The Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland Speedway

8 December 2022 by Erin Schreiver Leave a Comment

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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!

The 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 was then 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!

The Tomorrowland Speedway is a Lightning Lane Multi Pass attraction.

Height Requirement

Guests must be at least 32 inches tall to ride Tomorrowland Speedway as a passenger and 54 inches tall to drive solo.

Rider Swap

Rider Swap is available for Tomorrowland Speedway. Speak with a Cast Member at the entrance, and they’ll assist in setting it up so everyone in your party who meets the height requirement can enjoy the drive.

Accessibility

Guests using wheelchairs or ECVs must transfer to the ride vehicle to experience Tomorrowland Speedway. The queue is accessible, and Cast Members are available to assist with boarding if needed.

Effects/Sensory Warning

Very loud attraction
Exhaust Fumes!
Lots of vibration throughout the attraction
And you could be rear-ended!

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This article was written by Erin Schreiver and reviewed by Steve Bell, founder of Military Disney Tips.

Erin is a military spouse who enjoys visiting Walt Disney World with her family, pin trading, and collecting Minnie ears and Disney coffee mugs.

Steve is a retired U.S. military member who has been visiting the Disney Parks since 1971 and writing about Disney military discounts and vacations for the military community for over 18 years.

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