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Well, you can't just close down and overhaul a Disneyland tradition, especially one that has been essentially the same for thirty-two years, without letting the cast members say their good-byes. Many cast members are teenagers and twenty-somethings who grew up visiting Disneyland and riding this version of the Autopia. They can get very sentimental about these kinds of changes.

So, the summer came to a close as Disneyland Park closed to guests at 10 PM, cast members lined up (many in costume) to get their final rides in. They were given two hours to do so. Photo ops were set up with some cars as well.

I arrived at 11:15 and jumped into line, enjoying the voice of the late great Jack Wagner reciting the spiel so many of us have memorized by heart; "To make your car go, press your foot down on the pedal...". Only the "B" (west) side was running. We drove the route, occasionally whooping, hollering, and smashing the cars together as hard as we could. ("Please do not bump the car ahead of you, or stop your car in the middle of the track.")

Passing the old Submarine Voyage entrance and railroad track, snaking under the Rocket Rod track and Monorail beam, I savored the smell of the fuel and exhaust and the simple signs. I really felt like taking one that showed a graphic discouraging bumping. Three rides and a banged-up spine later the stroke of midnight rapidly approached. I managed to slip in line for one more ride as part of the final pack, staying on the curb afterwards as the final car came in to cheer and applaud.

With the Autopias under renovation, the Submarine Voyage sitting closed, the Motor Boats long gone, and the Monorail closed due to construction work, the northeastern portion of Disneyland Park will essentially be a long walkway for the time being.

As I headed out that night, I noticed a paper posted for cast members to see. I was saddened to learn that Roland Barrett, an elderly, frequent park guest, had passed away. Roland and I would kid each other a lot as he stood in his cap and sweater watching the Disney princesses. He seemed to love nothing more than watch quietly as Ariel, Jasmine, and the others make the dreams of children come true.

The passing of the old Autopia and the passing of a frequent guest. From one perspective, Roland is much more important than some old ride. From another perspective, one elderly guest passing away affects very few people in comparison to the end of an attraction that has brought smiles to millions of people. To me, however, there was a definite link.

Walt Disney is often quoted as having said that it takes people to make Disneyland what it is. Roland was one of those people - one of those familiar guests to cast members who routinely deal with thousands of new people every day, almost all of whom are too busy hurrying from attraction to attraction to chat with a cast member. He was one of those people that other frequent guests could rely on to be part of their visit. Classic attractions provide continuity and nostalgia at Disneyland, and so do people like Roland.

As long as there are people who make Disneyland their home away from home, enjoying those classic elements that make the park what it is, people like Roland and the legendary Arthur Holmson will symbolically live on at the Happiest Place on Earth. Arthur Holmson...that's another article...

The Autopia on Wednesday, September 8