I can't believe I forgot about the Skyway!

[redrosesix]

I was just lazing around on the computer today and looking at a link on Youtube. Well, one link went to another and before you know it I found this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbvFPSS4l54&feature=related

This reminds me of when they tear down buildings in my city and sooner or later I forget what used to be there. Now I know why I always had a funny feeling about some picture I saw while riding the TTA -- sort of a deja vu feeling.

I'd love it if they could bring the Skyway back, but I can understand why they would never have the open gondollas again. It seems to me there are a lot of other things missing from Tomorrowland -- can you think of any? Would you bring them back?

 

[doconeill]

I was just lazing around on the computer today and looking at a link on Youtube. Well, one link went to another and before you know it I found this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbvFPSS4l54&feature=related

This reminds me of when they tear down buildings in my city and sooner or later I forget what used to be there. Now I know why I always had a funny feeling about some picture I saw while riding the TTA -- sort of a deja vu feeling.

I'd love it if they could bring the Skyway back, but I can understand why they would never have the open gondollas again. It seems to me there are a lot of other things missing from Tomorrowland -- can you think of any? Would you bring them back?

The buildings to the skyway are still there. The only things missing are the cables and the towers in between. I've got some pictures of them:

What is that Place? Magic Kingdom

I'm not sure anything else is "missing" from Tomorrowland (except the Galaxy Palace Theater stage which just got ripped out), but attractions have changed.

 

[redrosesix]

The buildings to the skyway are still there. The only things missing are the cables and the towers in between. I've got some pictures of them:

What is that Place? Magic Kingdom

I'm not sure anything else is "missing" from Tomorrowland (except the Galaxy Palace Theater stage which just got ripped out), but attractions have changed.

Thanks for the pics!

 

[prfctlyximprfct]

I wish they would bring the Skyway back! It probably had spectacular views!

 

[gymnastgirlflips]

I was about 4 when I went on the Skyway last- it looks really cool though. I remember what it looks like though, it'd be awesome if they brought it back.

 

[MarylandPirate]

I also miss the skyway. Didn't someone fall out and die? That's what I seem to remember is the reason it was shut down. However I think I'm a lot higher at the one at Blizzard Beach.

 

[doconeill]

I also miss the skyway. Didn't someone fall out and die? That's what I seem to remember is the reason it was shut down. However I think I'm a lot higher at the one at Blizzard Beach.

The only fatality I am aware of is in 1999 a CM who was cleaning the platform area when another CM started the motors without checking and he was knocked from the platform. He had managed to grab onto a gondola and tried to get in, but wasn't successful and fell 40 feet to the ground. The skyway was closed some months later, but as I understand it it was already scheduled to be closed.

I understand the insurance costs on these rides are enormous now, so it seems unlikely to ever come back.

 

[KuzcoDaShogun]

Yeah I miss the Skyway too but some CM's at the parks told me that one of the reasons they were closed were cause Guests would complain of falling ice cream, money (why anyone would complain about falling money is beyond me lol) and more. I just can imagine the hilarious shenanigans if a little kid were walking and was whining about wanting ice cream and, all of a sudden, he gets a Mickey Ears Ice Cream Pop land right on his head. "There ya go, kid!" LOL!

 

[skier_pete]

My understanding is reasons for closing were numerous, including those above as well as lack of handicap accessability.

While there's nothing wrong with the Skyway, it's removal would probably rank at the very bottom of my list of rides that I miss from Magic Kingdom...well below 20,000 leagues, Tropical Serenade (original Tiki Room), Mr Toad,Alien Encounter, The Timekeeper,and If you had Wings to name a few!

SkierPete

 

[redrosesix]

My understanding is reasons for closing were numerous, including those above as well as lack of handicap accessability.

While there's nothing wrong with the Skyway, it's removal would probably rank at the very bottom of my list of rides that I miss from Magic Kingdom...well below 20,000 leagues, Tropical Serenade (original Tiki Room), Mr Toad,Alien Encounter, The Timekeeper,and If you had Wings to name a few!

