Remembering the Rocket Rods

From PeopleMover to Rocket Rods to...Pretty much nothin'....

The old tower loading platform has become the saddest sight in Disneyland. Many fans avert their eyes as they walk past it, and everyone hopes that maybe--just maybe--this will be the year that Disney announces a great new project that will finally take over the location and erase the memory of Rocket Rods.

But we shouldn't forget the ill-fated PeopleMover replacement, because--truth be told--the Rockets Rods were a lot of fun...while they lasted.

Once There Was a PeopleMover (with Fish Heads & Crumbs)

The abandoned tracks twist above Disneyland's Tomorrowland, serving no purpose except as a nighttime lighting fixture for the area's entry strip. Once there was a PeopleMover ride bustling along that wonderful elevated roadway. Why it went away, and what happened to its much-hyped  and ill-fated replacement remains one of Disneyland's saddest tales. It's clearly time to move on, tear those old tracks down and have fun imagining the possibilities for Tomorrowland's future.

Younger Disneyland fans often ask about those old tracks. It's the duty of PeopleMover pros to pass along their knowledge to these eager learners. And it's important to get the facts straight. And avoid fibbing. And...hey, look, it's Fish Heads and Crumbs...

The Cars Land Luigi Vs. Ramone Mystery

A logic-defying mystery's forming around Radiator Springs Racers. I'm sure there's a simple explanation, but -- to some repeat visitors -- this Cars Land ride seems to bend the rules of time and space.

How so?

At one point in the adventure, the track splits and your car heads to either Luigi's Casa Della Tires or Ramone's House of Body Art. This is necessary to line up two cars on parallel tracks for the finale race. Logically, then, half the riders go to Luigi's, and half go to Ramone's. Simple.

But...if you've ridden it, which side did you visit? An informal poll among family, friends and fellow fans brought a weird result: nearly everyone went through Luigi's Tire Shop. On a recent Podcast, Lou Mongello's WDW Radio team indicated they rode several times and never saw Ramone's. I've ridden eight times and seen Ramone's once. Check out YouTube, where Luigi's shop appears in about 90% of the posted ride-throughs.

What the heck's going on? Clearly, half the riders must encounter Ramone, or the races would be physically impossible! Are Ramone witnesses sworn to secrecy as they exit? Are their memories and videos altered? Or is the phenomenon just coincidence and illusion (yeah, I know...of course it is).

Maybe a Cast Member could shed some light on this; are Single Riders -- who probably repeat-ride more than folks going through the full queue -- more likely to be placed in a Luigi-destined car due to the boarding zone setup? And are Disney Fans who discuss this sort of thing more likely to get in the Single Rider Line to save time? That seems the most logical answer to me.

Yes, this is probably the silliest post you'll read all day. But, really, it's a puzzle!