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{{About|the original gondola system at Disneyland, Magic Kingdom, and Tokyo Disneyland|the recently opened gondola system at Walt Disney World|Disney Skyliner}}
{{Short description|Former amusement ride in Disney parks}}
{{About|the original gondola system at Disneyland, Magic Kingdom, and Tokyo Disneyland|the current gondola system at Walt Disney World|Disney Skyliner}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2017}}

{{Infobox attraction
{{Infobox attraction
<!--GLOBAL STATISTICS-->
<!--GLOBAL STATISTICS-->
Line 8: Line 10:
<!--INDIVIDUAL PARK STATISTICS-->
<!--INDIVIDUAL PARK STATISTICS-->
| location = Disneyland
| location = Disneyland
⚫
| section = [[Fantasyland]], [[Tomorrowland (Disney Parks)|Tomorrowland]]
⚫
| location2 = Magic Kingdom
| location3 = Tokyo Disneyland
| status = Removed
⚫
| section = [[Fantasyland]], [[Tomorrowland]]
⚫
| section2 = [[Fantasyland]], [[Tomorrowland]]
⚫
| section3 = [[Fantasyland]], [[Tomorrowland]]
⚫
| status = Removed
⚫
| status2 = Removed
⚫
| status3 = Removed
| soft_opened = June 10, 1956
| soft_opened = June 10, 1956
| opened = June 23, 1956
| opened = June 23, 1956
⚫
| opened2 = October 1, 1971
⚫
| opened3 = April 15, 1983
| closed = November 9, 1994
| closed = November 9, 1994

⚫
| location2 = Magic Kingdom
⚫
| section2 = [[Fantasyland]], [[Tomorrowland (Disney Parks)|Tomorrowland]]
⚫
| status2 = Removed
⚫
| opened2 = October 1, 1971
| closed2 = November 10, 1999
| closed2 = November 10, 1999

| location3 = Tokyo Disneyland
⚫
| section3 = [[Fantasyland]], [[Tomorrowland (Disney Parks)|Tomorrowland]]
⚫
| status3 = Removed
⚫
| opened3 = April 15, 1983
| closed3 = November 3, 1998
| closed3 = November 3, 1998
| replacement3 = [[Pooh's Hunny Hunt]] (Fantasyland station)<br />Stellar Sweets (Tomorrowland station)
| replacement3 = [[Pooh's Hunny Hunt]] (Fantasyland station)<br>Stellar Sweets (Tomorrowland station)

<!--GENERAL STATISTICS-->
<!--GENERAL STATISTICS-->
| type = [[Gondola lift]]
| type = [[Gondola lift]]
Line 33: Line 38:
| speed_mph = 4
| speed_mph = 4
| vehicle_type = Gondola
| vehicle_type = Gondola
⚫
| vehicles = 42
| riders_per_vehicle = 4
| riders_per_vehicle = 4
| duration = 3:36
| duration = 3:36
| custom_label_1 = Required Ticket
| custom_label_1 = Required Ticket
| custom_value_1 = '''D''' (Disneyland)<br />'''D''' (Magic Kingdom)
| custom_value_1 = '''D''' (Disneyland, Magic Kingdom)
| vehicles = 42
}}
}}


The '''Skyway''' was a [[gondola lift]] attraction at [[Disneyland]], at the [[Magic Kingdom]], and at [[Tokyo Disneyland]]. Since all versions of this attraction took riders back and forth between [[Fantasyland]] and [[Tomorrowland]], the route from Tomorrowland was called '''Skyway to Fantasyland,''' and the route from Fantasyland was called '''Skyway to Tomorrowland'''.
The '''Skyway''' was a [[gondola lift]] attraction at [[Disneyland]], at the [[Magic Kingdom]], and at [[Tokyo Disneyland]]. Since all versions of this attraction took riders back and forth between [[Fantasyland]] and [[Tomorrowland (Disney Parks)|Tomorrowland]], the route from Tomorrowland was called '''Skyway to Fantasyland''', and the route from Fantasyland was called '''Skyway to Tomorrowland'''.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Strodder |first1=Chris |title=The Disneyland Encyclopedia |date=2017 |publisher=Santa Monica Press |isbn=978-1595800909 |edition=3rd |pages=432–433}}</ref>


