Mad Tea Party

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The Mad Tea Party is an attraction located in Fantasyland.

Mad Tea Party
Teacup.jpg
The Mad Tea Party in Fantasyland
Land Fantasyland
Theme Unbierthday Party
Opening date October 1, 1971
Ride duration 1.5 minutes
Based on Disney's Alice in Wonderland

Attraction History

The Mad Tea Party opened with the Magic Kingdom on October 1, 1971. When it opened, it was an exact copy of the Disneyland attraction, of the same name. The Mad Tea Party is based on the "Unbirthday scene", from the 1951 Disney movie Alice in Wonderland. The attraction features 18 teacups, which spin on three small turntables. The small turntables themsevles, spin counter clockwise on a larger turntable which also spins. The teacup ride vehicles, spin around a large teapot. Inside each individual teacup is a wheel, that when spun quickly, makes the teacups spin faster. Shorty after the attraction opened, a large canopy was added to cover the attraction from the Florida rain. Previously, whenever it rained on the uncovered teacups, the attraction would have to close down. When the canopy was added, the large teapot holding the Doormouse was also added. In 2010 the canopy was repainted, making it look much more ascetically pleasing. Other then the addition of the canopy and Doormouse, there have been no other major changes to the Mad Tea Party.

Attraction Plot

The Mad Tea Party begins with guests boarding their teacup ride vehicles. Each teacup has it's own unique pattern, and some of the cups may spin faster then others. Once the attraction starts festive music begins playing, to give guests the feeling that they are at an Unbirthday party. The turntable that the teacups sit on will spin at constant speed, however each individual teacup has a wheel in it. By spinning the wheel faster or slower, guests can control the speed of their own cup. From time to time the Doormouse from Alice in Wonderland will pop out of the large teapot in the center of the attraction. The Mad Tea Party lasts for 1 minute and 30 seconds, before the attraction stops spinning and guests disembark.

Fun Facts and Trivia

  • The canopy over the Mad Tea Party lights up at night, giving the attraction a very different look.
  • The Doormouse only appears in the Disney World and Tokyo Disneyland versions of the Mad Tea Party.
  • If you want to see an image of the Mad Tea Party before it got it's canopy check out:

http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2008/05/1972_magic_kingdom_walt_disney.html

References

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/magic-kingdom/attractions/mad-tea-party/

http://waltdatedworld.bravepages.com/id26.htm