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Credit: DisneyIt’s Monday, March 30, and the original Disneyland Resort Monorail system is now closed. The Southern California Disney destination first announced its plans to indefinitely close the tram system in February and still hasn’t confirmed a reopening date.
The History of the Highway in the Sky
The Disneyland Monorail first opened in June 1959. Walt Disney, who had a lifelong obsession with trains, envisioned the tram system as the public transportation of the future. Although that never materialized, the Monorail system became a staple of Disney parks around the world, including Walt Disney World Resort and Tokyo Disney Resort.
The original Monorail system at Disneyland Resort has been updated several times throughout the years, most notably for the grand opening of Disney California Adventure Park in 2001. The highway in the sky now transports guests 2.5 miles to and from a station in the Downtown Disney District into Tomorrowland at Disneyland Park.
Disneyland Monorail Now Closed
Before officially announcing the Monorail refurbishment in February, Disneyland Resort filed construction permits for the historic transportation system. Those documents indicate that Disney plans to update electrical systems and reinforce support pillars during the refurbishment period, so Disney Park guests may not notice changes to the 66-year-old transportation system when it reopens.
Still, Disneyland Resort hasn’t publicly confirmed any of its plans for the Monorail, nor has it shared a reopening date for the transportation system. Presumably, the Tomorrowland entrance to Disneyland Park is also closed, as the Monorail is the only way to access that entry point into the original Southern California Disney park.
Disneyland Resort’s website urges guests to “check back” for “updates” on the refurbishment. Follow Inside the Magic for updates on this and other construction projects at Disney parks around the globe!
Do you remember your first ride on a Disney Monorail? Share your story with Inside the Magic in the comments!