== History ==
==History==


=== Disneyland ===
===Disneyland===
The Skyway at Disneyland opened on June 23, 1956.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2013/02/1956-photo-walt-disney-at-opening-of-skyway-to-fantasyland-at-disneyland-park/|title=1956 Photo: Walt Disney at Opening of Skyway to Fantasyland at Disneyland Park|website=Disney Parks Blog|language=en-us|access-date=May 15, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531025229/https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2013/02/1956-photo-walt-disney-at-opening-of-skyway-to-fantasyland-at-disneyland-park/|archive-date=May 31, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> It was built by [[Von Roll|Von Roll, Ltd]]. based in [[Bern, Switzerland]]. It was the first Von Roll Type 101 aerial ropeway in the United States. Walt Disney Imagineering bought the ride from Switzerland. It was a 1947 Vonroll sidechair model. In 1959, a major renovation added The [[Submarine Voyage]], the [[Disneyland Monorail System|Disneyland Monorail]], the [[Matterhorn Bobsleds|Matterhorn]] (now a Fantasyland Attraction), and the [[Motor Boat Cruise]], but when the Matterhorn was planned, it was designed to be built in the path of the Skyway. The Skyway closed in late 1957, its tallest tower of 60 feet tall was demolished and Matterhorn Bobsleds was built in its spot. The attraction later reopened in 1959 with the expanded Tomorrowland Complex.
The Skyway at Disneyland opened on June 23, 1956.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2013/02/1956-photo-walt-disney-at-opening-of-skyway-to-fantasyland-at-disneyland-park/|title=1956 Photo: Walt Disney at Opening of Skyway to Fantasyland at Disneyland Park|website=Disney Parks Blog|language=en-us|access-date=May 15, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531025229/https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2013/02/1956-photo-walt-disney-at-opening-of-skyway-to-fantasyland-at-disneyland-park/|archive-date=May 31, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> It was built by [[Von Roll|Von Roll, Ltd]]. based in [[Bern, Switzerland]]. It was the first Von Roll Type 101 aerial ropeway in the United States. Walt Disney Imagineering bought the ride from Switzerland. It was a 1947 Vonroll sidechair model. In 1959, a major renovation added The [[Submarine Voyage]], the [[Disneyland Monorail System|Disneyland Monorail]], the [[Matterhorn Bobsleds|Matterhorn]] (now a Fantasyland Attraction), and the [[Motor Boat Cruise]], but when the Matterhorn was planned, it was designed to be built in the path of the Skyway.<ref name=story>{{cite book |last1=Gennawey |first1=Sam |title=The Disneyland Story: The Unofficial Guide to the Evolution of Walt Disney's Dream |date=2014 |publisher=Keen Communications |isbn=978-1-62809-012-3 |pages=117–118}}</ref> The Skyway closed in late 1957, its tallest tower of 60 feet tall was demolished and Matterhorn Bobsleds was built in its spot. The attraction later reopened in 1959 with the expanded Tomorrowland Complex.


During the Fantasyland renovation at Disneyland in the early 1980s, the Skyway made only roundtrips from Tomorrowland.
During the Fantasyland renovation at Disneyland in the early 1980s, the Skyway made only roundtrips from Tomorrowland.


