Touring Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom (Rides, Dining, and Shopping)
Paging Mr. Morrow, Mr. Tom Morrow! If you’ve ever visited Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom, you might recall hearing that phrase while riding the Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover. It’s part of the classic audio that plays when you pass through Space Mountain, which is probably one of Disney’s most iconic attractions. In this article, we’re off to visit Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. We’ll discuss what to expect, including rides, dining options, and shopping. This futuristic land is home to eight attractions, so you’ll likely spend a decent amount of time there. Additionally, you’ll probably want to return in the evening to see the Tron canopy light up after nightfall. It’s pretty special. Let’s take a spin through the land and see what all there is to do!
Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom
Disney World’s Tomorrowland Rides
- Astro Orbiter
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
- Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
- Space Mountain
- Tomorrowland Speedway
- Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
- Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
- Tron Lightcycle / Run
Character Meets in Tomorrowland
- Stitch
- Chip and Dale (Roaming)
Dining in Tomorrowland
- Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies
- Astro Fizz
- Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe
- The Lunching Pad
- Energy Bytes
- Tomorrowland Terrace
Retail
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Photos
- Merchant of Venus
- Star Traders
- Tomorrowland Launch Depot
- Ursa’s Major Minor Mart
Tomorrowland Rides at Disney World
With eight rides in Tomorrowland, it’s good to know which ones you’ll want to experience during your visit. From the park’s newest attraction, Tron Lightcycle Run, to the theater-style home of Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor, there is something for everyone.
Astro Orbiter
We’ll start with a classic Tomorrowland ride, Astro Orbiter. This is one of the most hidden rides at Magic Kingdom. You’ll have to look up to see it. Astro Orbiter requires guests to join the standby queue on the ground level near the entrance to the Peoplemover. Eventually, you’ll board an elevator to the attraction’s loading area on an upper level. A sign at the entrance indicates the wait time and a few other things. While this attraction doesn’t have a height requirement, guests in a wheelchair or ECV must be able to transfer to one of the rockets.
Since the majority of the line for Astro Orbiter is on the ground level, you should be able to gauge the length of the line by how many guests are ahead of you. Typically, one ride’s worth of guests is waiting at the top. So your wait won’t be long from that point.
Once it’s time to board, you’ll climb into a rocket and blast off in typical spinner-style fashion. The good news is the views are amazing. However, the bad news is that you might experience a gravitational pull while in motion.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Next, we have another fun Tomorrowland ride, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. This attraction offers a standby queue and a Lightning Lane option via Lightning Lane Multi Pass. To experience this attraction, guests must be able to transfer from a wheelchair or ECV. However, Space Ranger Spin does not have a height requirement. Space Ranger Spin is a slow-moving Omnimover ride system. Guests will board a ride vehicle that takes them on a mission to defeat the evil emperor Zurg.
Each ride vehicle contains two interactive blasters. You’ll aim the blasters at targets throughout the ride. Shoot as many targets as possible to help Buzz Lightyear defeat the enemy. So, what makes it spin? This attraction has a control that allows you to rotate the vehicle. You can use the control to help you reach more targets. Or you can use it to distract the person riding with you, especially if they’re racking up more points! I wouldn’t know anything about that last part. Who’s keeping score anyway?
Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor is another Tomorrowland attraction. However, Laugh Floor isn’t a ride. It’s a comedy show! So get ready to laugh, even if the jokes are pretty bad. Once the theater doors close, they won’t open again until the audience fills the next scream canister. Well, it’s a laugh canister. You know the guys at Monsters, Inc. quit using screams for energy years ago.
Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor lasts approximately 15 minutes. This attraction offers a standby queue and a Lightning Lane. However, the longest wait is usually for the next performance, so it’s probably not the best use of a Lightning Lane. Once you enter the theater, you’ll cross multiple rows of seats. Since this attraction asks for audience participation, you might get flashed up on the big screen or called upon during the show.
If you want to avoid being singled out, my best tip is not to sit behind the seats with lamps. Those lamps come on during the show so the audience can see the person they flash to better! Overall, this attraction is a fun place to cool off in the heat of the day or take a break during an afternoon rain shower. It’s a charming, impromptu performance that’s good for a few laughs.
