While the world struggles with the pandemic, Disneyland has been offering a different kind of experience – a glimpse of what it would be like to be back in the golden era of theme parks.
The Happiest Place on Earth has been decked out to look like it could be a movie set from the golden era of amusement parks. Designers painstakingly recreated famous rides from the 1950s and ’60s, when Disneyland first opened its doors.
Many of these beloved attractions are located at Tomorrowland – the sci-fi-themed area of the theme park. In 2021, Tomorrowland became even more exciting as it was rechristened as “Tomorrowland Imax Theater.” The iconic Space Tower – an 800-foot structure that towers over the area – underwent a complete restoration and reopened to the public. The reopening was marked by an Imax presentation of the movie The Curse of the Jade Scorpion.
New Attraction: Cosmic Cyclone
One of the most exciting new attractions at Tomorrowland is Cosmic Cyclone. The ride itself is an indoor version of the classic wooden roller coaster, with some modern twists. The most obvious difference between the two is the vehicle. While old-school wooden roller coasters usually had big, lumbering animals on them, Cosmic Cyclone has an astronaut theme, fitting for its location in Tomorrowland.
The ride itself is a great recreation of the wooden roller coaster experience. The vehicle is a capsule that seats four and drops almost immediately into a complete stop. There’s also a small chance the capsule could detach, so be on the lookout for some extra-terrestrial flocking as you plummet toward the ground. It’s a crazy experience, one that packs a punch and is certainly a crowd pleaser. Children especially love it, as they get a giggle out of the initial jerkiness of the ride and the suddenness of the stops. And even though it’s an indoor ride, it still gets pretty hot in here.
Classic Rides
The nostalgia craze that swept the nation in the past few months made it easier for people to visit Disneyland even when they don’t normally like to spend that much time in a confined place. And what better way to spend a day than by riding one of Disneyland’s classic rides?
Many fans of the brand were able to make it there during the opening weekend of May. And what a glorious debut it was. The park reopened to huge crowds, and it looked like everyone had a blast. Old-school Disneyland fans will surely feel right at home once they step foot in the park. It’s like going back in time and being re-introduced to all the attractions that you remember so fondly from your childhood. It’s amazing how much work went into recreating the old rides and making them accessible and fun for everyone.
One of the most popular rides is undoubtedly the Matterhorn. Although it’s one of the smallest rides in Disneyland, the Matterhorn’s timeless design has made it the star of the show. And what an experience it is. The Matterhorn is such an iconic part of Disneyland’s history that it was impossible for fans to miss. The queue line for the ride is always a mile long, and it doesn’t hurt that the view of the majestic Swiss mountain from the top of the ride is phenomenal. It’s one of the park’s most photographed rides. And, of course, everyone loves that sweet little bunny. If you’re looking for a ride that provides some nice and relaxing views as well as a small amount of historical amusement, the Matterhorn is for you.
The Many Voices Of Disney
Happily, Disney never really left us. The popular media company continues to release new movies, and this past year they surpassed $14 billion at the box office. Most importantly, Disney’s creative team never stopped coming up with new ideas for attractions and experiences. Many of these new additions to the Disneyland lineup can be found in Tomorrowland. One of the most prominent examples is the Mad Tea Party.
The Mad Tea Party takes inspiration from one of Disney’s oldest rides – the Autopia Carrousel – a 1930s Ferris wheel themed arcade game that was a part of Disneyland Paris. The Mad Tea Party’s designers tried to capture the nostalgia experienced by players of the original Autopia game and bring it to life in the here and now. The Mad Tea Party is basically a ride inside of a ride. You start off in a small tea party with Disney characters, where you get to meet characters from the Ratchet & Clank and Marvel Comics franchises. After paying your respects to the hostess of the tea party, you get to join in on the action as you sit back and enjoy tea, coffee, and cocktails while watching the action unfold in front of you.
Perhaps the most unique attraction in Tomorrowland is the Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Based on the 1936 Disney movie of the same name, the Sorcerer’s Apprentice presents riders with a frightening yet alluring glimpse into the life of a sorcerer. The queue for this dark ride – one of the most photographed attractions in the park – draws long hours, and it’s one of the most popular rides during Halloween season. If you love dark rides or scary movies, you’ll have a blast on the Sorcerer’s Apprentice. This ride is definitely not for the faint of heart.
Overall Impression
We couldn’t leave you without mentioning that Disneyland is one of the most popular destinations in the country right now. And that’s probably because of all the fun and excitement that comes with re-living one’s childhood. Even if you’re not a huge fan of Disney, it’s hard not to be swept up in the nostalgia pandora’s box that is the Happiest Place on Earth right now. It would be criminal not to visit Disneyland at least once in your lifetime. So if you’ve got a hankering to see what all the fuss is about, why not give it a shot? You might just have one of the most enjoyable days ever. Just try to keep your phone charged – it’s a long walk back to the car after all that joy. And don’t forget to use the free WiFi to keep in touch with friends and family while you’re there.