Tag Archives: Closed

May 28, 1960 – The Frontierland Attraction Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland Opens in Disneyland

“You know, Nature’s Wonderland is awful pretty, but sometimes she can be a mighty rugged place to live.”

On May 28, 1960, the Frontierland attraction Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland opened; it was formerly the Rainbow Caverns Mine Train, which closed in 1959. The attraction took guests through the unexplored wilderness of the West, incorporating the Painted Desert and the Rainbow Caverns of the previous attraction. Over 200 audio-animatronic animals were used in the attraction, as well as tumbling rocks and various plant formations. Walt designed the attraction himself, as he was not pleased with what his designers came up with. The attraction was closed on January 2, 1977, to make room for the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad; the latter has many pieces within the attraction that pay homage to its predecessor.

May 22, 1998 – The Tomorrowland Attraction Rocket Rods Opens in Disneyland

“We had a beautiful show designed for [Rocket Rods], but we weren’t able to do it. It just became a fast ride around the park. If it had the show, it would have been great.” – Imagineer and Disney Legend Tony Baxter

On May 22, 1998, the Tomorrowland attraction Rocket Rods opened in Disneyland, replacing the PeopleMover attraction that closed in 1995. The attraction, designed as a high-speed transit system, had guests travel around in a five-passenger vehicle for a track a mile long, which provided a view of all the attractions of Tomorrowland. Unfortunately, the attraction had many technical challenges, closing several times for mechanical problems and refurbishments. It was officially closed on September 5, 2000.

March 24, 1956 – The Tomorrowland Attraction Astro-Jets Opens in Disneyland

“Pilot your very own rocket ship high in the sky above Tomorrowland…”

On March 24, 1956, the Tomorrowland attraction Astro-Jets opened in Disneyland. The attraction has gone through several renamings and redesigns. In 1964, the attraction was known as the Tomorrowland Jets, until 1966, when it was closed to make way for a refurbishment of Tomorrowland. The new incarnation of the attraction returned in 1967, and was renamed the Rocket Jets. In 1997, the attraction was closed again when Tomorrowland needed renovations. The newest version of the attraction, the Astro Orbiter, opened in 1998. The attraction itself is similar to Dumbo the Flying Elephant, where guests board their vessel and, while spinning around a central column, use a lever to drive the vessel up and down, giving guests a birds-eye view of the park.