Rocket Rods (1998–2000)

Rocket Rods was a high-speed thrill ride in Disneyland’s Tomorrowland, operating from May 22, 1998, to September 25, 2000. Designed as a futuristic “drag race” and rapid transit system, it used the former PeopleMover track, with its queue housed in the old Circle-Vision 360° theater. The ride, plagued by technical issues due to its unbanked track and underfunded design, frequently shut down and closed permanently in 2000. Its queue became part of Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters in 2005, while the track and station remain unused as of 2025.

Below are 10 fun facts about Rocket Rods (1998–2000) at Disneyland:

1. Blueprint-Themed Queue: The queue in the former Circle-Vision theater featured large blueprints of Tomorrowland attractions and repainted vehicles from past rides, like PeopleMover cars and Rocket Jets, styled in blue with orange grids to mimic technical drawings.
2. Transportation Films: A video screen in the queue showed 1950s–1970s Disney animated segments about futuristic transport, like anti-gravity cars, paired with 1998 narration explaining their evolution into modern technology.
3. High-Speed Contrast: Rocket Rods completed the 16-minute PeopleMover route in just 3 minutes, reaching speeds up to 35 mph, a stark contrast to the PeopleMover’s leisurely 7 mph pace.
4. Unbanked Track Issues: Budget cuts prevented banking the PeopleMover’s curves, forcing Rocket Rods to brake sharply at turns, stressing the track and causing frequent mechanical failures.
5. Unique Vehicle Design: Each vehicle seated five guests in a 1-1-1-2 configuration, with three single seats and a double rear row, secured by three-point seatbelts in an open-air setup.
6. Drag Race Start: The ride began with a “drag race” sequence, where vehicles launched from a starting line when lights turned green, accelerating through a tunnel under Tomorrowland.
7. Interactive Route: The track wove through Tomorrowland, passing inside buildings like Star Tours, Starcade, and Innoventions, with an air cannon gag shooting bursts at riders near the queue.
8. Short-Lived Tires: A Goodyear sponsorship provided tires, but the high speeds and sharp turns wore them out in 4–7 days, ending the deal after three weeks due to replacement costs.
9. Loading Platform Shift: Unlike the PeopleMover’s continuous loading, Rocket Rods stopped two vehicles at a fixed platform under the old Astro Jets tower, accessed via a tunnel and elevator.
10. Abandoned Infrastructure: After closing, the track and station were left standing, deemed unusable by Cal/OSHA due to structural damage, with the queue repurposed for Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters in 2005.