New Disneyland Monorails

[dwelty]

Tim just sent me a link to a story about Disneyland\'s new monorails. I suddenly feel really old. I was a new Cast Member at Disneyland when they installed the Monorail that they are now de-comissioning (Adventureland Frontierland Attractions 1987-1990) I remember thinking back then that They looked far more modern that the older model they replaced. Now they are replacing those! Anyway here is a link to the article. I think they look pretty cool: (make sure you click on the \"more photos\" section of the story).
http://www.ocregister.com/news/cars-first-train-1946743-disney-glass

[PoohsPal]

OMG. Those look awesome. More inspiration to try to get to DL again. I was 9 the first time adn I remeber walking to teh DL hotel? from our campground and taking the monorial to DL. That was so cool.

[idratherbeinwdw]

Those look awesome, thanks for sharing the link David. Besides the outside look differing, I think it\'s really cool that they are changing the seat layout so guests can get a better view out of the window. I wonder if WDW is due for the upgrade as well?

[doombuggy]

WOW! They look so retro! I am not so sure about the benches, tho. As much as I like riding the train car that allows you to view the park, i hate climbing over people...I guess I will have to check it out in February....

I don\'t know if we are getting an upgrade here. I have noticed recently that the cars have been changed in the fact that their are now 4 poles in each 1/2 car instead of the thing that used to sit in the middle...help me out here people....:P

[doombuggy]

Monorail Red Has Arrived!
12/20/2007

Built in Rhode Island, assembled in Vancouver and caravanned thousands of miles, the first in the fleet of new Mark VII Monorails arrived at the Disneyland Resort.

Bringing the future of technology, entertainment and fun to the forefront of today\'s culture is an ongoing mission of the Disneyland® Resort, and with the arrival of Monorail Red, the future has only just begun.

\"In addition to the exciting enhancement plans we recently announced for Disney\'s California Adventure®, we continue to invest in other areas of the Resort,\" said Ed Grier, president of the Disneyland® Resort. \"The renovation of this classic attraction is part of our ongoing strategy to find new ways to refresh existing assets to exceed our Guests\' expectations. I think they\'ll love the new look, which is very reminiscent of the Monorail trains Walt Disney first introduced in 1959.\"

As the first new Monorail design at Disneyland® Park in over 20 years, the Mark VII features a design inspired by the original Mark I. It boasts an innovative custom-paint on the exterior, which shifts colors depending on the angle of light and the point from which it is viewed. Monorail Red can be seen changing from bright red to a deep crimson with hints of gold. In addition, for the first time, the Monorail windows are tinted, adding to the beauty and color of the new exterior. The new interior design and seating arrangement allows for Guests to face outward and view the parks as the Monorail travels through them.

As a completely electric system since its inception in 1959, the new Monorails will feature another environmentally friendly element, with new custom low-voltage LEDs being used to illuminate the inside of the vehicles.

\"The Disneyland® Monorail is a classic attraction and an integral part of Disneyland\" said Scot Drake, lead creative designer for the new Monorails. \"Walt Disney Imagineering is constantly looking at ways to update or refresh classic attractions and we are so excited about the new Monorails.\"

Monorail Red will make its maiden voyage around the Resort with Guests in late February 2008. Monorail Blue is set to debut in the spring with Monorail Orange rounding out the fleet in late summer.

[nono]

doombuggy wrote:

instead of the thing that used to sit in the middle...help me out here people....:P

I have never known what the heck that thing was....:confused:

[doombuggy]

Yeah, it was that retangular thing that sat in the middle of each car section, and everyone used to lean their butts on...they are now gone and the four poles make me feel like I am on the subway or the EL....

I was watching the Cast TV about the new DL monorails and it looks like back to back benches in the center facing windows on each side, and then a bench in the back facing forward. I couldn\'t tell if there was a fourth bench facing backwards. The monorails there are a bit smaller...can\'t wait to check it out! :)