Space Mountain
Space Mountain is one of the most popular Tomorrowland rides at Magic Kingdom. This indoor roller coaster has been thrilling guests for well over 45 years! This popular ride has long waits throughout most of the day. Guests can wait via the standby queue, or those who purchase a Lightning Lane Multi Pass can select this attraction based on availability.
Space Mountain has a 44″ height requirement. Wheelchair guests and those with ECVs must be able to transfer to a regular wheelchair for the queue and then to the ride vehicle. This coaster can be scary because the ride is entirely in the dark, so you cannot see the track ahead of you. Expect large drops and fun thrills on this timeless attraction as you race through outer space.
Tomorrowland Speedway
The Tomorrowland Speedway is another classic attraction in Tomorrowland. This fun ride allows children to drive a real gas-powered car. However, it does have a height requirement. Guests must be 32″ in height to ride the Tomorrowland Speedway. Guests who are at least 32″ may also drive their cars as long as they are accompanied by someone who is at least 54″ in height.
Lines for the Tomorrowland Speedway can be long during the day. Unfortunately, most of the queue is in direct sunlight. So it isn’t the most pleasant place to wait in line on a busy day. Once you get to the loading area, you’ll wait for the guests to return the car. After they exit, you’ll board the car and buckle up. Then, a cast member will tell you when it’s okay to start your race.
Parents, pushing the gas pedal from the passenger side is easy if your child can’t quite reach it. Remember, you shouldn’t bump the cars ahead of you, either! Tomorrowland Speedway offers a regular standby queue and a Lightning Lane option for those who purchase a Lightning Lane Multi Pass. Guests in a wheelchair or ECV must be able to transfer to the ride vehicle.
Tomorrowland Peoplemover
While in Tomorrowland, you’ll want to hop aboard the Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover. This slow-moving attraction is the perfect place to break from crowds, rest your feet, and enjoy the views of Tomorrowland.
Per Disney, guests must be ambulatory to experience this attraction. After entering the queue, you’ll board a moving speed ramp at the ground level and take it up to the loading area. The speed ramp occasionally goes down. If that’s the case, you’ll have to walk up the ramp. It has a fairly steep incline, so take your time.
At the top, you’ll enter a small queue before stepping onto a moving platform when it’s your time to board. Each car seats about six guests with rows facing forward and backward. After boarding your Peoplemover vehicle, prepare to sit back and relax. This fun attraction lasts approximately 15 minutes.
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
Continuing our journey through Tomorrowland, we encounter Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress. This attraction debuted at the 1964-65 World’s Fair and later at Disneyland before it was moved to Walt Disney World in 1975.
Carousel of Progress is a rotating theater where the seats move from one scene to the next. This unique attraction celebrates the progression of time, dating back four generations. Unfortunately, the ending scene is a bit dated at this time. But hopes are high that eventually, this attraction will be refurbished to reflect modern times.
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress is an excellent place to break in the event of afternoon rain, crowds, or hot temperatures. It takes approximately 21 minutes to experience the entire attraction. This attraction offers a standby queue. Guests can board each time the theater rotates. Additionally, guests can remain in their wheelchairs or ECVS for this attraction.
Tron Lightcycle / Run
Tron Lightcycle Run is Magic Kingdom’s newest ride. You will likely want to purchase a Single Pass Lightning Lane to avoid the standby queue for this attraction. Our attraction guide below provides more information on securing a Lightning Lane. Wheelchair and ECV guests must be able to transfer to a ride vehicle. A transfer vehicle with a regular seat and a lap bar is available.
Tron has a 48″ (inch) height requirement. Guests will board their own lightcycle and race off against others on the grid. This attraction’s thrilling launch sends you surging across the outdoor canopy. At night, the canopy lights up in bright blue and orange. This area is also fun to tour in the evening. Guests are permitted to walk underneath the outdoor canopy. The ride is thrilling and a beautiful addition to the park.
Character Meet-and-Greets in Tomorrowland
As of this last update, Chip and Dale have been roaming Tomorrowland dressed as space cadets. You’ll want to confirm availability in the My Disney Experience app on the day of your visit. (They are known to move around fairly often.)
