The Public is Invited in January 2025 to Learn From & Meet the Minds Behind Disney’s Most Iconic Thrill Ride and The Future That Never Was.
“Promising Tomorrows” celebrates a legacy of reinventing Tomorrowland all around the Disney World, from a high-speed rocket-ride through the dark of space, to an encounter with a terrifying alien creature. The event is highlighted by a meet & greet/autograph signing with former Imagineers, as well as a full day of panels and presentations revealing never-before-seen art and untold stories from the creation of Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress, the PeopleMover, ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter, The Timekeeper, Sonny Eclipse, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, and every Space Mountain around the world. The event also includes more, as seen in our tentative schedule:
Wednesday January 15: Tomorrowland Meetups to Commemorate the Anniversary
Thursday January 16: Special Edition of WDW News Tonight
Friday January 17: Meet & Greet and Signing Event with Special Guests
The event is taking place a stone’s throw from the original Space Mountain in Celebration, Florida, the Friday & Saturday portion of the event will include captivating in-person presentations, lively panel discussions, a meet & greet with some of Disney’s most celebrated and accomplished Imagineers, and a rare autograph session with the authors and auteurs of the classic rides, shows, and attractions that continue to excite and delight guests of all ages.
Current and former Disney Imagineers planning to participate include:
- Brock Thoman: Space Mountain – Walt Disney World
- Ron Carman: Space Mountain – Walt Disney World
- Paul Osterhaut: New Tomorrowland – Walt Disney World
- Tim Delaney: Space Mountain De la Terre à la Lune – Disneyland Paris, Space Mountain – Hong Kong Disneyland, Space Mountain Complex – Disneyland Park
- Dan Moliter: ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin – Walt Disney World
- Mike West: ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter – Walt Disney World
- Greg Kadorian: ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter, The Timekeeper – Walt Disney World, Space Mountain – Disneyland Park, Space Mountain – Hong Kong Disneyland
- Jim Mulder: Space Mountain De la Terre à la Lune – Disneyland Paris
Frameable lithographs will be available to event attendees as well, with art by former Imagineer Tim Delaney celebrating all of the Space Mountain peaks around the world, and a second piece celebrating New Tomorrowland by Paul Osterhaut.
Tickets to attend this once-in-a-lifetime event in person are on sale now at SpaceMountain50.com. Tickets to stream the event online and enjoy it on-demand for 30 days are also available on the same website.
Members of the WDWNT Inner Globe Society (patreon.com/WDWNT) are eligible for a discount on in-person registration.
Guests can find the updated list of participants, event schedule, and more at SpaceMountain50.com.
FAQs
What is Promising Tomorrows?
WDWNT is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Space Mountain at Disney Parks, as well as 30 years since the reimagining of New Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom.
What does Promising Tomorrows entail?
The event includes a day in the park on January 15, a special episode of WDW News Tonight on January 16, a meet & greet and autograph signing event on January 17, and a full day of panels and presentations by our special guests on January 18th.
How do I attend the park meetup on January 15?
Join WDWNT staff on Wednesday, January 15 at the Magic Kingdom to commemorate 50 years of Space Mountain and Carousel of Progress. Group rides, meals, and fun activities await as we celebrate the day!
Event registration is not required to join us on January 15. Park admission and a park reservation is required and not included in the event registration.
Where does this event take place?
The January 15 park meetup takes place in Magic Kingdom (park admission is required and not included).
WDW News Tonight, Friday’s Meet & Greet and Autograph Signing Event, and the Saturday Panels and Presentations will take place at WDWNT Celebration, 1136 Celebration Blvd., Celebration, FL 34747.
Is there a WIGS Discount for this event?
Yes, WIGS Members get a discounted price for event registration. Please input your access code at the top of the ticketing page to unlock your WIGS-Exclusive discounted ticket packages. WIGS Access and Discount Codes can be found at https://my.wdwnt.com/wigs/.
Not a WIGS member? Sign up now to get a discount on this event and more! https://patreon.com/wdwnt.
What Does “Promising Tomorrows” Mean?
“We’ve Come So Far (Promising Tomorrows)” is a musical piece composed by George Wilkins to promote RCA, Space Mountain’s sponsor from 1975 to 1993. It was used in the Magic Kingdom version of Space Mountain since the 1985 refurbishment. The lyrical version of the song was heard in the exit of Space Mountain until the end of the RCA sponsorship in 1993. Since then, the instrumental versions have been used in various areas of Space Mountain.
What are the presentations about?
You’ll hear stories from all of our special guests about the creation Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress, the PeopleMover, ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter, The Timekeeper, Sonny Eclipse, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, every Space Mountain around the world, and more from those who were behind it all!
Can I come for only part of the event?
Because capacity in our event space is limited, we expect to sell out of the All-Access Pass. The Friday Meet & Greet and Autograph Signing is in a larger space so there are a limited number of tickets available separately for that portion of the event. And of course, everyone is welcome to join us for the park celebration on January 15.
Are tickets refundable?
Ticket purchases are generally not refundable. In certain situations, if there is a waiting list for the event, we will work with you to transfer your tickets to a person on the waiting list.
If I buy the streaming ticket now and later decide to come to the event in person, can I get a refund for the streaming ticket?
We will credit the price you paid for the streaming ticket toward your All-Access Pass purchase. Please contact jason@wdwnt.com for assistance with processing your transaction. However if the All-Access Pass sells out we will be unable to assist you.
If I buy the meet & greet only ticket now and later decide to buy the All-Access Pass, can I get a refund for the meet & greet ticket?
We will credit the price you paid for the meet & greet ticket toward your All-Access Pass purchase. Please contact jason@wdwnt.com for assistance with processing your transaction. However if the All-Access Pass sells out we will be unable to assist you.
Are you affiliated with Disney?
WDWNT LLC is an independent Disney fan site and is not affiliated with The Walt Disney Company or Walt Disney World. Disney has invited WDWNT to be on their official media list for media previews, but WDWNT is a separate entity from The Walt Disney Company.
Is there a charity benefit aspect to this event?
As with many past WDWNT events, we have partnered with Give Kids the World and will donate proceeds from ticket sales to this wonderful organization. Learn more about them at https://gktw.org.
For more information about Give Kids The World Village, visit gktw.org.