Grand canyon scene

[longhorns2]

In the DL train tunnel.... Um, why?

Does anyone know the history on it? It confused me a bit... Lol

 

[sonnyjane]

Here is what Wiki has to say: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disneyland_Railroad#The_Grand_Canyon.2FPrimeval_World_diorama

The 1958 addition of the Grand Canyon diorama painted by artist Delmer J. Yoakum necessitated a change in the rolling stock as well; instead of facing forward, the new flatcars' benches now faced right so that the passengers could better enjoy the scenes. The diorama, which includes taxidermic animals (the only ones in the park) in lifelike poses, is the longest in the world. Painted on a single piece of seamless canvas and representing the view from the canyon's south rim, the rear of the diorama measures 306 feet (93 m) long, 34 feet (10 m) high and is covered with 300 gallons (1,100 L) of paint in 14 colors.[4] Animals that are included in the diorama include mule deer, mountain lion, desert bighorn sheep, golden eagle, wild turkeys, striped skunk and porcupine. A 96-year-old Hopi chief, Chief Nevangnewa, blessed the trains on the diorama's opening day. The cost was US$367,000, and it took 80,000 labor hours to construct. The main theme of Ferde Grofé's "On The Trail," the third movement from his Grand Canyon Suite, is piped in through the train's sound system as it enters the diorama.

In 1966, the diorama was expanded with a prehistoric theme to become the "Grand Canyon/Primeval World" diorama, with Audio-Animatronic dinosaurs from Walt Disney's 1964 New York World's Fair attraction Ford Magic Skyway. At the same time as the track expansion on the east side of the park, the track on the western side of the park was extended to make room for the New Orleans Square expansion, including buildings for the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean. The northern alignment of the track was moved farther north from just behind Casey Jr. Circus Train to allow for an expansion of the Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland. That area is now home to the Big Thunder Ranch, the unused Festival Arena, and Fantasyland Theater, currently home to the Princess Fantasy Faire.

Since its opening July 17, 1955 until 1974 Santa Fe sponsored the SF&DLRR attraction. Due to the Amtrak nationalization of passenger train business in 1971, Santa Fe no longer operated passenger service and could not justify the expense of DLRR sponsorship. This, along with Santa Fe's desire to upgrade the park's diminutive steam locomotives with representative powerful modern diesel electric engines, led to failure of negotiations to extend the sponsorship contract, and the Santa Fe name was removed, though the engines' names remained. Santa Fe expected their marque to remain until casually replaced, but all references were replaced with the new Disneyland Railroad emblem by park opening the very next day, including the riveted panel from monorail red salvaged from the trash on display at Walt's Barn.

 

[DLR29]

That's the part of the DLRR where there would be no interesting views. In fact, without the tunnel you would have lots of unwanted backstage views. The dioramas make that leg more interesting and prevents guests from seeing "unmagical" areas.

 

[longhorns2]

That's the part of the DLRR where there would be no interesting views. In fact, without the tunnel you would have lots of unwanted backstage views. The dioramas make that leg more interesting and prevents guests from seeing "unmagical" areas.

I get that but was confused as to the choice of the scenes. It makes more sense with the tie to Santa fe rr. I forgot about that. Just the grand canyon didn't make sense when traveling from tomorrow land to main st.

 

[jdb in AZ]

I get that but was confused as to the choice of the scenes. It makes more sense with the tie to Santa fe rr. I forgot about that. Just the grand canyon didn't make sense when traveling from tomorrow land to main st.

What about going through dinosaur land? That doesn't make any more sense, tho some people (including DH) love dinosaurs.

 

[DLRfan31]

I like the dinosaurs and the grand canyon, but on certain days...man it smells bad in there. like exhaust fumes bad enough to choke a horse.

 

[taniapacheco]

I have to agree about the exhaust and then we were stopped in there for a bit my mom ended up with a migraine. Although on the plus side I have taken it all around the whole park which I had not before.

 

[LittleToni]

At the least, it's a great place to close your tired eyes for a few minutes lol

LT

 

[TheZue]

Not everything has to make sense I like that part...never really thought about it too deeply.

 

[larina]

It is one of my family's favorite parts of a DL trip. We've never gone and not taken the train all the way around. It reminds my mom and I of my grandma, she always loved the train.

 

[longhorns2]

It seemed "undisney" to me- everything (in my experience) at WDW is planned and calculated to tell a story. I was looking for the story. Usually it also seamlessly flows from one land to another. The Santa fe rail road connection helped me find the story, though I still don't see the flow I want to see!

Maybe I take Disney magic too seriously, but I still think it could be reimagineered somehow.

 

[DisneytheKid]

For me it was just a cool thing when I was a kid and now its fun to go back and enjoy the memories

 

[CamoMama]

It seemed "undisney" to me- everything (in my experience) at WDW is planned and calculated to tell a story. I was looking for the story. Usually it also seamlessly flows from one land to another. The Santa fe rail road connection helped me find the story, though I still don't see the flow I want to see!

Maybe I take Disney magic too seriously, but I still think it could be reimagineered somehow.

I'm sorry that you're not getting exactly what you want from it, but the vast majority of people love that scene and if they change it there will be a lot of very upset people. I've loved it since I was 3 years old, and it is very much a part of the Disney magic. If you really don't like it, don't ride the train.

 

[SpaceMan5]

Not everything has to make sense I like that part...never really thought about it too deeply.

I'm with you on this one. When we ride the train it is usually when we need a rest and at that point I turn off the brain and relax

 

[BayGirl22]

I get why it wouldn't make as much sense if you're not familiar with it. Sounds like its more of a legacy, part of DL's roots. WDW is planned and built so everything was put in place for a reason. Some things exist at DL just because they are historic and were put at a time when it made sense. (At least this is my perspective given the history of both parks.)

I expect DL RR will be the first thing we do when we enter the park. My 3 yo is a train fan so we can't walk past a train without riding. (Our first day will be a busy afternoon/evening so we'll take a nice relaxing ride on the train and deal with FL and bigger rides on the weekdays at EE.) I bet the mixture of trains, dinosaurs, and Grand Canyon will make perfect sense to him. He loves Dinosaur Train too!

 

[larina]

...I still think it could be reimagineered somehow.

Dem's fightin' words LOL

I get why it wouldn't make as much sense if you're not familiar with it...My 3 yo is a train fan so we can't walk past a train without riding...I bet the mixture of trains, dinosaurs, and Grand Canyon will make perfect sense to him. He loves Dinosaur Train too!

This sums it up for us. It is one of my son's 3 favorite rides. Perhaps 2-7 year old boys were the target audience for this section of the train. Whatever the case, it is a very important part of my family's Disneyland experience.

 

[DLRfan31]

Riding the train is a must for a Disney visit. I never gave any thought as to WHY the dinosaurs and Grand Canyon scenes were there. Just enjoyed them...especially when the exhaust wasn't overwhelming.

 

[mgd]

I hope they don't change it. That's classic now, and very unexpected for those who don't know about it. Would you rather see some hannah montana dance scene in that tunnel?

It seems very disney to me, assuming you also feel the lincoln exhibit is disney. Maybe it's a generational thing.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I have loved it since I was a kid. And when riding the train at WDW it seems like something is missing. I wish they had it there too.

 

[minjo]

I love the scenes....the ride is great when you need a break or if you want to go to a different part of the park and don't want to walk through the crowds, it's great.