amusement park ride that you can find anywhere. Maybe you do. Our mileage may vary. Yes, WDW is about more than the kids. It should contain attractions that appeal to every demographic. And that includes a few low tech rides that bring a smile to kids' faces, even if they resemble the rides of other, lesser amusement parks. Let's not discount the fact that other parks copy Disney. Just because a local amusement park replicates a Disney ride is not reason enough for Disney to jettison its version.

We are up to page 10 here, and after you take out our back-and-forth colloquy, (which I promise to stop here and now), you will find that the majority of posters have stated that their kids love the ride and can't get enough of it. There is a fair amount of dissent among the adults here. But actually very few who admit to their kids disliking the ride. That number is greater than zero, to be sure. But it is distinctly the minority position.

And lest you think that I am some sort of anti-progress Luddite, my favorite ride is Tower of Terror; I fully endorse the makeover of Journey Into Imagination though I think that they failed in the effort. In other words, I have no love lost for the original, (a decided minority position in this board),but think that the current version stinks too; and I think that just about every other change to Epcot was an improvement. I'm not against change. I just happen to think that little kids dig the Speedway, so it doesn't deserve the constant bashing it gets here. Over and out. It's your thread. You get the last word if you want it.

Thanks JimmyV. I'll gladly take the last word.

Umm...I don't know what you're basing your "opinion" on regarding kids digging the Speedway. But there are definitely not any facts that support that statement. Now if your basing your response off those who responded in this thread (which is a pretty swallow thing to do) I guess your right.

I'm not doubting if you endorse change. If you didn't WDW would be a horrible place for you. But you do resemble someone who is attempting speak for a generation / group of people, which is impossible. I'm sorry but YOU don't represent every kid that has ridden the Speedway. I know kids who DON'T like this ride but I would never attempt to group them together as the majority. Very off balanced attempt at proving a point.

So I struggle to understand how you can speak from the perspective of a group of children when you're clearly not in that position. I'm speaking from the standpoint of an adult whose has ridden this ride a number of times. I couldn't begin to tell you what percentage of kids like this ride verse those that don't.

But one thing you're correct about is that we are 10 pages in and you've presented a fact-less statement regarding what YOU presume to be a favorite amongst kids. I'm pretty sure you agree with THAT, so I'll end it here.

 

[agame2323]

this

Listen...I don't know why people are taking this waaaaayyyyy out of context. I never said KIDS DON'T LIKE THIS RIDE so get rid of it. I simply proposed an idea for upgrading the attraction. Disney does this ALL THE TIME. Space Mountain...upgrade. Haunted Mansion...upgrade. Spaceship Earth...BIG upgrade.

Why are some of you so against change? Do you feel this way anytime Disney decides to make a change to an attraction, hotel, or service they provide? If so, I feel sorry for you because it happens pretty often.

I keep reading this... "oh my 5yr old loved it! Best ride in the park." Okay great! And I bet your 5yr old loved the old Fantasyland too. Well I hate to break it to ya but guess what? Fantasyland is receiving a HUGE UPGRADE. OH...and JIMMYV...just watch how "technically advanced the NEW fantasyland will be compared to the previous. Set your DVR for that one.

Anyway, just because YOU liked the ride growing up doesn't mean your kid(s) shouldn't be able to enjoy what THEIR generation is capable of pulling off technology-wise. I would love to see my kids experience this ride differently than I did as a child. Its called advancement. Disney was practically founded on the notion of moving forward and expanding ideas.

WOW...Its comical reading some of these reply's. How did you feel when they upgraded POTC? That's was one of the first WDW classics, if I'm not mistaken. Something the whole family could enjoy correct? Bet your kids liked that ride too. However, I'm willing to bet more than half the youngsters that ride the NEW POTC love the fact they NOW see Captain Jack. They relate to the new version of the ride more than the previous. That's all that's being stated with this post. Cars is a prefect example. I guarantee you that if Tomorrowland Speedway became a themed CARS ride...wait times would go through the roof. (Think Toy Story on steroids)

So I ask you...whats the big deal about making changes to Tomorrowland Speedway? Seems like Disney pulled it off many of times before with other attractions.

 

[pjpoppins]

I didn't even attempt to read this whole post...but I just wanted to say that my DD4 (now 5) LOVED this ride. She is so excited to do it again. One of my favorite memories last Sept. was letting her drive...we laughed the whole time (and nearly got whiplash). With that being said, an upgrade wouldn't be a bad thing.

 

[KeroKero]

As adults we don't even bother waiting in the line for the attraction, if there is barely anyone in line we'll ride just for the heck of it.

Cars themeing would be perfect in this attraction, turning the whole track/scenery into Radiator Springs would definitely bring it back to life.

 

[dzorn]

They aren't a health hazard and I doubt you'll puke.

You may not like the smell (I don't either, who does?) but you not liking the smell doesn't mean that they should get rid of a ride gazillions of kids love...especially when it isn't directed exclusively toward girls or pre-schoolers.

Yes I have had to go back to the hotel after this ride the fumes were that bad (and yes it did make me sick), absolutely no breeze that day. I do agree that kids do like it but there is no reason that they cannot up date and go green.

Denise in MI

 

[photoscott]

But now...talk about DATED!

Maybe - but there's never a shortage of people wanting to stand in line for it!

 

[photoscott]

It brings a tear to my eye seeing youngsters drive their parents as i remember 10+ years ago that it was me & my kids in that car (as I wonder where the time went).

Ditto. Sort of. One of my earliest DL memories is the car ride.

