Is it time to replace Autopia?

[bumbershoot]

I don't hate this ride, but I think it definitely needs a major overhaul. The cars need to be faster; they should make part of the track "indoor" so that the overall ride is part Dark Ride, and they need to make the track more interactive and futuristic to really scream "Tomorrowland!" and by futuristic, I mean retro-contemporary.

I just hope if they add more stuff to it, they don't dumb it down. Kids don't need things to be dumbed down. Nowdays it seems like they're dumbing everything down. They're completely missing the point. Walt Disney didn't dumb things down.


Otherwise though, I am in complete agreement. Ditch this old waste of space ride and replace it with something more thrilling!

No no no no!

I think that having to "plus" it IS dumbing it down. Right now, it's like you are DRIVING. That is AWESOME for littles! My son has been going on it since he was 3 and he loves LOVES loves it.

It doesn't need anything else. Maybe it needs to get rid of the gasoline smell, but then...I get all schoolbus nostalgic when I smell those fumes, so...

Adding stuff would just make it scary for the youngest kids and the more sensitive ones, if you made it like a dark ride. Adding stuff makes it something that it's not, as I said, that dumbs it down. A simple, straight-forward *driving* ride is fabulous, and allows the child's imagination to work!

 

[mystic_path]

No no no no!

I think that having to "plus" it IS dumbing it down. Right now, it's like you are DRIVING. That is AWESOME for littles! My son has been going on it since he was 3 and he loves LOVES loves it.

It doesn't need anything else. Maybe it needs to get rid of the gasoline smell, but then...I get all schoolbus nostalgic when I smell those fumes, so...

Adding stuff would just make it scary for the youngest kids and the more sensitive ones, if you made it like a dark ride. Adding stuff makes it something that it's not, as I said, that dumbs it down. A simple, straight-forward *driving* ride is fabulous, and allows the child's imagination to work!

How about adding things like fake facade stores and homes to pass by, and a mini gas station that they can drive up to. There the cars can stall for a second before carrying on their merry way. These things wouldnt scare children at all as it's things they see all the time at home, and it would make their drive much more realistic.

 

[Funball]

Actually, the cars "stall" to stop you on purpose. It's their way of spreading out the cars and keeping them from bunching up. So it's not a problem with the cars, it's how the ride is designed (or so I heard from a CM).

OH I didn't know that! i just learned something new!

No no no no!

I think that having to "plus" it IS dumbing it down. Right now, it's like you are DRIVING. That is AWESOME for littles! My son has been going on it since he was 3 and he loves LOVES loves it.

It doesn't need anything else. Maybe it needs to get rid of the gasoline smell, but then...I get all schoolbus nostalgic when I smell those fumes, so...

Adding stuff would just make it scary for the youngest kids and the more sensitive ones, if you made it like a dark ride. Adding stuff makes it something that it's not, as I said, that dumbs it down. A simple, straight-forward *driving* ride is fabulous, and allows the child's imagination to work!

i love the smell tooo I agree no adding to it, no taking away from it. just leave it the way it is!

How about adding things like fake facade stores and homes to pass by, and a mini gas station that they can drive up to. There the cars can stall for a second before carrying on their merry way. These things wouldnt scare children at all as it's things they see all the time at home, and it would make their drive much more realistic.

leaving the way it is won't do harm to kids, it's fine the way it is! kids love it the way it is!

 

[SilentFeline]

Actually, the cars "stall" to stop you on purpose. It's their way of spreading out the cars and keeping them from bunching up. So it's not a problem with the cars, it's how the ride is designed (or so I heard from a CM).

Hmm, good to know. I figured there was probably a reason but I wasn't sure.

 

[TheColtonsMom]

I can see peoples points of children being totally terrified of dark rides. Heck I even get claustrophobic on dark rides. Especially the ones in Fantasyland. HOWEVER.... I agree with your point that Disney could easily come up with ideas that are super kid friendly. It doesnt have to be loud & noisy, have strobe effects or have things jumping out at them.

If they left Autopia the way it is, theme it into something fun, like Honey I shrunk the kids, and make you feel like your tiny, and as you drive through the "Grassy Yard", you could drive past things like giant Oreo cookies, and giant magnifying glasses.

This would be a fun thing but maybe an idea for a ride in it's own right.

