After more than 70 years of gas powered fun, one of Disneyland’s original attractions is about to go electric. And according to the man who designed the very first cars for Walt Disney, the new Autopia won’t work the way most people picture an electric car.
An Electrified Track Instead of Batteries
Disney Legend Bob Gurr, who designed the original Autopia cars before Disneyland opened in 1955, told The New York Times that Disney executives invited him to a facility earlier this year to see a model of the new attraction. Instead of putting a battery in each car, he said the track itself will be electrified to power the vehicles.
“It will be electric, but not the conventional idea of a battery in a car,” Gurr told the Times. He also said Honda, Autopia’s longtime sponsor, will stay on after the switch.
It’s worth noting that Disney hasn’t officially shared how the new system will work. Disney declined to comment for the Times story, and Gurr’s representative later asked the paper to retract his remarks, saying Disney had asked him not to speak publicly about the project. The Times published the interview because Gurr never asked to speak off the record.
Why Autopia Is Going Electric
The change isn’t just about going green. Autopia’s cars currently run on small Honda gas engines, and in 2024 the California Air Resources Board issued Disney a notice of violation because the engines didn’t have the proper emissions certification. Disney paid a $56,250 settlement and agreed to retire the gas powered fleet by early 2027.
Gurr has been pushing for this change for years. He told the Times he’s spent more than two decades asking when Disney would finally get rid of the gasoline.
When Will Autopia Close?
Disneyland hasn’t announced when Autopia will close for the conversion or how long the work will take. With the deadline set for early 2027, a closure could come soon, so if you want one last ride with the classic gas engine rumble (and smell), you may want to plan ahead. We’ll update this post as soon as Disney announces dates.
Walt Disney World fans may be wondering about Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland Speedway. According to the Times, it still runs on gas, with no known plans to go electric.
A Disneyland Original
Autopia opened with Disneyland on July 17, 1955, and it’s one of the few original Tomorrowland attractions still operating. For generations of kids, it’s been their first chance to get behind the wheel. Gurr went on to design many more Disneyland icons, including the Disneyland Monorail and the Matterhorn Bobsleds.
You can read more about the story from Parade. Planning a Disneyland trip this season? Check out what’s changing at Disneyland before the holidays.
Will you miss the gas powered Autopia, or are you excited for the electric version? Let us know in the comments!
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