SkierPete

I've never even heard of The Timekeeper or If you had Wings. There certainly have been a lot of changes.

 

[doconeill]

I've never even heard of The Timekeeper or If you had Wings. There certainly have been a lot of changes.

Timekeeper isn't THAT long gone - it was replaced by Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor. But it did seem to be closed somewhat frequently - like whenever we were there, which means we unfortunately never got a chance to see it.

 

[skier_pete]

I've never even heard of The Timekeeper or If you had Wings. There certainly have been a lot of changes.

As PP pointed out, Timekeeper only closed maybe 2 or 3 years ago, where the Laugh Floor is...the old show was a circle-vision 360 show with a few animatronics. It was a cute show, nothing spectacular. The Laugh Floor is a lateral move in my view...good mid-day diversion from the heat and crowds, but nothing you would really go out of your way to see.

If you Had Wings was one of the many permutations that was in the current Buzz Lightyear location. Probably been gone for 20 years already, also not really a great ride...but the point being more missed (by me) than the Skyway.

SkierPete

 

[redrosesix]

I think I would rather have all of the rides you mentioned, plus The Skyway (as long as they prevented the dropping ice cream accidents) than the Indy Speedway.

We didn't even bother to go to the Laugh Floor on our last trip, but I think the more rides they have, the shorter the lines would be at all of the others, and the less crowded the park would feel.

 

[MarylandPirate]

My understanding is reasons for closing were numerous, including those above as well as lack of handicap accessability.

While there's nothing wrong with the Skyway, it's removal would probably rank at the very bottom of my list of rides that I miss from Magic Kingdom...well below 20,000 leagues, Tropical Serenade (original Tiki Room), Mr Toad,Alien Encounter, The Timekeeper,and If you had Wings to name a few!

SkierPete

A s for Skyway....what is different than that ride and the Skilift at Blizzard Beach?

I'm with you on the other rides mentioned 20,000 Leauges, Mr. Toad, Alien Encounter were some of my favorites ... and I'll never get the theme song for If You had Wings out of my head! lol

 

[doconeill]

A s for Skyway....what is different than that ride and the Skilift at Blizzard Beach?

Length, height over ground, the fact that it doesn't go over other guests (that I'm aware of), and a special disabled-access gondola.

 

[MarylandPirate]

Length, height over ground, the fact that it doesn't go over other guests (that I'm aware of), and a special disabled-access gondola.

It does go over guests at a couple of spots....but not the whole ride like skyway.

 

[WI WDWGIRL]

I wish they would bring the Skyway back! It probably had spectacular views!

On my first trip there, I took pictures from the ride and when I find that album, I will post the pictures for you.

 

[prfctlyximprfct]

Thanks so much! I would really appreciate it!

 

[tjkraz]

The buildings to the skyway are still there. The only things missing are the cables and the towers in between.

Where was the platform located where the cars did a roughly 90 degree turn to head into Fantasyland?

If you Had Wings was one of the many permutations that was in the current Buzz Lightyear location. Probably been gone for 20 years already, also not really a great ride..

As evidenced by the fact that in the old ticket book days, you didn't need a ticket to ride If You Had Wings.

I remember visiting when I was 7 or 8 years old. Toward the end of the day, after using all of our ride tickets, we spent the rest of our time on IYHW. The group of us (kids) would race from the exit back to the entrance to get back on and ride again. Ah, memories!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

As evidenced by the fact that in the old ticket book days, you didn't need a ticket to ride If You Had Wings.

I thought it was a great ride.
I believe the reason it was a freebie, was because it was sponsored by Eastern Airlines.
Unlike today, back then few rides were sponsored. The ones that were sponsored did not require a ticket.

Now... A true snooze fest that was also a sponsored ride, was that Monsanto thing.

MG