The Story of Disney's PeopleMover in Texas

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This is the fun, weird, and surprisingly complicated story of Disney’s PeopleMover attraction and how it ended up somewhere unexpected. And maybe even somewhere *really* unexpected!

Links ‘n Stuff:

The Follow-up TC2 Video

Check the pinned comment for lots of really great links to related resources, videos, and other goodies!

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[TechnologyConnections]

I put a lot of great links and other info in this comment, so be sure to expand it to check them out!
Someone on Twitter gave me some really neat extra info on the LIMs used in the WEDWay system. And also, there was a patent! I just couldn't find it.
Basically, the motors are capable of pushing the trains at up to 20 mph (that's their synchronous speed), but in practice this is limited. The design of all the motors is the same, and the reason they are bunched up is just to provide more force. The key is that they are reversible, and they also monitor the vehicle's speed and adjust how long they stay on to correct it. So they don't run constantly when a train is above them, rather they pulse on and off. This is very surprising to me, as you can't really hear this or feel it! But, it makes a lot of sense, particularly with the knowledge that even the sparsely-spaced motors on the straightaways are able to restart the Tomorrowland PeopleMover from a stop. And, it explains why they also bunch up to slow the train down, as they work together in reverse to slow the train, and once the desired speed is reached, they switch back to forward propulsion. Pretty advanced stuff for 1975!
Want to know what happened to Disneyland’s PeopleMover? This video by Offhand Disney does a great job explaining (and includes some great footage of the ride pre-demise). It’s a pretty neat channel for the Disney enthusiast, so check it out!
Here’s that video of the Senate Subway I mentioned:
These are some cool links explaining the origins of the PeopleMover itself:
And if you’re looking for that site detailing the subways below the capitol, here it is:
There are some other relevant links in the description, so be sure to check those, too!
And it turns out that you can indeed be deemed suspicious by the TSA for talking to yourself while filming things in an airport. Oh well, I did it for you!

[alexritchie]

When I was a teenager, I flew from Gatwick to Orlando with a change in Houston. I remember asking how to get to the connecting terminal, and being pointed towards a small, cramped escalator that almost looked like it was trying to hide. When I descended, I found this! To my English eyes it was one of the most bizarre things I'd ever seen; A carpeted trough, under a low polystyrene tile ceiling which seemingly stretched on forever. I could see the channels to either side but had no idea what I was supposed to be looking for. I waited a few minutes, completely alone, when suddenly a mysteriously driver-absent car whispered up to a doorway that otherwise led nowhere. I hopped on, and it quietly whisked me down what seemed to be miles and miles of the same, featureless, carpeted trough. Eventually it announced the correct terminal, and I disembarked.

The experience was so odd to me; the seemingly endless carpeted basement trough, the rickety yet somehow quiet automatic trains, being completely alone in the middle of an enormous international airport, and the feeling that, as you said, I was in some horizontal office elevator, that it seemed surreal, almost dreamlike.

I still sometimes dream about it today, and I'm sure it's one of the main reasons why so many of my dreams now include some novel mode of transport, be it busway, funicular, or cog railway.

Thank you so much for the video, and a chance to properly reminisce about that curious afternoon so many years ago :)

[AndersEngerJensen]

I still get a strong Half-Life vibe from the voice announcements. "Now arriving at Sector C Test Labs and Control Facilities." ^_^

[fitnesswithsteve]

It’s so weird seeing a subway in a basement hallway with carpeted walls😂

[istvankovasznai]

11:37: The reason why the induction motors get closer together where the train changes speeds is simple: You need more power when accelerating or braking. Constant, linear motion requires far less power because the train's inertia does most of the work.

[holysol]

Houston's subway serves its purpose dutifully and admirably. It is one of the pillars of my youth. It's always as empty as you need it to be, you never have to share a cab with anyone you don't want to - and you don't have to haul around luggage or walk. Best part of travelling imho.

[intrinia]

Remember before using People Mover:
- put on HEV-suit
- get a crowbar

[grizzly._.]

It's apparently possible for the public to ride the Capitol subway, so that's what you gotta do next! Maybe talk to your congressman, get an invite, maybe try and see if you could get to meet whoever's in charge of running it? Would make for one hell of a follow-up video!

[arranr]

You can sure talk for a long time about technology that most people will never use.


I love it. Never stop.

[mattheviewer]

I remember this well, being one of the WED audio engineers who as my first assignment did the initial audio speaker layout for this Houston people mover. WED's ride engineers designed the original linear induction motors which indeed were used on many theme park rides, particularly the original BIG THUNDER MOUNTAIN.

[kevindiaz]

I found the subway it very useful when I was working at Houston. Most employees use it because most of staff parking is at Terminal A and B and that's how we can get places to clock in closer to our work assignments without having to go through security

[deanchur]

You did a video on something to do with airports that Wendover Productions hasn't.

Watch your back bro...

[candycemonroe]

...and ended up in a gift shop. Just like most rides at Disney world. 😃

[gtoger]

I've never felt closer to you. Seriously. You were very close on my screen.

[newtondickson]

WOW! I work at IAH, and for years I've heard a rumor about the subway being a Disney production. Thanks to your awesome video, I now know it's true. Thank you!

[matthewsmith]

Recently rewatched this and only just realised how well put together this is. This deserves so much more views!

[kenk]

About a year ago my toddler daughter and I flew to IAH and had a long wait to be picked up. We spent probably 2 hours riding the "subway". I remember it feeling very odd because there were so few people down there and in many parts the lighting was quite dim. It felt as though we had found a little secret and for some reason I have a strong memory of it.
Thanks for the great video!

[nicholas_scott]

Great Video. WED sold the rights to the WEDWAY system back in 1984 to Bombardier. Bombardier built the Capital system under contract. I don't think they really wanted the technology as much as they wanted to remove the competition to there similar, but different INNOVA system

[WOSArchives]

I got a big PBS vibe with the announcement at the beginning. All you need is a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and to say "Thank you" after "Viewers Like You" and then you'll be all set to air on PBS.

[markschulze]

There's benefit to having a people mover on both the secure and nonsecure sides at Houston so I imagine they'll keep it operating as long as possible. One of the issues is that there are very sharp offsets which affect speed and comfort so the City once explored widening the tunnel, which is really not practical because of building foundations very close to the tunnel wall.

And if I remember correctly there are actually some maintenance issues with the metal plates in the cars. They (at least used to be) laminated and the constant forces and flexing caused the plates to delaminate.

For years a co-worker of mine was the "voice of the interterminal train"..🙂