May 13

Astro Orbiter

imagesClimb aboard your very own spaceship and take off into space flying high above Tomorrowland on Astro Orbiter. You can control your own rocket ship as the newest member and cadet of Disney’s space fleet.  Board the elevator with fellow cadets to reach the loading platform and once you have received authorization from ground control, your spacecraft levitates and embarks on a minute and a half ride that revolves around a galaxy of planets. Reaching far above the sights of Tomorrowland, you use your joystick to raise and lower your rocket ship as you commandeer your flight.

This ride is one of Disney’s classics and originally opened as Star Jets. As a child, Star Jets was one of my favorite rides.  It was always fun to soar through the air taking in the great view of the castle with every passing. Of course, I also wasn’t afraid of heights at that time.

During the revamping of Tomorrowland, Star Jets underwent a major renovation and reopened as Astro Orbiter in 1994.   The new space-aged galaxy design surrounded by planets has now become the focal imagespoint of Tomorrowland.

I really like the look of the renovation and change is always good but this ride is not one that is usually on our list of “must-dos”. If you have never been on it, you should, by all means go for it.  I am just not a fan of the rickety elevator or the fact that it is elevated and then rotates high in the air.  My daughter likes it but even she can pass it by on her way to Space Mountain and not even think twice about it.  If you have been on Dumbo the Elephant and Magic Carpet of Aladdin, it is very similar but it lacks the cuteness that the other ones offer.

Snow White’s Ranking:  

Interest: Preschoolers, kids, tweens, teens and adults.  

Height Requirements:  No specific height requirements

Accessibility: Guests must transfer from Wheelchair/ECV

Thrill Level: Spinning, slow ride

FASTPASS+ is not available.

Location: Tomorrowland

Holly Wiencek
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Holly Wiencek

Holly Wiencek is the author of Capturing the Magic: A Photographic Journey Through the Walt Disney World Parks. A Florida native and lifelong Disney enthusiast, Holly has been visiting Disney Parks since she was a toddler. With countless visits to both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, she has spent a lifetime exploring and learning about the history and legacy Walt Disney left behind and the details created by Disney Imagineering. She spends her spare time making Disney magic in her everyday life and enjoys sharing that magic with her husband and her daughter, Abby.

Visit www.capturing-the-magic.com for a preview of the stunning coffee table book, Capturing the Magic and purchase your copy today.

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