Concept art for the new Autopia

DISNEYLAND AND CHEVRON ENTER MULTI-YEAR
AGREEMENT TO UPGRADE TOMORROWLAND AUTOPIA

ANAHEIM, Oct. 29, 1998 -- The Disneyland Resort announced today a joint 13-year marketing, promotion and sponsorship agreement with Chevron that will update and improve Disneyland’s Autopia attraction. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

The remodeled Autopia, tentatively scheduled to open in mid 2000, will feature new visual show elements, restyled cars, the introduction of an entertaining pre-show area, and the combined use of the Fantasyland Autopia and Tomorrowland Autopia roadways into a single attraction. Guests will enter the attraction through a new boarding area in Tomorrowland.

“We’re very excited to have Chevron join us in refurbishing one of our guests’ all-time favorite attractions,” said Paul Pressler, Disneyland President. “Autopia is a simple and magical experience that allows both children and adults to get behind the wheel of a car, some of them for the very first time, and go for a cruise along the highways of Tomorrowland.”

“It’s truly a privilege for Chevron to be associated with Disneyland and all that their brand represents around the world,” said Dave O’Reilly, president of Chevron Products Co., who was elected Chevron vice chairman, effective Nov. 1. “This innovative agreement supports Chevron’s commitment to high-quality and consistent customer service that differentiates us from our competitors.”

Tomorrowland Autopia is one of the original Disneyland attractions, opening with the park on July 17, 1955. It has been a perennial favorite of Disneyland guests throughout the park’s history and has been remodeled on three separate occasions, but none were as extensive as the upcoming renovation. Fantasyland Autopia, which operates seasonally, opened on Jan. 1, 1959.

“Walt Disney Imagineering will once again work its creative magic to give us an Autopia for the future, designed to delight drivers of all ages,” Pressler said. “It will retain the charm of the original, with a 21st century look, feel and show quality.”

The Autopia cars themselves will be redesigned and updated in appearance, taking their cue from the new Tomorrowland design. The attraction will be more fun than ever with the addition of dimensional marquees that will both surprise and amuse guests as they travel along the Autopia roadways. For successfully navigating the Autopia circuit, guests will be rewarded with a commemorative Autopia driver’s license, a recollection of the 1950s version of the attraction.

In addition to show improvements within the driving experience, a large themed pre-show facility will be added to the attraction and will feature cars brought to life through animation and Disney special effects. Guests will also be able to enjoy a second animated road show presented on a large stadium-sized video screen.