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APOD Abstract for presentation (Poster or Podium) with a Paper in the Conference Proceedings

History

1626487 - A Look Back to the Future - the Disney Monorails

Sunday, June 16, 2024

3:00 PM - 3:20 PM ET

Room: 221

Co-Author(s)

WS

William J. Sproule, PhD

Professor Emeritus
Michigan Technological University
Brighton, MI, United States

Primary Author(s)

MO

Myles Overall, EIT

Graduate Student/Research Assistant
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN, United States

Presenter(s)

MO

Myles Overall, EIT

Graduate Student/Research Assistant
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN, United States

Submitter(s)

WS

William J. Sproule, PhD

Professor Emeritus
Michigan Technological University
Brighton, MI, United States

Abstract: Walt Disney originally envisioned the monorail as a reliable and safe public transit system for the future. The first Disney monorail system opened in June 1959 as merely an attraction taking people on a scenic trip around Disneyland in Anaheim, California. When Walt Disney World opened in Orlando, Florida in 1971, the Disney monorail was an important feature of the new amusement park, and today over 50 million annual passengers ride the monorail system. Although monorails have not become a popular public transit alternative in the United States, they are probably the most recognized icons of Disney parks, and what many visitors consider as future transportation. This paper will explore the history of the Disney monorails at Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and the Tokyo Disney resort, the evolution of the Disney monorail trains, characteristics of the systems, operations, and challenges.

Learning Objectives:

Attendees can expect to learn the following from this session:

Upon completion, participant will appreciate the history of the monorails at the three Disney parks.
Upon completion, participant will understand the evolution of the Disney monorails
Upon completion, participants will understand the characteristics, and operations of the monorails at each of the Disney parks.
Upon completion, participants will appreciate the challenges of expanding the monorail networks at the three parks.