The History of One of the Most Popular Attractions: Peter Pan's Flight

The original Peter Pan's Flight, one of the most popular and beloved attractions in all of the Disney Parks, has gotten a recent refurbishment. Today we will celebrate and look back on the history of this revolutionary ride. "Come on everybody, here we gooooo!"

After Walt Disney's Peter Pan movie came out on February 5, 1953, it was a big hit for kids of all ages. Earning a box office of 87.4 million, the Walt Disney Imagineers knew that such a successful and magical movie must have its own place in Fantasyland.

The original ride, which opened  July 17, 1955 (the opening of Disneyland), had the guests flying and seeing Neverland from Peter Pan's eyes, but guests were left wondering why was Peter not in the ride. The passengers boarded the flying galleon (pirate ship) and went through many famous scenes from the film. The first scene was the nursery, followed by flying over London. The second half of the ride took the riders through Neverland. The ride was a huge success because the flying sensation, spectacular sights, and luminescence immersed the guests in a wonderful experience.

When Walt Disney World opened on October 1, 1971, the hanging omnimover system (no stopping at the station) increased capacity, but that was not the only change. This was the first time Peter Pan's Flight had Peter Pan in the ride. This version of the ride was immensely more popular than the Disneyland version in California. Other versions opened at Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris, and they were both big hits.

In 1983 in Disneyland's version received its first major refurbishment. The newly refurbished ride opened as part of the Disneyland New Fantasyland expansion on May 25, 1983. This update had many new features. The main update was the Pan and Hook sword fight on top of the bowsprit, while the tied up boys and Wendy watched. This scene was cut and copied from the Walt Disney World version.

The other minor effects of the 1983 refurbishment start off when you enter the Darling's nursery. Here you will find Wendy telling the boys a bedtime story. You then hear Peter shout "Off to Neverland." Your galleon swoops up and you go over the buildings of London. Using forced perspective, you feel like you are flying high above London as you pass Big Ben. The second half of the ride has your ship going throughout Neverland. Some scenes you will encounter are the beautiful mermaids, the Indians, the darling Darlings captured by hook. The climax is the fight between Hook and Pan, then you swoop into the station.

Here is a video of the Disneyland Version pre-refurbishment.

Going back to the Walt Disney World version. There has not been a major change to the ride, but the queue has been revitalized. This refurbishment concluded on November 23, 2014. The queue has new interactive elements in the Darling's Nursery. From Tinker Bell making inanimate objects pop into life; shadow play with butterflies, Peter's shadow, and bells; to beautiful portraits that decorate the halls.

Here is a video of the new queue at the Magic Kingdom

All this history of a wonderful ride brings us to today. Today (July 1, 2015) is the official opening of the updated ride at Disneyland. In the new version, Wendy and the boys are flying in the nursery with pixie dust all around them. Peter's Shadow appears, and you fly into London. The lighting in London is redone, and a trail of pixie dust swoops and slaloms from building to building. There is a new star effect  along with numerous effects of the Neverland water. Everything seems to be more lit up and energetic than before. There is an updated finale, which you have to see for yourself. Though I have not ridden the new experience, it looks rather astonishing. Here is a video:

The new version of the Disneyland Peter Pan's Flight

I hope you have enjoyed my article. Feel free to comment, share, and ask any questions. I would like to alert that the photos and videos are not mine, and I hope I do not start a fight. If it causes a problem, I will take the requested video down.

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