Tomorrowland has always been in some sort of a mess since its introduction on opening day of Disneyland. Whether it be a lack of an individual identity or killer attraction, the area of the park is in constant upheaval in an attempt to both match the original idea of a science fiction future while maintaining relevance with modern children’s interests. The latter in fact is mostly achieved through reference to respected intellectual properties.
Some of the greatest successes in Tomorrowland, specifically that of Disneyland’s Tomorrowland, have been produced using IP’s that have become part of the science fiction vernacular. For example, Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters has become a staple of most families vacations to the park, specifically because of the popularity the Star Command Cadet maintains with younger children and adults alike. In addition, Star Tours: The Adventure Continues continues the Star Wars experience, taking place in between episodes three and four, further developing the universe. Guests can simulate experiences in each of these attractions, experiences similar to those that the films each present.
A crucial aspect of science fiction comes from the incessant want to experience the future. We can only live for a finite amount of time, so the developments of the far future are unlikely to be seen by anybody reading this article. Authors have been trying to give their audience a sample of the utopian future, filled with extraterrestrial contact, flying vehicles, and lasers. Many, many lasers. It only makes sense to rely on widely understood forms of the future, as many can relate to having that vision before. Space Mountain is the one attraction in Tomorrowland that has achieved widespread acclaim, and is a household name amongst families.
The future of space travel has been captured in a themed roller coaster, but still a cliche future that bears no resemblance to what may be. In fact for about a year now, Space Mountain is no longer, being replaced with Hyperspace Mountain. Hyperspace Mountain is relatively the same attraction, but visuals have been replaced with those from the Star Wars franchise. Once again, it seems that using familiar properties yields better results, better results leads to an increase in profit, which is the ultimate goal of the company.
From this, we can determine that the main goal of Tomorrowland, and the main distinction between that and EPCOT, is that the land is made exclusively in the idea of science fiction, not “Tomorrow.” Advances in technology don’t necessarily allow for the development of interesting attractions, but capturing the invigorating moments that keep people returning to science fiction does. Within the rough though, is a diamond of the future waiting to be found. Or at least, there was.
In 1998, Innoventions was opened in the theater that was previously home to Carousel of Progress and American Sings. Attempting to explain the technological marvels of the time to guests, Innoventions contained nearly zero intellectual properties upon opening, with spaces in the two floor building being devoted to technologies of companies that sponsored exhibits. General Motors and Hewlett-Packard are only a few of the companies that used space the show off new technology, amongst other activities for guests to experience. Compared to the other attractions in Tomorrowland, Innoventions attempted to express the future in our society. One that we can visualize and understand simply because it is in the now. Other attractions open the possibilities of the distant future, but understanding where we are going currently may be more important for our civilization.
In 2005, Honda took to Innoventions to expose ASIMO to an American audience. ASIMO, or Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility, was an experiment developed by Honda in 2000, specifically to assist those with zero mobility using a fully mobile robotic assistant. Since its inception, ASIMO has been a staple of robotic innovation, and a celebrity to technologically minded people around the world. Standing at 4 feet 3 inches, ASIMO would appear in a repeating show at Innoventions, showing the achievement off to the crowd. It was quite a feat to be observed, and fit perfectly in the futuristic hub that is Tomorrowland. Promising a better tomorrow for everybody in the human race no matter their abilities, the accepting nature of fantasy in the Disney Parks cultivated new and free thought.
Eventually, all good things in the Disney Parks seem to come to an end. Innoventions became more and more devoid of the promise the first incarnation held. Tom Morrow, the audio-animatronic host of the pavilion was removed, and so was a majority of the stations open on opening day. What was left were Disney Infinity Kiosks, the Microsoft Home of Tomorrow, the Iron Man Experience, and Say Hello to Honda’s ASIMO. The growing interest in Marvel and Star Wars, and the thirst for these properties in the park put Disney in a tough spot. To appease the fans, Innoventions was shut down in 2015 to make way for both the Marvel Superhero HQ and the Star Wars Launch Bay, two meet-and-greet areas on separate floors of the building that formerly housed Innoventions.
Yet the aspirations of dreamers never fully disappears. Old ideas become new eventually, and we see a resurgence inspiration, flooding the minds of those graced by progress. In April of 2016, Chevron was dropped as the main sponsor for Autopia, the famous driving simulator ride in Disneyland. Following this sponsorship was a complete overhaul of car design and attraction theming. Remastering a classic ride is rarely met with acceptance, but in this instance the community was generally accepting to the fact.
In 2017, Honda unveiled the second phase of the new sponsorship. Honda worked with WDI to introduce both ASIMO and their new character Bird to the attraction, developing a storyline that involved a road trip, in which the two characters engage in wacky antics while showing off the slick new technology from Honda. Miraculously, the community accepted this addition with loving arms. The change is not intrusive, and would further develop a classic ride in a fashion that maintains the original meaning. Bird’s need to develop flying vehicles and ASIMO’s need to assist in these adventures encapsulates the technological basis of “tomorrow.”
The introduction of ASIMO in Autopia reintroduces the purpose of Innoventions in a more subtle way. ASIMO seems to be an icon at this point in time, meaning it does not require the 15 minute presentation that had previously been used to describe the technology. He is now a character in the same way Ronald McDonald is, as branding of a company for the masses to interpret when understanding a technology. Imagineers pulled the most important aspects of Innoventions (at least, most important thematic aspects) and introduced them into one of the more dated attractions at the park. Progress is progress, no matter the location.
Disneyland desperately needs individuality, and recently it has only seen corporate cash-in developments disguised as “improvements” (See GotG Mission Breakout). The introduction of ASIMO to Autopia sings to a different tune than that of cash. It is unlikely that this will draw any new guests to the park, and it does not desecrate on the grounds of the original vision. Blending the nostalgia of 50’s Sci-Fi with modern advancements in technology truly recaptures the vision of Tomorrowland that the designers had opening day. It remains to be seen what will happen next, but progress shall always stand strong.
Ryan Dorman is a Columnist for the Boardwalk Times
