Disney in a Minute: What is an Omnimover?

We’re here with a series of quick posts, “Disney in a Minute,” bite-sized nuggets of information that can better help you understand a Disney term or planning topic. Enjoy!

An Omnimover is a type of continuously moving attraction created by Disney Imagineers. With an Omnimover, the ride vehicles run on a track (often hidden) that moves at a constant rate. The ride loading system typically involves a conveyor belt, moving at the same rate as the ride vehicles, that guests step onto to board and disembark the attraction.

While continuously moving attractions such as Omnimovers may have to pause occasionally (to load or unload a guest with mobility issues, for example), their perpetual motion often means that guest throughput is greater than other types of rides (such as roller coasters) that must come to a full stop as guests load and unload.

Examples of Omnimovers at Walt Disney World include Spaceship Earth, The Seas with Nemo and Friends, Haunted Mansion, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, and Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid. Note that none of these attractions have height requirements due to their slow, steady movement.

Not every attraction that has a continuous load mechanism is an Omnimover. The feature that distinguishes the Omnimover is that the cars move continuously, but also pivot as the ride progresses to let riders “face the action”. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind has cars that turn like an Omnimover, and has been dubbed an “Omnicoaster” by Imagineering.

Do you have a favorite Omnimover attraction? Let us know in the comments!