Guide Tour of Fantasyland, Disneyland Park, California, United States
Fantasyland is one of the “themed lands” at all of the Magic Kingdom-style parks run by The Walt Disney Company around the world. It is themed after Disney’s animated fairy tale films. Each Fantasyland has a castle, as well as several gentle rides themed after those Disney films.
Fantasyland was said by Walt Disney, to be his favorite land in the park. “What youngster has not dreamed of flying with Peter Pan over moonlit London, or tumbling into Alice’s nonsensical Wonderland? In Fantasyland, these classic stories of everyone’s youth have become realities for youngsters – of all ages – to participate in.”
Fantasyland was originally styled in a medieval European fairground fashion, but its 1983 refurbishment turned it into a Bavarian village. Fantasyland features Sleeping Beauty Castle at its front, which is also the park’s icon, and a central courtyard dominated by King Arthur Carrousel, in front of which sits a sword in an anvil; several times each day a costumed Merlin helps a child pull the sword from it.
Attractions include several dark rides, the King Arthur Carrousel, and various family attractions. Fantasyland has the most fiber optics in the park; more than half of them are in Peter Pan’s Flight. Sleeping Beauty’s Castle features a walk-through storytelling of Briar Rose’s adventure as Sleeping Beauty, the attraction opened in 1959. “Believe, There’s Magic in the Stars” reopened 2008 with new renditions and methods of storytelling and the restored work of Eyvind Earle.
In 1983, Fantasyland received a major facelift and the attraction façades changed from a Renaissance motif to a fantasy mock up of a Bavarian village. Fantasyland’s main entrance is through Sleeping Beauty Castle. The plaque in front of the castle marks the spot where the Disneyland Time Capsule is buried. Sealed on the 40th anniversary of the park, it contains different items from the history of Disney parks.
It is scheduled to be opened in the year 2035, forty years after it was first sealed. The famed “Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks” show was introduced in 1956, but Tinker Bell’s first flight wasn’t until 1961. The first Tinker Bell was Tiny Kline, former circus aerialist. Multiple shows have replaced this most involving some sort of ‘flying’ character, such as Tinker Bell.
Sleeping Beauty Castle
Sleeping Beauty Castle is a fairy tale castle at the center of Disneyland. It is based on the late-19th century Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany. It appeared in the Walt Disney Pictures title card from 1985 to 2006 before being merged with Cinderella Castle, both iconic symbols of The Walt Disney Company. The Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland is the only Disney castle whose construction was overseen by Walt Disney.
Opened July 17, 1955, the castle is the oldest of all Disney castles. Though it reaches a height of 77 feet (23 m), it was designed by Roland E. Hill to appear taller through a process known as forced perspective; design elements are larger at the foundation and smaller at the turrets. The castle initially featured an empty upper level that was never intended to house an attraction, but Walt Disney was not satisfied with what he viewed as wasted space, and challenged his Imagineers to find some use for the space.
Beginning on April 29, 1957, the visitors were able to walk through the castle and view several dioramas depicting the story of Sleeping Beauty. The voice of Jiminy Cricket from Walt Disney’s Pinocchio (1940) singing “When You Wish Upon a Star” is piped into the castle. The original dioramas were designed in the style of Eyvind Earle, production designer for Disney’s 1959 film Sleeping Beauty, and were then redone in 1977 to resemble the window displays on Main Street, U.S.A..
The castle walkthrough entrance is on the west side of the building inside Fantasyland. Guests first see a large medieval-themed story book open to a page that announces the birth of the princess Aurora. After climbing the stairs inside, a scene depicts Aurora as a baby, being blessed with magic gifts by her fairy godmothers. Behind a glass window, there is an animation of the castle courtyard, and the king and queen watching as a large fire burns all the spinning wheels in the kingdom.
At the top of the stairs, as guests reach the center of the castle’s top level, another window looks out on the castle’s great hall, where everyone in the kingdom is asleep, including servants and the cat and dog. The second half of the walkthrough becomes darker, featuring appearances by Maleficent, her crow, and several gargoyles which fly out of her nearby castle.
