Happy 69th Birthday Disneyland!

Happy Birthday to the granddaddy of all Disney theme parks- The one, the only, the original Walt Disney's Disneyland. Sure, Florida's Magic Kingdom is grander, Tokyo Disneyland incredible, and Disneyland Paris the most beautiful- but you, castle park in Anaheim, are the one that started it all! So Happy Birthday! And thank you, Walt!

(Concept art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Figment Asks "Can They Imagine, too?"

Now that Imagineer Zach Riddley's EPCOT seems almost complete, like many fans of Figment, I'd make a hard to disprove case that the original EPCOT Center attraction Journey into Imagination is the most beloved Disney attraction created since Pirates of the Caribbean. Before that, I say the most beloved attraction title was given to Disneyland's opening day classic Peter Pan's Flight. I'll be very, very curious to see how the revisions to the second park at Walt Disney World bring in the crowds, ie. increased attendance or flattened. Are Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Remy's Ratatouille Adventure, The Journey of Water inspired by Moana and the new night time show Luminous enough?  Will all the changes enhance Epcot's reputation among guests too young to remember when it was great? If it doesn't succeed, the Imagineers can always come back to Figment as they always do when they need a boost in revue and fan excitement. Fans of the purple dragon and his friend Dreamfinder will lap it all up. This one included.  

(Photograph copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Disney's Low Tech Attractions Still Rock

Today blockbuster attractions are those that are the most complex in design and execution and often the ones that draw guests to wait hours for them: multi-million dollar coasters, like Universal Orlando's breathtaking Velocicoaster or the state of the art (and highly temperamental) mega experiences like Disney's incredible Star Wars themed Rise of the Resistance. 

We often forget that Walt Disney had to start with simple attractions as a basis for Disneyland while he continued to pioneer more cutting edge concepts and attractions. Audio-Animatronics and things like Pirates of the Caribbean were still a decade away when Disneyland came into being in 1955. So, Walt decided to make these simpler attractions as good as could be, elevating them to the highest standard of storytelling.

Swiss Family Treehouse, a walk through (a walk up?) and Peter Pan's Flight (a simple dark ride) still rank among guest favorites 50+ years after first being built. They bring charm, warmth, and a bit of nostalgia to parks that now have to be constantly on the bleeding edge of technology to impress a generation that must have the newest gadgets.

The Swiss Family Robinson film had guests dreaming of living in that family's island home in the treetops. And what kid hasn't wanted to fly above a moonlit London with Peter Pan?  Climbing the many flights of steps to the top this natural looking yet structurally complex attraction took explorers in Adventureland into a whole new world. Hearing the iconic Swisskapolka is the icing on the cake! 

Peter Pan's Flight is the most iconic and beloved of the simple dark rides designed by Imagineering. Winnie the Pooh, Roger Rabbit, and even Mike and Sully from Monsters Inc. have modern versions of this bus bar type ride, but the first Disney one remains the best. It's got a fascinating history. Read about it here.

Variations of these two attractions appear in Florida's Magic Kingdom, Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disneyland, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Shanghai Disneyland, proving that even the hardened Communist government officials are not immune to a classic story told well in theme park form.  These Disney ride classics are classic for a reason, making each park a more rounded experience. 

Disneyland Attraction Posters: The Fantasyland Collection

The reImagineering of Disneyland's Snow White's Scary Adventure into Snow White's Enchanted Wish comes with a brand new attraction poster. It's certainly not as well done as what came before it, but doesn't that seem to be on par with recent park transitions? (look for the original poster father down in this article.) Never the less, it is what it is. The park has always had charming posters to advertise what was found inside "Walt's park". 

Surprisingly, Mr. Toad and his Wild Ride never had its only poster until the last decade. Kind of an amazing thought but it is true. One of the few opening day attractions to be left out. Does this capture the energy and fun of the attraction? Not really. Maybe the next version will. The ride, however, is still a classic made even better by the refreshing it got in 1983. In fact, the whole of the castle courtyard attractions were made new then.

Click on all these posters to get the largest size.

Walt Disney and his Imagineers ran out of the cash needed to build Fantasyland in the way Walt first envisioned it. In place of the elaborate European village Walt desired, one that eventually came to fruition under Tony Baxter's leadership in 1983, a smaller tournament tent setting was created. Using colorful banners covering flat sided buildings, Fantasyland was still something park guests could not find elsewhere in 1955.