How about adding things like fake facade stores and homes to pass by, and a mini gas station that they can drive up to. There the cars can stall for a second before carrying on their merry way. These things wouldnt scare children at all as it's things they see all the time at home, and it would make their drive much more realistic.

I like this idea, a scheduled stall at a gas station or a fast food drive through would be part of the experience.

Those were my opinions...my six year old just said the honey I shrunk idea would be "wicked cool"

 

[brocklesnar69]

If they left Autopia the way it is, theme it into something fun, like Honey I shrunk the kids, and make you feel like your tiny, and as you drive through the "Grassy Yard", you could drive past things like giant Oreo cookies, and giant magnifying glasses.

That is an excellent idea. That would be really fun. Otherwise though, I like your other idea about driving through a small town. It would be really cool if the buildings were made to look like they were apart of Main Street USA, sorta like "the other end of town" or something. But since it's Tomorrowland, might as well make the buldings retro-futuristic.

Or..... I'd prefer if rather than adding an indoor part, or building facades, they planted a bunch of extra trees and greenery and made it look like you were driving through a forest. Perhaps the deep Redwoods (like Endor).

I just hope they make the cars go faster in the future. Nothing outragious, just a little faster. As it is now, it's a bit slow. Perhaps if they upgraded the ride system and stuff, they could figure out a way of doing this.

But yeah, the overall space Autopia takes up is fairly significant. I'm certain Disney could put it to better use.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Regarding the comments about the smell: there are actually signs on the queue bridge that say they are currently working to convert the cars to the vegetable oil biodiesel that they use in the trains and the parking lot trams, in order to reduce emissions and that should be coming sometime in the near future.

I am currently working on a blog, with a ton of photos, that highlights some of the charm of the Autopia. It should go up sometime in April or so, so I hope the folks that have answered this thread will watch the BLOG link at the top of this (and every) DISboards page.

The article will also have an audio discussion with some classic car buffs/DIS members, talking about the Disneyland Autopia.

Hope you will keep an eye out for it!

 

[Soaptopia]

I'm another supporter of keeping Autopia the way it is. It can have some new scenery but nothing too drastic. I love this ride and always have! The only thing that can REALLY be changed is they can make it even LONGER!

 

[skiingfast]

I have some experience with engines of all sorts.

The engines aren't made to stall to slow people down. They stall because that is how the engine is made. It's a simple biproduct of the design.

Also if you have motorcyle experience, particularily on dirt or are way into snowmobiles you might be able to figure out how to make the cars go faster. Try feathering the gas pedal to work the clutch and rev up the engine. Of course this is rough on the drivetrain.

Will they run Autopia on vegatable oil like the trains or trams? Not without replacing the engines. But why not make them electric if they are doing that?

 

[OCgirl]

Autopia is a classic - literally. It's been in the park since opening day, I don't think disney has any intention of replacing a popular and original attraction.

I love this ride, even being an adult. Kids love it, and it's the only ride that will give you a cute souvenir (your very own license!)

I don't think that this ride will go electric, at least in the near future. The ride is sponsored by Chevron, and I doubt a gasoline company would back up the idea. I agree that smell isn't the best, but it's definitely authentic!

 

[mystic_path]

That is an excellent idea. That would be really fun. Otherwise though, I like your other idea about driving through a small town. It would be really cool if the buildings were made to look like they were apart of Main Street USA, sorta like "the other end of town" or something. But since it's Tomorrowland, might as well make the buldings retro-futuristic.

Or..... I'd prefer if rather than adding an indoor part, or building facades, they planted a bunch of extra trees and greenery and made it look like you were driving through a forest. Perhaps the deep Redwoods (like Endor).

I just hope they make the cars go faster in the future. Nothing outragious, just a little faster. As it is now, it's a bit slow. Perhaps if they upgraded the ride system and stuff, they could figure out a way of doing this.

But yeah, the overall space Autopia takes up is fairly significant. I'm certain Disney could put it to better use.

That's a really cool idea too. I like that Endor idea. The cars are definitely a little slow. They need to kick those up a notch.

 

[mystic_path]

This would be a fun thing but maybe an idea for a ride in it's own right.



I like this idea, a scheduled stall at a gas station or a fast food drive through would be part of the experience.

Those were my opinions...my six year old just said the honey I shrunk idea would be "wicked cool"

Awesome!!!! Your son has very good taste!!!

I am totally indifferent to if they change the ride or not, but if they had to re-theme it, I would love to see those ideas.