Historyland - Rocket Rods

[@badatgaming]

Ah Rocket Rods. As an Orange County native and having family working for Disney, I was extremely lucky that I was able to ride Rocket Rods I'd say at least 15 times in its existence. I was a big fan of the PeopleMover and Rocket Rods was this sort of weird almost adequate replacement for the ride. Almost. Now being someone who's way into cars and other mechanical things and working at both Knott's and Disney properties a few times.....I look back at Rocket Rods and just go. "Man, its amazing that thing ran for as long as it did." The tires...I've heard stories of those things going bald so quickly. Being a car enthusiast, those launches/burnouts (weight issues and all) clearly had some serious detrimental effects on the tires, as you could see so much burnt tire remains on the ground near the Christmas Tree prior to launch. I heard either a wheel cover or blown tire managed to bounce off one of Rods during testing, shattering the glass they had up on the turns. Also while waiting to depart or coming back to arrive...especially at night....you could just see the heat emanating out of the rear of the Rods near the engine/motor. I thought one of my Crown Vics ran hot...hah, nothing compared to those things. I also remember seeing one or two outside of the maintenance area when passing by it on the railroad almost constantly. Probably tire changes. The ride itself was weird. A strange and almost surreal representation of driving in Southern California. Flooring it, hitting brakes and come to a crawl, managing to floor it again, balking your speed on the turns. As a matter of fact it reminds me of city driving in SoCal. The Rods themselves were kinda....odd. 5 passenger cars just were odd. I remember maybe 2 of them having the Neon package that was supposed to be on all of them. From what I heard.....the computer system supposedly was similar to the BART system of the time. Each Rod had its own small digital readout, and it was almost always displaying an error with a vehicle not in sync with the system as expected. This would follow with the ride going down usually. I remember in the last months of operations they'd use CMs with whistles blowing as the Rod would run its circuit. No idea why but I'm guessing it was the most primitive way of "tracking" the Rod compared to where the computer was. And I remember that nice little sign saying how it was going to re-open in 2001, and it silently vanishing, and becoming vacant. Such a bizarre and odd attempt at some sort of thrill ride. Was kinda fun when I was a kid....now? Seems excessive for the mediocre end result. Work was put in, but I feel like the work was in the wrong spots.

[@bluedragon9925]

Out of all of Disneyland's extinct attractions, Rocket Rods is easily the most polarizing. You'll find just as many people who legitimately miss it as you will people that found it an inferior replacement for the Peoplemover (the latter group is much larger, admittedly, but the former is just vocal enough that it's kinda hard to ignore them).

[@TyrellDunn]

If it had a new track that would have properly suited the ride, it would still be here today. Rather have Rocket Rods then the PeopleMover

[@Elayzee]

That wasn’t the consensus from regular park visitors at the time it came out. People genuinely loved the Rocket Rods and loved the change to a more thrilling ride. Most of the people complaining about it online are people who never even rode Rocket Rods and are giving second-hand info from the media.

[@astroguster497]

I waited over 2 hours to go on rocket rods in 6th grade. Still one of my all time favorite rides. Would love to do it one more time

[@nickyoung630]

If Disney had demolished the Peoplemover track and put the Rocket Rods on a roller coaster track with banked turns it would have worked and could have possibly been the best ride in Tomorrowland. This is just what happens when you try to take the cheap rout sometimes

[@TyrellDunn]

Nick Young if they can make that happen now, they would actually make it even better

[@coffycup75]

I was 20 when they closed the PeopleMover. Biggest mistake in the history of Disneyland closures, and they know it, too.

[@MattMcIrvin]

I've been assured that many, many things are better at Disneyland, but... this is *one* thing the Magic Kingdom has over it.

[@hellacia8151]

Tower of Terror's closure is also pretty infamous

[@adamkreuzkamp5985]

I really like the retro vibes in your videos. Reminds me of the old Disneyland VHS tapes I used to watch as a kid. Loving the Historyland series! :)

[@MehPete]

There never seems to be a limit on the 90s commercials he finds

[@AlextheHistorian]

I remember riding the Rocket Rods when I was a kid. It wasn't a horrible ride...but it certainly wasn't that good either. Some parts were exciting, others just awkward when it came to the general fluidity of the attraction.

[@mayspondmogul]

Alex the Historian Hey Alex ,right I remember them speeding overhead in Tomorrowland it was rad! Rocket rods just took off on the straight aways! The New Tron rides gonna replace it and the carousel of progress cant wait!