One of the original Fantasyland dark rides, Snow White's Adventures was probably the scariest of the bunch, (although Mr. Toad's Wild Ride through Hell probably gave it a run for its money for the ending alone). As far as I can tell, the original attraction never had a poster of its own. There one above is just a new poster circa 1983, when the attraction name now included the word "Scary" to give parents and small children reason to think twice before boarding. 

The 60th Anniversary King Arthur Carousel poster.

Peter Pan's Flight. Just the name conjures up magical journeys over Neverland- and an extremely long wait for any guest who chooses to queue half an hour after the park opens. The poster below effectively captures the viewer, driving attendance to the ride, and making it one of the most sought after experiences to be found bar none. The simple tournament tent facade didn't do much to set the flavor for the delights inside, but no matter. The poster stands as one of the best pieces of art to be found in this genre. (If you want to read a bit more on the history and creation of this particular attraction, my "Disney Dark Ride Series" begins with Peter Pan's Flight and can be found here.)  Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom fans up in arms about the closure of Snow White's Scary Adventures or Mr. Toad's Wild Ride would have a heyday should Pan ever close, and the media attention would be enormous. It's as much as classic as Pirates of the Caribbean, 20K Leagues Under the Sea, or Journey into Imagination.

We'll come back to a few other dark ride posters, but now it's time for a promotional poster for the Matterhorn Bobsleds.

Where is this attraction located? At different times throughout the history of Disneyland, it was conceptually moved back and forth between Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. No matter. Racing down the icy slopes of the peak is as much a Disneyland tradition as any other. This alpine inspired poster captures all the thrills, providing everything but snowflakes and chills for the full effect. I love this poster! Everytime I look at it, I am tempted to jump aboard the fastest plane to Anaheim or put on my CD collection celebrating 50 Years of the park (A Musical History of Disneyland) just to hear the yodelers . In fact, this poster is one of the few that I own. (The other is Adventure Isle from Disneyland Paris.)

A charming little spinner with the kid-friendliest face long before Winnie the Pooh, Dumbo Flying Elephants continues to be a source of frustration for parents as the queue remains as intense as those for a flight with Peter Pan. Who can resist this rite of passage for their pre-school children? We couldn't. In fact, my last trip on the little elephant was probably 25 years ago. Yet, what a delightful piece of eye candy in the old school Disney vein. I'd hate to see the attraction go. And I'm glad to see Florida is getting its double spinner to move the crowds to the farthest corner of the Magic Kingdom. 

"Canal Boast of the World", yes, when the park first opened, that was the name of the now beloved Fantasyland classic, Storybookland Canal Boats. Thankfully, Disney designers waited until the new name arrived (and the foliage grew in!), before creating a poster for the attraction. But where is an attraction poster for the equally terrific Casey Jr. Circus Train? Maybe it will come in another decade as more changes sweep through the land. As I said at the beginning, Fantasyland is the land with more evolution in execution than any other one in the park. You'd think that award would go to the once futuristic Tomorrowland, but Disney has clearly given up on the concept...for now.

Auction houses often provide great scans of attraction posters!

Ever wonder why there's no poster for Disneyland's iconic castle? So did I. Seems there actually was one. First found in 1966, this little gem was sold at Disneyland's Emporium on Main Street U.S.A. for exactly one summer before it disappeared forever. I love how the creviced hillside was to be seen here- decades before it would appear in person at Disneyland Paris. And look at the colors!

The candy colors of these old attraction posters were quite in vogue back when they were first designed, in direct contrast to the newer "Old Europe" look of the dark ride poster for Snow White that debuted with the construction of the new Fantasyland. I much prefer the old styling. The simple graphics and colors create a mood of escapism that doesn't seem to exist in the newer more in-your-face sensibilities. The Mr. Toad's Wild Ride poster being the prime example of a design mismatch for a classic dark ride.

And speaking again of dark rides, with the debut of the new Fantasyland in 1983 came a new dark ride- Pinocchio's Daring Journey. Although it had its debut in Tokyo, this new dark ride brought some interesting changes to the land of fantasy. Gone was the Welch's Grape Juice Bar and the wonderfully empty and cool respite in the summer, the Fantasyland Theater. (I know I have a poster for the theater attraction somewhere.) Also gone was Skull Rock and its nearby Chicken of the Sea pirate ship restaurant. Effectively, these changes updated the land and set its course for the future. The crowd flow was easier due to a move of all the spinner attractions, but it was the end of the Walt Disney era in a way that almost felt physical when you walked into the castle courtyard.  Fair trade off, I'd say, for the beautifully rich environment and magical far away feel of the place.

