The people mover was built 1/5 its actual design size. It was tested at Disneyland and then supposed to be used in the City of Epcot (which was never built) to move people from the neighborhoods to the hub of the city where they would catch a monorail to go to work. 20% of the electro-magnet motors can go down and it will still function properly.
The ride traveled at 6 mph.
The electro-magnet motors operated on 480VAC and were spaced 9 feet apart
There were 55 trains
The design for the ride system was originally used on the Wonder Rotunda at the 1964 Worlds Fair
Idea for the propulsion was from John Hench when he saw steel being moved in a Ford Plant
From Tomorrowland Info Packet 1967:
REVOLUTIONARY TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM:
A unique new concept in intermediate transportation mazes its world debut at Disneyland this summer. Called the PeopleMover, it is presented by the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in the Magic Kingdom's all-new Tomorrowland.
COMPLETELY AUTOMATIC:
A new WEDway Transportation System developed by WED Enterprises, the PeopleMover is a silent, all-electric, completely automatic conveyance that is designed for variable speed, point-to-point service.
PeopleMover's many automatic features and hosting procedures enable complete operation by a comparatively small staff. And its amazing degree of automation is achieved without extensive electronic equipment.
MOTORLESS VEHICLES:
PeopleMover vehicles are motorless, eliminating the chance of one vehicle stalling the others. Independent drive units are embedded in the system's elevated guideway, automatically controlling speed and maintaining proper intervals between vehicles. No cogs, conveyor belt or similar types of devices are used.
If a drive unit becomes inoperative, the system continues to trans-port passengers at maximum capacity, safety and comfort.
NEVER STOPS RUNNING:
The 62 four-car PeopleMover trains never stop running, even while passengers board or leave cars at its station's revolving turntable platform.
ALWAYS CARS AVAILABLE:
An endless parade of cars, ready to leave passengers and take on new ones, arrive constantly at the PeopleMover Station, circling it in the same direction and rate of speed as the turning platform. Each car comfortably seats up to four adults or six children in two opposing seats.
Because the trains and the turntable move synchronously, the effect when boarding is similar to stepping from a stationary platform into a motionless car.
SELF OPENING DOORS:
Doors of compartments open and close, and car tops raise and lower automatically to facilitate passengers boarding and disembarking.
GLIDE NOISELESSLY:
Trains of the PeopleMover glide noiselessly along a ribbon-like guideway, supported by graceful, symmetrical pylons, which form a pair of sweeping arches over the entrance to Tomorrowland.
HIGH CAPACITY:
As many as 4,880 passengers per hour cruise aboard the smooth running trains, out of the way and above the heads of strolling Disneyland visitors.
NO WAITING:
PeopleMover passengers never have to wait for the fun to begin; their adventure actually starts at the very moment they step aboard the cars.
ADVENTURE THRU TOMORROWLAND:
Upon leaving the PeopleMover Station, trains pick up somewhat in speed as Disneyland guests begin their 15-minute sight-seeing excursion throughout new Tomorrowland in an adventure more than three-quarters of a mile (4,000 feet) in length.
TOTAL EXPOSURE:
Passengers are introduced to all of Tomorrowland's corporate-sponsored attractions and exhibit areas. A narrator's voice, commenting on points of interest along the way, is broadcast to each compartment against a musical background.
PREVIEW OF SHOWS:
PeopleMover trains transport guests inside many of Tomorrow-land's major new pavilions for special previews of attractions, including Adventure Thru Inner Space, Progress City, America the Beautiful and The Character Shop.
PEOPLEMOVE STATION:
Theme center and pivotal point of new Tomorrowland is the PeopleMover Station. It is a circular, tri-level structure surrounded by spacious concourse area and new pavilions and attractions.
ROCKET JETS AND OBSERVATION DECK:
The PeopleMover Station is topped by a new version of the popular Rocket Jets attraction and an observation deck that offers total viewing of new Tomorrowland. Guests are carried to the upper-most level of the station by gantry-like elevators.
GOODYEAR PRODUCTS:
Guests glide to the station's PeopleMover boarding area on the second level while standing on a Goodyear rubber-surfaced "speed-ramp." As they ascend, the story of Goodyear's diversified areas of activity and interests are presented through ten humorous vignettes —animated exhibits—along the way.
STATION AREA:
Total area of the PeopleMover Station is 16,000 square feet.
From WED Disneyland Dictionary 1968
a versatile new WEDway Transportation System, offers step-saving comfort to passengers in motorless four-car trains. The never-stopping PeopteMovek carries guests on a scenic cruise throughout Tomorrowland and inside many of the new area's pavilions for special previews of major attractions. This system Is a whole new approach to intermediate transportation techniques -- one that can be applied to any area where people must be transported, such as airports, parking areas, shopping centers, stadiums, etc. Presented by Goodyear.
In the 1970's required a "D" ticket
The SuperSpeed Tunnel was added in 1977.
Tron footage added in 1982.
From Steve Birnbaum brings you the best of Disneyland 1982:
Disneyland's PeopleMover offers guests a preview of Tomorrowland's various attractions. The most valuable, of course, is the look at Space Mountain-just long enough to entice those who plan to go and to help the indecisive make up their minds. But the PeopleMover's 34 motorless cars, which get their electric power from motors in the track itself, also take in the Super Speed Tunnel, an attraction in its own right, presenting a hair-raising motorcycle chase scene from Disney's spectacular movie Tron.
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