Your Future Is Calling

While visiting the city of Tomorrowland, stay in touch by stepping into a Metrophone booth, like this one provided by the Galactic Communications Network in Rockettower Plaza. Calls on the GCN Metrophone are always toll free from anywhere in the galaxy, "bringing worlds closer together."

This phone booth in Tomorrowland, added during the area's 1994 update, was originally part of a pair (the other being located where Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin stroller parking is today). Guests standing in one booth could see and speak to Guests standing in the other booth across the plaza, creating a closed-circuit video phone. The gag never really worked as well as imagined, and ultimately the other booth was removed to help open up a crowded area of the park.

In 1999, a small enhancement project was undertaken to bring the remaining Metrophone booth to life in a way that would also add a fun, interactive element to Tomorrowland. I was fortunate enough to be part of that enhancement team as Show Writer for the project. It was one of the most enjoyable assignments I ever got. The challenge was coming up with so many one-sided telephone "conversations" (hence, the large percentage of voice mail messages). The reward was being able to add layers of richness and detail to the story of the land, along with incorporating a few nods to Tomorrowland's past.

What follows is the full script for the Metrophone show. Each time a button on the phone is pressed, the next bit plays in sequence. The voice "actors" heard included our Producer, Sound Engineer and other Imagineers who were available... what's often referred to in the halls of WDI as a "No-Dough Production."

Hello, and thank you for calling the Intergalactic Movie Line, Tomorrowland's direct link to worlds of entertainment. Now playing at the Solar System Cineplex – Attack of the 50-foot Earthling, presented in CosmoScope.

You have reached the Psychic Robots Network. We knew you'd be calling. Please deposit 25 quarks for the first minute, 15 quarks for each additional minute. They're in your left pocket. Thank you.

Hello, dear. Thanks for calling. (Distracted by noises in background) Hayley Comet! Be quiet. Can't you see I'm on the phone? (Back to conversational tone) Kids these days, they think the worlds revolve around them. You were saying…?

You've reached the Star Command Crime Watch Hotline. Be on the lookout for Rusty Rip-off, the robot robber. He was last seen at Rockettower Plaza South, wearing a hat. That is all.

Hiya, babe! It's your agent, Johnny Jupiter. You called? Anyway, I have to call you right back. I'm in a meeting with my #1 client – er, I mean #2 client, Sonny Eclipse. You're always #1 in my book, baby. You know that. Let's do launch! (CLICK)

You've reached Omega-5277. I'm either not home or just screening my calls. And if this is that spacey creep, Zigorx – STOP CALLING ME! I told you, I don't date Martians who are 300 years older than me – at least, not slimy ones like you! Anyone else, leave me a message and I'll call you right back. Love ya. Bye!

Earth Crust Pizza. We deliver anywhere in the Solar System in less than two light years or your order is free. Can you hold, please? (Hold Music: "Now is the Time" – instrumental version) Thanks for holding. I had to take that incoming call from Saturn. They hardly ever give us a ring!

Hi! This is Colleena Lunar, your friendly Rocket Realty representative. If you want space, Rocket Realty's the place! And do I have a space for you! It's a lovely two-bedroom sky-rise in the Hoverburbs, a short commute from downtown Tomorrowland. Remember, in the Hoverburbs, real estate is always looking up!

This is Tomorrowland News Network's Corona Borealis with your local time and weather. As always, it's going to be a great big beautiful tomorrow, and at the tone, the time will be – now! (BEEP)

Of course, "Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" and "Now Is the Time" are references to songs from the Carousel of Progress. Other bits make reference to Sonny Eclipse, the lounge lizard playing Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe, as well as elements found in graphics and other details throughout Tomorrowland.

For those of you wondering, "Why an old-fashioned pay phone in futuristic Tomorrowland?" remember the design of this Tomorrowland was inspired by past visions of the future. Everything here is meant to represent advanced technology, but through the imagination of machine age visionaries. They never could have dreamed of the mobile phones we use today. Instead, they would have pictured a fancier version of the phones with which they were already familiar.