"The Happiest Cruise that ever Sailed 'Round the World" needs no introduction. It is probably the most beloved, tolerated, or ridiculed attraction in Disney park history. Love it or hate it, It's a Small World was an instant classic, and I count four different versions of the attraction poster used to promote it. Just like the attraction it promotes, there have been sutler and no so subtle changes. The last one shows the original, with the ride's sponsor of Bank of America shown above the Fantasyland designation. The second, once the sponsorship ended, and the top the newest of all. The bottom one may be the "cleanest" copy of all.

I've saved Alice in Wonderland for last. In many ways, it is the most original of all the dark rides in the park. The combination of indoor and outdoor sections of track and its ride length made it a crowd pleaser. Plus it provided great views of Fantasyland and the right next door Matterhorn Bobsleds! The psychedelic theme and characters make for a delightful, magical trip.  I never could understand why this attraction was not duplicated elsewhere, but I am glad it remains a Disneyland exclusive. Certainly in the beautifully themed Alice section of Disneyland Paris I would have expected a dark ride for the namesake star, but it was not to be.

Whichever color scheme is the right one for the original attraction poster, I do not know. Either one captures the imagination, and the attraction itself is a much better experience than the movie from which it was taken! 

Like Fantasyland itself and Disneyland at large, Wonderland is the perfect ending to this segment of the Disneyland Attraction Poster Series.  The whimsical environment of Alice's story is much like the land in which it is contained: charming and constantly changing.  

Here's the land by land collection at your fingertips:

Main Street USA
Adventureland 
Frontierland 
New Orleans Square
Critter Country
Fantasyland
Tomorrowland

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Disneyland's "Peter Pan Flight to Neverland"?

Thought I'd end the month of July with a bang...Everyone in the Disney World seems to love Peter Pan's Flight! The iconic dark ride opened at Disneyland in 1955 when the park made its debut. Is it even possible the originally planned name was "Peter Pan Flight to Neverland"? Yes, and here's proof. 

This piece of rare concept art by Imagineer Bill Martin has the name of the attraction front and center. Had the attraction been built in the last decade, the longer name might have stayed as this group of artists and suits seem to have a fondness for long, drawn out, attraction names. 

Want to read a very detailed look at the history of this great ride? Check out all the concept art and history and photos of it's creation- and placement in the parks- in these two blog posts. Different art in each! Number 1 and Number 2.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Fantasyland Without It's A Small World

Can you even imagine a Fantasyland without It's A Small World? No, I can't- at least not anymore. And yet, here's a 1965 Disneyland guidebook map showing a big, open area where the attraction now stands. I do see the Motor Boat Cruise, Midget Autopia, and Snow White's Adventures. I also see the Welch's Grape Juice bar and the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship. 

You now have to go to Disneyland Paris to see the pirate ship as the Anaheim original was, very sadly, unintentionally damaged beyond repair during the New Fantasyland makeover of 1983.

I tried to clean this up a bit so things could be more easily seen and read. Varying success, but no matter. Even back then without the voyage around the world, Walt's Fantasyland was full of Disney magic thanks to the great old school Imagineers!

(Copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Walt Was Right- Happy 65th Birthday Disneyland!

Along with the Disneyland Railroad, I cannot think of an opening day attraction more iconic and tied to the park's history than the Jungle Cruise! There's been many, many, changes to the popular Adventureland attraction over the years, and my photo from approximately 2010 shows yet another version of the ride's entrance.

This colorful photo of Walt Disney himself at the helm is a popular shot, but the one below may be slightly more controversial!

But this was part of Walt, too. Sometimes going against the current thought of the day- and I'm thankful for that! You should be, too! Without his stubborn perseverance, Disneyland itself would never have been built as the "experts" of the day told him an amusement park would never survive with the types of guest experience he wanted to provide. Sometimes, you just gotta go with your gut!

(Top photo copyright Mark Taft. Other photos copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Rarely Seen Peter Pan Flight's Art

When Imagineering (and the Disney suits) decided it was time to give Walt's park a brand New Fantasyland, a few pieces of concept art were created. Of course, pieces were done for the addition of the Pinocchio dark ride- but I was also surprised to discover Peter Pan's Flight was also given a fresh look. This rendering comes from 1983. It's a pretty rare piece!

