Autopia
The
Autopia is the only existing attraction in Tomorrowland dating back to opening
day, July 17, 1955. Celebrities who joined the opening day festivities and
drove the Autopia included Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin, Jimmy Stewart, and Sammy
Davis Jr.
1955
Imagineer Robert Gurr created the original Autopia cars as the ultimate fantasy
vehicles, inspired by sleek, high-performance European sports cars, such as the
1953/54 Ferrari and Porsche Spyder. The final result was the Mark I Autopia,
which featured aerodynamic lines, rounded front grille, and an appealing
profile.
Because the original Autopia had no center guide rail, each of these designs
features a wrap around bumper designed to protect the passengers and car. The
roadways featured a single track, which resulted in long lines of Guests
waiting for their chance to take to the road.
1956
The overwhelming popularity of the Tomorrowland Autopia led to the quick
creation of the Junior Autopia in 1956 on an unused piece of land across from
Storybook Land. Although the vehicles looked the same as those at the
Tomorrowland Autopia, extension blocks were placed on the foot pedals and
booster seats added to accommodate smaller drivers.
1957
Designed for the youngest drivers, the Midget Autopia featured a ride system
that was more similar to the Fantasyland dark rides than the other Autopias.
The child-size cars ran along a center bus bar through tunnels, along straightaways,
and through a barn. Located next to Storybook Land, the Midget Autopia ran from
1957 to 1966.
1958
The Junior Autopia closed to make way for the Matterhorn Bobsleds and the
Monorail, which premiered as part of the "New Attractions of 1959."
1959
When Disneyland reopened the Tomorrowland Autopia in 1959, it introduced a
completely new body design. Influenced by the new "space age"
automotive concepts, the Mark V featured stylish upswept fins -- the height of
futuristic design in the late 1950s.
At the same time, Disneyland introduced the new Fantasyland Autopia, which was
located across from Matterhorn Mountain. Both Autopias featured similar
triangle-shaped, double-sided boarding areas (two tracks at each attraction),
scenic straightaways, bridges, and cloverleafs. At one point, all four ride
tracks converged, creating Tomorrowland's own four-lane superhighway.
1963
The original track was wide enough to allow cars to pass, just like a real
roadway. Some rambunctious youngsters deliberately spun out and happily ran
their cars off the road. In 1963, Disneyland added a center guide rail to keep
all vehicles safely centered on the highway.
1967
The Autopia cruised into the future in 1967 when the old cars were phased out
in favor of the new Mark VII model. This sporty new style is remarkably similar
to the Corvette "Stingray," a car that debuted at the same period.
This design proved so timeless that the cars remained essentially unchanged for
more than 30 years.
(c)
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