Disney World Columns > Larry Pontius

Mission: Space

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Anyone who has visited the Magic Kingdom® at any of the Disney vacation resorts in the world, from Anaheim to Tokyo, Orlando to Paris, can attest to Walt's interest in the future and space exploration. In his original plan, Walt dedicated a whole land to Tomorrow and when Disneyland opened in 1955 Rocket to the Moon was one of its key attractions. The popular Rocket Jets was added, under Walt's direction, in 1957.

Not everyone may remember, but Walt Disney is also credited in some circles as giving this country's infant space program a huge boost in the 1950s. The first Disney television program called, not surprisingly, Disneyland was on ABC-TV then and the consummate promoter filled it with programs relating to the Lands at Disneyland. There was Davy Crockett for Frontierland, clips from the animation classics for Fantasyland, and so on. For Tomorrowland, Walt came up with what he himself might have called a lollapalooza: a series of three programs on space that featured Dr. Wernher von Braun as a consultant and presenter.

For those who don't recognize him, von Braun was the rocket scientist who left Nazi German near the end of World War II to become an American citizen and one of the foundations upon which the United States built its space program. The Disneyland episodes that von Braun and Walt's close friend and associate, Ward Kimble, produced were Man in Space, Man and the Moon, and Mars and Beyond.

Walt would also be fascinated with what we call the "cutting edge" technology used in the Mission: Space attraction. The original Tiki Birds at Disneyland may be a yawner in today's theme park milieu, but remember that the man who introduced its audio-animatronics to the world nearly 50 years ago is the same genius who brought sound to animated films, introduced Disneyland visitors to the monorail in 1959, and was a major force in bringing color to television.

However, with geniuses there's always a however, isn't there?

While Walt Disney would smile and nod his head enthusiastically about the concept and technology of Mission: Space, he'd undoubtedly raise a critical eyebrow after he thrilled to the ride. He'd ask why Disney is playing catch-up to other high-tech attractions such as Spiderman at competitive theme parks. He'd also ask why they're moving ahead so fast with a project that might not be safe for all of their guests. We've seen the stories about people vomiting, but it could be more serious than that. And there's no doubt about how Walt would react to this comment posted by a member of a Yahoo Disney Group after he and his family recently rode the attraction: Effect is so real that one hapless visitor went into an epileptic seizure while riding it.

Finally, at the end of the day, even an exciting Mission: Space day, my best guess is that Walt would gaze off wistfully into the distance wondering...what happened to Epcot?

Regards,
Larry Pontius

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A former vice president of marketing for Disneyland and Walt Disney World, Larry Pontius is the author of Waking Walt, a thriller that brings Walt Disney back from cryonic suspension. Larry lives in Florida with his wife and a large, orange dog named Samson.

For more information about Larry Pontius please visit his website at www.wakingwalt.com.