Should Tomorrowland Speedway be the Next to Go?

[JimmyV]

If the ride gets updated to a new theme

Again, I agree with the noise and fumes issue, I don't quite grasp the "new theme" issue. It's a race track. With race cars. What sort of theme change is in order? Want to make the cars look like Lightning McQueen? OK. But they are still race cars. I wouldn't want the "theme" to be anything other than open wheel racing. Nor should it be. Updated cars would be fine. But not a whole new theme.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

This is one I would like to see go. It just smells soooo bad when I am walking past. The cars themselves were just awful. LegoLand wins in the let-the-kids-drive category.

 

[Candleshoe]

I guess a Cars theme would be okay.

I'm on the fence about this ride. I've never really liked it. My first trip to Disney I was already an adult though.

But. I remember loving this kind of ride at Six Flags (When there was only 1) as a child. Gosh. Really loving it. Pretending I was DRIVING.

And I think my DD got the same thrill.

SO, do I like it? Nah. But I don't think I'd like to take it away from other youngsters.

 

[chelseabun76]

My daughter LOVED the Speedway. I could have done without it, but she seriously loved it so much she asked me to switch one of our fp+ for it on our 2nd last day. LOL!! I told her it was loud and smelly, but it didn't change her mind.

 

[JimmyV]

she seriously loved it so much she asked me to switch one of our fp+ for it on our 2nd last day. LOL!!

I actually think that this is a good use of a FP+ (though I suspect that it can be grabbed at a kiosk as a 4th or 5th). The line is torture and would be worth avoiding at all cost.

 

[minniemous]

Funny I had not been on it in years and we got a fast pass for it this past November. We all thought it was not very good at all. It was impossible to get any speed going. I really think the space could be used much much better. I am usually one to hang onto nostalgic rides but I would not miss this one at all. I agree it is also very loud as another person said. Given the location and amount of space it takes up Disney could put in a really good attraction.

 

[JanaDee]

Interesting. My observations are the exact opposite. When I was growing up in the 60's-70's, there were many, many kids who tinkered with lawn mower engines and made homemade go-karts. I don't see that at all any more. Can't tell you the last time I saw one. Instead, kids spend their time behind the "wheel" of X-Box cars.

We go to go kart tracks often and even at 10, my son thought TS was dumb. Take your kids to real go kart tracks where they can really drive the cars that aren't on a track and they go faster than 5 miles an hour.

 

[JimmyV]

Take your kids to real go kart tracks where they can really drive the cars that aren't on a track and they go faster than 5 miles an hour.

My post was in response to one about homemade go-karts and motor scooters, not tracks where you pay an admission fee for a few laps. It the former that I don't see any more. The latter? Can't say we have any near me. Even so, I don't think this thread is about bulldozing the Speedway because we can all take out kids to real go-kart tracks for $30 for a half hour of driving. One is not a fair substitute for the other.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I think it should go. There are so many go kart places now, no need for it at WDW.

 

[MIGrandma]

Meh...doesn't bother me if it stays or goes. We didn't go on it during our last trip, and we had a 6-year old and 9-year old and they weren't interested in it.

I do wish they'd bring back 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea though.

 

[tjevans]

I definitely see the appeal to a child below driving age.

Until it goes or changes, just imagine it's a vision of a future to be avoided—a smelly, noise-polluted future.

 

[Braden's Momma]

I found an old map today on-line and was looking at some of the rides that I went on when I was a kid:

http://disney-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/mk_map_old.jpg

It's pretty crazy to think about how much MK has changed. Some of my most vivid memories include the riding the Skyway, 20,000 Leagues, Mr. Toads... anyway, it got me thinking about what other rides might next to go. We were at the MK in December and I rode the Speedway with my 9 year old - I'm not sure it holds up in today’s go-kart and scooter world. A lot of kids have some sort of vehicle that goes faster and I was pretty disappointed after riding it all these years later. Plus, when you look at the amount of space it takes up in the park that could be used for new rides, I think it would be on the short list to go if they are looking for space for some new rides.

What do you think? What ride could you see being eliminated in the next ten years or so?

The Speedway is terrible! The fumes coming off the cars smell horrible.

 

[Planogirl]

Many young kids seem to love this attraction so I suggest replacing the cars and putting up more things to see and otherwise leave it alone. I don't like it but then I don't have to like every attraction.

 

[FLSarah]

My son would be really, really sad to see it go.

 

[HollieS]

I think they could do a phased update; replace the cars, update the track, update the queue. I wouldn't get rid of the speedway altogether.

 

[Newsies]

It depends on what would be going in. I'd love to see another meet and greet area for Stitch, or Buzz, or anyone else who could regularly meet in Tomorrowland with a covered pavilion. I've noticed that Stitch and Buzz don't have covered areas for their M&Gs- often times the Photopass CMs can't work in the conditions or the characters can't meet, period. I think it could be a fun opportunity to open up M&Gs with Buzz and Stitch, or even introduce new characters to meet like Emperor Zurg and the Aliens. Just a suggestion, I'm sure Disney could think of something better, though.

 

[Retro Magic]

Either theme it to Sugar Rush or Cars or get rid of it for something much better. It doesn't fit anymore and the exhaust it gives off is really bad.

 

[Keels]

I would totally agree that it's time to either upgrade or do away with the Speedway in favor of something fresh and new ... but man, the line for that ride is always RIDICULOUS. Obviously there are people that love it, so if it's not broken ...

It's not my bag, but I'd rather see the money spent elsewhere if people are content to still wait in line for this relic in its current condition.

 

[ilovebassets]

My four year old son loves this ride so much, I actually book it as one of our six MK fastpasses each trip. (We visit MK two days.). He would be heartbroken if it went away. We're always the only ones in the FP line. We get right on every time!

 

[Pixie Princess]

I'd get rid of Stitch or maybe even Buzz Lightyear before I'd get rid of the Speedway. If I were going to update it, I'd either re-theme it to Tron and have the track/road glow at night or I'd re-do the cars to be the retro-future fly cars and deign some sort of ride system that made it seem as if the cars were floating.