The Disney Monorail: Imagineering A Highway In The Sky

by Jeff Kurtti, Vanessa Hunt, Paul Wolski

Deluxe jacketed hardcover book offers a lavish visual celebration of one of Disney's most impactful and beloved the Disney Monorail.
Walt Disney is renowned as a cartoonist, filmmaker, showman, and entertainment icon. But he was also a farsighted futurist, a transportation buff with practical roots in the past, and visionary sights set on the future. In imagining Disneyland, Walt saw it not only as a destination for diversion and entertainment, but also as a means of presenting practical demonstrations of new ideas and new technology with real-world applications.
In The Disney Imagineering a Highway in the Sky , readers will discover the parallel stories of the development of a new form of transportation and the evolution of Walt’s prophetic creative mind, which together resulted in the first daily operating monorail in the Western Hemisphere. Since June 1959, this mid-century modern marvel has captured the hearts and imaginations of theme park and Disney fans everywhere; it has inspired, as Walt hoped, the creation of working monorails in practical transit applications in varied locations all around the world.
Through a lively and succinct narrative and a stunning collection of unique historical photographs and rare concept and development art (much of it never before published) readers will be transported into a future where yesterday's dreams are tomorrow’s realities!
Searching for that perfect gift for the Disney theme park fan in your life? Explore more archival-quality books from Disney • Holiday Magic at the Disney Parks • Walt Disney's Ultimate The Genius of Ub Iwerks • One Day at Meet the People Who Make the Magic Across the Globe • Marc Davis in His Own Imagineering the Disney Theme Parks • Yesterday's Disney's Magical Mid-Century • Eat Like The Wonderful World of Disney Food • Maps of the Disney Charting 60 Years from California to Shanghai • The Haunted Imagineering a Disney Classic • Poster Art of the Disney Parks

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Travel

208 pages, Hardcover

Published September 15, 2020

Reviews

[Lidia *tangledlidia* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting read…. And a great coffee table book! Loved the use of original drawings and photos and quotes from Disney imagineers! A must read for all Disney fans 🥹

[Jen Pritchard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this. Interesting all the way through. Plus had sensational photographs of all things monorail.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The time it took me to get through this isn't an indicator of its quality or length (looking at you opus Ink & Paint book), I just kept getting holds from the library that had to take precedence.

There's lots of great art included in this book (something I've come to expect from Disney books), but there's also lots of history about monorails in general. A good read for fans of transportation, Disney or otherwise.

[Lou Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated book that Suzanne bought me for Christmas of one of my favourite things in Disney...the monorail! I hadn’t realised that the original was actually in Disneyland California rather than Disneyworld.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A coffee table book telling the story of the Disney monorails, starting with the one at Disneyland, which opened in 1959. It covers some history of monorails, Walt Disney's vision for one at Disneyland, plans and implementation, and other monorails around the world. It includes photos, illustrations, concept art, vintage posters and much more. This is a really interesting and visually stunning book about the Disney monorails. I learned a lot and it is full of tons of great photos.

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was very interesting to read the story behind some of the best monorails in history, could have done with some more monorails from around the world, but the art is amazing. Including some pictures that are rare to see.

[Ryan Shoemaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best Disney Editions Coffee Table books around! An expansive & exhaustive collection of photos and stories regarding one of Walt Disney’s crowning achievements! A must read for any Disney fanatic.

[Shawn Deal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book of the monorail. Great art through the years a nice history and a good overview of all monorails. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

[Chris Queen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A vibrant and informative look at one of the most fascinating and iconic features of the Disney Parks. A must-read for any Disney aficionado.

[Christopher Churilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book with tons of facts and pictures!

[Virginia Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book on one of my favorite things to ride at Walt Disney World!

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spectacular coffee table book with beautiful artwork and photos! A must read for the Disney geek and modern transportation fan alike.

[Traci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating history of monorails in general and a look at the deep desire by Walt to progress society using technology and innovation. Some great history and photos within this book

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3

[Luke Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations and photographs, well written and substantial history. Fun read for Disney nerds, train nerds, or theme park enthusiasts.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The artwork in this book is incredible! There's also a lot of great history and vintage photos. This is a must read for any theme park fans or others just interested in transportation.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really enjoyable book for any Disney lover! I loved seeing the history of transportation over time and how it morphed into this idea of the monorail. I loved seeing the design, mock-ups, and various iterations over the years of the monorails on the various Disney properties!