Here is a beautiful shot of the Blue Monorail at the Disneyland Hotel from June 1962. I know you want to see who those lucky guests are riding aboard this gleaming transportation mode of the future!
Big changes had occurred the year before on this 1959 attraction. You can read about them in this March 1961 Disneylander Newsletter excerpt:
DISNEYLAND SKYLINE RAPIDLY CHANGING
Tremendous progress has been made on the Monorail extension this past month. Of the 200 pylons that will be needed for the extended system to the Disneyland Hotel about 100 have been installed and many of the beamways are already in place.
The new station at the Hotel is well along in construction and about April 10th the Tomorrowland section will be shut down, along with the original Autopia, to make it possible to tie-in the original system with the extension, according to John Wise, Disneyland engineer.
The speed with which the works is being accomplished should make it possible to test the entire system around the first of May and have it operating for Disneyland and Hotel guests soon after.
Employees and guests have enjoyed watching the progress and some say they will even miss the parking lot obstacle course when all the temporary fences are taken down.
I love that bubble on top; wish it was still part of the current design!
See more vintage & current Disneyland Monorail photos from my collection on my main website.
Those perforated steel beams were such a wonderful feature. Undoubtedly to recall aircraft construction, where the technique reduces weight while maintaining strength.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if they were custom made or a catalog item.
The old Nut Tree in Vacaville, built in the same era, had similar elements, strictly decorative, so I wonder if they were used on other buildings as well.
Alas, both of these examples now demolished.
Thank you, Dave.
Wow, what a nice shot of the blue Monorail at the Hotel!
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