Rocket Jets, 1967

How about those Rocket Jets? They were the updated and much-improved version of the Astro Jets. I've said it before, and I'll probably say it again, but I consider the placement of the Rocket Jets on top of the Peoplemover load area to be a stroke of genius. I have read an account that gives Walt Disney himself credit for that one!

Apparently he was surveying the model of the New Tomorrowland, and he looked at the model of the Rocket Jets, which was to be built elsewhere. He picked it up, placed it atop the model of the Peoplemover, and said, "Wouldn't this be better up here?". Yes it would!



Walt passed away before the old "New Tomorrowland" opened in 1967, but his ideas continued to influence that land, extending to the opening of Space Mountain in 1977 (Florida's version opened in 1975).

Incidentally, the entire top portion of this attraction is up for auction in a day or two. Go to this website and download the whole .pdf catalog, or just download part 3 of this huge catalog. Look for item #786! Estimated price: $20,000 to $30,000.