The Skyway closed on November 9, 1994. The reason for closure was attributed to [[metal fatigue]]. Stress cracks had developed inside the Matterhorn tower battery supports, and the only way to do maintenance was to open up the Matterhorn to do work on it. [[Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990|ADA]] had no bearing on the Skyway's closure as the ride was grandfathered into [[ANSI]] code B77.1.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ansidotorg.blogspot.com/2016/01/ansi-b771-ski-chair-lift-safety.html|title=ANSI B77.1 Ski Chair Lift Safety|last=Kelechava|first=Brad|website=ANSI|access-date=February 1, 2017}}</ref> The Skyway's operating budget was transferred to [[Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye]]. The holes in the Matterhorn were partially filled in and the Skyway's cable and supports were dismantled within weeks.
The Skyway closed on November 9, 1994. The reason for closure was attributed to [[metal fatigue]]. Stress cracks had developed inside the Matterhorn tower battery supports, and the only way to do maintenance was to open up the Matterhorn to do work on it. [[Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990|ADA]] had no bearing on the Skyway's closure as the ride was grandfathered into [[ANSI]] code B77.1.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ansidotorg.blogspot.com/2016/01/ansi-b771-ski-chair-lift-safety.html|title=ANSI B77.1 Ski Chair Lift Safety|last=Kelechava|first=Brad|website=ANSI|access-date=February 1, 2017}}</ref> The Skyway's operating budget was transferred to [[Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye]]. The holes in the Matterhorn were partially filled in and the Skyway's cable and supports were dismantled within weeks. Despite popular belief, the Skyway was not closed due necessarily to the assessment of risk newly brought on by a park attendee who intentionally jumped out of the passenger cabin of a gondola into a tree below and sued Disney earlier that year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/skyway-to-heaven-2/|title=Disneyland Skyway Death|date=April 22, 2000 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502215038/https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/skyway-to-heaven-2|archive-date=May 2, 2022|access-date=April 17, 2022|df=mdy-all}}</ref>


While the Tomorrowland Skyway station at Disneyland was removed soon after the attraction's closure, the Fantasyland Skyway station remained intact until mid-2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/disneyland-716111-skyway-ride.html|title=Video: Disneyland's Skyway station to be demolished to make way for 'Star Wars' land|first1=Joseph|last1=Pimentel|first2=Mark|last2=Eades|work=ocregister.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160628033417/http://www.ocregister.com/articles/disneyland-716111-skyway-ride.html|archive-date=June 28, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The sidewalks up to the station were simply chained off from guests, and the chalet remained empty, eventually hidden from view due to overgrown trees. On May 11, 2016, the [[Anaheim, California|City of Anaheim]] approved a permit to the [[Walt Disney World Company]] for the "demolition of 5,132 square feet for Skyway Building #7301",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://permits.anaheim.net/tm_bin/tmw_cmd.pl?tmw_cmd=StatusViewCasebld&shl_caseno=BLD2016-02303|title=Permit Number: BLD2016-02303|website=City of Anaheim|access-date=May 16, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160523065808/http://permits.anaheim.net/tm_bin/tmw_cmd.pl?tmw_cmd=StatusViewCasebld&shl_caseno=BLD2016-02303|archive-date=May 23, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> signaling the likely demolition of the chalet, as land clearing for construction of [[Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge]] had reached the chalet's western side. After 22 years, the abandoned chalet was demolished after park closing on June 14, 2016, nearly 60 years after the attraction's opening day.
While the Tomorrowland Skyway station at Disneyland was removed soon after the attraction's closure, the Fantasyland Skyway station remained intact until mid-2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ocregister.com/articles/disneyland-716111-skyway-ride.html|title=Video: Disneyland's Skyway station to be demolished to make way for 'Star Wars' land|first1=Joseph|last1=Pimentel|first2=Mark|last2=Eades|work=ocregister.com|date=May 18, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160628033417/http://www.ocregister.com/articles/disneyland-716111-skyway-ride.html|archive-date=June 28, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The sidewalks up to the station were simply chained off from guests, and the chalet remained empty, eventually hidden from view due to overgrown trees. On May 11, 2016, the [[Anaheim, California|City of Anaheim]] approved a permit to [[The Walt Disney Company]] for the "demolition of 5,132 square feet for Skyway Building #7301",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://permits.anaheim.net/tm_bin/tmw_cmd.pl?tmw_cmd=StatusViewCasebld&shl_caseno=BLD2016-02303|title=Permit Number: BLD2016-02303|website=City of Anaheim|access-date=May 16, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160523065808/http://permits.anaheim.net/tm_bin/tmw_cmd.pl?tmw_cmd=StatusViewCasebld&shl_caseno=BLD2016-02303|archive-date=May 23, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> signaling the likely demolition of the chalet, as land clearing for construction of [[Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge|''Star Wars'': Galaxy's Edge]] had reached the chalet's western side. After 22 years, the abandoned chalet was demolished after park closing on June 11, 2016, nearly 60 years after the attraction's opening day.