At the end, the prince fights against Maleficent’s incarnation as a dragon, amid a forest of thorny brambles, and then a field of roses appears with doves flying above, as he kisses Aurora and breaks the spell. As guests exit the walkthrough at the bottom of the stairs on the east side of the castle, another medieval-themed oversized book depicts an image of the prince and princess dancing together, as her dress changes colors from pink to blue and back again.
The Disney family coat of arms hangs above the archway to the castle. At the rear of the castle, shaded by the archways and driven into the ground is a gold spike that is widely. The original geographical center of the Magic Kingdom was in the middle of the round park, where the “Partners” statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse stands.
Snow White’s Enchanted Wish
Snow White’s Enchanted Wish is a dark ride at the Disneyland theme parks. Located in Fantasyland, it is one of the few remaining attractions that was operational on Disneyland’s opening day in 1955, although it has seen several different redesigns over its history. The ride’s story is based on Disney’s 1937 film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, their first animated feature film.
In the new 2021 version, guests enter the ride building through the Evil Queen’s castle, now repainted and refurbished to complement the color scheme of Sleeping Beauty Castle. Now replaced by a book telling the story of Snow White. As guests make their way into the queue, the once resided dungeon has been reimagined into Snow White’s room containing various outfits, books, another storybook telling her story, and doves.
The guests journey begins as they enter the Dwarfs’ cottage first. As guests leave the cottage and into the woods passing by the Evil Queen peering into the cottage saying “These Dwarfs can’t hide Snow White from me.” The guests pass through the woods as the projection shows the Dwarfs marching to work while singing “Heigh-Ho”. As guests enter the Dwarfs’ mine Dopey is spotted waving at guests in a mine cart with diamonds in his eyes.
Exiting the mine, guests pass under the two vultures and into the Evil Queen’s castle. There, they see the Queen as she stands before her Magic Mirror with her back to the guests. She then turns and faces the guests. They see that she has become the Evil Witch. The guests then make their way through the laboratory passing by chemicals and experiments made by the Evil Queen. Guests now encounter Witch is accompanied by her raven in a dungeon where she is creating a poisoned apple for Snow White with enhanced lighting and projections added. Passing by the castle tunnel where the Witch previously appeared on a boat now features a magic mirror projection showing Snow White taking a bite of the poison apple only to have the mirror shatter into pieces right after.
Now relocated and altered, guests come across the Dwarfs pursuing the Witch on the cliff, now featuring a projection showing the Witch running from the Dwarfs. Turning the corner, entering the forest shows the Prince giving the kiss to Snow White to reawaken her from the poison apple. As guests make their way towards the cottage lies the storybook saying “True Love’s Kiss Awakened Snow White and the good Dwarfs danced for joy.” Now featuring the all new ending scene, guests pass by Snow White reunited with all her animal friends with her Prince standing with his horse awaiting her.
Returning to loading/unloading area, guests pass the giant book featuring a silhouette of Snow White and her Prince with his horse as they wander away towards a castle.
Snow White Grotto
Snow White Grotto is an attraction at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, which originally opened on April 9, 1961. It is a wishing well located at the east of Sleeping Beauty Castle for Disneyland. Guests can throw a coin and make a wish in front of the grotto.
The grotto includes statues of Snow White, the seven dwarfs, and a few woodland creatures. Snow White is standing at the top of a cascading waterfall. There is a bridge and a walkway in front of the waterfall as well as a wishing well, the proceeds of which go to local children’s charities. The statues were donated anonymously and Walt Disney was determined to incorporate them into the park.
Alice in Wonderland
Alice in Wonderland is a dark ride in Fantasyland at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. Based on the 1951 animated Disney film of the same name, the attraction resides next to a second ride, the Mad Tea Party, based on a scene in that same adaptation. The ride opened in 1958; the present version opened in 1984, and was updated in 2014.
Guests ride in caterpillar vehicles down the rabbit hole. Pieces of furniture, framed art, and vases swirl around as guests “fall” down the tunnel. As guests enter past the Doorknob, they see the White Rabbit#Disney film running off with Alice in pursuit. Guests then pass by Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum and encounter the White Rabbit, worrying about being late.
