Ride: Tomorrowland Speedway

Put the pedal to the metal in your very own hotrod and cruise along a scenic miniature motorway.

Curated Review (4.1 / 5)

The Tomorrowland Speedway is one of Magic Kingdom's original and most divisive attractions. It stands as a nostalgic favorite for some, while others view it as an outdated relic that has far outlived its welcome.

Based on guest reviews and community discussions, here is a curated review for the Tomorrowland Speedway.

Overall Verdict

A must-do for the under-8 crowd, a "must-skip" for everyone else.

The Tomorrowland Speedway exists purely for young children to experience the thrill of being behind the wheel for the first time. For this demographic, it's a monumental success. For older guests, the ride is overwhelmingly criticized for its uncomfortable vehicles, slow pace, and, most notably, the overwhelming smell of gasoline fumes and noise that permeates the area. It is a dated piece of nostalgia that is long overdue for a conversion to a truly "Tomorrowland" electric experience.

The Experience

The Tomorrowland Speedway puts guests in the driver's seat of gas-powered miniature hotrods. The cars, which resemble classic Indy-style racers, are guided along a fixed rail system but allow the driver to control the acceleration and, to a limited extent, the steering.

The ride lasts about four to five minutes and follows a curvy, 0.4-mile track that weaves over and under other park infrastructure. Although the cars are equipped with nine-horsepower engines, a governor keeps them to a leisurely top speed of around 7 miles per hour. Along the route, guests get unique views of other attractions like Space Mountain and the TRON Lightcycle / Run canopy.

The experience often concludes with a bumpy, jarring ride as the guide rail forces the car to "thrash" from side to side, a reality many adult drivers struggle with.

The Good: What People Love

• The Thrill of First Driving: For many young children, this is their first opportunity to sit behind the steering wheel and operate a vehicle. Reviewers consistently note that their kids "LOVED it!" and felt a profound sense of independence and control.
• Classic Nostalgia: As an opening-day attraction from 1971, the Speedway holds deep sentimental value for adults who rode it as a child. This connection to the park's history keeps some guests returning.
• Unique Photo Opportunity: The ride allows for fun family bonding and unique photos as children—even those who cannot reach the pedal and must be assisted by an adult—get to "drive."

The Bad: Common Complaints

The negative feedback on the Speedway is frequent and consistent, revolving around several key issues:

• Overwhelming Fumes and Noise: This is the most common complaint. The two-cycle gas engines create loud noise and potent exhaust fumes that many reviewers describe as "awful," "overwhelming," and capable of triggering headaches. The smell often extends to surrounding attractions like the Mad Tea Party and Storybook Circus.
• Outdated and Poorly Maintained: Critics argue the attraction is the antithesis of "Tomorrowland," featuring fossil-fuel vehicles from the past. Furthermore, the cars are often said to have poor steering and worn-out alignment, leading to excessive banging against the central guide rail. One reviewer noted, "I couldn't believe how you couldn't even steer the cars at all anymore."
• Uncomfortable and Awkward: Adults frequently complain the small, torpedo-shaped ride vehicles are difficult to board and disembark from, especially when sharing the space with another person. "I was super uncomfortable," wrote one guest.
• Takes Up Prime Real Estate: Many guests feel the attraction's enormous footprint—which is larger than many other Magic Kingdom landmarks—is a massive waste of space that could be used for multiple, modern attractions that better fit the futuristic theme.

Top Tips from Reviewers

• Skip It Unless You Have a Child: If you are an adult riding without a young child (under 54" and therefore unable to drive alone), reviewers strongly advise skipping the attraction due to the discomfort, noise, and fumes.
• Ride Early or Late: The queue for the Speedway offers very little shade. To avoid standing in the sun and exhaust fumes during the hottest part of the day, plan to visit within the first hour of park opening or the last hour before closing.
• Use It As a Low-Priority Lightning Lane: While not a top-tier attraction, if you find yourself with an available Lightning Lane and a willing child, it is a good way to bypass the long wait times that sometimes build up midday.
• Steer Against the Rail: To reduce the jerking motion, some experienced guests recommend steering slightly away from the center rail as your car naturally attempts to drift toward it, which may help minimize the constant jolting.

Summary

The Tomorrowland Speedway is a perfect example of a beloved-by-some, loathed-by-most experience. It successfully fulfills its niche as a unique entry point into the world of driving for the park's youngest visitors. However, for everyone else, the ride is a loud, smelly, and uncomfortable detour into Yesterdayland. Until it receives a significant update—preferably converting to clean, electric vehicles and perhaps a "Cars"-themed re-skin, as many guests suggest—its charm is likely to be eclipsed by its dated flaws.

Reference

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/magic-kingdom/tomorrowland-speedway/