PHOTOS - Astro Orbiter refurbishment update

Sep 05, 2014 in "Astro Orbiter"

Gallery / 4 Photos
Astro Orbiter refurbishment

Astro Orbiter refurbishment
Astro Orbiter refurbishment
Astro Orbiter refurbishment
Astro Orbiter refurbishment
Posted: Friday September 5, 2014 11:54am EDT by WDWMAGIC Staff

The Astro Orbiter's extensive refurbishment looks to be heading into the home stretch as the ride is currently being reassembled.

There are still a few more weeks to go ahead of its planned September 28 2014 reopening to guests.

Click the gallery for more photos.

Astro Orbiter refurbishment
Astro Orbiter refurbishment
Discuss on the Forums

Get Walt Disney World News Delivered to Your Inbox

Conversation

View all comments →

devoy1701Oct 20, 2014

I love the new paint scheme. It really brightens the place up and draws your attention. Almost makes it feel more alive. Hope they get those planets moving again soon.

modnarOct 03, 2014

Looks great! Agree it's too bad the planets are stationary, but it's good to see a classic being taken care of.

Horizons1Oct 03, 2014

This guy.

Rob562Oct 03, 2014

I thought the planets *were* frozen... ;) -Rob

Horizons1Oct 02, 2014

Guests won't notice and it's not Frozen, so no need to worry.

Macca250Oct 02, 2014

Thanks for the replies! Seems strange that they didn't fix the planets if it was just a matter of broken motors. I've seen car washes with spinning advertisements that look more complex. I'm sure the company that literally builds mountains could have fixed it if they wanted to. Unfortunately we all know a broken motor is enough for TDO to justify pulling the effect :hungover:. Not to sound all negative though, the refurb has certainly given Tomorrowland some glamour.

PhilharMagicianOct 02, 2014

Weren't they all spinning prior to refurb? Back about 2004 or 2005 the planets were refurbed and many were not spinning then. There were motor repairs and/or replacements at that time for all the planets and I thought were spinning until the recent closure. I hope this temporary.

rct247Oct 02, 2014

It was too costly to maintain the spinning planet effect because the motors are at angles and that angled motion causes them to wear out quicker. That's just what has been passed along.

BrerJonOct 02, 2014

And still working fine in Hong Kong and Paris.

Horizons1Oct 02, 2014

So...technology that was possible in 1994 isn't possible 2014. What a joke.

note2001Oct 02, 2014

Someone in this thread mentioned that the motors that are used to spin the planets work best when on the level. The way they are mounted for the planets is not level and it causes too many problems. I'm sure technology has progressed enough since the initial design was created to create a motor that would operate well under these conditions, but it seems whoever was in charge of the refurbishment either did not have the time, the funds in the budget or perhaps didn't care to work to restore their motion. We'll never know.

ABQOct 02, 2014

Sad, I was just going to quote @Macca250 and ask that I'd like to know too but was going to add, and please don't make it some smart alec like response of "duh, money of course"

Mike SOct 02, 2014

Macca250Oct 02, 2014

Anyone know why they didn't fix the planets? I'd have thought that was a pretty basic effect?
View all comments →

Latest Photo Galleries
More photos →

Muppets will be taking over Rock 'n' Roller Coaster

Muppets will be taking over Rock 'n' Roller Coaster

5 hours ago1 photo
2024 Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic Charity Donation

2024 Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic Charity Donation

1 day ago4 photos
Exclusive Passholder Merchandise for 2024 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

Exclusive Passholder Merchandise for 2024 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

2 days ago1 photo
2024 Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic Event

2024 Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic Event

3 days ago35 photos

Most Read
More news →

1Disney Confirms Muppets Take Over Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios
5 hours ago

2Disney World's Magic Kingdom to close early in January 2025
1 day ago

3Disney Confirms MuppetVision 3D Closure for New Monsters, Inc. Coaster at Hollywood Studios
5 hours ago

4MuppetVision 3-D's Future: Potential Disney Park Venues and Apple Vision Pro Immersive Experience
3 hours ago

 FOLLOW
Follow WDWMAGIC on YouTube
Follow WDWMAGIC on Instagram
Subscribe to WDWMAGIC RSS Feed
 WDWMAGIC

Advertising

Contact Us

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

RSS Feed

Privacy Policy

Change Cookie Consent

Affiliate Policy

 INFO

Attractions

Calendar

Dining

Events

Recreation

Refurbishments

Resorts

Shopping

Transportation

Trip Planning

 FORUMS

Register

Help

 NEWS

Photos

Video

 REVIEWS
 A-Z
 WDWMAGIC App
WDWMAGIC.COM is an unoffical Walt Disney World fan site and is in no way part of The Walt Disney Company. Some parts Copyright © The Walt Disney Co.
No parts of this site are to be reproduced without permission.
MADE IN ENGLAND.