It seems like EVERYTHING is changing in Magic Kingdom. First, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin got a massive update. Then Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopened with a lot of changes. Meanwhile, Rivers of America is GONE, and a new Cars expansion, Piston Peak, is going in its place. Then there’s construction happening on a new Villains land. It’s a LOT.
Let’s go for a ride on the PeopleMover
Well, that doesn’t mean that we don’t spot the smaller changes, too, and we were recently hopping on one of our FAVORITE chill Magic Kingdom rides, when we noticed something had changed there. Yes, the PeopleMover is a little different now.
If you love the PeopleMover as much as we do, YOU NEED our PeopleMover Fan Club shirt! Get it now online at the DFB Store!
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We made our way through Magic Kingdom to head into Tomorrowland recently to hop on the PeopleMover, which is one of our favorite rides for resting our feet. However, as we were walking through the ride’s entrance, we noticed something was gone. Remember how you’d walk up to the escalator and go through a turnstile (which we assume is to help Disney count how many guests go through there)?
Turnstile at PeopleMover
Well, we noticed that the turnstile is GONE. It’s kaput. Disappeared. No longer there.
The turnstile is gone
The PeopleMover (or the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, its full name) opened in Disney World in 1975, but went through significant changes in 2009, and has been moving…well…people…ever since. The ride was based on a long-gone Disneyland ride called the Wedway PeopleMover, although that version changed elevations, whereas the Disney World version doesn’t.
PeopleMover
It’s one of the best ways to take a break in Magic Kingdom on a hot day, but it also gives you unique views of TRON Lightcycle / Run, Tomorrowland Speedway, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Space Mountain, a diorama of the original EPCOT concept, a diorama with two robots, and Star Traders. It’s a pretty sweet and relaxing ride. And, yeah, if you need a nap, well, it’s good for that, too.
Riding on the PeopleMover
We’ll keep an eye out for more Disney World updates, so stay tuned to DFB for more.
6 Magic Kingdom Secrets Disney Doesn’t Want You to Know
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No… It opened in July 1975 albeit with a slightly different name. The creative geniuses at WDW have called it Peoplemover, Tomorrowland Transit Authority, Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover and the PeopleMover. Yikes. Way to add value…..
Love People Mover! Would love your tee but I can’t wear unisex cut and sizing. Wish your tees were cut and sized for women with scoop or v-necks. Please consider for the future! Thx!
It actally opened as the wedway peoplemover on July 1, 1975. It hasn’t really changed all that much since then. A renaming and what the windows show have been the biggest changes.
The peoplemover opened in 1975
I sooo miss riding on this. My wife is disabled and uses a wheelchair. People Mover was always our go to ride🥲
Are you sure the WDW version opened in 2009 as per the article? I’m sure I rode it on my first visit in 2001 and have a feeling it was around long before that.
Hi Mandy! The PeopleMover opened in 1975, but was significantly updated in 2009. I have passed the corrections along to our editorial team. Thank you so much for your comment.
It started out as wedway (WED-Walt’s initials if you needed this obvious fact)
As I have pointed out before- there is no way for disabled people who must use wheelchairs or walkers to access this ride.
I’m glad the turnstile has gone. I’m not very tall and it’s at an awkward height for me. I always seem to catch something in it, like my bag or T-shirt and then it slaps me in the back!