=== Tokyo Disneyland ===
===Magic Kingdom===
⚫
At the Magic Kingdom, the Skyway was removed in 1999. During the [[renovation]] of [[Space Mountain (Magic Kingdom)|Space Mountain]], the Tomorrowland station was demolished in the summer of 2009, while the Fantasyland station was used for [[Baby transport|stroller]] parking. However, the Fantasyland station was later demolished for a ''[[Tangled]]'' themed restroom area in 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.disneyparkhistory.com/skyway-to-fantasyland.html|title=Skyway to Fantasyland|website=Disney Park History|access-date=May 15, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414160436/http://www.disneyparkhistory.com/skyway-to-fantasyland.html|archive-date=April 14, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

===Tokyo Disneyland===
In 1998, Tokyo Disneyland closed its Skyway. The Fantasyland station was removed to make room for [[Pooh's Hunny Hunt]], while the Tomorrowland station was remodeled into a candy store.
In 1998, Tokyo Disneyland closed its Skyway. The Fantasyland station was removed to make room for [[Pooh's Hunny Hunt]], while the Tomorrowland station was remodeled into a candy store.


⚫
==Legacy==
=== Magic Kingdom ===
⚫
A tribute to the Skyway was added to the [[Matterhorn Bobsleds]] after an extensive refurbishment in 2015. Several wrecked Skyway buckets and Matterhorn Bobsled vehicles from the park's history appear just past the top of the lift hill, torn to shreds and abandoned by the attraction's [[Abominable Snowman]]. These replaced the original flashing crystals.
⚫
At the Magic Kingdom, the Skyway was removed in 1999. During the [[renovation]] of [[Space Mountain (Magic Kingdom)|Space Mountain]], the Tomorrowland station was demolished in the summer of 2009, while the Fantasyland station was used for [[Baby transport|stroller]] parking. However, the Fantasyland station was later demolished for a [[Tangled]]-themed restroom area in 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.disneyparkhistory.com/skyway-to-fantasyland.html|title=Skyway to Fantasyland|website=Disney Park History|access-date=May 15, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414160436/http://www.disneyparkhistory.com/skyway-to-fantasyland.html|archive-date=April 14, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

After almost twenty years of absence, Disney revived the classic Skyway in a modern-day take at the [[Walt Disney World|Walt Disney World Resort]]. The new '[[Disney Skyliner]]' connects Disney's [[Disney's Art of Animation Resort|Art of Animation]], [[Disney's Pop Century Resort|Pop Century]], and [[Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort|Caribbean Beach]] resorts, as well as the [[Disney Riviera Resort]], with other locations such as [[Disney's Hollywood Studios]] and the International Gateway at [[Epcot]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://d23.com/11-amazing-announcements-from-the-walt-disney-parks-and-resorts-presentation-at-d23-expo/|title=12 Amazing Announcements from the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Presentation at D23 Expo|first1=Beth|last1=Deitchman|work=d23.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170717195558/https://d23.com/11-amazing-announcements-from-the-walt-disney-parks-and-resorts-presentation-at-d23-expo/|archive-date=July 17, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

⚫
== Legacy ==
⚫
A tribute to the Skyway was added to the [[Matterhorn Bobsleds]] after an extensive refurbishment in 2015. Several wrecked Skyway buckets and Matterhorn Bobsled vehicles from the park's history appear just past the top of the lift hill, torn to shreds and abandoned by the attraction's [[Abominable Snowman]].


