[Chat] 15 Years Ago Today...

[dfan07]

The Skyway made its last trip through the mighty Matterhorn.

The Skyway opened on June 23, 1956 along with the Astrojets and Indian Village. This Von Roll Type 101 was purchased by Walt Disney from Switzerland and became the first in America. Guests enjoyed stunning aerial views of Disneyland during the 3.5 minute journey along the 1200 foot ropeway. It operated for 38 years.




[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uaLlkg4Dhk"]YouTube - Skyway (Disneyland)[/ame]

[ttrocc7007]

Re: 15 Years Ago Today...

I'm always saddened when I make my way through Fantasyland and see the old loading house all overgrown with weeds. It's sorta like rubbing salt into an open wound...

[Ortizmo2000]

Re: 15 Years Ago Today...

RIP


One of my favorites as a child.

[dmomof4]

Re: 15 Years Ago Today...

wow..15 years already...I remember being in line for Mr Toad and someone spit down at the queue line right where we were standing..thankfully it landed on the concrete and not on us!

[DisneyIPresume]

Re: 15 Years Ago Today...

Love that video! Thanks!

So much motion going on everywhere. You just don't see that at Disneyalnd anymore. It reminded me of that special, magical Disney feeling that I haven't felt in a very long time.

[I Heart Disneyland]

Re: 15 Years Ago Today...

One of the best rides EVER! I sure do miss it and it seems longer than 15 years ago since it closed.

[Bob Weaver]

Re: 15 Years Ago Today...

I miss it now although it scared me as a kid. Getting on it was the scariest part. They didn't really stop for long, and I was afraid if I didn't get all the way into the car, I would end up hanging from the outside of the car for the whole trip. Once you got settled in it was pretty nice, but when you went over the towers it was kind of bumpy and that was a little alarming. What made it scary was if the ride stopped for some reason, and you sat there wondering how long you would be hanging in midair. Going through the Matterhorn was great, you got a peek at the inside and if you were lucky to see a bobsled going by sometimes it seemed like you were just inches over them. The view of Fantasyland at night from the Skyway was colorful and beautiful. Like looking down into a multi-colored treasure box that was constantly in motion. And you could see the bright red sign of the Disneyland Hotel and other tall buildings in the vicinity. It was also a great people-watching ride. The Fantasyland station was and still is beautiful except for the weeds. I miss the Skyway now, especially when trying to wade through the crowds on the walkway next to the Matterhorn... wish that Skyway was still there to just take you right over the crowds instead.

[steamboatpete]

Re: 15 Years Ago Today...

I miss that ride more than any other, at any park.

[AcmePunched]

Re: 15 Years Ago Today...

Wow. 15 years ago..

I actually went to Disneyland in the summer of the year it closed. I was three or four years old - must've been my first trip to Disneyland. I remember riding the Skyway and loving it. Too bad I don't remember much more than flashes of looking down at the Dumbo ride.

[tech4all]

Re: 15 Years Ago Today...

Nice video dfan07. That's totally how I remember Disneyland as a child. I do recall going through the Matterhorn on the Skyway. Ahh memories....

[aashee]

Re: 15 Years Ago Today...

That video really made me miss that ride. What a perfect way to get across the park.

[Jachywalcott]

Re: 15 Years Ago Today...

I still have memories of riding that, even if they're pretty vague because I wasn't quite four years old when it closed.

[Ruiner]

Re: 15 Years Ago Today...

Another attraction that had to be taken out because of stupid ada compliance rules.

[cositaluvsmickey]

Re: 15 Years Ago Today...

Wow...has it been 15 years? gosh it only seems like yesterday I was getting on it. I hope the disney executives can bring it back

[napamaninsocal]

Re: 15 Years Ago Today...

Get over it

[Alex E]

Re: 15 Years Ago Today...

Get over it

[Bruce Bergman]

Re: 15 Years Ago Today...

Another attraction that had to be taken out because of stupid ada compliance rules.

The Americans with Disabilities Act had nothing to do with it, that's just a convenient Whipping Boy to hide the real reason. The ADA has always had a 'Grandfathered' Clause - They couldn't build it new without full access, but unless they made major changes to the old buildings and old ride system they could leave it as-is. And any reasonable steps they made to improve access wouldn't trigger a total redo either.

IMHO they closed down both of the Skyways for the extensive maintenance needed (they probably were at the "Change the Wire Rope and Annual Rebuild" point) the ongoing high labor costs to staff the ride, and most important were liability issues.

There was a close call in 1994 when a Guest climbed out of a DL bucket and fell ~20' into a tree, with only minor injuries - but sued anyway. Then there was a fatality accident at WDW involving a Cast Member in 1999. Snopes did a write-up on both.

Disney has insurance for the 'Big Stuff' and Self-Insures for the 'Little Stuff'. I don't know whether it was Disney Legal or the insurer who said "too big a liability, close it down" but I'll bet you that was a big factor in the decision. Both shutdowns were made in the same calendar year as the incidents - that's a pattern that can not be ignored.

"Okay, we keep it running for another six months so we can deny it was unsafe at the time of the incident. Don't train any new operators, and tell maintenance not to order more spare parts, use up the ones we have on hand..."

--<< Bruce >>--

[Madame_Leota]

Re: 15 Years Ago Today...

I miss it now although it scared me as a kid. Getting on it was the scariest part.

Getting on the ride always scared me as a kid too! But once I was on the ride I loved it. Getting on the Peoplemover and Haunted Mansion scared me too because they didn't stop.

[DisneyIzz]

Re: 15 Years Ago Today...

Considering I was roughly 4 months old when it disappeared and I hadn't yet visited DLR, I have no memories to go by! But from what I've seen and heard, it was a pretty beloved attraction and I can imagine it being very effective when it came to getting across the crowded lands below. R.I.P Skyway

[Edit: Can anyone tell me where the old Fantasyland Station is? Someone above mentioned it being covered by weeds and such but I've never noticed it before and want to look out for it next time I visit!]

[HiddenMickeyBook]

Re: 15 Years Ago Today...

The old Fantasyland station is still there near the exit to Frontierland. After you walk past the Casey Jr Train, look up to the right. There are usually food and souvenir stands in front of them, but the original steps are still there too.

Russ and I went to the Park a couple of days before the Skyway closed. At that time, you could still board the Monorail at the Hotel with a round-trip-only ticket for around $2.00. They would lock you into the very back car of the Monorail and you could ride the route and then you would have to get back off at the Hotel. We used it a few times to see how busy the Park was and if we wanted to go in. This time, though, we went to take pictures of the last Skyway cars going through the Matterhorn.