The Viewliner: The Forgotten Predecessor to the Disneyland Monorail

TLDRThe Viewliner was a short-lived attraction at Disneyland that served as a predecessor to the iconic Disneyland Monorail. It was a train-inspired ride that showcased a futuristic concept of rail travel. The Viewliner only existed for a little over a year and is one of Disneyland's lesser-known ex-attractions.

Key insights

🚂The Viewliner was a temporary attraction at Disneyland that aimed to introduce a futuristic concept of rail travel.

🏰It only existed for a little over a year and is one of Disneyland's lesser-known ex-attractions.

🛤️The Viewliner operated on a figure-eight track in Tomorrowland and Fantasyland, with two separate trains.

🚅It was sponsored by the Santa Fe Railway Company and featured repurposed car bodies and a unique air suspension system.

🗓️The Viewliner closed in 1958 to make way for new attractions, including the Matterhorn and the Monorail.

Q&A

How long did the Viewliner operate at Disneyland?

The Viewliner operated at Disneyland for a little over a year before closing in 1958.

What was the concept behind the Viewliner?

The Viewliner aimed to showcase a futuristic concept of rail travel and was inspired by GM's Aerotrain.

Why is the Viewliner considered a predecessor to the Disneyland Monorail?

The Viewliner shares similarities with the Disneyland Monorail, including a similar look and a station in the same location. It served as an early attempt to incorporate real-life futurism and technology into the park.

What happened to the Viewliner after it closed?

The Viewliner's locomotive and train cars were kept backstage at Disneyland until the 1970s when they were eventually scrapped.

Is the Viewliner still remembered by Disneyland visitors today?

The Viewliner is not widely known among Disneyland visitors today and is considered one of the park's lesser-known ex-attractions.

Timestamped Summary

00:02The Viewliner was a temporary attraction at Disneyland that aimed to introduce a futuristic concept of rail travel.

02:22It operated on a figure-eight track in Tomorrowland and Fantasyland, with two separate trains.

04:37The Viewliner closed in 1958 to make way for new attractions, including the Matterhorn and the Monorail.

06:41The Viewliner shares similarities with the Disneyland Monorail and served as an early attempt to incorporate real-life futurism and technology into the park.

08:31The Viewliner's locomotive and train cars were kept backstage at Disneyland until the 1970s when they were eventually scrapped.