Astro Orbiter

(Tomorrowland)

Astro Orbiter is a spinner attraction (similar to Magic Carpets of Aladdin and Dumbo) which is based upon a podium high above Tomorrowland. Before the ride actually begins, guests must board an elevator, and await further instruction from ground control before lift-off. Once clearance has been granted, guests board 2 seater 'rockets' and prepare for lift off! Guests can then take full control of their rocket, control the height that each vehicle goes. The ride aboard the rocket is approximately 1.5 minutes, but the entire experience can take as long as 10-15 minutes. As with the other WDW spinner rides, guests have the ability to control the height of the individual rockets using controls within the vehicles. Due to the slow loading nature of this attraction, the queues can grow large quickly - they are commonly shorter in the evening when, in our opinion, is the best time to ride this high-flying attraction! This attraction is high above Tomorrowland, so is not for those who are scared of heights, but does provide a stunning view of the rest of the park! This attraction has a lap restraint. Astro Orbiter first opened 3 years after the park opened, opening on 28th November 1974. The ride was originally named Star Jets, but was renamed to Astro Orbiter in the Tomorrowland redesign back in 1994. The ride re-opened with the new name on 30th April 1994, at which time the planets were added around the attraction to add to the theme of the land. The rocket ride formed an astetically pleasing center to Tomorrowland, due to its high central location within the land.

Fun Fact: The rockets travel at approximately 11 revolutions per minute and average 1.2 million miles per year!