Jim Hill
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That's why - in spite of all the advance press Epcot's proposed "Meet the World" show got in the park's pre-opening literature - the Florida version of this multi-media show never rose up off of that concrete pad that had been poured out back behind World Showcase's Japanese Pavilion.

It galled the Imagineers to have put so much time and effort into creating an attraction that was supposed have gone into two Disney theme parks at the same time, only to have the concerns of Disney upper management from that era (AKA "The Board of Indecision") about how WW II veterans *MIGHT* have reacted to "Meet the World" prevent the Florida version of the show from ever going forward. But - in those days - when you work for WED/WDI, you got used to dealing with disappointment. (Just ask the guys who worked for years on Epcot's proposed Africa or Israel pavilions ... )

And this is not to say that the Imagineers were never ever able to design and build two versions of the same ride so that these attractions could open at different Disney theme parks at virtually the same time. WDI actually did achieve this odd sort of goal in the spring of 1983 (Just about the same time the two versions of "Meet the World" were originally supposed to open) when almost identical versions of the "Pinocchio's Daring Journey" dark ride debuted on opposite sides of the Pacific within six weeks of one another. The Tokyo Disneyland version bowed first on April 15, 1983, while the Anaheim version - which made its American premiere as part of Disneyland's new Fantasyland project - opened on May 25th of that same year.

The Imagineers were also able to do some somewhat similar "piggy-back" work with the prop construction and AA figure manufacture for the Tokyo Disneyland and Walt Disney World versions of "Star Tours" and "Splash Mountain." Though - in both of these cases - the Oriental Land Company versions of these Disneyland favorites were infinitely more elaborate and more highly detailed than their poorer WDW cousins.

Which brings us back - I guess - to "Buzz." Will the Disneyland version of this Florida New Tomorrowland favorite look puny in comparison to its Far Eastern cousin? Or is WDI actually be looking to churn out 3 identical versions of this ride-through shooting gallery?

Where'd I get the Number "3" from? Check out this excerpt from Disney's own press release describe attractions that may be built for Hong Kong Disneyland - which is currently scheduled to open in 2005:

"After a trip back to the Wild West the next stop will be the future - Tomorrowland. Guests will have several exciting opportunities to choose from sci-fi fantasies and soaring space adventures. They will be able to journey to infinity and beyond as they join such popular Disney sci-fi characters as Buzz Lightyear to save the universe, blast off on a high-speed journey into outer space or even pilot their own spacecraft."

That sounds like the Mouse is definitely planning on adding a "Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin" to the assortment of attractions it currently has in the pipeline for its Lantua Island project. At least to me.

So is it so hard to believe that - while the Imagineers are slapping together the pop-up targets (Which, by the way, are all supposedly be fully sculpted figures this time around) for the Anaheim and Toyko Bay versions of this WDW favorite - they couldn't just churn out a third set of "Space Ranger Spin" characters for HKD? After all, this is the modern day Walt Disney Company we're talking about here. Where saving money is the Mouse's No. 1 priority.

Perhaps a more pressing question - at least for Disneyland fans - is how are the Imagineers going to cram an entire universe full of tempting interstellar targets as well as an Omnimover track in Anaheim's old Circlevision theater?

I guess we're all going to have to wait 'til 2003 - or possibly 2004 - to get an answer to that question. Sorry to be so vague here, but a definitive opening day for Disneyland's "Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin" hasn't really been set yet.

Why for? Well, a lot depends on whether or not Disneyland management has actually, officially pulled the plug on the Rocket Rods. It has been alleged that there are still some Disneyland managers who - rather than face the shame as well as the potentially career ending consequences of admitting that this poorly engineered New Tomorrowland ride that they pushed so hard for really shouldn't be re-opened - are seriously talking about pouring an additional $5 - 6 million into the Rods, with the hope of keeping the attraction open for another face-saving year or so.

Others inside the Team Disney Anaheim building are said to be actively fighting this proposal, claiming that any capital applied toward the operations and upkeep of the Rocket Rods at this point is just throwing good money after bad. Which is *NOT* such a smart idea, given that the Mouse doesn't seem to have that much dough to spare these days. At least when it comes to the company's Anaheim theme parks.

So where do we go from here? Well, given that Disneyland's version of "Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin" will *DEFINITELY* be up and running no later than 2004, should you ever again see the Rocket Rods zooming along its overhead track, get on line for that Tomorrowland attraction ASAP. For - even if the Rocket Rods ever do return (And - given that Disneyland cast members have recently reported seeing Rocket Rod ride vehicles being dismantled backstage behind the parade float storage building - it doesn't look very promising, does it? ) - this ride's days are already definitely numbered.

So get ready to catch a "Buzz" at Disneyland. Sometime in 2003 or 2004.

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- Jim Hill

- Posted April 5, 2001