[@ungata101]

I rode this twice but it slowed or crashed

[@Sithlord224]

I was disappointed when it didn't re-open I only got to ride it once I really do miss this ride🙃

[@inertia186]

I got to ride the rocket rods a few times. I remember it being really glitchy as if there were too many cars on the track and they had to wait for each other. On one of the runs, right after the Innoventions tunnel, there was a compete shutdown and we had to do an in-show exit. I also remember that at the tail end of the ride's life, they added a single-rider queue. I suspect that one of the problems with the system, besides structural issues, was the fact that its seating was a little inefficient.

[@MountaineerProductions]

Always love reading comments that show how bad the ride is! Sadly I never got to experience it

[@distripping674]

Your videos are some of the best Disney history videos anywhere. I especially love those classic commercials you throw in, makes your videos unique.

[@afterthesemessages7256]

These are some of the best videos on youtube. The VHS theme and the 70s music is timeless. I love the commercials too. As someone who lived in Anaheim, I was a frequent flyer to The Magic Kingdom in the 70s, 80s and 90s so I experienced much of the history of Disneyland. I stopped going regularly around 1999 and have only been back a few times in the last 20 years. Anyway, I look forward to watching the rest of your history videos.

[@MountaineerProductions]

Appreciate the kind words. We're working on tons of new content that were excited to announce 💙

[@johnrico26]

I rode the rods twice. Both times my girlfriend sat in the front seat. It seemed like that was the best way to experience it. The view from the back seats was pretty lousey. Slow choppy made that winding sound. I didnt much care for it, I always loved the people mover. Just a nice way to relax and the line always moved along quickly. It seems like that was the golden age. Now disneyland has become star wars, marvel, pixel land. I dont think Walt would like it. But if it makes dollars it make sense. That is the reality.

[@al11220]

I kinda miss the rocket rods, only rode it 3 times.

[@astroguster497]

I have a huge respect for the wed way and its history with walt too. Sucks the ride is just completely gone

[@raphaelmarquez9650]

I vaguely remember riding on the Peoplemover, and I fully remember riding on the Rocket Rods. The line for it was pretty long. I remember a rumor saying that Tomorrowland will soon be getting a long-awaited remodeling around 2020.

[@JavaCake]

Raphael Marquez Welp, it’s March 2020 and we have a new virus. Not the 2020 I had in mind 2 years ago.

[@Yeahbuddy-yf2cv]

I’m so glad I grew up in the 90s the last free generation before social media and kids getting offended by words

[@galiffrey1]

I love the old Disney ads and the VHS feel to the videos. Awesome work.

[@jazzyk02]

may i just say i love the vhs theme of your videos, it makes me happy.

[@MountaineerProductions]

Thank you so much!

[@sashizakura9124]

I rode the rocket rods on opening day, annnnnd...it was jerky and bumpy. I don't remember all of those awful howling sound effects, but I do remember it being short, and dumping us all into a crowded gift shop full of those Disney beanie baby things at the end, since those things were super popular back then.

[@stevenkdobbs]

I thought I rode every vintage Disneyland ride ever made ( I am old) but never rode the Rocket Rods nor saw them in action... Guess I must have not gone to DL. during that time... thanks for your nice videos!

[@duckisaurus]

This is my first time here! Glad I found you. Loving this commitment to VHS aesthetic. It's the small details that count. Subscribing! Loved this video.

[@MountaineerProductions]

Thank you!!!

[@ausername5410]

Big mistake tearing down the people mover Disney!

[@ThemeParkDaze]

I rode rocket rods several times during its existence. The line was always 90+ minutes, but at least the queue was very entertaining. I enjoyed it, but not as much as the people mover that it replaced. Also, this channel is amazing! Love it.

[@PatThePerson]

Kid: Can we go on test track? Mom: we have test track at home Test track at home:

[@pontiuspilot00]

Thank You so, so much explaining as to why Disney closed the attraction. Now whenever I see the rods speeding up then all of a sudden slowing down, all I can do now is cringe at the riding videos of the attraction running. I always loved the idea of the Rocket Rods, but hopefully somewhere along down the line Disney finds a ways to resurrect the attraction into some form or fashion if they ever do revisit the idea of renovating Tomorrowland.

[@ced1106]

Waited hours for the ride and that was it??? I agree it was built on the cheap. Thanks for the videos!!!

