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Disneyland may bring back PeopleMover and Skyway for theme park expansion

The proposed ‘themed ride systems’ are buried deep in the 17,000-page Environmental Impact Report released by the city of Anaheim for the DisneylandForward expansion project.

The Disney Skyliner at Walt Disney World in Florida. (Disney)
The Disney Skyliner at Walt Disney World in Florida. (Disney)
Brady MacDonald
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Disneyland could tear a page out of the history books and bring back two classic rides as a way to move visitors between theme parks and parking garages under a massive expansion plan envisioned for the Anaheim theme park resort.

The proposed “themed ride systems” are buried deep in the 17,000-page Environmental Impact Report released this week by the city of Anaheim for Disney’s expansion initiative known as DisneylandForward.

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SEE ALSO: Disneyland theme park expansion moves one step closer with impact study

Photos labeled “Example of Ride Crossing” in the DisneylandForward EIR show the Disney Skyliner and the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover at Walt Disney World in Florida.

The themed ride systems are envisioned as a possible complement or alternative to proposed pedestrian bridges across Harbor Boulevard and Disneyland Drive as a way to move visitors between their cars and the parks.

“These crossings may be in the form of a bridge and sunken roadway similar to the existing Downtown Disney bridge, an elevated bridge with similar aesthetic treatment and dimensions as the existing Downtown Disney bridge, or a themed ride system,” according to the DisneylandForward EIR.

The Skyway buckets pass over the Disneyland Monorail. (Courtesy Disneyland Resort)
The Skyway buckets pass over the Disneyland Monorail. (Courtesy Disneyland Resort)

Disneyland was once home to earlier versions of the Skyliner and PeopleMover attractions. The Skyway operated at Disneyland over Fantasyland and Tomorrowland from 1956 to 1994. Disneyland’s PeopleMover traveled along an elevated track in Tomorrowland from 1967 to 1995.

The DisneylandForward plan envisions two pedestrian bridges over Disneyland Drive and up to three over Harbor Boulevard that would connect to a proposed 17,000-space eastside garage along Disney Way.

A view showing Disneyland's Tomorrowland as it appeared in 1969. Below is the Wedway Peoplemover attraction, a transportation system envisioned by Walt Disney as a way to quickly move people around a city of the future. The Tomorrowland Rocket Jets soar above the station for the Peoplemover. //// ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: From 1960 to 1969, major changes and additions were made to Disneyland. - Date of photo: VARIOUS - disney.bydecade.1960s -- Photo by: VARIOUS
A view showing Disneyland’s Tomorrowland as it appeared in 1969. Below is the Wedway Peoplemover attraction, a transportation system envisioned by Walt Disney as a way to quickly move people around a city of the future. The Tomorrowland Rocket Jets soar above the station for the Peoplemover. (Disney)

The proposed pedestrian bridges would “serve as a continuation of the themed environment across the roadway with no access to and from the public right-of-way,” according to the DisneylandForward EIR.

Disneyland hopes to have the DisneylandForward project go before the Anaheim City Council for approval before the end of 2024.