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The Skyway was a gondola lift attraction at that previously operated at Disneyland, the Magic Kingdom, and Tokyo Disneyland. Each iteration of the attraction took riders from their park's respective Fantasyland to Tomorrowland, and vice versa. The Disneyland Skyway was the first aerial ropeway in the United States when it opened in 1956.

At the 2017 D23 Expo, the Disney Skyliner, an aerial tramway that functions as a full-fledged transportation system, was announced for the Walt Disney World. The Skyliner connects Disney's Art of Animation Resort, Disney's Pop Century Resort, and Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort with Disney's Hollywood Studios and the International Gateway at Epcot.

History[]

Disneyland[]

The Skyway at Disneyland, built by Von Roll, Ltd. of Bern, Switzerland, opened on June 23, 1956 as the first Von Roll Type 101 aerial ropeway in the United States. The Skyway shuttled guests between Tomorrowland and Fantasyland in exchange for a "D" coupon. A few years later, the Skyway temporarily closed to accommodate construction of the Matterhorn Bobsleds attraction. The Matterhorn was to be built in the place of Holiday Hill, a dirt mound on which the central support pylon for the Skyway originally sat. The Skyway reopened alongside the Matterhorn, Motor Boat Cruise, Submarine Voyage and Disneyland-ALWEG Monorail System in 1959, with the Skyway passing directly through the center of the Matterhorn by way of two holes on either side of the mountain.

In 1965, the attraction's original round two-seater buckets were replaced by rectangular four-seater buckets designed by Imagineer Bob Gurr, doubling capacity.

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

Disneyland closed the Skyway on November 9, 1994. At the time, a Disney spokesperson claimed in the Orange County Register that the closure was due to declining popularity and that the attraction's staffing would be needed to work the then-upcoming Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye attraction that would open in 1995, though outside speculation suggests the closure was due to stress cracks in the Matterhorn supports and a desire to keep operating costs low. The attraction's supports and Tomorrowland station were removed shortly after its closure, though the Fantasyland station still stands derelict as of 2016. However, on May 11, 2016, the City of Anaheim approved a permit to the Walt Disney World Company for the "demolition of 5,132 sq.ft for Skyway Building #7301", 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. The chalet was finally demolished after park closing on June 14, 2016.

It was seen in Blossom in the season 3 episode of "The Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men", where Blossom and Sky ride it and see Blossom's boyfriend Vinnie embracing a girl, later revealed to be his cousin.

Magic Kingdom[]

The Skyway opened at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom as one of the park's opening day attractions on October 1, 1971. Like its Disneyland counterpart, the Skyway shuttled guests between Tomorrowland and Fantasyland in exchange for a "D" coupon. This version of the Skyway was unique in that it did not travel in a straight line over the park. Gondolas descended to an L-shaped turn midway through the attraction before ascending again and traveling on towards their destination.

The Magic Kingdom's Skyway closed on November 9, 1999, exactly five years after the Disneyland version closed. The Tomorrowland station was partially demolished in the summer of 2009 during the refurbishment of Space Mountain, with its lower level left intact to continue serving as a restroom facility. The Fantasyland station was used for stroller parking, then later demolished in 2011 make way for expanded restrooms and a new transition area between Fantasyland and Liberty Square.

Tokyo Disneyland[]

Tokyo Disneyland's Skyway opened along with the park as an opening day attraction on April 15, 1983. Though, like its American counterparts, it shuttled guests between Tomorrowland and Fantasyland, the overwhelming majority of the short, two-and-a-half minute trip took guests over the southwestern edge of Tomorrowland. This version of the Skyway uniquely was not open-air like its American counterparts, with Plexiglas windows keeping riders safe from the elements.

The Skyway with the shortest ride duration would also be the shortest-lived: Tokyo Disneyland's Skyway closed on November 3, 1998. The Fantasyland station, nearly identical to the Skyway chalet at Disneyland in California, was removed to make way for Pooh's Hunny Hunt, which opened in 2000.