If you just love Peter Pan's Flight- and who doesn't?- make sure you take a look at my Disney Dark Ride Series mega-post on this attraction. From Disneyland to Shanghai Disneyland, the history, artwork, and photos of this fan favorite make a fascinating read. You can find it here.

Plussing Peter Pan's Flight in Tokyo

Always give credit where credit is due. You've got to hand it to those folks at the Oriental Land Company who are constantly looking at how to "plus" the Tokyo Disney Resort. With the upcoming expansion ready to go in March, it surprised me to discover that the Imagineers had offered up this piece of concept art to refresh their Fantasyland classic, Peter Pan's Flight.  

At Tokyo Disneyland, things are always under improvement in addition to being meticulously maintained. The Florida parks in particular should be so fortunate. 

Thanks to Randy Savage at the WDWMagic Boards, we have this piece. Like me, he peruses the websites of Imagineering individuals to find what's been considered at all the parks. Thanks for this one, Randy. 

On the left half, in addition to a new facade for this classic, it looks like the Tea Cups have moved next door ...and indoors. Did you notice the ship flying out the window at the Darling home? Pretty cool little touch! Will this art see the light of day? Maybe. Never say never when it comes to Tokyo.

Just as for so many others, Peter Pan's Flight is a favorite attraction, so much so that I've spent hours writing on it for the blog. The original Disney Dark Ride Series: Peter Pan Flight article is here, and the newer revised edition can be found here. Additionally, there's even more rare concept art and information to be found here.

Flying with Peter Pan in Shanghai

There's a reason that even Shanghai Disneyland gives guests a chance to fly to Neverland with Peter Pan: this iconic Disney attraction is just plain fun! Walt Disney knew visitors all of ages to Disneyland would not be able to resist boarding a pirate galleon and flying over London and follow the second star to the right. This concept art perfectly captures the thrill of soaring high above it all. 

You'll see this beloved attraction at home in every Fantasyland ever created- except for Hong Kong Disneyland, which continues to amaze me since British rule and influence has made such an impact on the people. Perhaps the newly Imagined larger castle will lead to other enhancements for the beautiful but small park. 

Much of the Mainland China park is unique and enticing, yet the weakest part of it all is their version that holds this flying attraction. 

I haven't been there yet, but I think it looks like Fantasyland is an epic design fail. Where shall I begin?

The monstrosity of the boxy castle lacks elegance and charm. Big is not always best. Even worse, the layout of the land seems awkwardly clumsy with an attraction lineup that lacks depth: Aside from the mine train roller coaster, the supposed to be stellar Voyage to the Crystal Grotto is a well known disappointment. The Tim Burton inspired Alice in Wonderland maze seems like an out of place nightmare, and Pooh is just a mash up of cheaper versions found in California and Florida. Fantasyland is clearly where budget cuts and rumored bribes took a bite out of what could have been. Did the money go to the government's Shanghai Shendi Group or somewhere else? And why isn't there much information on which group of Imagineers designed the park?

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

The Disney Dark Ride Series: Peter Pan Flight

Perhaps the most beloved dark ride attraction in Disney park history, and a definite Fast Pass favorite at any Castle park, Peter Pan Flight debuted with the opening of Disneyland in 1955. It was an instant smash. After all, who could resist flying in a pirate ship over the evening skies of London and Neverland?

They can't resist Peter in Tokyo!

Yes, fans found in France!

Attraction poster for Pan in Shanghai Disneyland.

English author J.M. Barrie's novel of the boy who wouldn't grow up debuted in 1911. Readers were immediately enthralled with Peter Pan's journeys. The cast of characters were just as interesting: the Lost Boys, the villainous Captain Hook, and the manipulative but good hearted fairy, Tinker Bell. Toss in some mermaids, a few Indians, and an amphibian with a gastric problem to create more adventures than a boy could envision. Dreams of flying over a darkened but starlit London past the Big Ben's clock and onto the island of Neverland were birthed in the hearts and minds of children everywhere. Adults, too!

Click to make all the images large.

Naturally, as Walt and his film makers looked at classic literature as the main source of animated film inspiration, the book and Peter Pan's adventures were a natural choice for exploration. The colorful characters and lush environments screamed for the Disney animators to tell their stories. When it was finally released to theaters in 1953, the movie drew universal praise for its enchanting theme, instantly singable songs, beautifully colorful textures and backgrounds, and of course, its endearing characters.

