Disneyland Monorail

Disneyland Monorail
265x265px Disneyland Monorail passing through Tomorrowland
Overview
Status	Operating
Owner	The Walt Disney Company
Locale	Anaheim, California, USA
Termini	Downtown Disney Tomorrowland
Stations	3
Service
Type	Monorail
System	Disneyland Resort
Operator(s)	Disneyland Resort
Rolling stock	Mark VII
History
Opened	June 14, 1959
Technical
Track length	2.5 miles
Character	Elevated
Operating speed	30 mph

The Disneyland Monorail is a monorail system that operates at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. It was the first daily operating monorail in the Western Hemisphere and has become an iconic part of the Disneyland experience.

History

The Disneyland Monorail opened on June 14, 1959, as part of a major expansion of Disneyland that included the addition of the Matterhorn Bobsleds and the Submarine Voyage. Originally, the monorail was a simple loop that ran from Tomorrowland to the Disneyland Hotel. It was designed by WED Enterprises, the precursor to Walt Disney Imagineering.

The monorail was initially intended as a "sightseeing" attraction, but it quickly became a practical mode of transportation for guests traveling between the Disneyland Hotel and the park. In 1961, the track was extended to its current 2.5-mile length, allowing for a more comprehensive tour of the resort.

Design and Technology

The original monorail trains were the Mark I models, which were later upgraded to the Mark II and Mark III models. The current trains are the Mark VII models, which were introduced in 2008. These trains are known for their sleek, futuristic design and vibrant colors.

The monorail operates on a single beam track and is powered by electric motors. It can reach speeds of up to 30 mph, providing a quick and efficient way to travel around the resort.

Route and Stations

The Disneyland Monorail has three stations:

• Downtown Disney Station: Located near the entrance to Downtown Disney, this station provides access to the shopping and dining district.
• Tomorrowland Station: Situated inside Disneyland Park, this station is located in the Tomorrowland area, near attractions such as Space Mountain and Star Tours.
• Disneyland Hotel Station: Although not a separate station, the monorail provides convenient access to the Disneyland Hotel.

Cultural Impact

The Disneyland Monorail has become a symbol of innovation and futuristic transportation. It has inspired similar systems at other Disney parks, including the Walt Disney World Monorail System in Florida. The monorail is often featured in Disney promotional materials and has appeared in various forms of media.

See Also

• Walt Disney Imagineering
• Disneyland Resort
• Walt Disney World Monorail System

References

• "Disneyland Monorail History." Disneyland Resort. Accessed October 2023.
• "The Monorail Society: Disneyland Monorail." The Monorail Society. Accessed October 2023.

External Links

• [Official Disneyland Monorail Page](https://disneyland.disney.go.com/attractions/disneyland/monorail/)