Disneyland’s DEFUNCT and FORGOTTEN Arcade: STARCADE

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[@kaikobak1698]

R.I.P Starcade,You're game was over too soon.

[@FM7Studios]

@@kaikobak1698 RIP Starcade.

[@kaikobak1698]

@@FM7Studios You can say that again.

[@whoami7721]

​@@FM7Studios Like all arcades, Starcade's glory days were in the 1980s to mid '90s. I remember one rainy day and night where we went to Disneyland and spent a lot of time in Starcade. Sure, we had our local arcade, but it was a big thing playing games at Disneyland. It felt momentous and special.

[@coasterlvr]

when i was a kid i only did a few things. basically stay in the Starcade the entire day. only to come out to get something to eat at the space place, or to ride the peoplemover. that was it, literally. it's so hard to find pictures of the Starcade in the early 80's. although i did find one pretty good picture from a cast member periodical that announced all the Tron machine installations.

[@Asset1968]

This was one of the best arcades of all time. Walking through that 2nd floor now is like walking through a grave of great memories. Why not keep it as it was? People would love to play those games, even now.

[@lerkscore]

It's so sad that the Space Mountain area went from amazing to abandoned. A stage, restaurant, and arcade all retrofitted into queue. I really hope they bring back some of the great extra features that the space mountain area had back when it first opened

[@FM7Studios]

I agree, I hope they restore the area to its former glory some day!

[@GoodGuyJason25]

They Definitely won't ✅️

[@ponyoplushie]

It is big disappointed that the stage that they used to play Captain EO in the stage theater and so is a Starcade, in the interventions building we could only go there. If you have a Disney member pass only I tried walking inside the building they told me politely to leave. The left side is the Star Wars launch bay and upstairs there are lot tables and chairs.

[@disneylandmusician7741]

The old Tomorrowland used to look SO much better. Now it's an absolute mess, what a shame. Peoplemover would solve so many issues.

[@FM7Studios]

I agree, we need the Peoplemover back!

[@WanaBeKenobi]

Slow and painful death? I went there for many years in my youth. My brother and I were at Disneyland every weekend, and I worked at the hotel in the 80s. The arcade was ALWAYS busy. Every machine was in use, all day every day. It was right there as you exit the gift shop and Space Mountain so getting traffic wasn't ever a problem. I'm not sure what killed it, but it wasn't lack of use.

[@-dtuyhnjhggvjjjn]

Wasn't doing too good in the early 2000s - honestly the quality of the games must've declined, I just remember them being kind of trashy/cheap for Disney standards. Needed more throwbacks - the retro Tron themed one for ElecTRONica was a huge hit.

[@WanaBeKenobi]

@@-dtuyhnjhggvjjjn They always had top of the line games back in the day. Toward the end they stopped putting energy towards keeping it up to date. It's exactly what happened to the arcade they had in the middle of the lake at the hotel.

[@mushieslushie]

Starcade is from an era where local kids used to hang out at Disneyland after school. Disneyland was basically a teenage hang out spot for a while and also had a teenage dance party called videopolis.

[@daa589]

This is where sting, ric flair and dusty rhodes had their greatest matches

[@ninedragons1]

I remember the Starcade. My mother would never let me go in, for whatever reason she had.

[@MichaelCharles-zn6rh]

for my mother it was the refusal to spend even more money on entertainment

[@stratoplayer1988]

I remember going to Disneyland in the mid-90s with my best friend. It was around that time I was getting into video games and arcades. I thought the Starcade was the coolest arcade ever, especially with the 80s era space murals. It’s a shame they let it go. Even if arcades are not in, they still could have used that space for something really cool.

[@FM7Studios]

@@stratoplayer1988 I wish they would bring it back!

[@eb2k445]

Is it weird how every time I see a video about some defunct tomorrowland ride or attraction, get my hopes up for a tomorrowland renovation?

[@FM7Studios]

@@eb2k445 Please, we need a new Tomorrowland!

[@mjwbulich]

Everyone wants a Tomorrowland renovation, except Disney. Coco starts next year. Avatar is after that with a TBD timeline. Then, they have to build the world's largest parking structure and an overstreet walkway on Harbor Blvd so they can tear down the Toy Story parking lot. Years of planning and construction ahead and not a peep about doing anything to Tomorrowland. With any luck they might get to it before 2050.

[@Guernicaman]

Should've just left the downstairs level open & have it rethemed to "Flynn's Starcade", w/retro & space-themed arcade games. Free to play. The 2nd level could remain as part of the queue for Space Mountain, but closing such a space in a park that has so little room to begin with seems criminal.

