Tommorowland Speedway......am I missing something?

[cakebaker]

We haven't ridden it in years, but I have a grandson who desperately wants to ride it. He's not near tall enough yet to drive though and that's what he wants to do, so we try and avoid letting him see the ride because it's big problem- translation, he practically has a melt-down wanting to go on it.

I'd love it if they refurbished it with a CARS theme, but that's just me. I'd hate to see it go. I'm weirdly attached to it.

 

[JZCubed]

This seems to be a pretty popular attraction. What am I missing? Long lines. Smelly exhaust. For an attraction that boils down to the a terrible go-cart ride. We passed on it on our first trip and as of now will pass on it again. Anyone have a reason we should do it?

Once my child was tall enough to ride at our local go-cart funhouse, she no longer asks to go to TomorrowLand Speedway. My wife appreciates avoiding those fumes too.

 

[Newsies]

I think the experience can also differ depending on when you choose to experience it. During the day, it's so unappealing to me due to the long lines and allure of attractions around it. But I had a really fun memory driving it in 2010 with my mother. It was late in evening, either close to park closing or EMH, and there was no line so we hopped on. I got to drive and we were laughing the whole time through.

That being said, I probably wouldn't go on it again if it-
1). Was smack-dab in the middle of the day in the icky Florida heat
B). Had a line (doesn't even matter how long)
Lastly). Was near a better attraction or a character meet with a shorter line

I do think it has the potential to be better with a major refurb.

 

[kidd_freeper]

This seems to be a pretty popular attraction. What am I missing? Long lines. Smelly exhaust. For an attraction that boils down to the a terrible go-cart ride. We passed on it on our first trip and as of now will pass on it again. Anyone have a reason we should do it?

Its a kids ride.
The parks are loaded with attractions for 4-12 yo girls.
This is one attraction suited for 4-12 yo boys.

My boys used to love it. They've outgrown it.

Just like they've outgrown the Merry-Go-Round, Dumbo, Tales with Belle, Aladdin's carpet ride, Tiki Birds. Etc.

Do you have a 4-12 y/o male child/grandchild?
=> If yes, ride it.
=> If no, skip it, and let others enjoy it without tearing it down.

 

[GillianP1301]

My son loves this ride and I love being driven around by him and enjoying how much fun he is having doing it.

It is low capacity/slow loading though and the line can get a bit ridiculous, which is why I tend to use a FP for it (it's one that we were able to get day of in the park as our 4th+)

 

[tlmadden73]

It's a kids ride .. and a ride from a by-gone era .. just like the car rides at other theme parks around the country (like the antique cars at King's Dominion). For many it is nostalgia (I remember going on rides like this all over the place when I was a kid in the 80s). Now it is for little kids who get to drive a real car on their own. That's it .. just like riding on Dumbo or Aladdin's Carpets aren't that exciting for anyone older than 8 .. same goes for this ride. Not sure what anyone was expecting.

I mean .. yes .. in today's modern world where you can drive 15 minutes to your local go-kart track or play realistic driving games on your giant TV .. the age range of "excitement" in this ride has probably decreased. But yes, in general, skip the long lines unless you have a child from 3-8. After 40+ years it isn't quite "Tomorrowland" material anymore is it?

In general a lot of the rides at Disney World aren't "exciting" as a Six Flags theme park, but it is all about seeing the Magic in your child's eyes OR feeling young again yourself as you try and envision it when YOU were a child.

The main problem with the ride it is slow moving and not many people can be on it at once. So it just naturally has long lines .. not from its popularity.

 

[DVCcurious]

As a boy this was my favorite ride at Disneyland. The last time I went to Disneyland was when I was 10. When I was 34 my wife and I were going to WDW for the first time. I made a list of "must do" rides based on what I remember LOVING when I was younger. My top rides list included:

Tomorrowland Speedway
Dumbo
Astro Orbiter
Jungle Cruise
Disneyland Railroad

As a 34 year old these rides just didn't pack the punch they did when I was 5, 8, and 10. But I do remember LOVING autotopia because I got to drive a car.

