Located in the heart of Tomorrowland is the League of Planets' Astro Orbiter, a symbol of interplanetary fellowship and universal harmony. This sky school gives even the most inexperienced of Tomorrowland's citizens the opportunity to pilot a rocket of their very own.
Just head up the lift to the gantry platform, and prepare to board. Happy flying, Astronauts!
Astro Orbiter is the latest in a long line of Tomorrowland rocket rides, dating back to the original Astro Jets that opened at Disneyland in 1956. In 1967, when a new Tomorrowland came to Disneyland, Guests could board Rocket Jets. For the first time, the attraction was elevated to the top of the PeopleMover platform, adding immeasurably to the thrill factor.
Rockets came to Walt Disney World with the expansion of Tomorrowland in 1974. Here, the Star Jets were placed atop the WEDway PeopleMover, just as at Disneyland. Passengers aboard the Star Jets circled a Saturn V-style rocket for soaring views of Tomorrowland until 1994, when the attraction gave way to the Astro Orbiter we know today. The look of the ride may have been updated, but the excitement young astronauts feel as they blast into the heavens has been ongoing for more than 50 years.
For some reason, this is the one ride at WDW that makes me absolutely ill - I can ride the coasters or drop down the Tower of Terror all day long, but this one just makes my knees buckle. A shame, since the view up there is so fantastic!
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