Welcome to this month’s Blogorail Black Loop. Today we are sharing some of the best attraction ride vehicles at Disney.
When you’re in a hurry to get nowhere fast, the Walt Disney World PeopleMover is what you’ll want to use to do it! Operated by the Tomorrowland Transit Authority, The PeopleMover is a slow-moving 10-minute ride with just one station, in the center of Rocket Tower Plaza, located beneath the landmark Astro Orbiter. Please enter the ride vehicle and take your seat for the rest of this post:
The PeopleMover’s leisurely pace, lack of long queue lines, and the sneak previews it offers of other more extreme Tomorrowland attractions make it a favorite among repeat visitors. The first sneak peek you get is of:
A cool thing that may happen during your ride is when the lights are on inside Space Mountain. This usually happens when there is a problem with the ride system, but the PeopleMover still operates during these times. You can see the tracks of Space Mountain and how the ride was put together!
The PeopleMover’s vehicles are always moving. To board and disembark, you will have to use a large speed-matched rotating platform inside the station. Now here is the unique feature of this attraction: The trains are not powered by motors within themselves, but are propelled by a system of Linear Synchronous Motors embedded in the track every nine feet. Cool technology is always a part of Disney attraction ride vehicles!
Linear Synchronous Motor (LSM) technology is scalable and adaptable to a wide range of applications, from small transport and positioning systems to large people movers. Unlike short stroke linear motors, LSMs generate propulsive force by running current through a stator creating an electro-magnetic field that interacts with a set of permanent magnets on a vehicle to create thrust. The permanent magnets serve as the motor secondary, equivalent to a rotor in conventional motors, enabling linear motion. The magnet array and vehicle is propelled by the moving electro-magnetic field, traveling along as electric current is applied to the stator beneath the vehicle. The vehicle’s movement is regulated by a sophisticated control system incorporating state-of-the-art position sensing technology.
Got it? Get it? Good! Moving on…
Each car has its own sound system which broadcasts a continuous audio commentary and soundtrack, relative to the train’s location. The commentary points out the attractions you are passing as well as announcing promotional items.
But perhaps the best part of the PeopleMover is… the romance!
You can sit with your Significant Other and relax as the crowds and hustle and bustle of WDW fades away. And if the attraction isn’t too busy, Cast Members may let you stay on for one or two more rides around the track. Don’t be afraid to ask! And feel free to snuggle… just don’t get carried away!
The PeopleMover is also one of the few ‘outdoor’ attractions that still runs in the rain. So if the skies open up to deliver one of Florida’s famous bursts of precipitation, just head to the PeopleMover!
I hope I’ve whetted your appetite for this great attraction (see what I did there? It’s raining in the picture above: Whetted/wet? Yeah, you’re probably right.)
For more information on the best attraction ride vehicles at Disney,
check out the other great posts from the Blogorail!
Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail Black | Best Attraction Ride Vehicles Loop:
- 1st Stop – What’s the Point? | Space Mountain Rocket Trains
- 2nd Stop – Mousekatools Mom | Autopia
- 3rd Stop – Adventureland Pam | Jungle Cruise Boats
- 4th Stop – Cool Nouns by Lee Beatens | (you are here)
There’s nothing that I enjoy more than wind in my hair and the sights and sounds of the Peoplemover. And let me tell you, as someone who worked in tomorrowland, “romance” getting carried away on the Peoplemover may happen more often than you think. 😉
Rats! I thought I was being discreet! Lol thanks for commenting!
I love the Peoplemover! It’s definitely on my list of favorite attractions at the Magic Kingdom (and it helps that it sits right across from my very favorite – the Carousel of Progress!) When Brian and I were there a few weeks ago, right after our cruise, the park was amazingly packed for that time of year. I thought sure we could get on the Peoplemover, but even it had a LONG line! Craziness!
I have to tell you . . . as I was reading that paragraph about the track system, I was thinking of how Charlie Brown hears his teacher. Yep, I kinda glazed over. Too technical for me. I don’t know how it works, but I know it’s awesome!
Lol! My wife had the same reaction! Basically, it moves people. Nuff said!
My Hubby and I always steal a kiss in the dark.
Preverts! LOL! You’ll get caught some day!
Thanks for commenting!
I LOVE the Peoplemover! It’s a great way to relax for a bit since Magic Kingdom can be a bit overwhelming. I didn’t realize it had such a sophisticated system to keep it moving. Thanks for sharing!
Yup, quite the technology! Thanks for commenting!
I enjoy this ride, too. It’s a great respite from the park. We’ve watched the fireworks from it as well. Of course, you only catch glimpses when outside, but if you don’t care about seeing the whole show, it’s a great time for what will always be for me the WedWay Peoplemover.
I wish I had rode the DL version. The vehicles there were so cool looking!
Thanks for commenting!
I love, love, love the Peoplemover! I know it’s not very exciting, but it is the perfect way to relax at the Magic Kingdom.
Many like it for just that reason. Probably why Disney keeps it around!
Thanks for commenting!
Our kids actually ask to go on this ride. It is also a ride we have taken when the kids were little when they needed a nap. Love that if there is no line you just let the Cast Member know and you can ride it the entire length of a nap.
I’ve had one Cast Member tell me to get off and that I couldn’t ride again even though it was empty and there was no line. Must have been new!
Next time I’ll fake being asleep! LOL Thanks for commenting!
I loved the people mover at Disneyland! I wish we still had it, but I’m happy that it still exists at WDW! Hoping that my friend and I will get a chance to ride it in a few weeks and take advantage of that short line! No “romance” happening in our vehicle, but after a long day, I can’t say that we won’t be napping!
Also, I always feel like I have to get my sea legs when I step onto a moving platform…am I the only one?
Great post! Thanks for taking us on a gentle ride through Tomorrowland!
Yeah, my wife hates the moving platform too! Consider it the thrill part of the ride. Thanks for commenting!