Disneyland fans call for return of defunct ride amid major park reimagining

Tomorrowland is heading into the future.Disney has announced a major overhaul of Disneyland‘s Tomorrowland, a section of the park with a fraught history of unrealized potential.

The overhaul was confirmed by Chairman of Disney Experiences Thomas Mazloum at the D23 fan convention on August 15.“You all know Disneyland is a promise.As that famous plaque in the front of the park reads, ‘Here you leave today and enter the worlds yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy,’” said Mazloum.“As we approach Disneyland’s 75th anniversary, with an eye towards the horizon and the park centennial, I think it’s time to renew that promise once again in a way that deeply honors the original and imagines the future with optimism,” Mazloum continued.

“And that starts with Tomorrowland.” No details on a timeline for the overhaul were announced, but an Instagram post from Disney Parks said the upgrades will “reimagine” the land, bring new attractions, new open spaces and more places for parkgoers to “dream about the future.”Following the announcement, fans took to social media with a very specific request: bring back the PeopleMover.The classic attraction, which took riders around Tomorrowland in small trains along an elevated track, first opened in 1967 before closing in 1995.Today, the ride’s tracks still tower over guests, unused.

“PLEASE GIVE US THE PEOPLEMOVER BACK,” one commenter wrote on Instagram.“Give the people what they want, the PeopleMover!!” another commenter said.“Was waiting for the p word (peoplemover)” a third commenter chimed in.

The futuristic Tomorrowland was ill-fated from the start.Due to budget cuts during the park’s development, much of founder Walt Disney’s vision for Tomorrowland went unrealized, and many of the land’s early attractions, such as the PeopleMover, Submarine Voyage, and Mission to Mars, have closed.Also at D23, Disney unveiled new details of Disney California Adventure’s upcoming “Avatar” experie...