The Disneyland Resort Monorail – a colorful history

This past September marked the 55th anniversary of the Disneyland Monorail, which opened in 1959 as part of the first major expansion of Disneyland Park that included the Matterhorn Bobsleds and the Submarine Voyage.  The Monorail was a dream by Walt Disney to explore new ways of transportation and was thought to be a sort of “highway in the sky” in the early planning stages of Disneyland Park.  To this day, Disneyland is the only place that has the famous Disneyland Monorail Mark VII.

Disneyland Resort still allows guests to ride with the driver in the front car of the Monorail.  Walt Disney World discontinued that practice after a tragic accident killed an operator on July 5, 2009.  Walt Disney World refers to the Monorail as transportation, while the Monorail at Disneyland Park is referred to as an attraction.  There is only one stop on the Monorail at Disneyland Park, which is in Downtown Disney and it is not a major mode of transportation for guests.  We always ride with the driver when we visit Disneyland Park, and I would recommend it for anyone who loves this attraction!

Learn about the history of the Monorail here:

• The History of the Disneyland Monorail: Mark I, 1959-1961
• The History of the Disneyland Monorail: Mark II, 1961-1969
• The History of the Disneyland Monorail: Mark III, 1969-1987
• The History of the Walt Disney World Monorail: Mark IV, 1971-1989
• The History of the Disneyland Monorail: Mark V, 1986-2008
• The History of the Walt Disney World Monorail: Mark VI, 1989-Present
• The History of the Disneyland Monorail: Mark VII 2008 Present

*List via Disney Park Blog

Contact me at stephanie@chipandco.com or comment below and let me know what you love about the Monorail!