Next, the guests go through the garden of live flowers, who sing “All in the Golden Afternoon”. Riders then pass the Caterpillar, who blows smoky letters and asks “Who are you?”. The Tiger Lily replies, thinking that Alice and the riders are weeds and pouts in disgust, while a Dandelion pops up and roars. Next, guests enter the Tulgey Wood, where they and Alice meet the Cheshire Cat, as well as a pencil bird, an accordion owl, an eyeglasses bird, a horn-shaped duck with its ducklings, an umbrella bird, a cage bird, and a pair of hammer birds nailing signs to a tree.
They then go through the hedge maze and past some singing playing-cards who are painting a white rose tree red, splashing nearby bushes with paint. The White Rabbit announces the Queen of Hearts (and the King) and she plays croquet, using a flamingo as a club and a hedgehog as a ball. The King tells the riders: “Rule 42: The Queen always wins” and the hedgehog ends up rolling into a rose tree. The guests then enter the Courtroom and the Queen orders their execution while a brigade of playing-cards leap towards the guests. Riders escape by pushing their way through the courtroom doors past two guards poised to attack.
The vehicles then leave the ride building’s second floor and descend down a winding path on a giant vine past the ride queue, before heading to the final scene at the Mad Tea Party. After the Mad Hatter and March Hare sing “A Very Merry UnBirthday”, Alice proclaims that it’s her unbirthday too. The White Rabbit ducks as a giant unbirthday cake with a dynamite candle explodes and the ride vehicles exit to the unload area.
Casey Jr. Circus Train
The Casey Jr. Circus Train is the name of a ridable miniature railroad attraction found at Disneyland. Based on the train of the same name from the 1941 film Dumbo, it gives passengers a tour of many miniature versions of scenes from Disney animated films. This tour is similar to the one given on the slower paced Storybook Land Canal Boats, but does not incorporate narration. The original 2 ft (610 mm) narrow gauge internal combustion-powered railroad version at Disneyland was manufactured by Arrow Development.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Dumbo the Flying Elephant is an aerial carousel-style ride located in Fantasyland at six Disney parks around the world. It is based on the 1941 film, Dumbo. The original attraction opened at Disneyland on August 16, 1955. One elephant from the ride is in the collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., donated in 2005, on the occasion of Disneyland’s 50th anniversary.
Based on the character from the 1941 animated feature, the 16 ride vehicles each resemble Dumbo, and are mounted on articulated armatures connected to a rotating hub. The passengers ride in the “Dumbos” and can maneuver them up and down with a joystick that operates a hydraulic ram. The ride itself rotates counterclockwise at a constant rate.
A figure of Timothy Q. Mouse, currently voiced by Chris Edgerly, rides atop the central hub. Originally at Disneyland and Magic Kingdom, the figure held a training whip and stood on a disco ball. With the exception of Tokyo Disneyland, he currently stands on a hot air balloon and holds the “magic feather”. Starting in 2012, Magic Kingdom’s Timothy currently spins with his magic feather on top of the attraction’s marquee.
It’s a Small World
“It’s a Small World” is a water-based boat ride located in the Fantasyland area at Disney theme parks.The ride features over 300 audio-animatronic dolls in traditional costumes from cultures around the world, frolicking in a spirit of international unity, and singing the attraction’s title song, which has a theme of global peace. The Sherman Brothers’ song “It’s A Small World” is the most publicly performed song of all time.
The boats enter the show building through a tunnel under the Small World clock and emerge from the attraction fifteen minutes later. The show building interior is larger than the façade. Voyagers see animatronic dolls in traditional local costumes singing “It’s a Small World (After All)” together, each in their native language. Boats carry voyagers as they visit the regions of the world.
