To the left is the Lilly Belle, observation car 106, originally from the 100 series Disneyland Limited that surrounded Disneyland, making it's round non-stop, from Main Street Station. In 1966, Walt decided that the Disneyland Limited, also known as Holiday 1, and it's enclosed cars and framed windows offered a poor view of his Grand Canyon and Primeval World Attraction, and therefore removed it from daily operation, and only used it occasionally during inclement weather. For almost 10 years, car 106 didn't see much light. Then a man named Ken Kohler, the Roundhouse Superintendent from 1961 to approximately 1990, suggested that the obesrvation car could be revived as a Bicentennial Car. Eventually that idea spawned into the building of this elegant private railcar it is today.
The Victorian style found outside and within the Lilly Belle
come from Mrs. Disney's own taste of decor. Some of this includes
a Victorian settee and side chairs, the original leather benches were
re-upholstered in a wine-colored mohair, Claret velvet drapes, walls paneled
with Himalayan mahogany, four beveled mirrors, marlbe-topped tables, Victorian
bric-a-brac, old Disney family pictures, and rimming the top of the car,
at ceiling level are twelve stained glass panels.
Although, Walt had always wanted a pirvate car for his railroad, it wasn't realized till almost 10 years after his death. Considering whose taste it took to decorate this beautiful car, the Lilly Belle was named after Walt's wife- Lillian.
Today, the Lilly Belle circles Disneyland behind the Holiday 5, offering a lavish tour of the park to all pre-arranged VIPs that hold a Lilly Belle ticket.
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List page last updated on 8/11/97.