There are some attractions that exist solely for the under-10 set.

 

[hookedonears]

This seems to be a pretty popular attraction. What am I missing? Long lines. Smelly exhaust. For an attraction that boils down to the a terrible go-cart ride. We passed on it on our first trip and as of now will pass on it again. Anyone have a reason we should do it?

Children love it. More experienced children (adults), enjoy watching their children enjoying it.

 

[Frank4202]

I agree, not much fun at all. Remove the tracks and the fun will greatly increase. However, its geared towards younger children so I understand this will never happen lol.

 

[DopeyDame]

We haven't ridden it in years, but I have a grandson who desperately wants to ride it. He's not near tall enough yet to drive though and that's what he wants to do, so we try and avoid letting him see the ride because it's big problem- translation, he practically has a melt-down wanting to go on it.

I'd love it if they refurbished it with a CARS theme, but that's just me. I'd hate to see it go. I'm weirdly attached to it.

Just wanted to clarify that they have two different height limits. One is to ride at all, but that's a really small limit (34" I think). The other is to actually ride alone (ie, drive all by yourself). My kids - ages 2 and 5 - aren't tall enough to go alone, but they LOVE it. They don't really care that mom's pushing the pedal, as long as they get to steer. That's all "driving" really means to a little kid anyway. Definitely take your grandson on it and let him steer!

 

[cakebaker]

Just wanted to clarify that they have two different height limits. One is to ride at all, but that's a really small limit (34" I think). The other is to actually ride alone (ie, drive all by yourself). My kids - ages 2 and 5 - aren't tall enough to go alone, but they LOVE it. They don't really care that mom's pushing the pedal, as long as they get to steer. That's all "driving" really means to a little kid anyway. Definitely take your grandson on it and let him steer!

It's been so long since we rode this, probably 10+ years or more, I forget exactly how it works. Are there steering wheels on both sides? If so- we're riding! Thanks! He'll love it. No more avoiding that area- what a relief!! lol

 

[DisneyFive]

Everyone has their own tastes in rides.

We loved it, especially our first couple of years. All three of our kids had an amazing time trying to steer the car, while the parents worked the gas pedal. (this was the first time they had ever steered a motorized vehicle). When my oldest daughter was tall enough to drive on her own, she was crazy excited. A highlight of her trip.

So yes, while for adults it may be just another go-cart ride, without the best line queue, it turns into SO much more when you get to enjoy it with your kids and see how much fun they are having. Two of my favorite WDW memories are the videos of my older daughter bouncing in line in anticipation of driving a car all on her own, and also my younger daughter steering her car, bouncing it back and forth on the track trying to get it under control.

Dan

 

[Thing 1]

Yep....Little boys love it! DS begged to use one of our FP for it last trip!

 

[JoshuaShaw]

The Tomorrowland Speedway is like the drum set of the Magic Kingdom. Kids love it, parents want to eat a gun.

 

[StatlerNotWaldorf]

Based on what I am reading here if my kids have no interest then I should just be thankful and keep walking past it. My kids have been on real go-carts so they were all for this until we watched a video and they realized it was on a track.

 

[DopeyDame]

It's been so long since we rode this, probably 10+ years or more, I forget exactly how it works. Are there steering wheels on both sides? If so- we're riding! Thanks! He'll love it. No more avoiding that area- what a relief!! lol

Sorry I didn't respond sooner - I just saw this!
Nope, just one steering wheel. But the cars are on a track, so it's no big deal if the kid doesn't steer well. In fact, my son purposely drives us back and forth to slam into the track. (good times... good times.)

 

[chelseabun76]

Did I not just read that this is shutting down sometime this spring? I know rumors are rumors but I am sure I read it on a *cough* reputable site. lol

 

[acpalmer]

The steering wheel is only on one side, so just sit the kid on that side. The pedal is pretty much in the middle, so you can reach it regardless of what side you are sitting on.