In 2017, Disney announced the construction of the [[Disney Skyliner]] in [[Walt Disney World]]'s [[Epcot Resort Area]]. While the Skyliner and Skyway are both aerial trams, the Skyliner cabs would be larger than the Skyway cabs since the Skyliner would act as a [[commuter transport]] between the resorts, [[Epcot]], and [[Disney's Hollywood Studios]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Smith|first1=Thomas|title=Disney Skyliner, New Minnie Vehicles to Transport Guests Around Walt Disney World Resort|url=https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2017/07/disney-skyliner-new-minnie-vehicles-to-transport-guests-around-walt-disney-world-resort/|website=Disney Parks Blog|access-date=July 17, 2017|language=en-us|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716220217/https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2017/07/disney-skyliner-new-minnie-vehicles-to-transport-guests-around-walt-disney-world-resort/|archive-date=July 16, 2017|df=}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Bevil|first1=Dewayne|title=Coming to Disney World: Tron, Guardians of the Galaxy ride, 'Star Wars' hotel|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/the-daily-disney/os-bz-disney-d23-epcot-tron-20170715-story.html|access-date=July 17, 2017|work=OrlandoSentinel.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716051333/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/the-daily-disney/os-bz-disney-d23-epcot-tron-20170715-story.html|archive-date=July 16, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
After almost twenty years of absence, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products announced in 2017 the construction of the [[Disney Skyliner]] at [[Walt Disney World]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://d23.com/11-amazing-announcements-from-the-walt-disney-parks-and-resorts-presentation-at-d23-expo/|title=12 Amazing Announcements from the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Presentation at D23 Expo|first1=Beth|last1=Deitchman|work=d23.com|date=July 16, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170717195558/https://d23.com/11-amazing-announcements-from-the-walt-disney-parks-and-resorts-presentation-at-d23-expo/|archive-date=July 17, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref> While the Skyliner and Skyway are both aerial ropeways, the Skyliner gondolas would be larger than the Skyway cars since the Skyliner would act as a [[commuter transport]]. This gondola system, which opened on September 29, 2019, connects four resorts, [[Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort|Caribbean Beach]], [[Disney's Art of Animation Resort|Art of Animation]], [[Disney's Pop Century Resort|Pop Century]] and [[Disney's Riviera Resort]], with two theme parks, [[Disney's Hollywood Studios]] and [[Epcot]]; the latter's station located at International Gateway, rather than the front entrance like the Hollywood Studios station.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Smith|first1=Thomas|title=Disney Skyliner, New Minnie Vehicles to Transport Guests Around Walt Disney World Resort|url=https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2017/07/disney-skyliner-new-minnie-vehicles-to-transport-guests-around-walt-disney-world-resort/|website=Disney Parks Blog|access-date=July 17, 2017|language=en-us|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716220217/https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2017/07/disney-skyliner-new-minnie-vehicles-to-transport-guests-around-walt-disney-world-resort/|archive-date=July 16, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Bevil|first1=Dewayne|title=Coming to Disney World: Tron, Guardians of the Galaxy ride, 'Star Wars' hotel|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/the-daily-disney/os-bz-disney-d23-epcot-tron-20170715-story.html|access-date=July 17, 2017|work=OrlandoSentinel.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170716051333/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/the-daily-disney/os-bz-disney-d23-epcot-tron-20170715-story.html|archive-date=July 16, 2017|df=mdy-all}}</ref>


== Gallery ==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Matterhorn Bobsleds and Skyway at Disneyland.jpg|[[Matterhorn Bobsleds]] and the Skyway at Disneyland
File:Matterhorn Bobsleds and Skyway at Disneyland.jpg|[[Matterhorn Bobsleds]] and the Skyway at Disneyland
Line 74: Line 77:
</gallery>
</gallery>


== See also ==
==See also==
* [[List of former Disneyland attractions]]
* [[List of former Disneyland attractions]]
* [[List of Magic Kingdom attractions]]
* [[List of Magic Kingdom attractions]]
* [[List of incidents at Disneyland Resort]]
* [[List of incidents at Disneyland Resort]]
* [[List of incidents at Walt Disney World]]
* [[List of incidents at Walt Disney World]]
* [[Disney Skyliner]]


== References ==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


== External links ==
==External links==
* [http://www.yesterland.com/skyway.html Yesterland Skyway page]
* [http://www.yesterland.com/skyway.html Yesterland Skyway page]
* [http://www.rideaccidents.com/1999.html#feb14 Article about Magic Kingdom Skyway death]
* [http://www.rideaccidents.com/1999.html#feb14 Article about Magic Kingdom Skyway death]
* [http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/plain-text/magic-kingdom/ Disney's Magic Kingdom | Guests with Needs | Plain Text | Walt Disney World Resort]
* [http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/plain-text/magic-kingdom/ Disney's Magic Kingdom | Guests with Needs | Plain Text | Walt Disney World Resort] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090126212418/http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/plain-text/magic-kingdom/ |date=January 26, 2009 }}
{{Magic Kingdom}}
{{Magic Kingdom}}
{{Disney rides}}
{{Disney rides}}
Line 92: Line 96:
[[Category:Former Walt Disney Parks and Resorts attractions]]
[[Category:Former Walt Disney Parks and Resorts attractions]]
[[Category:Fantasyland]]
[[Category:Fantasyland]]
[[Category:Tomorrowland]]
[[Category:Tomorrowland (Disney Parks)]]
[[Category:Amusement rides manufactured by Von Roll]]
[[Category:Amusement rides manufactured by Von Roll]]
[[Category:Disneyland]]
[[Category:Disneyland]]

