Between Books – The Disney Monorail: Imagineering a Highway in the Sky

 

The monorail is truly an iconic symbol for Disney parks.  Since this transportation option has not taken off globally, for most of us we only get to access this unique vehicle at a Disney park and when we run into one in the wild we naturally begin to think of times at Disney.  So it only makes sense for Disney to offer a mostly comprehensive history of Disney monorails.

The Disney Monorail: Imagineering a Highway in the Sky by Jeff Kurtti, Vanessa Hunt and Paul Wolski provides Disney fans a detailed monorail history.  The authors open the book with a look at early monorails in the 19^th century including the wide variety of construction options for these vehicles.  They follow discussing Walt Disney’s history with innovation and monorails culminating with his decision to build an Alweg style monorail in Disneyland.  This discussion includes studying the use of trains and pseudo monorails like the Viewliner at Disneyland.  The book discusses the growth of the monorails into other Disney global parks such as Walt Disney World and the Toyoko Disney Resort.   And the authors spend time exploring Disney monorail culture with merchandise and monorail themed non-monorail attractions.  The book ends with a listing of monorails out of the parks and Between Disney.  The book is illustrated throughout with Disney concept art and photos.

First and foremost, this is a beautiful book.  You likely cannot find one volume filled with so many wonderfully illustrated concept paintings and sketches from artists like Herb Ryman that have been terrifically framed and displayed on the page.  It is visual candy to the Disney fan.  Second, the book is a largely comprehensive history of Disney monorails.  It really felt as if very generation and major event of monorail history was outlined…but one.  The 2009 tragic collision with Monorail Blue and Monorail Pink at Walt Disney World is ignored.  Charts in the book mention these two monorails and their retirement but not why.  I really feel this is a missing event that should have been noted especially since the book talks about safety.  Since the young cast member pilot who passed away was a acknowledged monorail fan, a dedication would have seemed appropriate.  I wonder if this text had been published by someone other than Disney Editions if it would have included this sad incident?  But then the authors would have likely lost access to the rich art and images found throughout the book.  It is a balance, but it feels a little more like a promotional piece than a history due to this missing historical moment.  Even with this absence, the history really does a nice job of drawing out the evolution of monorails.  Readers will be left with an understanding of different styles and their usefulness over shorter distances and in industrial settings. 

In the end, The Disney Monorail is a beautiful book that most Disney parks fans will want in their Between Books library.  The images are just incredibly striking and one can get lost in them especially during a time when so many of us have between visits.  And the text provides a nearly complete and interesting discussion of Disney monorails.  I can think of many other Disney attractions that I would have to see Kurtti, Hunt, Wolski complete a similar treatment of which would delight parks fans.  

 

This post contains affiliate links, which means that Between Disney receives a percentage of sales purchased through links on this site. 

Dreaming Disney - Bob Gurr: The Wizard of Wheels

My profile of Disney Legend Bob Gurr is now available online at WDWNT: The Magazine. 

This profile took months to complete and was one of my most involved biographies that I have undertaken.  Why?  Because Gurr was involved in almost everything.  And he did not slip quietly into the night after his Disney years but continued a vibrant design career.

I hope you enjoy the story of the man who is truly the Dean of Disney Wheeled Vehicles!

Between Books - In the Shadow of the Matterhorn

Before my last vacation to the Disneyland Resort I desperately was looking for a book to help put me into the vacation mindset. I wanted a memoir. But not any memoir, I sought a Disneyland memoir. I wanted it to be by someone who had an affiliation to the park, either as a designer or a cast member. And I wanted it to be fun, perhaps in the Mouse Tales tone. I found some books that I enjoyed for that vacation, but honestly nothing that hit the nail on the head for the exact book I was looking for. I should have looked harder. Because In the Shadow of the Matterhorn: Intimate Stories about Life, Love, and Laughter at Disneyland by David W. Smith was the exact book I was looking for!

Smith spent six years as a part-time cast member. He worked a number of attractions during his tenure including The Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes, the Mike Fink Keel Boats, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Monorail. Smith details to his readers how he was hired on, the training he received and numerous stories of working the attractions. Smith recounts both the humorous experiences with guests, and the horrific ones. As one of a handful of Keel Boat operators he was asked to help search the Rivers of America during the June 4, 1983, Grad Night for a young man who had taken a joy ride with a Disney rubber raft. Sadly, Smith was on hand in the discovery of the body of 18 year old Philip Straughan. Along with tales of staffing attractions, Smith also provides tales of cast member life. These stories include romantic encounters and mostly harmless rebellious actions. But the highlight of these cast member tales are recounts of Smith’s years participating in the famed Disneyland cast member canoe races.

I found Smith’s reading light and easy to read. I cruised through this book and read it with only limited interruptions. To be blunt, I found no reason to end my literary Disneyland adventure in the middle of the Betweenland snows. Smith made it easy for me to join him in the park and share warmer ice free days. Additionally, he made we want to ride the canoes, a ride that I have always planned later in the day when I have found it closed. And he placed me with him on the keel boats and helped me understand this extinct attraction before my day. Smith also helped me understand why for some the Monorail may not be the attraction of choice! The only hiccup for me was referring to the Walt Disney World Resort as Disneyworld later in the book.

I found David W. Smith’s In the Shadow of the Matterhorn fun and enjoyable. Smith is a former cast member who enjoyed his days as a cast member and in his writing conveys his enthusiasm for his memories. Readers who enjoy the writings of David Koening will likely enjoy In the Shadow of the Matterhorn, which includes many of the types of stories one would find in Mouse Tales, just in this case shared by one man and typically not as risqué. I think the best compliment I can give is for a few hours, David W. Smith made me feel like I was at Disneyland and not living in the frozen tundra!


Review Copy Provided by Synergy-Books Publishing, U.S.A.