Once Upon a Time-Skyway

Lately, I have been thinking about rides from the past and thought that I would share some Information and photos about these long-gone attractions. These Disneyland attractions may be gone, but they are not forgotten. Today I thought I would share about The Skyway!

Once Upon a Time-Skyway

Disneyland’s Skyway attraction first opened in 1956. It was a gondola lift that would take you from Tomorrowland to Fantasyland or from Fantasyland to Tomorrowland. The Skyway was built and purchased from a company in Switzerland.

Name

On the Disneyland maps, the Skyway was listed in both Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. The attraction in Fantasyland was called Skyway to Tomorrowland. Likewise, the attraction in Tomorrowland was called Skyway to Fantasyland.

Speed

Disneyland’s Skyway would take you back and forth to Tomorrowland and Fantasyland at a whopping 4 miles per hour. It wasn’t a fast attraction, however, that is what made it that much more special! This way you would have time to look around, enjoy the view, and take some time to rest your feet. Not to mention getting a break from the crowds!

Bird’s Eye View

Being 60 feet in the air provided great aerial views of the park. You were able to look down at the submarines, see It’s a Small World in the distance, (which was awesome at night during the holiday season,) go through the Matterhorn Bobsled ride, see Alice in Wonderland, soar by Dumbo the Elephants, and land in a Chalet in Fantasyland.

Man do I miss this attraction! Skyway would bring excitement and anticipation of all those attractions that were to come when you were done riding the gondolas.

Buckets

The Gondolas/buckets that you rode in originally were round and made from metal. In 1965 they were replaced with square buckets that were made from plastic with a metal frame. Disney Legend Bob Gurr was asked to make new buckets that would hold four guests instead of two so that the ride capacity could be doubled. For almost 30 years the square buckets were a familiar sight at Disneyland.

Changes

Even though Skyway had only been open barely a year, it was closed when Disneyland was going to build Matterhorn Mountain. One of the towers for the attraction was torn down and Matterhorn was built in its place. Disneyland built the Matterhorn around where the Skyway gondolas would be passing through. Therefore, while riding the gondolas, you would get to pass right through the center of the mountain and see the Matterhorn Bobsleds racing below you! It was so cool to see and do that!

Round Trips

At the beginning of Skyway, you were able to purchase tickets for either a one-way trip or a round trip. (Back then you had to buy ride tickets. Passes to enter Disneyland with everything included didn’t start until 1982.) Later on, it was changed to one way only. However, in the early ’80s when Fantasyland was closed for renovations, the attraction made round trips from Tomorrowland.

Closed

Unfortunately, the Skyway attraction at Disneyland was closed in 1994. It has been said that it was the aging metal of the section inside of the Matterhorn Mountain. In order to repair the attraction, Disney would have to open up Matterhorn to get to the part that needed to be fixed. As a result, Disneyland decided to close the attraction and put the funds into Indiana Jones Adventure that would soon be opening.

In Conclusion

Skyway was a fun attraction that gave guests a bird’s eye view of the park for 38 years! Even though this attraction is no longer at the park, millions of guests still remember this wonderful attraction at Disneyland.

Did you get to experience the Skyway at Disneyland? Do you miss this attraction? Let me know in the comments below.

Questions or Comments?

Do you have any questions or comments on today’s post Once Upon a Time-Skyway? Please feel free to leave them below.

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