The Tower of the Four Winds was not relocated to Disneyland’s It’s a Small World after the New York World’s Fair; in its place is an outdoor oval flume and boarding queue decorated with topiary backed by a large, flat facade with stylized cutout turrets, towers and minarets which are vaguely reminiscent of world landmarks. The facade was designed by Disney Imagineer Rolly Crump, who was inspired by Mary Blair’s styling. Walt Disney asked Rolly to design a large 30-foot clock, a central feature of the exterior façade, with a smiling face that rocks back and forth to a ticking sound.
Disneyland’s “It’s a Small World” was closed from January to November 2008 (closed and reopening in holiday version, skipping the summer season) to receive a major refurbishment. The building’s structure was improved, permanent attachments created for the “It’s a Small World Holiday” overlay, the water flume replaced and its propulsion upgraded to electric water jet turbines, and the attraction’s aging fiberglass boats redesigned in durable plastic.
The refurbishment added 29 new Disney characters, each in their native land in a similar manner to the Hong Kong Disneyland version. The refurbishment also restored the original white and pastel colors in the finale, as well as the farewell sun and tapestry, the latter of which hadn’t been seen since the 1964-65 World’s Fair.
Fantasyland Theatre
Fantasyland Theatre, formerly Videopolis, is the name of a 5,000-square-foot (460 m2) outdoor amphitheater at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. Located in Fantasyland, it functions as a venue for various shows. In 1995, the location was renamed to Fantasyland Theater.
The original Fantasyland Theater (different spelling) opened in 1956. This theater showed Disney cartoons and Mouseketeers of The Mickey Mouse Club featured short films. In 1981, it shut down in preparation for construction of the revamped Fantasyland and was then replaced with Pinocchio’s Daring Journey.
King Arthur Carrousel
King Arthur Carrousel is a carousel attraction located in Fantasyland at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. The carousel was placed in a prominent position in the middle of the castle courtyard, able to be viewed from Main Street through the castle gate, drawing guests into the realm of fantasy.
The carousel was built in 1922 and operated at Sunnyside Beach Park in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, until the park closed. The ride was relocated to Disneyland in 1954, where it was refurbished and modified by Arrow Development, and opened with the park on July 17, 1955.
The attraction was refurbished and significantly altered by the Arrow Development Company of Mountain View, California in preparation for opening day. It was widened to four courses to increase guest capacity. Of the carousel’s 71 horses and one mule, most were carved in the Dentzel factory. To add the outermost course, several carved wooden horses were acquired from a Stein and Goldstein carousel, others from Coney Island’s Looff carousel, and more carved horses from various other carousels from around North America.
Many horses arrived with crude repairs, such as newspaper-stuffed papier-mâché legs. Standers on the original three rows were converted to jumpers by removing the legs and carving new ones. Custom-built crankshafts were installed overhead to operate each horse as a jumper in motion. The original, ornately hand-carved, wooden chariot benches were removed, and the chariot woodwork was repurposed to decorate the “calliope” tenders and passenger cars of Casey Jr. Circus Train. A Wurlitzer #157 Band Organ facade decorates the carousel, but does not operate. Motifs from Sleeping Beauty were also added to the carousel.
Inspired by the legend of Excalibur from The Sword in the Stone, Merlin used to host a ceremony nearby to determine which guest could pull the sword from the stone to become king for a day. The final ceremony was in 2006.
Mad Tea Party
Mad Tea Party is a spinning tea cup ride a Disneyland theme parks. The ride theme is inspired by the Unbirthday Party scene in Walt Disney’s Alice In Wonderland, and plays a carousel version of the film’s “Unbirthday Song”. It was one of the opening day attractions operating at Disneyland on July 17, 1955.
The attraction’s original location was directly behind King Arthur Carrousel and Sleeping Beauty Castle. In 1956, the ride was paired with a nearby gift shop, called the “Mad Hatter of Fantasyland”; when the Alice in Wonderland attraction was built in 1958, the store was moved closer to both rides, creating an Alice corner. One of the teacups is positioned outside the hat store, for photo opportunities.
The ride has gained infamy over the years for the number of guests who get motion sickness as a result of the spinning component to the ride. It was given slight modifications in 1972 with ornamental arches connecting the light posts, and again in 1978 with the platform and teacups being repainted. In 1983, the whole attraction was completely remodeled and relocated to its present location near Matterhorn Bobsleds. It also incorporated a few ideas from the original concepts, such as colorful lanterns.
