So the Tomorrowland Speedway is staying? Say it ain't so!

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So the Tomorrowland Speedway is staying? Say it ain't so!

If there's one "attraction" at WDW that I'd like to see gone, it's the Tomorrowland Speedway. How it still operates in 2017 is baffling seeing how everything is going green. The fumes that come from that thing are atrocious.

When I heard the recent rumour that it might be closing, all I could think was "Good Riddance" and hoped it would be walled up by our next trip.

Now, it is apparently staying. I don't have anything against the idea of a kiddie race track, but those gas engines have to go. You would think they would have switched to electric ages ago. I hate being anywhere near it as it stands.

What do you think?

jtownpluto's picture
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Joined: 12/29/2013
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I don't hate the attraction, but update the cars, get rid of the fumes. It's in " Tomorrow Land" - it needs to be futuristic.

JMed's picture
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We rode it ONCE. Just to say we did it.

The cars are awful hard to steer and keep kind of straight and if you are close to another car, you need a gas mask.

They really need to update it ASAP or like YESTERDAY!!!

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Always said the cars should be given the Cars skin and turned into electric runners. The Tron Lightcycle ride belongs elsewhere in my mind

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KenJ wrote:
I don't have anything against the idea of a kiddie race track, but those gas engines have to go. You would think they would have switched to electric ages ago. I hate being anywhere near it as it stands.

What do you think?

It's a nonissue for me. I haven't been on it in years, I just sort of walk on by. However, it does always seem to have a line. I think it would be amazing if they switched it to electric cars, especially because that sticks with the theme of moving towards "the future." Disney does so much to be environmentally responsible, you would think this one would be a piece of cake.

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I rode this once........back in 1981. It wasn't very futuristic 36 yrs ago, it certainly isn't now. Go karts with a lawn mower engine. Every time I see these "cars" I just imagine the nightmare of trying to keep them running, I bet they have a full time mechanic that does nothing but work on them endlessly. I don't know much about electric engines, I'm wondering if the charge time takes longer than the run time. If so, that might be why they haven't changed.

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Agreed. I hate the smell of these cars. Instant headache for me. I was very much hoping to see it go.

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... While I too, am annoyed by the fumes....

I have to say... I'm kind of glad the speedway is staying... simply for the sake of nostalgia. mickey

With so many of the "Old" attractions being removed and replaced, 20,000 leagues, Mr. Toad, the original Snow White ride, Mickey's toon town, etc.....

I remember riding these go carts with my dad way back when I was seven... and in part still ride them because I remember riding them with my dad.

And when the line is at a low wait time (20 minutes or so) ... and just as I still take a whirl on the teacups to see how fast I can spin... I also still get in line and take a whirl around the track... out of Nostalgia.... And I still enjoy it. Its actually nice ride in the evening after its cooled off.

Yes the steering is difficult, but that's part of the challenge and the fun.

I would guess that this ride might have some staying power because its ability to manage crowds in that part of the park.

The ride is relatively high capacity at 40 or so cars circulating around both tracks. There are ALWAYS cars coming back in as fast as they are leaving... so even with a long line, because the exchange is continuous, the turnaround time is quick. Not to mention its still a bit of a longer ride to ride because it takes 5 minutes or so to maneuver your way around the track.

That's a lot of people who _are not_ in line for space mountain, seven dwarfs mine train, and peter pan. This also makes it an easy "filler" in between fast passes, especially if you are wanting to stay in that area of the park.

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wdwizbest wrote:
Go karts with a lawn mower engine. . .. .. I'm wondering if the charge time takes longer than the run time. If so, that might be why they haven't changed.

My bet is this is probably part of the problem with trying to update.

I actually have a rechargeable battery operated electric lawnmower at home with a 40 volt battery.... Its perfect for me and my small front and back yards..... but it takes a couple of hours to charge the battery, and i really need to/ should recharge between mowing my front and back yards (which takes all of 15 or 20 minutes).....

Certainly these cars would probably need a much bigger battery, for how often they have to run, but the sustainability of keeping them charged for keeping them continuously running on the track (and not having them die in the middle of the track) has to be an issue for the ride if they would consider upgrading the vehicles.

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Not something I would ride every trip. I had fun riding it with my nephew in February.

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alicemouse wrote:
Agreed. I hate the smell of these cars. Instant headache for me. I was very much hoping to see it go.

It's the same in Paris, both versions give me a headache.

I ride it for personal memories and nostalgia, but only once per trip and only if I feel on top form.

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JMed wrote:
We rode it ONCE. Just to say we did it.

The cars are awful hard to steer and keep kind of straight and if you are close to another car, you need a gas mask.

They really need to update it ASAP or like YESTERDAY!!!

What she said. Every word of it.

Yes, rode it once, by myself (hubby has no interest) while I was killing time waiting for him to arrive at MK, just to say I'd done it. Never again, unless they do a serious upgrade.

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Hmmm I see Erik and I are the weirdos laugh we actually ride them almost every trip FOR the fumes! Erik needs his dose of pollution. I'm pretty sure our 1982 Volvo smells worse than those things laugh

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Spook wrote:
Hmmm I see Erik and I are the weirdos laugh we actually ride them almost every trip FOR the fumes! Erik needs his dose of pollution. I'm pretty sure our 1982 Volvo smells worse than those things laugh

rolling

I might have to finally try this during one of our next trips.

JMed's picture
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I see it now... WDWFGU Big Fall Meet Up takes over Tomorrowland Speedway!!!!

Vroooom vroooom *cough cough* vrooooom

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This sums up my reaction to the speedway...

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laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh

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JMed's picture
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laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh laugh

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"I do not like the cone of shame."

"I want adventure in the great wide somewhere. I want it more than I can tell."

"It seems to me that we have a lot of story yet to tell."

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