 Source: Disney Examiner
Spring 1977 – Spring 1998
LOCATION
Tomorrowland – The Lunching Pad utilized the space directly beneath the PeopleMover‘s main platform, smack in the center of Tomorrowland. Visitors could see the platform from almost anywhere in the land, lined up perfectly at the end of the main walkway. Today, this space is multi-purpose; part DVC and guest services location, and part retail with a shop called TomorrowLanding.
EXPERIENCE
Details:
- Service Type – quick service
- Seating – none
- Entertainment – none
Tomorrowland was Disneyland’s kinetic land, with guests as busy and on-the-go as the attractions. But sometimes, even the fastest moving travelers need some fuel. The Lunching Pad offered visitors quick food options, with grab and go items like hot dogs and popcorn. Rather than offer visitors a scenic sitting area, this spot gave guests desperate to ride every attraction exactly what they needed: a pit stop mid-race.
CLOSURE
The Lunching Pad was never an overwhelmingly popular spot in Tomorrowland. With so many neighboring popcorn carts and quick service options, guests didn’t really need a designated quick service space for faster food options. However, the Lunching Pad’s closure had little to do with popularity. Instead, it faced the realities of a complete land overhaul. “New Tomorrowland” started evolving in the late 90s, and virtually no restaurants survived the transition. The Lunching Pad finally closed in 1998, shortly before the official reopening of Tomorrowland’s new era.
TRIVIA
The Magic Kingdom still has its Lunching Pad, also located in the base of its PeopleMover platform.