The Tomorrowland attractions have been designed to give you an opportunity to participate in adventures that are a living blueprint of our future.
Four creative visionaries, all in different ways. All four have versions of Tomorrowland. You get to decide which Tomorrowland is your favorite!
Walt Disney’s Tomorrowland (Walt Disney World and Disneyland)
“It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.”- Walt Disney
Walt Disney’s Tomorrowland is Disneyland’s and Walt Disney World’s Tomorrowland. Walt was the man who truly created Tomorrowland. The rest on the list have just had adaptions of the land. Walt’s Tomorrowland focused on the future that never was. Prominently focusing on rockets and robots that would rule our tomorrow.
Walt’s futuristic ideals would eventually lead him to design the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. Out of all the visionaries on this list, Walt is the true champion of Tomorrowland. I could go and on about Walt’s impact on Tomorrowland, and how his version of the land would become the standard as we know it but that could be a completely different article for another time.
Synopsis of Walt Disney’s Tomorrowland: A time where progress never stopped, where a trip to Mars is as easy as a trip to Florida, and where we have robots as our butlers.
Not to mention a land where we could use better forms of transportation like PeopleMovers, Jet Packs, and personal spaceships.
Jules Verne Tomorrowland (Disneyland Paris)
“Anything one man can imagine, other men can make real.”- Jules Verne
Yes, even though it is technically called Discoveryland. Jules Verne has had a significant vision of his very own Tomorrowland. The famed author of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea, Journey to the Center of the Earth, and Around the World in Eighty Days.
You could say Jules Verne was ahead of his time especially for living in the 1800s. This version of Tomorrowland was heavily inspired by the never-built Discovery Bay which was designed by legendary Walt Disney Imagineer Tony Baxter. Discoveryland doesn’t essentially use the “Tomorrow” theme. Discoveryland uses the ideas of famed thinkers and explorers such as H.G Wells and Leonardo da Vinci. The land is mostly inspired by Jules Verne.
Elements of Tomorrowland are incorporated into Discoveryland. Astro Orbiter and Autopia are both featured in the land. Plus Space Mountain with a different steampunk theme. As shown in the photo above. Space Mountain Mission 2 would later close to make way for Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain: Rebel Mission. Which leads us to our next topic!
Synopsis: This isn’t your normal Tomorrowland that’s why it’s called Discoveryland. Although it is different it still showcases a different version of our future.
George Lucas Tomorrowland (Disneyland Paris, Never Built)
“Storytelling is about two things; it’s about character and plot.”- George Lucas
The never-built Star Wars version of Tomorrowland. It was going to take place at Disneyland Paris. Now we just have Imagineer Tim Delaney concept art to look back on to see what could have been. This was years before Disney would go on to purchase Star Wars.
This could have been Disney’s first chance at a Star Wars mini-land. Featuring Space Mountain in shape of the Death Star or at least half of the Death Star. The land would also feature the Millennium Falcon (which will be included in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.) George Lucas created characters, stories, and locales that inspired a generation. All of those elements he created to fit into Tomorrowland. Star Wars takes place in a futuristic galaxy with technology and planets that are more advanced than normal.
Synopsis: Although never built George Lucas’ Tomorrowland showcases another version of tomorrow. This time focusing on a more galactic theme than the rest.
Stan Lee’s Tomorrowland (Hong Kong Disneyland)
“I used to be embarrassed because I was just a comic-book writer while other people were building bridges or going on to medical careers. And then I began to realize: Entertainment is one of the most important things in people’s lives. Without it, they might go off the deep end. I feel that if you’re able to entertain people, you’re doing a good thing. When you’re seeing how happy the fans are — as they [see up-close] the people who tell the stories, who illustrated them, the TV personalities — I realize: It’s a great thing to entertain people.”- Stan Lee
Although this Tomorrowland isn’t complete yet. It still deserves to be listed in this group. Despite Stan Lee not being directly involved with the land. He did create the characters that would inspire this Tomorrowland. Ironically like most things on Disney property these days it’s sharing space with Star Wars. The new Marvel Tomorrowland will encompass the Iron Man Experience, Ant-Man attraction (replacing Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters.), and Autopia will be replaced by an Avengers-themed attraction.
So how does the universe of Marvel fit into Tomorrowland? Superpowered humans that could do tasks faster than the normal human now exist. Humans with extraordinary gifts can protect us. Futuristic tech is now available. Traveling to different realms is as easy as a snap. Also just look at Black Panther’s Wakanda. How advanced that society looks. The Stan Lee Tomorrowland won’t be finished until 2023.
Synopsis: Tomorrowland filled with heroes and incredible technology. New cosmic possibilities can be explored in this Tomorrowland.
So what Tomorrowland is your Tomorrowland? That is up to you to decide! Four visionaries have their own versions. So if you have trouble at making decisions. I created a simple decisive decision tool for all of you readers.
You are a fan of Walt Disney’s Tomorrowland if you are a fan of originals
Well, this is pretty simple. Do you like hand-drawn animation more than 3D animation? Do you like old school rides more than new attractions? Do you like Disneyland more than Walt Disney World because its original? Well, then Walt Disney’s version of Tomorrowland is right for you. You are a fan of traditions and are optimistic about the future. If you agree with the previous Walt Disney’s Tomorrowland is your Tomorrowland.
You are a fan of Jules Verne’s Tomorrowland if you think outside the box
Discoveryland literally takes the concept of Tomorrowland and flips it on its head. The land has a more intelligent theme than the previous incarnations of Tomorrowland. Do you like thinking outside the box? Then Jules Verne’s Tomorrowland is the Tomorrowland for you.
You are a fan of George Lucas’ Tomorrowland if you are a dreamer
Although it never came to fruition. The concept is revisited by the Disney community a lot. This Tomorrowland infuses a whole new galactic theme into Tomorrowland. Do you like unknown planets? Do you like galactic concepts? Do you like crazy vehicles? Do you dream about new ideas for Tomorrowland? Then George Lucas’ Tomorrowland is your Tomorrowland.
You are a fan of Stan Lee’s Tomorrowland if you are a fan of change
Just like how Hong Kong Disneyland’s Tomorrowland is changing for Marvel. The Marvel Universe is always changing. Sometimes change is not well received. Some may like the originals. Do you like change? If you like change then Stan Lee’s Tomorrowland is your Tomorrowland.
Well, that includes this fun game. Be sure to tweet @BoardwalkTimes the Tomorrowland that is right for you!
Boardwalk Times Presents Tomorrowland Week: Honoring the greatness of the future that never was.
Zach Perilstein is the Editor-in-Chief at the Boardwalk Times.
