Good evening, folks! Today I want to discuss some information I find to be very interesting! So, let’s get started, shall we?! The Disneyland resort plans to electrify the Autopia fleet in the ‘next few years’ — a timetable that likely pushes the conversion to 2026 or beyond. The once-futuristic Tomorrowland concepts of freeways and overpasses that seem hopelessly outdated today will get a modern boost when Disneyland electrifies the gas-powered fleet of exhaust-spewing Autopia cars. Disneyland will electrify Autopia and convert the attraction from gas engines in the next few years, according to Disneyland officials. “Since opening with Disneyland Park in 1955, Autopia has remained a guest-favorite most popular with young kids experiencing driving for the first time,” according to Disneyland officials. “As the industry moves toward alternative fuel sources, we have developed a roadmap to electrify this attraction and are evaluating technology that will enable us to convert from gas engines in the next few years.” Disneyland officials would not say whether the Autopia cars would be converted to fully electric or hybrid vehicles, according to the Los Angeles Times. The last major Autopia refurbishment took place in 2016 when Honda became the ride’s sponsor. Previous ride sponsors were Chevron (2000-2012) and Richfield Oil (1955-1970), according to D23. The 1955 opening day attraction was redesigned in 1959, 1964 and 1968, according to D23. An extensive remodeling related to the Chevron sponsorship closed Autopia from September 1999 through June 2000, according to D23. Disneyland could be planning an electric update to Autopia in 2026 if the Honda sponsorship ends after a 10-year contract, according to WDW News Today. Florida’s Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Paris also have versions of the Autopia attraction. Tokyo Disneyland closed its Grand Circuit Raceway ride in 2017. The Hong Kong Disneyland Autopia — which closed in 2016 — featured electric cars with lighting effects and onboard audio, according to WDW News Today. Electrifying Autopia is part of Disney’s goal of incorporating a net zero emissions future into every aspect of the Disneyland resort and reducing its overall carbon footprint, according to Disneyland officials. The Disneyland resort has made a sustainability commitment of reaching net zero emissions by 2030 by increasingly relying on cleaner renewable energy sources. Over the past 18 months, the sustainability efforts have resulted in 10 million kilowatts of energy savings, according to Disneyland officials.
In other news… Disneyland has also revealed intriguing concept art for new ‘Avatar’ land. The first concept art has been released for Disneyland’s proposed new land based on the blockbuster “Avatar” movies. The rendering isn’t a carbon copy of the Pandora land in Disney World’s Animal Kingdom; instead, it’s themed more closely to the recent sequel, “Avatar: The Way of Water.” The teaser was dropped as part of Wednesday’s company shareholders meeting. The concept art shows a large lake in the middle of the land, surrounded by the signature floating mountains that loom over Animal Kingdom’s Pandora. Boats filled with guests can be seen in the water, suggesting some sort of ride. No attractions have been announced for the land yet. Animal Kingdom has two: the spectacular flight simulator Flight of Passage and bucolic indoor boat ride Na’vi River Journey. The question of where Pandora will go is intriguing for Disney fans. With the exception of Disneyland’s “Star Wars” land, most newer movie franchises have gone into Disney California Adventure. The Hollywood Land backlot area is the sparsest, anchored by a performance space, the “Monsters, Inc.” ride and a warehouse-like merchandise store. Over in Disneyland, fans have been asking for years for Tomorrowland to be revamped, and Pandora could be a fit there. There’s no timeline for construction to begin. Disney officials have consistently referred to it as a “potential” project, often calling it an “experience” rather than a land. The tentativeness may be due to the fact the expansion is likely planned as a piece of Disneyland Forward. Utilizing space the company already owns, like parking lots, Disney plans on adding multiple new lands, hotels, restaurants and shopping to the Disneyland Resort. “We are excited about the stories our guests could experience at Walt’s original theme park destination after approval of Disneyland Forward — including the chance to experience all-new Avatar adventures with a visit to Pandora,” Disney Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro wrote in a news release Wednesday. Disneyland Forward just cleared approval from the Anaheim Planning Commission. The plan is slated to go before the Anaheim City Council on April 16.
Overall, I think that this is all very interesting because Disney is trying to pull more guests into their places and away from Universal that is trying to catch Disney. They know that Universal is coming after Disney.
So, what do you guys think about the Disney information?! I would love to hear your thoughts and comments are down below.
Stay tuned for Disney updates.