[@goaliechris500]

As a Socal kid, I would hit Starcade very time I went to Disneyland.

[@gilaverde]

What they could add is a Flynn Arcade but add a bar for non-alcoholic drinks (or Alcoholic). Add a few arcade machines and a TVs showing sports or movies. How about adding some crane games with limited time items?

[@HouMat-if5fi]

It was a great place to see new and innovative arcade games but arcade games are dead.

[@X2011racer]

That was where I first played Mario Kart Arcade GP... I had a fit of depression that kinda spoiled my first trip to Disneyland and the Starcade had that game and my depression was eliminated playing it. The bad news bites. I hope they form a new arcade somewhere, even if it's a replica of the arcade from Wreck-it Ralph, which would be cool, but where would they put it?

[@FM7Studios]

@@X2011racer Would love to see an arcade return to Disneyland!

[@Vampier]

They briefly reopened it … but alas no more 😢

[@markauble3928]

Great video, thanks!

[@deadpoolrlz9685]

they should bring it back

[@FM7Studios]

@@deadpoolrlz9685 I agree

[@mr.disney4740]

So sad..old tomorrowland was the best. New SUBSCRIBER!👍

[@FM7Studios]

@@mr.disney4740 Thank you for the support!

[@crashthevacuum]

Is there a reason they're keeping the sign up? Seems strange to leave it up when there's nothing there.

[@FM7Studios]

@@crashthevacuum I’m not sure why the sign is still up but I do like it still being there!

[@eliassmeke3991]

Do you know Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride and Alice in Wonderland share the same show building?

[@FM7Studios]

@@eliassmeke3991 Yes, it’s really interesting!

[@eliassmeke3991]

Mr. Toad is on the first floor while Alice is on the second

[@blueeyedraven396]

Thank you for this video. Brings back so many memories of jumping into the Starcade after riding Space Mountain with my cousin as a child. The video literally got me choked up. I miss my cousin.

[@Nightwingdadragoness]

I wish they just kept starcade open and have it as “Flitwak’s arcade” or something. My dad was there when the starcade was open with the second floor. Tomorrowland is a very sad former shell of its self. They don’t even use the starcade room for anything except for events. It used to be a “magic key holder.” Area where you could sit and charge your phone but that quickly stopped. Even the inventions building is hardly used. Tommorow land needs a serious overhaul.

[@ponyoplushie]

They’re never going to bring back the people mover slowly get overgrown at the monorail and more rusty

[@-dtuyhnjhggvjjjn]

I’m thinking they’ve left it abandoned lately because of the upcoming (perpetually postponed) Tomorrowland redo The real estate value and easy guest access are crazy to have it sit closed like this, economically it doesn’t make sense I’m just trying to be optimistic 😭

[@superbubsymariobobcat1097]

once again, we se another example of Disney closing an attraction, only to have nothing replace it, i guarentee in the next couple years, more than half the park will just be unattended epty space

[@FM7Studios]

@@superbubsymariobobcat1097 It’s sad that the bottom floor sits empty to this day.

[@superbubsymariobobcat1097]

@@FM7Studios just like the Discovery River Boat Docks, or the Mile Fink Keil boat docks

[@FM7Studios]

@@superbubsymariobobcat1097 That would make a great video! 🤔

[@fifthrider]

Disney often had weird and revolutionary games at Starcade that you wouldn't see any most other arcades. I remember in the early 90's playing R360, a fighter jet game where you strap yourself in and the seat actually spins 360 as you barrel roll and turn. I loved that game, but I also recall parents putting their hands over children's ears as I swore up a storm. That was probably the most memorable game, but there were others, and you could always count on one version of a Tron game or another. I never thought this would go away. Why should it? Just keep updating games and you're fine. So sad.

[@lgwapo6793]

Coming from another state as a kid I always felt like this was a place companies would test new games. I felt like I was helping keep games in the cutting edge by coming and playing.

[@mjwbulich]

They always had brand new games that had not yet made it into local arcades. The two that I remember distinctly were Gauntlet and Space Harrier. Cockpit and four player games were more expensive, so mom and pop arcades would usually wait and see if there was buzz around the game. Disneyland had both by Christmas of '85. Just after they were released in the US. I went back home and begged my arcade to get Gauntlet.

