|
||||
Photo by Allen Huffman, 2001 |
||||
|
At Disneyland, Autopia is the lone attraction remaining from Tomorrowland’s opening day—although the current incarnation bears little resemblance to the 1955 original. |
||||
 |
||||
|
Here at Yesterland, we have the first 21st century version of Autopia—the one that opened at Disneyland on June 29, 2000. This Autopia is better than ever, thanks to Chevron, the California-based energy company known for all those TV commercials featuring the Chevron Cars. Autopia now offers its guests three different car models. They’re all convertibles—or, more accurately, open-top cars that can’t be converted to anything else. Dusty is a rugged off-road vehicle. Suzy’s cuteness is derived from the Volkswagen Beetle. And Sparky is a sports car, built for speed—except that the top speed for any of them is 6.5 miles per hour. They’re not actual Chevron Car characters from the TV commercials, but there’s a family resemblance. |
||||
Photo by Allen Huffman, 2005 FASTPASS for Autopia at Innoventions |
||||
|
Autopia is a popular ride, so you might want to get a FASTPASS. The machines are on the balcony outside the lower level of Innoventions. Be sure to admire the retro-futuristic columns and spire base, with mottled brownish, greenish, copperish colors—just like Retro Space Mountain. |
||||
Photo by Werner Weiss, 2007 Themed queue and pre-show facility |
||||
|
The color palette of the Autopia structure complements the rest of the New Tomorrowland of 1998. This structure is brand new. Compared to the simple ground-level queue of the old Tomorrowland Autopia, it’s huge. It provides more queue space and even contains a pre-show. |
||||
Photo by Allen Huffman, 2001 Animated Chevron Cars |
||||
|
In the round part of the structure, look into the display windows. Talking, animated Chevron cars within dimensional sets try to entertain you. But if you’re like most guests, you’ll ignore them. There are too many people talking loudly around you to hear the dialog. You’re not missing much. |
||||
Photo by Allen Huffman, 2004 Video screen |
||||
|
A stadium-sized video screen offers more entertainment while you wait. Much of what you’re shown is simple comic strip panel dialog. You might see some of these:
Suzy: “When does an Autopia car stop driving?”
Suzy: “Why did the car cross the road?”
Suzy: “What holds up an engine’s pants?”
Suzy: “What is your favorite musical?”
Suzy: “What is a car’s favorite part of an orchestra?” There are also road condition messages, such as, “SPILLED LOAD OF STRAWBERRY PRESERVES,” followed by the flashing warning, “ROAD JAMMED.” And watch for movie announcements, including this one:
COMING SOON It’s a good thing this is only pre-ride entertainment, not the actual attraction. Need more to keep busy? Read the circular signs above the handrails. |
||||
Photo by Werner Weiss, 2010 Fun facts while you’re waiting |
||||
Photo by Werner Weiss, 2007 Lots of lanes for loading |
||||
|
It’s almost time to get into your Autopia car. If you have a strong preference for a Suzy, Dusty, or Sparky car, now is the time to make your request to a Cast Member. |
||||
Photo by Werner Weiss, 2010 “Route 55”—homage to Autopia as an opening day attraction |
||||
|
You’re on your way. Put the pedal to the metal. Your car reaches its top speed of 6.5 miles per hour. That’s almost 10.5 kilometers per hour. The steering wheel is functional. But in the tradition of all of Disneyland’s Autopia cars since the mid-1960s, a guide rail prevents you from veering out of your lane. |
||||
Photo by Allen Huffman, 2005 “Vintage” Chevron billboard |
||||
|
Kids who aren’t old enough for a driver’s license love this ride. But it’s fun even if you’re someone who already spends too much time behind the wheel. It’s like being a kid again. There’s plenty of scenery along the way, including little signs, big signs, and even a bronzed Midget Autopia car. A Mark V Monorail train sweeps by overhead—going not much faster than your car, as it makes the tight turns of this part of its track. |
||||
Photo by Werner Weiss, 2007 Off-road section |
||||
|
There’s even a part of the roadway where the smooth pavement gives way to a rough off-road experience. Dusty probably likes this part of the route the best. |
||||
Photo by Allen Huffman, 2001 Approaching the end of the ride |
||||
Photo by Allen Huffman, 2001 Traffic jam |
||||
|
The end of the ride simulates another real-world experience—the traffic jam. Your ride is over, but you can’t get out of your Dusty, Suzy, or Sparky yet. Keep inching forward. But don’t hit the car in front of you. For the baby boom generation, such collisions were the best part of the ride. Now they’re forbidden. |
||||
Photo by Allen Huffman, 2005 Colorful cars waiting for the unloading zone |
||||
|
Your ride is over. But wait. There’s more—your chances to get a commemorative Autopia driver’s license and to buy Autopia merchandise. |
||||
Photo by Werner Weiss, 2010 Driver’s license photos |
||||
Photo by Allen Huffman, 2008 Licenses free. Photos not free. |
||||
Photo by Allen Huffman, 2007 Gift shop, of course |
||||
Photo by Allen Huffman, 2008 Different at night |
