OK, so not every post will be about Disneyland (I promise), but this one has meaning. For those that don’t know, Disneyland once had an amazing sky ride that took you from one end of the park to the other. It even went through the Matterhorn!
(Image Credit to Fineartamerica.com)
Growing up, my trips to Disneyland weren’t usually family events. They were more done through school trips. As a kid, I was quite shy and known as weird (I know, right?). During these school trips, we had to pick “buddies” to hang out with, and my “buddies” would usually leave me behind to hang out with other kids.
Don’t worry, stay with me, this isn’t a Dr. Phil moment I promise. I honestly didn’t mind being in the park alone, it was liberating. Kids can be cruel, but Disneyland is a place that helps you forget that. Of all the rides I loved most during that time, it was the Skyway. I would ride this back and forth across the park to look down, see how big the world really was, and how small everyone looked at the same time. I would wave at people looking up and always got the greatest joy when they would wave back. Even though there would be lines of people waiting, there would be cast members that would see I was alone and let me stay on to go back across. Disney magic at its best!
Sadly this ride closed in 1994. One side of the landing in Tomorrowland was taken down completely, but the other in Fantasyland was left intact. All they did was hide the building with trees and roped off the entrance.
No matter how many trips to the park I’ve done, it was always fun to glance up and see the building was still there. Remembering taking off from that point, soaring through the air, passing the abominable snowman through the Matterhorn on the way to the other side. So many great memories……..
But as life goes, onward and upward. Disneyland is building the new Star Wars land (see my last post). With that, it’s time to say goodbye to the last remaining part of the Skyway. The building is set for demolition, and during out last trip we got a chance to take photos and say goodbye:
Things come and go, and as much as you don’t want to hang on to the past it’s always great to remember what helped make you who you are. Something as simple as a ride across a park taught me empowerment, confidence, and helped me see that the world really can be a good place. Disney magic at its best 🙂 Thanks for being here!
