Update: Additional details have been released about Disneyland’s plan to make Autopia more environmentally friendly. Autopia will convert from gas-powered vehicles to fully electric vehicles (not hybrids) by the year 2026.
Original Story: Disneyland is planning to ditch the gas-guzzling cars at its Autopia attraction and replace them with more environment-friendly vehicles within the next few years. The news, as first reported by the Los Angeles Times, indicates Disney is moving away from the old gas cars in favor of either an electric or hybrid option.
Disney issued a statement seen in the Los Angeles Times:
“Since opening with Disneyland park in 1955, Autopia has remained a guest-favorite most popular with young kids experiencing driving for the first time. 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 spokesperson
The words “electrify this attraction” could mean hybrid cars or could mean fully electric cars. We imagine Disney would prefer to go the electric route and ditch the dependance on gasoline completely, but that comes down to costs and logistics. It goes without saying that removing all gas-powered vehicles would be the best way to improve the smell and noise around Autopia.
Disney planning to update Autopia may surprise Disney fans who felt the attraction’s days were numbered. The ride takes up a decent amount of space and feels dated within Tomorrowland. But, it is a classic Disney attraction that a lot of guests love (especially the youngest guests), and an updated version of Autopia is preferred rather than removing it entirely.
The eventual change to Autopia raises questions about the similar Tomorrowland Speedway attraction in Walt Disney World. Like Autopia, the Tomorrowland Speedway in Magic Kingdom uses gas-powered vehicles that create a lot of unpleasant fumes. We’d argue that Autopia is a more pleasant experience compared to the Tomorrowland Speedway, but that’s debatable.
Once upon a time, there were rumors suggesting the Tomorrowland Speedway would be brought into the future and given a new electric overhaul alongside the construction of TRON Lightcycle Run. That obviously didn’t happen, but it’s possible Disney will eventually revisit those plans depending on how Autopia’s conversion in Disneyland pans out.
Now, if there was only a way to update Autopia’s safety spiel to remove the aggravating “This is Bird!” audio. One can dream.