Latest revision as of 14:55, 13 November 2024

This article is about the original gondola system at Disneyland, Magic Kingdom, and Tokyo Disneyland. For the current gondola system at Walt Disney World, see Disney Skyliner.

Skyway
The Skyway passing through the Matterhorn Bobsleds, 1962
Disneyland
AreaFantasyland, Tomorrowland
StatusRemoved
Soft opening dateJune 10, 1956
Opening dateJune 23, 1956
Closing dateNovember 9, 1994
Magic Kingdom
AreaFantasyland, Tomorrowland
StatusRemoved
Opening dateOctober 1, 1971
Closing dateNovember 10, 1999
Tokyo Disneyland
AreaFantasyland, Tomorrowland
StatusRemoved
Opening dateApril 15, 1983
Closing dateNovember 3, 1998
Replaced byPooh's Hunny Hunt (Fantasyland station)
Stellar Sweets (Tomorrowland station)
Ride statistics
Attraction typeGondola lift
ManufacturerVon Roll Holding
DesignerWED Enterprises
ModelVonroll Type 101 detachable monocable gondola lift
Height60 ft (18 m)
Length1,200 ft (370 m)
Speed4 mph (6.4 km/h)
Vehicle typeGondola
Vehicles42
Riders per vehicle4
Duration3:36
Required TicketD (Disneyland, Magic Kingdom)

The Skyway was a gondola lift attraction at Disneyland, at the Magic Kingdom, and at Tokyo Disneyland. Since all versions of this attraction took riders back and forth between Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, the route from Tomorrowland was called Skyway to Fantasyland, and the route from Fantasyland was called Skyway to Tomorrowland.[1]

History

[edit]

Disneyland

[edit]

The Skyway at Disneyland opened on June 23, 1956.[2] It was built by Von Roll, Ltd. based in Bern, Switzerland. It was the first Von Roll Type 101 aerial ropeway in the United States. Walt Disney Imagineering bought the ride from Switzerland. It was a 1947 Vonroll sidechair model. In 1959, a major renovation added The Submarine Voyage, the Disneyland Monorail, the Matterhorn (now a Fantasyland Attraction), and the Motor Boat Cruise, but when the Matterhorn was planned, it was designed to be built in the path of the Skyway.[3] The Skyway closed in late 1957, its tallest tower of 60 feet tall was demolished and Matterhorn Bobsleds was built in its spot. The attraction later reopened in 1959 with the expanded Tomorrowland Complex.

During the Fantasyland renovation at Disneyland in the early 1980s, the Skyway made only roundtrips from Tomorrowland.

The Skyway closed on November 9, 1994. The reason for closure was attributed to metal fatigue. Stress cracks had developed inside the Matterhorn tower battery supports, and the only way to do maintenance was to open up the Matterhorn to do work on it. ADA had no bearing on the Skyway's closure as the ride was grandfathered into ANSI code B77.1.[4] The Skyway's operating budget was transferred to Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye. The holes in the Matterhorn were partially filled in and the Skyway's cable and supports were dismantled within weeks. Despite popular belief, the Skyway was not closed due necessarily to the assessment of risk newly brought on by a park attendee who intentionally jumped out of the passenger cabin of a gondola into a tree below and sued Disney earlier that year.[5]

While the Tomorrowland Skyway station at Disneyland was removed soon after the attraction's closure, the Fantasyland Skyway station remained intact until mid-2016.[6] The sidewalks up to the station were simply chained off from guests, and the chalet remained empty, eventually hidden from view due to overgrown trees. On May 11, 2016, the City of Anaheim approved a permit to The Walt Disney Company for the "demolition of 5,132 square feet for Skyway Building #7301",[7] signaling the likely demolition of the chalet, as land clearing for construction of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge had reached the chalet's western side. After 22 years, the abandoned chalet was demolished after park closing on June 11, 2016, nearly 60 years after the attraction's opening day.

