Opening on November 28, 1974, during the second phase of Tomorrowland’s expansion, Star Jets was perched atop the WEDWay PeopleMover platform, making it one of the most visually striking attractions in Magic Kingdom. Accessible only via a gantry-style elevator, guests ascended to a launch pad where 12 open-air ride vehicles orbited a towering Saturn V-inspired central rocket.
Each vehicle resembled a space shuttle, with flat backs, large tail fins, and metal control sticks that allowed guests to ascend or descend during their flight. At full height, the ride reached 60 feet above ground, offering panoramic views of Tomorrowland and beyond.
Star Jets was a D-Ticket attraction, modeled after Disneyland’s Rocket Jets, but with unique styling:
The central rocket was a scaled homage to NASA’s Saturn V, reinforcing Tomorrowland’s space exploration theme
The ride vehicles were larger and sleeker, designed to evoke realistic aerospace engineering rather than fantasy rockets
The attraction spun at 11 rotations per minute, covering over 1.2 million miles per year in simulated flight
The elevated platform and kinetic energy made Star Jets a focal point of Tomorrowland, visible from multiple lands and often used in promotional imagery.
On January 10, 1994, Star Jets closed as part of the New Tomorrowland refurbishment, which reimagined the land with a retro-futuristic aesthetic inspired by Jules Verne and H.G. Wells.
The attraction reopened on April 30, 1994, as the Astro Orbiter, featuring:
A stylized ironwork tower in place of the Saturn V rocket
Individual rocket vehicles, now sleeker and more whimsical
Decorative planetary models surrounding the ride, creating the illusion of flying through a League of Planets system
The Astro Orbiter remains in operation today, but the original Star Jets—its design, tone, and NASA-inspired centerpiece—belongs to the archives of Tomorrowland past.
Guests ride the Star Jets in rocket-shaped vehicles high above Tomorrowland.
Guests ride the Star Jets in white rocket-shaped cars with red trim, numbered 7 and 8, as the suspended track curves through a clear blue sky. The classic Tomorrowland attraction feels lively and bright.
Star Jets spins around its rocket tower above the Tomorrowland PeopleMover in a classic Disney view.
Star Jets rises around a central rocket tower as white and red ride vehicles sweep through the air. The Tomorrowland PeopleMover passes below, with palm trees and a bright sky behind the attraction.
A sweeping transit track surrounds a retro-futuristic plaza with palms and crowds.
An elevated PeopleMover track curves through a retro-futuristic plaza lined with palm trees and walkways. A red launch tower rises near the center, while visitors move below across the open concourse.
Star Jets rocket vehicle rises into a clear blue sky above Tomorrowland.
A white Star Jets rocket-shaped vehicle is angled upward against a blue sky, showing black circular windows, red trim, and rear engine pods on a support arm from below.
Star Jets rises over Tomorrowland as open-air vehicles circle the central rocket at dusk.
Star Jets stands above Tomorrowland at dusk, with open-air ride vehicles orbiting the Saturn V-inspired central rocket. Tall palm trees frame the glowing platform and curved building below.
A busy Tomorrowland-style walkway leads past blue towers and sleek silver spires.
Guests cross a wide futuristic plaza framed by blue angular buildings, tall silver spires, and light poles. The bright open sky and crowded walkway give the scene a classic Disney Tomorrowland feel.
Tomorrowland’s futuristic spires frame a walkway where guests move under cloudy skies.
Tomorrowland’s broad walkway leads between futuristic spires and patterned buildings, with guests strolling toward the center under a heavy, overcast sky at Magic Kingdom.
Tomorrowland’s PeopleMover track passes Rocket Jets and palm-lined terraces.
Disneyland’s Tomorrowland shows the elevated PeopleMover track beside Rocket Jets, palm trees, and a busy walkway below. The retro skyline rises behind the platform in soft evening light.
Tomorrowland’s elevated PeopleMover track wraps around the plaza near a red tower.
A sweeping view of Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland shows the white PeopleMover track circling a busy plaza with palm trees, a red tower, and distant water under an overcast sky.
Star Jets rockets circle the tower near Space Mountain beneath a clear sky.
Star Jets rocket vehicles spin around a tall launch tower near the Space Mountain dome, with palm trees and a bright blue sky framing the Disney park scene.
Star Jets rises under construction in Disneyland’s Tomorrowland district.
Aerial view of the Star Jets attraction under construction at Disneyland, with a central rocket tower, curved track framework, and surrounding Tomorrowland buildings and walkways.
Star Jets circles a white tower above Tomorrowland’s blue platform at Disney.
Star Jets rises from Tomorrowland as a white rocket tower with seated riders circles a blue platform, palm trees surrounding the attraction and a red support structure nearby.
Star Jets rises above Tomorrowland as colorful balloons drift across the foreground.
Star Jets stands tall over Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom, with a white rocket tower, orange ride platform, and clusters of bright pink, purple, and orange balloons against a clear blue sky.
