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The Autopia is the only existing attraction in Tomorrowland dating back to opening day, July 17, 1955. Celebrities who joined the opening day festivities and drove the Autopia included Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin, Jimmy Stewart, and Sammy Davis Jr.
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| 1955 |
Imagineer Robert Gurr created the original Autopia cars as the ultimate fantasy vehicles, inspired by sleek, high-performance European sports cars, such as the 1953/54 Ferrari and Porsche Spyder. The final result was the Mark I Autopia, which featured aerodynamic lines, rounded front grille, and an appealing profile.
Because the original Autopia had no center guide rail, each of these designs features a wrap around bumper designed to protect the passengers and car. The roadways featured a single track, which resulted in long lines of Guests waiting for their chance to take to the road.
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| 1956 |
The overwhelming popularity of the Tomorrowland Autopia led to the quick creation of the Junior Autopia in 1956 on an unused piece of land across from Storybook Land. Although the vehicles looked the same as those at the Tomorrowland Autopia, extension blocks were placed on the foot pedals and booster seats added to accommodate smaller drivers. |
| 1957 |
Designed for the youngest drivers, the Midget Autopia featured a ride system that was more similar to the Fantasyland dark rides than the other Autopias. The child-size cars ran along a center bus bar through tunnels, along straightaways, and through a barn. Located next to Storybook Land, the Midget Autopia ran from 1957 to 1966. |
| 1958 |
The Junior Autopia closed to make way for the Matterhorn Bobsleds and the Monorail, which premiered as part of the "New Attractions of 1959." |
| 1959 |
When Disneyland reopened the Tomorrowland Autopia in 1959, it introduced a completely new body design. Influenced by the new "space age" automotive concepts, the Mark V featured stylish upswept fins -- the height of futuristic design in the late 1950s.
At the same time, Disneyland introduced the new Fantasyland Autopia, which was located across from Matterhorn Mountain. Both Autopias featured similar triangle-shaped, double-sided boarding areas (two tracks at each attraction), scenic straightaways, bridges, and cloverleafs. At one point, all four ride tracks converged, creating Tomorrowland's own four-lane superhighway. |
| 1963 |
The original track was wide enough to allow cars to pass, just like a real roadway. Some rambunctious youngsters deliberately spun out and happily ran their cars off the road. In 1963, Disneyland added a center guide rail to keep all vehicles safely centered on the highway. |
| 1967 |
The Autopia cruised into the future in 1967 when the old cars were phased out in favor of the new Mark VII model. This sporty new style is remarkably similar to the Corvette "Stingray," a car that debuted at the same period. This design proved so timeless that the cars remained essentially unchanged for more than 30 years. |
| 2000 |
Model Kathy Ireland joined Mickey, Minnie, and Tony Baxter, senior vice president of Walt Disney Imagineering, at a press event at Disneyland to introduce the three new Autopia car styles in their first public appearance. |
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