Matterhorn Bobsleds
Matterhorn Bobsleds are a pair of intertwined steel roller coasters at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. It is modeled after the Matterhorn, a mountain in the Alps on the border between Switzerland and Italy. It is the first known tubular steel continuous-track roller coaster.
Riders enter the cavern and climb the lift hill, with the shadow of the Abominable Snowman peering onto guests. Once the bobsled car has disengaged from the chain, riders pass through a dark tunnel. The glowing red eyes of the Abominable Snowman appear, accentuated by his roar, and the trains emerge into a cavern filled with ruined bobsleds and sleighs. A crate stamped with “Wells Expedition” may also be seen. Both tracks take a left-hand turn, then split off before they can crash into the first animatronic. The cars swirl around the mountain, dipping under tunnels and by the waterfalls. Each track then passes another animatronic of the Snowman. Soon after the second encounter, riders plunge into the alpine lake and return to the station.
The ride consists of two separate tracks that run roughly parallel to each other for much of the ride, intertwining and eventually deviating from each other at the loading areas. There is one lift hill on each track. Bobsleds ascend parallel to each other at the start of the ride, climbing past walls featuring snow-like special effects. The top of this lift hill constitutes the highest point of the ride itself, though the mountain continues upward for several more stories. The rest of the ride is a mostly unpowered coast through the Matterhorn’s many caverns and passageways. The splash-down pools at the end of each track serve dual purposes. They not only cool off the braking pads mounted on the underside of the bobsleds, but the impact into the water itself acts as a braking mechanism.
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride is a theme park attraction and dark ride at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California. It is loosely based on Disney’s adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows (1908), one of two segments comprising the animated package film The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949). The ride is one of the few remaining attractions operational since the park’s opening in July 1955.
Guests assume the role of the titular Mr. Toad, enter a re-creation of Toad Hall, passing by artistic works commemorating characters from The Wind in the Willows. A large mural shows the adventures of Toad and his motorcar, foreshadowing various scenes in the ride. Guests recklessly careening through the English countryside and streets of London in a period motorcar.
Peter Pan’s Flight
Peter Pan’s Flight is a rail-suspended dark ride at the Disneyland theme parks. Located in the Fantasyland area, the ride’s story, music, staging, and artwork are based on Walt Disney’s Peter Pan, the 1953 animated film version of the classic Peter Pan story by J. M. Barrie. It is also one of the few remaining attractions that was operational on Disneyland’s opening day in 1955. Departing from the station, but before entering the actual ride building, guests fly over the rooftops of London.
After expanded, the new Disneyland ride opened as part of New Fantasyland on May 25, 1983. After winding through the queue, guests board a three-passenger miniature galleon, which is suspended from a track on the ceiling above to enhance the sensation of flying through the air. The ship leaves the load area and winds through the Darlings’ nursery, passing Nana the Saint Bernard dog nursemaid next to some toy blocks which spell “D1SN3Y” when read backwards. Wendy, John and Michael Darling are on the bed and Peter Pan’s shadow is on the wall.
Guests hear Peter Pan saying, “Come on, everybody! Here we go!” At this point, the ship flies out of the nursery window and over moonlit London. Lights from Tinker Bell twinkle all around. Below guests are miniature versions of some of London’s famous landmarks, including St. Paul’s Cathedral, Big Ben, the Tower Bridge and the Thames River.
Then, going past “the second star to the right and straight on ’til morning,” the flying ships reach Neverland, where guests pass some of its landmarks, including the Indian village, a glowing volcano, giant Octopus, Fish Color Three, The Lost Boys camp, Mermaid Lagoon and Skull Rock. It is here that guests encounter some of Neverland’s most famous residents, including Princess Tiger Lily, Mr. Smee, Tick-Tock the Crocodile and Peter’s arch-rival, Captain Hook, in addition to Peter and the Darlings.
