Thursday, October 25, 2007

Walt Disney and the Monorail at the Disneyland Hotel 1961

Today's image is a press photograph of Walt Disney with one of his big toys, the Disney Alweg Monorail. The photograph was taken at the Disneyland Hotel during the opening ceremonies for the extension to the Hotel by the Monorail. I really like the Alweg logo on the door. The press release on the back reads: Let's Go to Disneyland! Standing on the new station platform at the Disneyland Hotel. Walt Disney makes it an open invitation to all, as he steps into the new Disneyland-Alweg monorail train for the initial trip on the 1961 expansion of the Monorail system. The new $2 million addisiotn to the system covers 2-1/2 miles, races out of Tomorrowland at speeds up to 45 mph, races along Harbor Boulevard, a major highway, curves west across the half mile parking area, crosses West Street to the Hotel and returns to Disneyland. New system will be open to the public on June 12.

6 comments:

Daveland said...

Great photo - love the way that Walt looks so proud of the Monorail.

Vintage Disneyland Tickets said...

Yes, great rare photo! Walk almost looks giddy he is so proud of his big toy!!! Thanks for the neat photo!

Major Pepperidge said...

How satisfying it must have been for Walt, to see so many of his ideas become tangible (and cool!).

walterworld said...

Looks like Walt just had a few highballs with Jack Wrather at the Monorail Bar!

Tinker Bell said...

Now that is a happy man! Always so nice to see his big, genuine smile.

Namowal (Jennifer Bourne) said...

As someone who adored trains and had an optimistic fascination with both the future and how he could help develop it, this had to be a triumphant moment.