The idea for a family friendly park had been brewing in Walt's mind for more than a few years when he finally decided to take a chance and build Disneyland. He risked everything to do so. This park, Walt's park, had to be unlike anything ever seen before, and that meant the attractions contained within needed to be creatively satisfying as well as crowd pleasing. With a handpicked crew, Walt and the team went to work. Each land would be unique, and Fantasyland would draw guests into the stories the animators told so well in their films.

During its initial creation and design stage, Walt Disney wanted his Fantasyland section of the new park to give guests the unprecedented ability of experiencing the fun and excitement of his animated films by becoming part of them. Remember, this was years before Universal Studios got into the act. Again, Walt Disney was ahead of his time. With this perspective and dedication to excellence, his Imagineering team created and set the bar for all theme parks to come.

With Disneyland, not only was the concept unique, the choice and execution of the attractions would be as well. Although carnival operators of the day pressed Walt's team to include the expected Ferris Wheels and iron carnival rides, Walt insisted on the new and innovative, instead creating adventures that could not be duplicated elsewhere- a trend that would continue for decades before a change of direction and lack of vision at the end of the 20th century.

Testing the ride vehicle.

Check out the great Disney Avenue site. 
Blogmaster Keith Mahne uncovered this photo.

Dark rides were a staple of amusement piers from Coney Island on the East Coast to various locations dotting much of California. Some were scary, some held promises of love or at least affection, but all of them held a certain mystique to paying customers as they could only guess at the wonders within the building they saw. This medium fit the Disney team perfectly. The art directors could fashion the rides just as they could a film, directly the riders eyes to carefully chosen scenes.

The later to be named Imagineers went right to work. Fantasyland's courtyard would hold these smaller but still innovative adventures. Since the film was one of the most recent Disney hits, Peter Pan was prime for exploitation. Beyond the marketing potential, the possibilities to tell the story were endless, and Peter Pan Flight, as the attraction was initially named, was quickly decided upon as a necessary choice for opening day.

The simple but effective exterior of the attraction, as shown above, fully met the strict budgetary requirements of the new venture while still presenting a fanciful, enticing entrance. The tournament tents, banners, and other decorations created an atmosphere not found elsewhere. The style of Fantasyland wasn't what was fully envisioned, but the more extravagant surroundings would have to wait for later.

The actual attraction, however, was filled with lavish and sometimes expensive little details that others might deem unnecessary. The queue area may have been decorated with a painted mural along the side of the building but even that was done with great care. Loving creation of the attraction- including a unique ride system whose cars were ornate pirate ships suspended from a track in the building's ceiling - rightfully enchanted guests from the very first flight.

In many ways, this Peter Pan attraction and the more elaborate Jungle River Cruise would define Walt's park by showing what could be accomplished by the artisans and engineers when the goal was to please, entertain, and delight its guests. This relentless dedication to excellence whether large attraction or small brought great rewards and extremely long lines. Upon the park's opening, these two attractions became instant icons along with the it's physical centerpiece, Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Not only was Mr. Disney a premier showman, he was also a savvy marketeer, and he worked hard to make sure every American knew of his beloved park. Walt and his brother Roy enticed television's ABC network into a creative and financial partnership that truly benefited both parties. Bringing Walt Disney to television was a coup for the young struggling network, and the weekly television exposure of the plans for the park guaranteed much anticipation for its opening, resulting in hoards of guests with money to spend. Anticipation was high, and so were expectations due to the buildup given Walt's magic kingdom.

Unlike some companies of our day, Walt, Roy, and the Company delivered on their promise. Disneyland actually made available one unforgettable experience after another, becoming the new gold standard for the American family vacation. Word quickly spread.

With television consistently whetting the appetites of millions of viewers, fantasies became realities- and the company was soon flush with cash to create even more amazing experiences. This meant even more ambitious and innovative attractions than what the Disney team was first designed.

As with any unprecedented venture, initial budgets were underestimated and therefore strained for the park, with Fantasyland and Tomorrowland suffering the most changes compared to what was originally desired. Still, no one could resist Peter Pan's Flight. Where else in the world could guests fly over London without being on a real airplane or cruise down exotic jungle rivers? Yet, this dream and others would become real for those visiting Anaheim.

Peter Pan Flight was so iconic, it had to be duplicated in Florida's Walt Disney World and its Magic Kingdom. Sure, other dark rides unique to Florida's park were considered, (Mary Poppins and Sleeping Beauty among them), but nothing past or present has held its own with the undisputed champion.

