MEMORIES:
princessdiana remembers...Cedar point had a Skyway ride,too.I never had the chance to ride it.They took it out. More »
Posted on 01/29/09
There was once a time when Disneyland’s magic kingdom could be viewed from a birds’eye perspective, offering numerous photo opportunities from above and a much-appreciated alternative mode of transportation from Tomorrowland to Fantasyland or vice versa.
The Skyway debuted in 1956 and offered a scenic gondola-type ride across the park, as well as a glimpse inside the interior of the majestic Matterhorn Mountain. Up to four guests would board their own gondola at either the “Skyway to Tomorrowland” or “Skyway to Fantasyland” boarding station and take a relaxing journey that afforded panoramic views of the entire park. Relaxing, at least, unless the wind kicked up, which over the years provided a few white-knuckle adventures for some unlucky guests, some of which whom had to be rescued by the local fire department.
The ride also offered a sense of secluded freedom that, unfortunately, brought out the evil side of many guests, especially teenagers and kids. Teens were quick to realize that they could attempt various amorous acts along their journey and indulge in various illegal substances, free from (at least they thought) the watchful eyes of Disneyland security. Younger kids succumbed to mischievous temptation and inevitably proceeded to shower unsuspecting guests below with a sampling of their saliva, as well as various edible meteorites. One thing is certain, this ride definitely kept security on their toes during its many years of operations.
The eventual demise of the Skyway was due to numerous factors, including the fact that it wasn’t equipped to handle handicapped guests and was expensive to run and maintain. Then, there was the famous lawsuit where a guest “accidentally” opened his door mid-journey and proceeded to fall out, landing in a tree located near the “Alice in Wonderland” ride. Disney was able to prove that the fall was intentional but this incident, coupled with the above-mentioned issues, spelled the end for the Skyway in 1994. A few years later, similar version of the ride in Walt Disney World and Tokyo Disneyland were also closed.
Gone was the most convenient way to cross the crowded park during a parade. Gone was the up close encounter with the abominable snowman that inhabits the Matterhorn, and gone was the ability to look down upon the park from the skies above and take some truly wonderful photographs of Disneyland, from a perspective that only a bird can now experience. But it sure was great while it lasted.