Pinocchio’s Daring Journey
Pinocchio’s Daring Journey is a dark ride at Disneyland Park. Located in the Fantasyland, this ride is based on Disney’s 1940 animated film version of the classic story, which was the studio’s second animated feature film. The attraction tells an abbreviated version of the film, with Pinocchio escaping from Stromboli’s circus and visiting Pleasure Island, ignoring Jiminy Cricket’s advice. Monstro the whale makes an appearance, and Pinocchio is finally reunited with Geppetto and turned into a real boy.
The attraction was built in 1983, as part of Disneyland’s “New Fantasyland” expansion. Guests board the ride vehicle, designed to look like a wooden cart, in a station themed to a street in Pinocchio’s village. The vehicles are carved with the faces of Figaro, Cleo and Jiminy Cricket.
The ride travels through Stromboli’s puppet theater, featuring Pinocchio dancing and singing with a pair of marionettes, then travels backstage where Pinocchio is being kept prisoner in a birdcage. Stromboli tries to catch the guests in a cage, but Jiminy Cricket warns riders of the trap and leads the car down an alley to safety. The ride then goes to Pleasure Island, which is filled with boys enjoying carnival rides, and inside a pool hall, where Lampwick is turning into a donkey. Outside, behind Pleasure Island, the Coachman and his henchmen are caging the other boys who have become donkeys.
The Coachman tries to trap the guests in a crate and send them to the salt mines, but Jiminy Cricket leads them past the docks, where Monstro the whale appears, and back to Pinocchio’s village. Inside Geppetto’s workshop, the Blue Fairy appears and disappears beside Geppetto and Pinocchio, and the ride vehicle travels through Geppetto’s workshop, filled with animated clocks, toys and automatons, back to the station.
Pixie Hollow
Pixie Hollow is a character meet and greet attraction at Disneyland offering guests the opportunity to greet with Tinker Bell from the Disney Fairies franchise. The attraction is designed to create the illusion of gradually shrinking to Pixie size as the scenic elements in the queue increase in scale as guests approach Tinker Bell’s teapot house.
Storybook Land Canal Boats
Storybook Land Canal Boats is an attraction located at the Disneyland theme parks. Passengers embark on a leisurely paced outdoor boat ride through a winding canal featuring settings from Disney animated films recreated in miniature. The Disneyland version was one of the original attractions when the park opened on July 17, 1955, although the miniature buildings and landscaping were not added until the following year.
The motor-driven boats are scaled-down replicas of Dutch, English, and French boats. All of the boats are named after female Disney characters, the male skunk from Bambi. Passengers are seated along the edges of the boat, facing inward, although children are sometimes permitted to ride on the front flat part of the boat. A costumed guide sits just above the passengers on the back of the boat, perched above the engine housing, and narrates the ride.
After departing from the dock, the boat passes through a short cave sculpted to look like Monstro, the whale that swallowed Pinocchio. Monstro is partially animated: his eye opens and closes, and periodically steam comes out of his blow hole.
The canals past the Monstro cave are landscaped with miniature trees and shrubs. Along the banks are small buildings representing the homes of characters from Disney animated films, although not all the locations were actually depicted in film. Many of these settings feature sound recordings of characters singing or working.
Disneyland
The Disneyland Park, is the first of two theme parks built at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, opened on July 17, 1955. It is the only theme park designed and built to completion under the direct supervision of Walt Disney. It was originally the only attraction on the property; its official name was changed to Disneyland Park to distinguish it from the expanding complex in the 1990s. It was the first Disney theme park.
Since its opening, Disneyland has undergone expansions and major renovations, including the addition of New Orleans Square in 1966, Bear Country (now Critter Country) in 1972, Mickey’s Toontown in 1993, and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in 2019. Opened in 2001, Disney California Adventure Park was built on the site of Disneyland’s original parking lot.
Disneyland Park consists of nine themed “lands” and a number of concealed backstage areas, and occupies over 100 acres. The park opened with Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland, and has since added New Orleans Square in 1966, Bear Country (now known as Critter Country) in 1972, and Mickey’s Toontown in 1993, and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in 2019.