Last Updated: December 17, 2025
Guests could fly high above Tomorrowland as they piloted their own rockets up and down in a circle around a central rocket.
For four decades some variation of a whirling rocket attraction stood in the heart of Tomorrowland after debuting as the Astro Jets in 1956, and then were renamed the Tomorrowland Jets in 1964. The attraction close in September of 1966 while a major remodel redefine all of Tomorrowland when it reopened just before Independence Day in 1967.The attraction had yet another new name Rocket Jets.With America's Space Program in full swing the decade-old winged cylinders of the Astro Jets were jettisoned in favor of a new Apollo style rockets.Designed by George McGinnis the sleek new tubes were more bullet like in appearance with sharper noses prominent yellow headlights and white and black livery reminiscent of NASA's latest spaceships.The redesigned central tower itself look like one of the imposing Saturn launchers that thrust astronauts into the Florida sky.Even more impressively the whole attraction have been lifted three stories off the ground to sit atop the main PeopleMover platform with the center rocket topping out at about 85 ft.Guests could fly high above Tomorrowland as they piloted their own rockets up and down in a circle around a central rocket.
Specs: Capacity 576 per hour -- Capacity per rocket 2 -- Cycle Time 2:30 -- Load Time :30 -- Unload Time :30 -- Flight Time 1:30 -- Dispatch Interval 2:30 -- Flights per hour 24 -- Distance TRaveled 140 feet -- Speed 19 MPH
Rockets designed by George McGinnis
rockets could reach 70 feet above the ground
From Tomorrowland Info Packet 1967:
WHIRLING NEW ATTRACTION:
An all-new version of Disneyland's Rocket Jets attraction has been located atop the PeopleMover Station, combining with it to serve as the focal point of the Magic Kingdom's all-new Tomorrowland.
60-FOOT CLIMB:
Rocket Jets soar silently, climbing up to the 60-foot level, high over the heads of strolling Disneyland visitors.
GUESTS BECOME PILOTS:
Visitors aboard the Rocket Jets actually "pilot" the ships when they take over the control sticks. They may perform sweeping dives and sigh climbs, or direct a steady course.
TOMORROWLAND'S HIGHEST POINT:
The jets "fly" around a towering 85-foot-high rocket, tallest point n new Tomorrowland. Each of the twelve Rocket lets is connected to this vertical space craft by an 18-foot-long control arm.
SPACE PLATFORM:
Passengers board at a Space Platform, a seemingly suspended-in-air third level of the PeopleMover Station. Take-off and landing instructions are heard over the craft's speakers.
OBSERVATION DECK:
Surrounding the circular take-off and landing platform is an obser-vation deck, almost 25 feet high. Visitors reach the observation deck and the Rocket Jets attraction by elevator from the ground level of the PeopleMover Station.
NEW DESIGN:
The WED staff has completely re-designed the Rocket Jets for Tomorrowland. Each ship is eight feet long, accommodating two passengers in tandem fashion. They are authentic white with orange nose-cones and gold and black-striped trimmings and have glowing jet "exhausts."
From WED Disneyland Dictionary 1968
provide breath-taking new thrills high above all of new Tomorrowland. A new version of the popular Rocket Jets attraction tops the tri-level PeopleMover station, theme center and pivotal point of new Tomorrowland.
In the 1970's required a "D" ticket
From Steve Birnbaum brings you the best of Disneyland 1982:
This is a thrill ride, pure and simple-though it does add considerable visual inter- est to Tomorrowland as viewed from the Central Plaza. A good choice for anyone who loved Space Mountain, but doesn't want to get on line all over again.
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