Not to take away from the suggestions that it be updated, but don't ditch it

 

[scion5220]

 

[tarheel618]

Speaking for myself when I was 5 and on my first trip to Disney, I was SO EXCITED about this ride. It was probably one that I was most excited about, and loved "racing" against my sister, and thinking I was awesome because I got to drive a car.

Granted, I haven't ridden it since that first trip (I was 23 the next time I was at Disney), but I'd imagine there are still plenty of kids out there whose first experience with the Speedway lines up with mine.

This is my eldest daughter now 9. It has become the first ride we now do when we go to MK

 

[LilyWDW]

I think the Speedway is a great candidate to be updated and worked with. However, I see no reason to get rid of it totally. So much can be done with that ride to spruce it up and bring it up to date that it would be a shame to waste a classic attraction by just trashing it.

 

[goofyernmost]

I just wanted to add a small point here because it seems like no one is thinking about it. The idea that Speedway is a standard run of the mill attractions are basing that on the fact that they live close to or within easy access to some random amusement park.

The part of the states that I come from NEVER had anything like that. Ever! Yes, we had cars attached by an arm that went around in a small circle but never anything that was on a road and was responsive to the steering wheel and could be speed controlled by the driver, who in this case would have been a young kid. It's like dieing and going to heaven. Just a guess here but I would think that this applies to a very large segment of the population.

I was 35 when I first went to WDW. I had never seen anything like it. I didn't drive it my girls did, but I was amazed. Dumbo, yes a standard ride could be found in any roadside carnival anywhere, but Speedway...no way!

 

[JenM]

I just wanted to add a small point here because it seems like no one is thinking about it. The idea that Speedway is a standard run of the mill attractions are basing that on the fact that they live close to or within easy access to some random amusement park.

The part of the states that I come from NEVER had anything like that. Ever! Yes, we had cars attached by an arm that went around in a small circle but never anything that was on a road and was responsive to the steering wheel and could be speed controlled by the driver, who in this case would have been a young kid. It's like dieing and going to heaven. Just a guess here but I would think that this applies to a very large segment of the population.

I was 35 when I first went to WDW. I had never seen anything like it. I didn't drive it my girls did, but I was amazed. Dumbo, yes a standard ride could be found in any roadside carnival anywhere, but Speedway...no way!

I went to Disneyland for the first time in 2008, and my friend and I had the best time on their version of this ride (Autopia). It was one of the highlights of our trip.

And yes, we're both in our 30s.

It's a fun ride. Yes, the lines are long and the gas fumes can be dreadful, but the kids always look like they're having a blast on it.

 

[lucyem]

My 5 yr old laughs non stop from beginning to end on this ride. It is his all time favorite. The first ride he wants to run for at rope drop. And at least then the line is short and not so hot

 

[AlohaAnnie]

We have not "driven" on the Speedway for years, but when the kids were little it was a must-do. Think of all the first-timers and young families that visit and this will stay a classic Disney attraction.

I have to agree, it is one of our kids favorite attractions and they ride it everytime we return to the MK. It is a must-do for my kiddos!

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

I usually do my WDW vacation solo because I don't have children, and my DH just doesn't want to go.
He is basically a homebody.

That said, My DH did come with me this past early December for just a day and a half of my 6 night trip.

We went to MVMCP. We had a BLAST together!!

In all my trips, with and without DH, I never did the Speedway.

BUT, on the night of the Christmas Party, DH and I squeezed into one of those cars.

Mind you - I was 57 and DH was a young 81. It was hysterically funny!!! I was laughing so hard I couldn't stear the car and DH had to take over the wheel.

It was such a special memory!

 

[XGrumpy1]

For me it was a "rite of passage" ride. The first time I ever went, I wasn't tall enough to ride. I was so disappointed! The next time I was tall enough. A great memory.

 

[RainK]

I must say, my kids love this ride. DS 5 and DD 7 have it as a "must do".
As an adult, I don't hate it, but would probably skip it if it weren't for my kids.

 

[Mrs K]

I usually do my WDW vacation solo because I don't have children, and my DH just doesn't want to go.
He is basically a homebody.

That said, My DH did come with me this past early December for just a day and a half of my 6 night trip.

We went to MVMCP. We had a BLAST together!!

In all my trips, with and without DH, I never did the Speedway.

BUT, on the night of the Christmas Party, DH and I squeezed into one of those cars.

Mind you - I was 57 and DH was a young 81. It was hysterically funny!!! I was laughing so hard I couldn't stear the car and DH had to take over the wheel.

It was such a special memory!

DH and I rode this year with our 20 and 16 year old kids. We haven't been on the speedway for many years. We laughed so hard we were crying. I hope they keep it till I have grandkids to ride with.

 

[LilGMom]

I usually do my WDW vacation solo because I don't have children, and my DH just doesn't want to go.
He is basically a homebody.

That said, My DH did come with me this past early December for just a day and a half of my 6 night trip.

We went to MVMCP. We had a BLAST together!!

In all my trips, with and without DH, I never did the Speedway.

BUT, on the night of the Christmas Party, DH and I squeezed into one of those cars.

Mind you - I was 57 and DH was a young 81. It was hysterically funny!!! I was laughing so hard I couldn't stear the car and DH had to take over the wheel.

It was such a special memory!

Thank you for sharing and I love your story.

 

[TheDonald]

For the life of me I can't understand why this "ride" is still active. Don't get me wrong, it was probably very cool in its heyday. But now...talk about DATED!