Magic Skyway at the 1964/1965 New York World’s Fair
Ever wish you could hop in a Ford convertible and take a trip through the dawn of time, past dinosaurs, cavemen, and a glimpse of the future—all without leaving your seat? That’s exactly what Disney created with the Magic Skyway at the 1964/1965 New York World’s Fair. It was one of four major attractions Walt and his W.E.D. team designed for the Fair, and while most of them found a home at Disneyland after the Fair closed, the Magic Skyway took a different path (well…sort of—more on that later!).
Sponsored by the Ford Motor Company, Magic Skyway was a unique blend of classic Disney storytelling, cutting-edge technology, and a bold showcase of American innovation. Plus, it planted some early seeds that would eventually grow into beloved EPCOT Center attractions. Let’s take a closer look at this fascinating piece of Disney and World’s Fair history!
The Magic Skyway was commissioned by the Ford Motor Company to show off their vehicles and tell the story of transportation. General Motors was planning Futurama II based on the incredibly popular Futurama at the 1939 New York World’s Fair. Ford knew they needed to be able to tell a powerful story, so they reached out to Walt Disney. During this time, Walt was thinking about expanding the concept of Disneyland and was looking for property East of the Mississippi. The majority of Disneyland visitors came from the states West of the Mississippi, and no one really knew if a Disney-style attraction would be popular on the East Coast. The New York World’s Fair proved that Disney would succeed on the East Coast.
Archival Ford Pavilion Film
The Ford Company filmed a short to promote and archive parts the attraction. Although the film is in black and white, it’s amazing to see the attention to detail that Disney put into the attraction.
If you’ve ridden the Disneyland Railroad, then you might know which part of the Magic Skyway made it back to the California park.
The Magic Skyway might not have made it to Disneyland like some of the other World’s Fair attractions, but its spirit is alive and well in so many of the experiences Disney fans know and love today. From the prehistoric gags in World of Motion to the sweeping visions of the future in Horizons, you can still feel the creative spark that Walt and his team lit back in 1964. And don’t forget the battling dinosaurs in the Universe of Energy!
Did you ever get a chance to experience the Magic Skyway—or do you have a favorite Disney attraction that carries its spirit forward? I’d love to hear your thoughts and memories in the comments below!