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