[@glofau]

I was fortunate enough to ride the Rocket Rods shortly after they opened. This sounds silly, but my favorite part was waiting in the old CircleVision theater and watching the transport flick as well as getting to see the old ride cars. It saddens me that all that is gone! The experience of riding the ride was bizarre, like the PeopleMover on steroids, zooming around Tomorrowland. I loved the old PeopleMover so I was delighted that Rocket Rods was so similar. It just seemed like a waste to make the darned thing so fast without any thrill because of all the slowing down. I too wish they would just bring back the old PeopleMover! Who cares if it was dorky, it was fun and relaxing. I also wish they'd put the Rocket ride back on top of the entrance structure.

[@SonofMrPeanut]

The one time I did ride this (it didn't break down, luckily), it was a treat to see that proposed transportation map in the queue. Not necessarily due to the idea, mind you, but rather just seeing that map of Anaheim.

[@benjaminwambeke9458]

I'm wondering if maybe they're going to wait till Galaxy's edge and the Marvel land are open so that they have 2 new futuristic themed parks open before they have to shut down Tomorrowland and take care of the track (whether that means replacing it or getting rid of it all together). I definitely don't think they've forgotten about it.

[@ToonLink1210]

Really great video!!! I just subbed a little while ago and I’m not disappointed!!! I love the old commercials in between the segments!!

[@sophiamarie9522]

I really appreciate your content because no matter your subscriber count, you continue to provide amazing stuff. Glad I found your channel.

[@jemntertainment]

I had the pleasure of riding the peoplemover at least a dozen times.Rocket rods i got to ride once and wasn't very impressed, it was very jerky and jolted the heck out of us. But as I have recently learned.......Tomorrowland and fantasyland are next up for major overhauls. It is rumored that the only two rides that are safe in tomorrowland is the Monorail and Space Mountain.

[@zacharyborrison6599]

If they were able to actually pull the rocket rods off as a successful ride... do you think they’d have extended it like that map said?? Curious...

[@DJNX4995]

This ride looks more fun than the people mover, if only they would've changed the tracks for this ride maybe it wouldn't have broken down as much and might've still been around

[@MrRemark21]

The Rocket Rods at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA was from Friday, May 22, 1998 to Monday, September 25, 2000 before Tomorrowland's above ground platform became standing but not operating. After the completion of Star Wars Land at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, in 2019, as opposed to the old PeopleMover (1967-1995) & Rocket Rods (1998-2000), because of the possibility of people with wheelchairs or mobility scooters, it would not be the New PeopleMover. Instead, it could be the Heathrow Pod Tour, it could be iMover, it could be Boxcar Tour or it could be a new ride with normal speed that is more comfortable than ever before.

[@rmannayr2129]

Wish something would go back on Top of those Abandoned Tracks!

[@jimthecraftyguitarist878]

The People Mover and Rocket Rods both have more visual interest to the eye for Tomorrowland. Neither ride was amazing but both had merit and sad that Disney did not think things through.

[@MrDash03]

I never got to ride Rocket Rods. They were long gone and the tracks were destroyed by the time I made a return to Disneyland after 12 years.

[@outsidethelines2162]

I don't get the hate for Rocket Rods, I remember that ride being the best

[@shadowotter3116]

doesn't seem like a bad concept, but it really needed its own track than the track of the people mover, so it could use banked turns to allow it to maintain speed and have proper supports It could of worked but they went about it the wrong way

[@jefffanelli4380]

I think they could redo this ride as a Tron motorcycle ride possibly and make the track enclosed and make it look futuristic and like the movie I think that would be pretty cool and I am sure the vehicles would be lighter too

[@mayspondmogul]

Rad vid!! I wanna give a shout out to the Peoplemover RIP as a lil kid in the late 80s it was a sweet ride out of the sun and AC so the whole fam cooled off. Then u entered the World of Tron racing thru a 360 tron screen overlay! Just announced Its coming back Tron will upgrade the track tear down carousel of progress add a new launch bay its gonna be so dope!!!

[@sorenlew1085]

damn this editing is frickin amazing! I mean jesus mind boggaling im subbing and tellin all my friends!!

[@MountaineerProductions]

Thank you so much!!!

[@Elayzee]

I noticed that the people who complain the most about the Rocket Rods tend to be from people who were either People Mover Purists or people who never rode the ride before. Videos really don’t capture the feeling of the ride especially the ending blast part. I remember even die-hard People Mover fanatics came off Rocket Rods impressed. It was also refreshing to have an ACTUAL RIDE, not yet another slow-as-molasses “ride”, with cardboard cutouts and a “story” that literally nobody is paying attention to or even care about.