Gallery[]


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Main Street, U.S.A.
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Seasonal: It's a Small World Holiday

Tomorrowland
Astro OrbitorAutopiaSpace MountainStar Tours: The Adventures ContinueDisneyland Monorail SystemPush the Talking Trash CanBuzz Lightyear Astro BlastersFinding Nemo Submarine VoyageStar Wars Launch Bay (Reopening on April 5, 2024)

Seasonal: Hyperspace Mountain

New Orleans Square
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Seasonal: Haunted Mansion Holiday

Critter Country
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Mickey's Toontown
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Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
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Avatar Experience (Opening in TBA)
TBA
Current Entertainment
Magic HappensPaint the NightPixar Play Parade (Reopening on April 26, 2024) • Together Forever: A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular (Reopening on April 26, 2024) • Mickey's Mix MagicFantasmic!

Seasonal: A Christmas Fantasy ParadeDisney's Celebrate AmericaHalloween ScreamsBelieve... In Holiday MagicFantasy in the Sky: New Year's Eve SpecialVillains Dance Party

Former Attractions and Entertainment
The Walt Disney StorySnow White and Her AdventuresAladdin's OasisSwiss Family TreehouseSplash MountainBig Thunder RanchMike Fink Keel BoatsNature's WonderlandMickey Mouse Club TheaterAutopiaSkywayAriel's GrottoDisney Afternoon AvenueChip 'n' Dale's Treehouse20,000 Leagues Under the SeaRocket Rods Circle-Vision 360° (America the BeautifulWonders of ChinaAmerican Journeys) • Rocket to the MoonThe World Beneath UsHouse of the FutureSubmarine VoyageFlying SaucersHall of ChemistryAdventure Thru Inner SpaceAlpine GardensCarousel of ProgressAmerica SingsInnoventionsThe American Space ExperienceSuper Hero HQStar ToursRocket JetsBeauty and the Beast Live on StageThe Magic, the Memories and YouPeopleMoverStarcadeMagic JourneysCaptain EODisneyland ForeverHoney, I Shrunk the AudienceStar Wars: Path of the JediThe Disney GalleryDisneyland Dream SuiteMain Street Electrical ParadePirates Arcade MuseumCountry Bear JamboreeToon ParkLight MagicAmerica on ParadeFlights of Fantasy ParadeAladdin's Royal CaravanThe Lion King CelebrationTriton GardensHercules Victory ParadeMulan ParadeMotor Boat CruiseMickey and the Magical MapViewliner Train of TomorrowSnow White's Scary AdventuresTale of the Lion KingTarzan's TreehouseWondrous Journeys

Seasonal: Rockin' Space MountainCountry Bear Vacation HoedownCountry Bear Christmas SpecialWalt Disney's Parade of DreamsMickey's Soundsational ParadeFrightfully Fun ParadeThe Hunchback of Notre Dame Topsy Turvy CavalcadeParade of the StarsMickey's Costume Party CavalcadeBelieve... There's Magic in the StarsFantasy in the SkyImagine... A Fantasy in the SkyMagical: Disney's New Nighttime Spectacular of Magical CelebrationsRemember... Dreams Come TrueJingle CruiseSpace Mountain: Ghost Galaxy


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Main Street, U.S.A.
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Fantasyland
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Adventureland
Swiss Family TreehouseThe Magic Carpets of AladdinWalt Disney's Enchanted Tiki RoomJungle CruisePirates of the CaribbeanPirates LeagueA Pirate's Adventure: Treasures of the Seven Seas

Seasonal: Jingle Cruise

Tomorrowland
Tomorrowland SpeedwaySpace MountainMonsters, Inc. Laugh FloorAstro OrbiterTomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMoverCarousel of ProgressBuzz Lightyear's Space Ranger SpinPush the Talking Trash CanTRON Lightcycle / Run
Frontierland
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Liberty Square
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Current Entertainment
Disney Adventure Friends CavalcadeHappily Ever AfterMickey's Magical Friendship FaireFestival of Fantasy Parade

Seasonal: Disney's Celebrate AmericaMickey's Boo To You Halloween ParadeMickey's Once Upon a Christmastime ParadeHocus Pocus Villain SpelltacularDisney's Not So Spooky SpectacularMinnie's Wonderful Christmastime FireworksVillain Cursed CaravanMickey's Most Merriest CelebrationFrozen Holiday Surprise

