A Disneyland vendor tent hides abandoned steps to the Skyway ride that no longer exists.
Disney Parks are filled with so-called Easter eggs, secrets, and history tidbits that have been shared far and wide in the last several decades. We've covered many of them, such as how a yeti from Disneyland Park's Matterhorn ride was relocated to the Guardians of the Galaxy ride in Disney California Adventure Park. (And don't miss Eeyore hiding in Indiana Jones Adventure.) There's also an interesting story behind how Snow White Grotto came to be. However, another category exists that fascinates Disney fanatics: abandoned attractions. For example, Disney's River County was the first waterpark in Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. It opened in 1976 and closed in 2001. A video recorded in 1981 showed the park filled with guests. The deadly history of the waterpark may have contributed to its closure. It was explored by multiple YouTubers. More examples of abandoned Disney history came from The Mouselets on TikTok. In December 2020, the Tiktoker began producing an 'Abandoned Disney' series. No shortage of stories, photographs, and videos exist for abandoned Disney attractions. For this story, we're going to look at part of the Skyway ride left behind in Disneyland Park. Disney fanatics might already know plenty about the old ride. However, the vast majority of guests likely have no idea that the abandoned steps, overgrown with vegetation, are hidden behind a vendor tent in Fantasyland. The Skyway was a gondola lift attraction that allowed guests to get a birds-eye view of the Anaheim, California, theme park, and it opened in 1956. Today 1956 the Skyway to Fantasyland & the Skyway to Tomorrowland began operation at @Disneyland. It was a 1st of it's kind in the US! pic.twitter.com/OBnmfRxPun - Historic Disney (@HistoricDisney) June 23, 2017 The Skyway even took guests through the thrilling Matterhorn ride. Skyway through Matterhorn, Disneyland pic.twitter.com/wpj1iNtY6m - History@Disney (@HistoryAtDisney) May 7, 2016 One end of the ride was in Tomorrowland. Colorful #vintage shot of loading dock at the #tomorrowland #skyway #retro #disneyland #disneyworld #throwback #memories #magickingdom pic.twitter.com/IKh33BoGac - DG Disney (@daysgonedisney) April 7, 2017 The opposite end of the ride loaded and unloaded passengers in Fantasyland at a chalet. Disneyland's Skyway Postcard, Fantasyland Station (N.D.)https://t.co/NIg9ppopKT pic.twitter.com/O7WfCfsWLU - Umi (@umi_land) February 12, 2016 The Fantasyland side of the Skyway ride can be viewed on an old map for the theme park, as can pathways that led up to the chalet. Skyway to Tomorrowland, Disneyland, 1968https://t.co/wFV5n35ZlP pic.twitter.com/CnPYmKg1wT - Umi (@umi_land) November 26, 2016 The Skyway ride closed in 1994, becoming the latest abandoned Disney attraction. In 2016, crews removed the old chalet building to make way for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. At the time, some Disney fanatics may have thought that was the last piece of the Skyway ride to go. Fantasyland Skyway Chalet now gone @Disneyland cc: @MiceChat @MousePlanet pic.twitter.com/qC6ReW5sD4 - LAKingSteve (@LAKingsSteve) June 15, 2016 During initial construction for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, a decorative wall covered the old entrance and exit pathways for the Skyway ride. Do you still miss the Skyway Chalet?#Disneyland #StarWarsLand pic.twitter.com/FeumjwDbgo - Octavius (@MintCrocodile) July 15, 2016 However, soon after, the wall was removed. But a piece of Disneyland history was still there, hidden behind a vendor tent. The abandoned steps were also visible on Google Maps in the Street View mode. Crews hired by Disneyland Park may have removed the old steps and pathways during lengthy park closures in 2020, but we won't know for sure until various attractions reopen in the future.
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