Astro Jets-Disneyland History-427

Direct Link: http://www.dldhistory.com/link2us.asp?ID=1027 The Disneyland Monorail was the first operating monorail system in the Western Hemisphere and the first to cross a public street. When Walt built Disneyland, he wanted complete control over the steam trains, so that he could take them out when ever he wanted. Thus, he placed the steam trains, and then later the monorails under the ownership of Retlaw and leased them back to the park. In 1982, the family decided to sell the assets of Retlaw to the Disney Company, and a holding company, Walt Disney Incorporated was formed. Eventually, the steam trains and monorails became "officially" Disneyland's property. The Monorail only ran around Tomorrowland from 1959 through 1961 when it was extended to the Disneyland Hotel. Mark I trains capacity 82-3 cars per train monorail red, blue: 1959-1961 Mark II trains capacity 108-4 cars per train 3 square windows monorail red,blue,gold: 1961-1968 Mark III trains capacity 127-5 cars per train 4 wraped windows monorail red,blue,green,gold: 1968-1986 Mark V trains 5 cars per train first monorail with air-conditioning:monorail purple, red, blue, gold: 1986-2008 Mark VII trains 5 cars per train all have have blue glass that change color in the sunlight. : monorail red ,blue ,orange 2008- The trip from Tomorrowland to the Disneyland Hotel is more level and has more straight-aways, drivers can run the Monorail at full speed, 35 miles per hour. The return trip, though, has several curves and a seven-degree grade near the Submarine Lagoon, so drivers are instructed to maintain a speed of fifteen miles per hour. Initial cost to build the monorail was $1.4 million (in 2006 dollars it would be over $9.4 million) The monorail designer was Alweg which are the initials of the owner of the company: Axel L. Wenner-Gren The original track was 8 tenths of a mile long with a maximum height of 31 feet Track extension to the hotel cost $1.9 million (in 2006 dollars it would be over $12.4 million) When the last of the Mark II trains were scrapped one was used to create the Mouse-O-Rail. We have a short video about it. Complete video of Disneyland's Monorail at DLDHistory.com

Direct Link: http://www.dldhistory.com/link2us.asp?ID=1019 Kathryn Beaumont, who had provided the voice for Alice in the 1951 motion picture, was brought back in 1982 to record narration tracks during the rehab of the attraction. Originally Alice In Wonderland was planned to be a walk-thru attraction. Voices: Alice - Kathryn Beaumont White Rabbit - Corey Burton TweedleDum & TweedleDee - Corey Burton Cards - Corey Burton Cheshire Cat and King of Hearts - Tony Pope Complete video of Disneyland's Alice In Wonderland available at DLDHistory.com

Direct Link: http://www.dldhistory.com/link2us.asp?ID=1024 Due to mechanical problems the attraction was not ready on opening day but finally opened on July 31,1955. Some pieces of the train were from the original carrousel purchased for King Arthur Carrousel Complete video of Disneyland's Casey Jr. Circus Train at DLDHistory.com

Direct Link: http://www.dldhistory.com/link2us.asp?ID=1023 Film clip taken in 1977. 3 minute version available at DLDHistory.com. Voices: Henry - Pete Renoudet, Big Al - Tex Ritter, Teddi Barra - Jean Shepard, Wendel - Bill Cole, Trixie - Cheryl Poole (voice), Wanda Jackson (singing), Liver Lips McGrowl - Van Stoneman, Ernest - Van Stoneman, Bunny, Bubbles, Beulah - Loulie Jean Norman, Peggy Clark, Jackie Ward, Terrence - Van Stoneman, Zeke - Dal McKennon, Sammy - Bill Cole, Melvin - Bill Lee, Max - Pete Renoudet, Buff - Thurl Ravenscroft. The Audio Animatronic structure used for Big Al was reused to make up the structure of the Oogie Boogie Audio Animatronic in the Haunted Mansion Holiday attraction at Disneyland until 2005 when an all new animatronic was added. Complete video of Disneyland's Country Bear Jamboree available at DLDHistory.com

Accident Direct Link: http://www.dldhistory.com/link2us.asp?ID=1016 Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Direct Link: http://www.dldhistory.com/link2us.asp?ID=1011 On Friday, September 5, 2003, at approximately 12:03 p.m., the Division of Occupational Safety and Health, Permanent Amusement Ride Unit, Anaheim District Office (The Division) received a phone call from Disneyland Resort , reporting that a serious accident and possible fatality had occurred on Friday, September 5, 2003 at approximately 11:18 a.m. The accident was reported to have occurred on an attraction known as the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, located at Disneyland Resort