The Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland Speedway

You can hear Tomorrowland Speedway before you see it as you make your way into Tomorrowland!

This is a huge driving attraction where children 32” or taller can actually drive!

Tomorrowland Speedway has stood the test of time because of its nostalgia. Who doesn’t remember a childhood vacation to Disney that involves the excitement of being able to drive a real gas powered car?! This attraction is now delighting its third generation of guests, as it was an opening day attraction for Walt Disney World on October 1, 1971.

The ride was originally known as the Grand Prix Raceway, and then was expanded just 2 years later in 1973. It underwent refurbishment in 1994, and then again in 2008 when it was renamed the Tomorrowland Speedway.

The Queue

The queue line itself is more reminiscent of a pop up carnival ride as you walk up the steel ramps. Children can get excited for their turn by watching the cars while they wait, especially when you tell them that they can take the wheel! This is a very loud attraction, and not one that we would recommend for those with sensitivities to sensory overload. It is very loud, but also there are a lot of smells and vibrations that can be overwhelming to some.

Please note that the queue and the ride itself are completely exposed to the sun, so try to avoid enjoying this one midday.

PRO-TIP: Tomorrowland Speedway is a great attraction at night!

The Ride

For any adult with a driver’s license, Tomorrowland Speedway might not be much, but for a kid who just wants to be grown up, this is a dream come true! The car drives on a 2,000 foot track at a neck breaking speed of 7 MPH. (Your typical Powerwheels Jeep is only 2 MPH, so this is a huge upgrade for kids!) The whole ride lasts for 4 minutes and 45 seconds.

The ride vehicles themselves are tight little cars. You can fit one adult and one child, but two adults could not ride together comfortably. Get multiple cars and race!

FUN FACT: Tomorrowland Speedway sometimes gets special holiday overlays! At Christmas time in 2019, the attraction was equipped with red and green lights throughout the track!

Futuristic Gas Powered Cars?

Tomorrowland is themed to be the land of the future, but what is hard is that tomorrow always comes and slips into yesterday. The fact that the country was already running on gas-powered vehicles in the 1970s when this ride opened meant that it was never very “Tomorrow” even on day one. There has been so much speculation surrounding this attraction and Tomorrowland as a whole. We suspect that Disney is waiting for the right sponsor to come along and help to convert this attraction into a more modern and clean version of what it is today with electric cars.

OUR MUSINGS: Wouldn’t it be so cool if Imagineers found a way to use the technology of movement with magnets like they use for the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover to make the cars basically “hover” over the track?

Hey Disney, we have lots of ideas over here at Military Disney Tips if you ever want to chat!

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