Disneyland Skyway: Soaring Through Magic

On June 23, 1956, Disneyland guests were invited to take to the skies aboard one of Walt Disney’s most whimsical innovations—the Skyway. More than just a ride, it was a gentle voyage between Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, high above the treetops, rooftops, and winding paths of the Magic Kingdom below.

This colorful gondola lift system was designed by Von Roll Ltd. of Switzerland and became the very first aerial ropeway of its kind in the United States. Walt Disney, always thinking ahead of his time, was so enchanted by the technology that he ordered it for Disneyland before even knowing where it would go. To Walt, it was more than transportation—it was an experience, a chance to give guests a bird’s-eye view of his dreamland while also easing foot traffic between lands.

Known as the Skyway to Fantasyland and the Skyway to Tomorrowland, the ride used bright, round, two-seater “Sky Buckets” that gently swayed as they passed over the support towers. For many, that sway added a little extra thrill to what was otherwise a serene glide through the sky. The Skyway quickly became a guest favorite and a beloved “D” ticket attraction.

In late 1957, the Skyway briefly closed to make way for a new landmark: the Matterhorn Bobsleds—the world’s first tubular steel roller coaster. To accommodate it, the Skyway’s 60-foot center pylon was removed, and the Matterhorn was built right in its place. When the Skyway reopened in 1959, it passed straight through the mountain itself, giving guests a unique look inside the icy peaks and a momentary chill as they floated through the echoing interior.

By 1965, the original Sky Buckets were redesigned into rectangular four-seaters by Imagineer Bob Gurr, doubling capacity and adding a sleek, modern look to the fleet.

The silent but recognizable Skyway, which swept across the skyline of Disneyland, was a continual reminder of Walt's inventiveness for almost 40 years. Its departure after its last flight on November 9, 1994, left a hole in the sky, but not in the hearts of people who remember what it was like to float between lands with magic all around them.

Even though the buckets no longer fly over Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, their memory lives on—in old postcards, photos, and the treasured memories of people who once gazed down from above and saw Disneyland from a completely different perspective.