Disneyland ParkNews

70-Year-Old Disneyland Ride Officially Sent Around the World

The official Disney Parks YouTube channel has released a 12-minute “sights and sounds” video of the Disneyland Railroad, offering fans worldwide a 4K on-ride experience of the classic attraction.

The footage, posted to YouTube two days ago as part of Disneyland's 70th anniversary celebration, captures the steam train journey around the original Southern California theme park with stops in Tomorrowland, New Orleans Square, Mickey's Toontown, and Main Street, U.S.A.

Walt Disney's Vision Realized

disneyland railroad e.p. ripley
Credit: Disney

The 20-25-minute railroad journey features Primeval World and Grand Canyon dioramas, plus a stop at Tiana's Bayou Adventure (formerly Splash Mountain). Walt Disney, an avid locomotive enthusiast, insisted on a real steam train bordering Disneyland Park.

In the 1950s, Disney built a 1/8-scale steam train, the Carolwood Pacific Railroad, in his backyard. The miniature freight train was named Lilley Belle after his wife. The concept of steam trains circling “castle parks” became a distinctly Disney tradition replicated at resorts worldwide, including Walt Disney World Resort.

4K Anniversary Video Celebrates the Disneyland Railroad

Disneyland Railroad steam train
Credit: Disney

Disneyland Resort announced the video on X (formerly Twitter), quoting Walt Disney:

“I just want it to look like nothing else in the world. And it should be surrounded by a train.” — Walt Disney

Watch sights and sounds from the Disneyland Railroad now: http://di.sn/6005hpkvx

The footage doesn't cover the entire railroad route but includes segments from all four legs of the journey. The video is part of Disneyland's 70th-anniversary celebration, which began last summer.

The Walt Disney Company rarely releases on-ride POV videos of attractions, making this 4K footage a special offering for fans who can't visit the Happiest Place on Earth in person. The “sights and sounds” format captures ambient audio and visual details without narration or music overlay.

Do you have any special memories associated with the Disneyland Railroad? Share them with Disney Fanatic in the comments! 

Jess Colopy

Jess Colopy is a Disney College Program alum and kid-at-heart. When she’s not furiously typing in a coffee shop, you can find her on the hunt for the newest Stitch pin.

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