Stitch
Stitch meets near the exit of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Magic Kingdom. It’s always good to see him! For more details on this location, see our experience of meeting Stitch in Tomorrowland.
Dining In Tomorrowland
Tomorrowland offers quite a few counter and quick-service dining opportunities. However, there aren’t any table service locations in the themed land.
Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies
Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies is the designated ice cream shop in Tomorrowland. This location offers sundaes, floats, and milkshakes. You might also pick up a churro.
Astro Fizz
This location was formerly known as Cool Ship. It closed, and a new location called Astro Fizz opened in its place. They sell a variety of frozen soda drinks and other novelty items.
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe is one of the largest quick-service restaurants in Walt Disney World. It’s a popular location because it offers classic American food like hamburgers and chicken nuggets that most families can agree upon.
Inside Cosmic Ray’s, several dining rooms are available. Additional seating is available out on the patio.
But many like to grab a seat in the main dining room, where you might catch Sonny Eclipse performing.
Cosmic Ray’s has several bays. Most of these are for mobile orders. However, if you continue to the end, the last bay still takes orders at the register.
This location sells items like burgers, fried chicken sandwiches, salads, and similar items. Of course, kids’ meals and other menu items are available. You can pull up the entire menu in the mobile order section of the My Disney Experience app. Here is a photo of the grilled chicken sandwich kids’ meals. Kids’ meals come with two sides and a choice of beverage.
The Lunching Pad
The Lunching Pad is in the same area as the Peoplemover and Astro Orbiter attractions.
This location is good for picking up a specialty hot dog or Mickey-shaped pretzel. They also sell the famous cream cheese pretzel.
In addition to hot dogs and pretzels, The Lunching Pad has frozen beverages, fountain drinks, and energy drinks.
Energy Bytes
Energy Bytes is a snack stand in Tomorrowland near Tron. This stand offers a few beverages and snack items, but most of the original menu is no longer offered.
Tomorrowland Terrace
Tomorrowland Terrace is open seasonally. I cannot remember the last time I walked through and saw guests having lunch here. However, this is where the private fireworks dessert parties are held in the evenings. A pre- and post-dessert party is available.
Lastly, Joffrey’s Revive is a coffee shop located by the restrooms near Space Mountain. This is an excellent place to pick up a coffee or other flavored beverage. Additionally, a snack cart in Tomorrowland sells pretzels and popcorn throughout most of the day. Pretzels are typically available earlier, and popcorn is served later.
Shopping in Tomorrowland
Before we wrap up our visit to Tomorrowland, let’s briefly discuss the shopping opportunities.
Space Ranger Spin Photos
When you exit Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, you’ll find yourself in Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Photos. This is called a dump shop because the ride dumps you into the shop before the exit. Inside Space Ranger Spin Photos, you’ll find a variety of Toy Story and Pixar-themed merchandise. There is also a place to view on-ride photos from the attraction.
Merchant of Venus
The Merchant of Venus used to sell a variety of Star Wars merchandise and other futuristic items. However, this location has become a seating area for Auntie Gravities. We’ll see what the future holds for this location.
Star Traders
Star Traders is on the opposite side of Merchant of Venus. This store sells Disney-themed merchandise.
Two pressed penny machines are inside one of the Star Traders’ entrances. Here are the pressed pennies that we saw on this visit.
Tomorrowland Launch Depot
Tomorrowland Launch Depot, formerly Tomorrowland Light and Power Co., is the retail shop at the Space Mountain exit. This store offers items branded specifically for Space Mountain and Tron.
Launch Depot usually has some pretty cool Tron merchandise.
Ursa’s Major Minor Mart
Ursa Major Minor Mart is an outdoor kiosk that formerly sold pins and pin-trading souvenirs. As of late, we’ve seen headbands and bubble wands at this location.
Final Thoughts
Overall, there are plenty of rides and other things to do in Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland. Don’t forget to make a second loop around the land after dark. It tends to light up a little differently in the evening.
Final Thoughts
We hope you enjoyed this overview of Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom. For more on the park, see our guide to Magic Kingdom. We’re always exploring what’s new around Walt Disney World! Stop by Resorts Gal again soon for the latest!
In the Comments
What do you think of Tomorrowland? Do you enjoy spending time here? Let us know in the comments below.