[@jeffallen3598]

they should replace the Autopia with a RocketRods type ride.. especially since we aren’t going to see a People Mover any time soon. But the space Autopia takes up, it could have a nice long track.. possibly a few side by side and could move a lot of people. But now that i write this, i guess that would just be a lacking rehash of Cars Land. Just seems ridiculous that we have this empty space that seemingly nothing can be done with yet building new parks and lands are the easier path.

[@xorcyst420]

i remember wanting to go on them so badly that I annoyed my mom dearly, and it kept breaking down when i was there, but then i finally rode it! and was MASSIVELY underwhelmed, its so short and i felt so bad for making a stink i apologized immediately after exiting the ride, and then it broke down again immediately after and people were stuck in the direct sun for 30 minutes. overall rating of: meh.

[@Bernwizzle1]

Another great video Matterhorn Matt!

[@alexschneider1667]

"to no ones disappointment" hello I am disappointed that the track was left longer to make its return less likely and more expensive also more likely to build up building that it couldn't drive through in the future

[@rallypoint1]

People mover was great! We would ride, relax and keep cool during summer visits. Proof that Disney does NOT have the Midas touch.

[@TheGraduate702]

rallypoint1 people mover was like the railroad or monorail. It's cute once or twice, but it's definitely not the highlight of a park visit.

[@Joi_Robb]

First and foremost never change your intro because i look forward to doing the happy shake dance prior to getting my disney knowledge on. Second i aways get chills whenever i see the rocket rods. My family and i got to ride them and it just felt silly replacing the people mover but i also feel like disney was trying to add thrill to tomorrowland back in the 90s. It was probably the most underwhelming ride and it would also stop abrubtly frequently and experience technical difficulties. Im glad i got to experience disny history but at the same time the rocket rods were just noisy and made your experience through tomorrowland feel rushed (when everything went smooth like in the video) it makes me sad that they never made use from the tracks or even took them down...

[@acofran28]

So you haven’t seen all the good classic hand drawn art?

[@nickt2024]

sure do like beans almost like my name is jack

[@brianna_lynch]

Disney should have spent money on the Rocket Rods. If they couldn’t afford it then they should’ve waited.

[@archlinuxrussian]

Tomorrowland: Now featuring the new Maglev PeopleMover? That'd be sick!

[@PatThePerson]

Basically one step above the Magic Kingdom people-mover no pun intended

[@ralphandkellylarson7874]

Another awesome vid

[@MountaineerProductions]

Thank you!

[@kylecormier2862]

Hey can you do an Historyland video about when Walt build a Disney resort in Florida. silmar to your video of Historyland : Disneyland Paris, But in this one is the history of how Walt Disney makes an disney resort in Florida. until his death then Roy O Disney takes over the project of Walt Disney World and Where and how did it all started.

[@Faded_Chew]

I feel like Rocket Rods had a ton of potential. It was just poorly executed. EDIT: Well that was a fast heart.

[@MountaineerProductions]

I'm the fastest at liking comments 😘

[@Faded_Chew]

I can tell. lol

[@Avofan]

I guess I'm the only one who liked Rocket Rods.

[@Yeahbuddy-yf2cv]

Dr. Love 1987 no that ride was awesome the acceleration was cool

[@lauricarlson7867]

I remember the people mover rocket rods have a magical day today great weekend

[@stevemellin5806]

Eather year it down or put a mover like Walt Disney world .. tear it down

[@seanhorace925]

How did this video get copyrighted?

[@KermisVoyager1997]

He used content from Robb Alvey (ThemeParkReview) without his consent and had no prior knowledge of his strict copyright rules. It's a phenomenon that happens a lot on KZbin that some people think they could use his content for free and get away with it but ended up getting their videos taken down. Robb has lots of things to pay for so it makes sense why he wouldn't allow anyone to use his content without a license because for him, it's not economically feasible. It's best that he remade the video and removed Robb's content from it.

[@bluedragon9925]

They should have just left the People Mover alone and never built this ride in the first place. It's pretty much entirely because of the structural damage the vehicles from this ride left on the track that Disney replaced it with nothing and just left it to rot since OSHA laws are preventing them from bringing the people mover back and they don't want to pay to put the track out of its misery and tear it down.