[@warpedgenius5182]

wow me too i took a spin on that one too . few of them were one of a kind i remember this holograph one only new of one other place i played that one

[@mokthemagicman]

In 1983 Starcade heavily featured the two Tron arcade games. There were four or five Tron machines on floor 1 were around a back lit light cycle "wall beam" that rose from the ground to the wall and went around the room that connected to a back lit light cycle complete with consecutive chase light show from the cycle. There was also a back lit sign of Tron in his superman pose with an energy animation that was back lit on his chest that was on the back of the mini "Change" room that used to be in the middle of the arcade on 1st floor. Six Disks of Tron arcade games were upstairs on floor 2 where the air hockey tables were and had a lit sign above them of the game name. I have searched the interwebs for years for any photos/video of this but have never found any.

[@NordicDan]

The 90s was the absolute pinnacle for the park and the hotel (hell, the entire company). Starcade, Peoplemover, speed ramps galore, Submarine Voyage, Captain EO, the DLH marina with the koi ponds and Dancing Waters. I could go on but then I'd just start depressing myself in remembering that none of those will ever return.

[@scottvasquez1401]

I remember in the mid 90s with the second floor being pinball alley and it was filled with almost nothing but pinball machines.

[@mjwbulich]

Pinball games and air hockey is how I remember the second floor. I hardly ever went up there.

[@scottvasquez1401]

​@@mjwbulichcorrect, it was air hockey and pinball

[@ronon3849]

They could add another indoor ride with that area! Come on Disney, get with it.

[@FM7Studios]

They could and should!

[@SpecialAgentEBunny]

Disneyland used to be the best.

[@pinbot76]

Thanks for this! Not really documented anywhere else. I love the 70’s futurism of the whole complex.

[@chcknmr]

It is now a sad day for me when I learn the last of the speed ramps that I know of in tomorrow land were removed. I can recall as a kid loving the people mover because of what it was and all the speed ramps you rode, not to mention the ones on the monorail. In total Disneyland had 11 speed ramps at one point. Now sadly, it’s just down to one hiding in the dark except for a bit of light at the end of its exit when you leave it. Sadly I can even remember when the speed ramps were closed and yet I as a kid ran up and down them a few passed the closed off sign until I was told to stop. Even then I wished I could have ridden them when they were turned on. I don’t think I was old enough to see them working. So sad they were removed and not turned back on or repurposed somehow. Also side note, even though I never saw the space mountain speed ramps, I believe the Starcade speed ramps were the only ones not to have a rubber belt to stand on but rather metal treads in all of disneyland. Correct me if I’m wrong. Plus plus isn’t it sad not seeing any Disneyland speed ramps in the sunlight? I wonder where the Starcade speed ramps went to….

[@DannyD714]

i spent many hours in the starcade. it was a great place to hang out during busy parts of the day. my best friend and i loved playing air hockey and the pinball machines. my favorite video game was galaga. in the early days a lot of the video games on the bottom floor had monitors connected above the machines so people could watch the game play without leaning over the player's shoulders. it's such a slap in the face to people who loved the starcade that the sign still remains. just take it down already!

[@ec1628]

Around 78 or 79 the wall on the first floor was fascinating to this 9-10 year old. The whole wall was the game Steeple Chase. About ten people could play it. Cutting edge at the time.

[@MCastleberry1980]

It makes sense to close it down considering arcades in general have been mostly dead for years, and are you REALLY going to Disneyland to play video games? That being said... I do have fond memories as a kid wasting a few bucks there every trip. Even if it's queue space, at least the 2nd floor of the building is used again abd kept some of the decor.

[@patrickcarrillo714]

Disneyland's Tomorrowland desperately needs a renovation. I hope if they ever do They theme it to a "Vintage" look ar tomorrow and go back to the White theme like the 1967 version of tomorrowland that way it solves the tomorrow becoming dated

[@FM7Studios]

@@patrickcarrillo714 I agree, I want a retro Tomorrowland!

[@SpecialAgentEBunny]

Starcade was legit!

[@FM7Studios]

It was!

[@warpedgenius5182]

man i miss this ive been to both lol tokyo and here in ca just had a few games i never forgot lol

[@gorhor9006]

Nostalgia overload. I need to take a nap.

[@Lemuel928]

Sonic’s Starcade?

[@MagicalDnA]

Great video! I've always been interested in the Starcade. Back around April I began paying more attention to the Space Mountain queue and learned all about how it occupies the second floor of what used to be the Starcade. I didn't know about the windows, so thank you for mentioning those! I wish I could back to the original Starcade, or even at least the Wreck-it Ralph meet & greet, but at least I can see part of the history with the mural!