New addition:

Rare piece for Disneyland's New Fantasyland opening in 1983.

Artwork from 1981.

Back on the West Coast, Fantasyland, and the newly named Peter Pan's Flight, remained the same for almost 30 years, until Tony Baxter led a group of Imagineers on a total revamp of the land. Now with the cash they desired, the carnival/circus tent/medieval fair look of the heart of Disneyland soon gave way to a fanciful take on the villages and atmosphere of Western Europe.

Typical Walt Disney:
Personally involved in the park that bears his name!

These changes also brought the dark ride's namesake characters into the attraction for the very first time. Originally, guests were supposed to be the main characters, but few understood the concept and many were left wondering why they never saw Peter Pan in an attraction that carried his name. This problem was corrected with the extensive remodel, much to the appreciation of frustrated parents trying to explain the initial idea to their bewildered children.

Disneylands to come, in Tokyo then Paris, were designed with the crowd pleasing Peter Pan's Flight as a centerpiece to each respective Fantasyland. Only in Paris were the Imagineers smart enough to increase the rider capacity. However, even with larger pirate ships sailing into the night sky, guests continued to make the queue time one of the longest in the park. In fact, the lines to hop aboard are just as full in Japan and Paris as they are in Anaheim and Orlando!

Paris' Peter Pan. A bit gritty as I blew it up so you could see the details.

On the other side through the arcade? Skull Rock!

Disneyland Paris seemed to be home to the best version of the attraction. Not only were the ships able to seat four, but just on the other side of the arcade was Adventure Isle. This large area for exploration leaned heavily on Neverland for design. Captain Hook's Pirate Ship awaits explorers as does Skull Rock and trails leading in and out of mysterious caves. Only the addition of Swiss Family Treehouse high up on the hill takes from the illusion its Peter Pan's island home made reality.

Unrealized Tokyo Disneyland Peter Pan mini-land.

A newer change proposed but not realized.

The Oriental Land Company, majority owners of the Tokyo Disney Resort, actually considered an entire Peter Pan mini-land of sorts. Unfortunately, it never made it from the Imagineers' drawing boards into reality.

Perfectly maintained dark ride in - where else?- Tokyo.

In a perfectly designed kingdom, Peter Pan's Flight would be a full scale "E" Ticket attraction with a lengthy ride time. Yet, the shorter flight seems to require repeated trips to soak it all in. And guests continue to line up over and over again with each new generation. It's a rite of passage every bit as strong as a first flight with Dumbo or the first ride on Space Mountain.

The Magic Kingdom in Florida finally enhanced the experience for guests- but only in the queue. Disneyland, however, plussed the attraction with new lighting effects and smaller paint enhancements to make the flight even more magical after 60 years.

A new and greatly detailed queue in Florida. But what about the inside?

In September of 2019, I would finally see the new revised queue for myself, and the three surprising photos I took in one day (below) tell quite a story!

September 4, 2019- Hurricane was on its way, but we decided to risk going anyway. This photo shows a 10 minute standby wait for Peter Pan's Flight. Not that its impossible if you rope drop or have a breakfast reservation with early entry. But this photo was taken at 9:45am! That is, after three walk on rides on Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, a ride on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and one on Splash Mountain. Amazing but true!

Here's part of the new queue. Quite charming!

Same day at 2:45pm walking by the ride. My wife, our daughter and her family. We were awed by the lack of crowds! This made for a day at the Magic Kingdom when we rode just about everything.

Back to the ongoing history of the attraction in the castle parks. What would the Disney suits and Imagineers decide for Shanghai Disneyland? Much like the castle, bigger, better, and a decision to make this the best variation of an American classic. Almost an "E Ticket" actually!

Here's a stunning piece of concept art showing the beloved attraction as it appears at the newest castle park, Shanghai Disneyland, in the lacking and misguided Fantasyland. Seen on the far left. And a look at the pirate ships below. The end result was much better than anyone thought it would be. Who imagined you could improve on an original?

Off to Neverland! Now departing from Mainland China!

Walt enjoying the fruits of his team's hard work.

Proving once again that a great story and near flawless execution are much more important than sheer mass, big thrills and excessive budgets, Peter Pan's Flight has held its own with Imagineering's "E" ticket attractions- for 60 years...and counting.

And now to end the article, here's a video of the new Shanghai attraction! Courtesy Mouse Info

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)