Disneyland Autopia to open June 25th

(c) Disney

Autopia, A Disneyland Favorite for 45 Years, to Open Sunday, June 25 with New Car Body Styles and Expanded Roadways

For nearly 45 years the Autopia attraction at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA has thrilled more than 200 million drivers of all ages, and on Sunday, June 25, a completely new version of the attraction will launch, announced Cynthia Harriss, president of The Disneyland Resort. The attraction will officially open on Thursday, June 29th.

"Autopia is a lighthearted journey that takes guests on a fun-filled drive along new roadways in Tomorrowland," noted Harriss. "Autopia used to be two attractions that were in both Tomorrowland and Fantasyland. We've combined the two together to create a redesigned and incredible experience for our guests, full of surprises, curvy roads, and off-road adventures."

This version of Autopia depicts life through the car's point of view. Long before guests reach the roadway, they will begin the Autopia experience by entering an elevated walkway into "The Autopia Grandstand." Dusty, Sparky and Suzy, three of the Autopia cars, come alive in humorous multimedia theatrical vignettes. A large format presentation screen features "lifestyle, traffic, and information news" for cars (i.e., driver reports instead of traffic updates).

As guests board their vehicle, they will receive a special driver's license to commemorate their trip, and then they are off into the parallel universe that is 'for cars only.' On the Autopia track, billboards speak directly to the cars promoting Bird Bath Carwash, and vendors sell "rusted nuts" instead of roasted. Along the way, there are "car parks" instead of "city parks."

Disneyland Resort guests have cruised along this unique "automobile utopia" since the park first opened in July 1955. The attraction has featured different car body styles and roadway configurations over the years, but according to Bruce Gordon, Walt Disney Imagineering show producer for the Autopia project, "Autopia is virtually a new attraction. There will be distinct car models that will include a cute coupe, a racy sports car and an off-road vehicle. The cars come in 12 colors, including one called chromalusion - which changes the car's color depending on which angle you look at the vehicle."

Autopia is presented by Chevron, and the attraction at "The Happiest Place on Earth" provides more than 130 cars to roar down its highways.

Related Links

• Feature: Unveiling of the New Autopia Cars
  Includes pictures of the new cars and an interview with a designer
• Feature: Autopia's Last Day
  Includes the original press release for the new Autopia

--Posted June 12, 2000

Source: Company Press Release