Magic Kingdom

[edit]

At the Magic Kingdom, the Skyway was removed in 1999. During the renovation of Space Mountain, the Tomorrowland station was demolished in the summer of 2009, while the Fantasyland station was used for stroller parking. However, the Fantasyland station was later demolished for a Tangled themed restroom area in 2012.[8]

Tokyo Disneyland

[edit]

In 1998, Tokyo Disneyland closed its Skyway. The Fantasyland station was removed to make room for Pooh's Hunny Hunt, while the Tomorrowland station was remodeled into a candy store.

Legacy

[edit]

A tribute to the Skyway was added to the Matterhorn Bobsleds after an extensive refurbishment in 2015. Several wrecked Skyway buckets and Matterhorn Bobsled vehicles from the park's history appear just past the top of the lift hill, torn to shreds and abandoned by the attraction's Abominable Snowman. These replaced the original flashing crystals.

After almost twenty years of absence, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products announced in 2017 the construction of the Disney Skyliner at Walt Disney World.[9] While the Skyliner and Skyway are both aerial ropeways, the Skyliner gondolas would be larger than the Skyway cars since the Skyliner would act as a commuter transport. This gondola system, which opened on September 29, 2019, connects four resorts, Caribbean Beach, Art of Animation, Pop Century and Disney's Riviera Resort, with two theme parks, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Epcot; the latter's station located at International Gateway, rather than the front entrance like the Hollywood Studios station.[10][11]

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  • Matterhorn Bobsleds and the Skyway at Disneyland
    Matterhorn Bobsleds and the Skyway at Disneyland
  • The defunct Fantasyland station at the Magic Kingdom in 2008
    The defunct Fantasyland station at the Magic Kingdom in 2008
  • The Skyway passing through the Matterhorn Bobsleds
    The Skyway passing through the Matterhorn Bobsleds
  • Skyway and Matterhorn Bobsleds in 1979
    Skyway and Matterhorn Bobsleds in 1979

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Strodder, Chris (2017). The Disneyland Encyclopedia (3rd ed.). Santa Monica Press. pp. 432–433. ISBN 978-1595800909.
  2. ^ "1956 Photo: Walt Disney at Opening of Skyway to Fantasyland at Disneyland Park". Disney Parks Blog. Archived from the original on May 31, 2016. Retrieved May 15, 2016.
  3. ^ Gennawey, Sam (2014). The Disneyland Story: The Unofficial Guide to the Evolution of Walt Disney's Dream. Keen Communications. pp. 117–118. ISBN 978-1-62809-012-3.
  4. ^ Kelechava, Brad. "ANSI B77.1 Ski Chair Lift Safety". ANSI. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  5. ^ "Disneyland Skyway Death". April 22, 2000. Archived from the original on May 2, 2022. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  6. ^ Pimentel, Joseph; Eades, Mark (May 18, 2016). "Video: Disneyland's Skyway station to be demolished to make way for 'Star Wars' land". ocregister.com. Archived from the original on June 28, 2016.
  7. ^ "Permit Number: BLD2016-02303". City of Anaheim. Archived from the original on May 23, 2016. Retrieved May 16, 2016.
  8. ^ "Skyway to Fantasyland". Disney Park History. Archived from the original on April 14, 2016. Retrieved May 15, 2016.
  9. ^ Deitchman, Beth (July 16, 2017). "12 Amazing Announcements from the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Presentation at D23 Expo". d23.com. Archived from the original on July 17, 2017.
  10. ^ Smith, Thomas. "Disney Skyliner, New Minnie Vehicles to Transport Guests Around Walt Disney World Resort". Disney Parks Blog. Archived from the original on July 16, 2017. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
  11. ^ Bevil, Dewayne. "Coming to Disney World: Tron, Guardians of the Galaxy ride, 'Star Wars' hotel". OrlandoSentinel.com. Archived from the original on July 16, 2017. Retrieved July 17, 2017.
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