In 1998, Disneyland park in Anaheim, California got a "New" Tomorrowland. The area got a bronze "steampunk" look, with inspiration from the Jules Verne feel of Discoveryland at Disneyland Paris that opened in 1992. Disneyland's new Tomorrowland even got a new "fast" ride called Rocket Rods that took over the old PeopleMover attraction track. McDonald's promoted the new Tomorrowland, but not in the United States. This Disneyland Tomorrowland McDonald's Happy Meal was released in Asia. This particular set is from Thailand. The four toys interlock to become a little version of Tomorrowland.
The anchor piece of this set is a balancing toy called Minnie's Space Station.
This is marketing at work, as there is no "Space Station" ride in Tomorrowland. This appears to blend the land's Observatron sculpture with the Astro Orbiter rocket ride.
Here, the Astro Orbiter gets a new name, "Mickey's Astro Rocket."
At Disneyland in California, the Astro Orbiter is at ground level. In Florida, it is high in the sky on top of the roof of the PeopleMover load station.
Donald's Spinning Saucer is based on...I'm not sure what, actually. The Flying Saucers ride that existed at Disneyland from 1961 to 1966?
There is a Jet Packs ride at Shanghai Disneyland's Tomorrowland (opened in 2016) and an Alien Spinning Saucers ride coming to Toy Story Land at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida (in 2018).
One of the most heavily promoted aspects of the new Tomorrowland was a new "thrill ride" called Rocket Rods. Here it is called Goofy's Rocket Racer. This ride took over the old PeopleMover track and was supposed to pop a wheelie and race around Tomorrowland.
Rocket Rods closed for good in 2001, after facing all sorts of technical problems and disappointments.
The "New" Tomorrowland quickly became something in the past. The concept of Tomorrowland has changed quite a bit at the Disney Parks over the years, and continues to do so.
How strange that they were marketing "New Tomorrowland 1998" in Asia. I wonder how many people were actually persuaded by this marketing campaign to plan a trip to the U.S. to see the fiasco in person? I have to say that I actually like these toys better than the full-sized finished product! Thanks for sharing these, Dan!
ReplyDeleteHey TokyoMagic! I agree the situation seems unusual. A simpler set was released in Australia, so I guess hopes were high for this New Tomorrowland.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Donald's flying saucer is intended to be referencing some sort of ride, it's just Donald in a flying saucer because flying saucers are considered futuristic.
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