[@eliassmeke3991]

Question 🙋‍♀️ please 🙏, in Toontown at Disneyland Mickey’s House has a show building (where his movie barn is) right?

[@FM7Studios]

@@eliassmeke3991 Yes!

[@uss_04]

Can’t believe this channel isn’t bigger. Was just watching a video on the old Peoplemover track and been wanting a video on Starcade specifically as it always just seemed to be treated as adjacent attraction in Tomorrowland. Loving the BGM. Space Mountain line queue?

[@FM7Studios]

Thank you for the support!

[@MichaelCharles-zn6rh]

i was just talking with my friend while at the park this past weekend about a way to bring the arcade back. i thought it would be a great idea to make disney versions of all the most popular games from the late 70's/early 80's

[@FM7Studios]

@@MichaelCharles-zn6rh A retro arcade would be really cool!

[@StonePac]

Fun fact the indoor track of the people mover is used as storage

[@FM7Studios]

@@StonePac That’s really interesting, I had no idea!

[@StonePac]

It's not generic storage; they store something in there that isn't what they normally store in their storage areas. @FM7Studios

[@stphinkle]

@@FM7Studios I think it has been abandoned when the last rocket rod blasted off. The Rocket Roads was an engineering failure which forced Disney to close it. Rocket Rods used the Peoplemover track, which was not designed or banked for a high speed attraction. The original Peoplemover ran at a much slower speed.

[@ShockerTopper]

I always remember the 2nd floor being closed and you could see it while in the que for Space Mountain.

[@FM7Studios]

@@ShockerTopper It looked spooky while it was closed.

[@Jeff-z5y]

Great job on this fantastic video. Amazing pictures and an excellent chronology of the events. At the time, I always felt I was playing special, cool videogames in Tomorrowland, but I also realized I was paying money to get into Disneyland and paying money on top of that to play videogames. Oh well, great memories. I loved the memories of the locations of the x-wing. I'm glad its still around.

[@Perich29]

Star Cade was popular when Disneyland Admission was $20 back in these days but there no need since nobody goes there anymore, they should move the arcade outside of the park, and put them in Downtown Disney.

[@FM7Studios]

@@Perich29 $20 to go to Disneyland! 🥲

[@stphinkle]

@@FM7Studios Disney is so much more expensive compared to Six Flags (and Former Cedar Fair).

[@fredericklockard3854]

Whether it’s at Disney or any park I’ve never understood people that go to these beautiful parks full of cool rides, only to stay inside and play video games.

[@1ROCKET-]

This is quite literally my favorite area of the park, thanks for making this video

[@FM7Studios]

No problem, I loved making it!

[@joncarlos716]

Bro just bring this back let us cool off rides and ll crap😂

[@eliassmeke3991]

At DCA Grizzly Peak is a bear 🐻 mountain 🏔️ but some people say it’s a wolf 🐺 mountain 🏔️, I wonder 💭 why they say it’s a wolf 🐺

[@FM7Studios]

@@eliassmeke3991 I could see someone confusing it for a wolf.

[@eliassmeke3991]

Well I’m gonna say it’s a bear 🐻

[@FM7Studios]

@@eliassmeke3991 It is a bear! 🐻

[@eliassmeke3991]

I know

[@chadgaming8288]

Huh, I NEVER knew about this. VERY interesting video, FM7 Studios!

[@FM7Studios]

@@chadgaming8288 Thank you!

[@chadgaming8288]

@@FM7Studios, you’re welcome!

[@JP-1990]

When are we going to get a Disney Smash-like?

[@Crittercrawler16]

Such a fun hangout spot

[@disneygirl5577]

I think i remember the Starcade. Im glad they kept the X-Wing.

[@FM7Studios]

@@disneygirl5577 Same here!

[@cedricjoshuapayne]

What is the song at 2:43? I heard it before, like some grand opening song, but I can't remember what it is called, or can't find it.

[@FM7Studios]

@@cedricjoshuapayne It’s the Space Mountain queue music at Walt Disney World! (:

[@cedricjoshuapayne]

@@FM7Studios You rock! I heard it years ago on a short documentary about the grand opening of Space Mtn. Haven't been able to find it in years. Many thanks.

[@FM7Studios]

@@cedricjoshuapayne No problem!

[@Krillinish2]

Got my flu shot in this spot at 4:52 a few years ago and Guests saw this view of me. I’m a CM and it was where our annual health screenings were held.