||||
|
As with all outdoor attractions, the experience at night is quite different. So be sure to return after dusk. Chevron thanks you and hopes that when you’re back in your real car, you’ll fill your tank with Chevron with Techron. |
||||
|
|
||||
|
As already noted, Autopia was an opening day Disneyland attraction (as Autopia Freeway). It was also sponsored by a gasoline company, Richfield Oil, from 1955 to 1970. Over the years, Tomorrowland Autopia saw many changes—including a new track when the Submarine Voyage was built, the addition of Fantasyland Autopia (1959 to 1999) nearby, and new fleets of cars several times. But arguably the biggest change was the one that led to Autopia, presented by Chevron. |
||||
Photo by Chris Bales, 1998 Autopia in 1998—before Chevron |
||||
|
In late 1998, Chevron Corporation issued a press release announcing that it had entered into a multi-year agreement with Disneyland: ANAHEIM, Calif., Oct. 29, 1998 — The Disneyland Resort announced today a joint 13-year marketing, promotion and sponsorship agreement with Chevron that will update and improve Disneyland’s Autopia attraction. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The remodeled Autopia, tentatively scheduled to open in mid-2000, will feature new visual show elements, restyled cars, the introduction of an entertaining pre-show area, and the combined use of the Fantasyland Autopia and Tomorrowland Autopia roadways into a single attraction. Guests will enter the attraction through a new boarding area in Tomorrowland. “We’re very excited to have Chevron join us in refurbishing one of our guests’ all-time favorite attractions,” said Paul Pressler, Disneyland President. “Autopia is a simple and magical experience that allows both children and adults to get behind the wheel of a car, some of them for the very first time, and go for a cruise along the highways of Tomorrowland.” The press release went on to describe the expected changes. |
||||
Photo by Allen Huffman, 2004 Eight-cylinder sign with Chevron Logo (2000 – 2012) |
||||
Photo by Chris Bales, 2012 Eight-cylinder sign with checkered flag instead of Chevron logo (2012 – 2015) |
||||
|
When the 13-year agreement ended in 2012, Chevron did not renew. Disney removed the many Chevron logos that had been scattered throughout the attraction. Otherwise the unsponsored Autopia remained essentially the same. Autopia closed for a major renovation on January 11, 2016. There was no official word what the closure would bring, although word on the Internet was that Honda would become the sponsor. The Internet was right. A press release from Honda made it official: TORRANCE, Calif., Mar 29, 2016 — Honda today announced its sponsorship of the classic Disneyland Resort Autopia attraction, which dates back to the opening day of Disneyland Park in 1955, and allows guests to get behind the wheel of a car and cruise on a winding road trip. The company also committed to the continuation of a multiyear strategic alliance with Disneyland Resort. “Autopia has brought joy to generations of families and has created lasting memories for millions of Disneyland guests,” said Takuji Yamada, president & CEO of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “Honda is proud to sponsor this iconic attraction and continue our alliance with Disneyland Resort.” Honda’s sponsorship of Autopia will include an update to the attraction’s look and storyline that has begun and will continue over the next several months. The attraction is already “Honda powered,” as the cars use Honda engines. “The updates to Autopia provide a perfect opportunity to showcase our long-standing relationship with Honda, and we look forward to sharing the attraction with our guests later this year,” said Michael Colglazier, president of the Disneyland Resort. The Autopia sponsorship extended a marketing alliance that began in 2005 with Honda’s sponsorship of Disneyland Park’s fireworks, Grad Nite events, and Honda’s show featuring ASIMO that had been in Innoventions. |
||||
Photo by Allen Huffman, 2001 Paint scheme matching the 1998 Tomorrowland style |
||||
Photo by Chris Bales, 2016 Paint scheme matching current Tomorrowland style |
||||
|
Autopia quietly reopened April 29, 2016. The 1998 look was finally gone. The queue structure took on Tomorrowland’s palette of silver, grays, and blues. |
||||
Photo by Chris Bales, 2016 Former Sparky car, repainted and with a Honda hood emblem |
||||
Photo by Allen Huffman, 2017 Stylish Honda colors |
||||
|
There was a new palette for the cars too. The formerly colorful and cartoonish cars from the Chevron era were repainted in official Honda colors, such as White Diamond Pearl and Kona Coffee Metallic. Who knew that they would “clean up” so well? The Honda changeover of 2016 wasn’t as major as the Chevron reimagining of 2000, but Autopia is now giving another generation of future motorists their first experiences behind a steering wheel—at least when Disneyland is operating. |
||||
|
|
Click here to post comments at MiceChat about this article.
© 2016-2022 Werner Weiss — Disclaimers, Copyright, and Trademarks Updated June 10, 2022 |
|||