Former Attractions and Entertainment
Mickey's Toontown Fair (Donald's BoatMickey's Country HouseThe BarnstormerMinnie's HouseToon Park) • Mickey Mania ParadeMain Street Electrical ParadeCelebrate A Dream Come True ParadeCinderella's Surprise CelebrationCinderellabrationDisney EnchantmentThe Magic, the Memories and YouWishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney DreamsMike Fink Keel BoatsMove It! Shake It! MousekeDance It! Street PartyThe Muppets Present... Great Moments in American HistoryDavy Crockett's Explorer CanoesCircle-Vision 360°SkywayMission to MarsPenny ArcadeStorytime with BelleCaribbean ArcadeExtraTERRORestrial Alien EncounterIf You Had WingsDelta DreamflightPixie HollowThe Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management)Shrunken Ned's Junior Jungle BoatsThe Legend of the Lion KingMickey Mouse Revue20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine VoyagePooh's Playful SpotSnow White's AdventuresSnow White's Scary AdventuresMagic JourneysMr. Toad's Wild RideThe Walt Disney StoryPlaza Swan BoatsAdmiral Joe Fowler RiverboatSplash MountainStitch's Great Escape!Once Upon a Time

Seasonal: Disney's Magical Moments ParadeDream Along with MickeyCelebrate the MagicHappy Hallowishes • Holiday Wishes • Celebrate the Holidays • Country Bear Vacation HoedownCountry Bear Christmas SpecialA Totally Tomorrowland ChristmasVillains Mix and MingleA Frozen Holiday WishMickey and Minnie's Very Merry Memories

Resorts
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World Bazaar
OmnibusPenny Arcade
Fantasyland
Cinderella CastleSnow White's AdventuresSnow White GrottoPinocchio's Daring JourneyDumbo the Flying ElephantCinderella's Fairy Tale HallCastle CarrouselAlice's Tea PartyPeter Pan's FlightPooh's Hunny HuntIt's a Small WorldMickey's PhilharMagicThe Haunted MansionFantasyland Forest Theatre (Mickey's Magical Music World) • Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast

Seasonal: Haunted Mansion Holiday NightmareIt's a Small World Holiday

Adventureland
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Tomorrowland
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Toontown
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Westernland
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Critter Country
Splash MountainBeaver Brothers Explorer Canoes
Current Entertainment
Disney Light the Night • Disney Harmony in Color! ParadeTokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade: DreamLightsNightfall Glow

Seasonal: Spooky "Boo" Parade!Disney Christmas StoriesUsatama on the Run!Minnie @ Funderland ]]

Former Attractions and Entertainment
The Disney GallerySkywayMickey Mouse RevueCinderella Castle Mystery TourWalt Disney's Enchanted Tiki RoomThe Enchanted Tiki Room: Get the Fever! • Lilo's Luau & Fun • Minnie Oh! Minnie!Magic JourneysMeet the WorldMircoAdventuresStarcadeCircle-Vision 360° (The Timekeeper) • Donald's Wacky Kingdom • Feel the MagicOnce Upon a MouseStar ToursCaptain EOGrand Recruit RacewayHercules the HeroIt's Magical!Star JetsOne Man's Dream II: The Magic Lives On! • Goofy's Bounce House • Jolly Trolley • Super Duper Jumpin' TimeOnce Upon a TimeDisney's FantillusionJubilation!Happiness is Here ParadeDreaming Up!Fantasy in the SkyCinderellabration: Lights of Romance

Seasonal: Disney's Halloween Parade "Scream & Shout"Minnie's Tiara of DreamsDisney's Halloween Parade "Re-Villains!" and "Banzai! Villains!" (Formerly "Let's Go, Villains!") Disney's Easter WonderlandHippity Hoppity SpringtimeHalloween Pop'n LIVECelebrate! Tokyo DisneylandMickey's Gift of DreamsIt's Very Minnie!Minnie's Besties BashMinnie, We Love You!

Resorts
Tokyo Disneyland HotelDisney Ambassador Hotel
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