Difference between revisions of "Peter Pan's Flight"

From The Mickey Wiki: Your Walt Disney World Encyclopedia!
Jump to: navigation, search
(Attraction History)
(40 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
Peter Pan's Flight is an attraction located in [[Fantasyland]].
 
 
 
{{Infobox Disney ride |
 
{{Infobox Disney ride |
| image=PeterPanmain.jpg
+
| image=PeterPanEntrance2.jpg
| caption='''The exterior to Peter Pan's Flight.'''
+
| caption='''The exterior of Peter Pan's Flight. Photo by HarshLight'''
| opened=October 3rd, 1971
+
| opened=October 3, 1971
 
| duration=3:00
 
| duration=3:00
| number_of_vehicles=160
 
 
| park= Magic Kingdom
 
| park= Magic Kingdom
 
| land=Fantasyland
 
| land=Fantasyland
| vehicle_type= Aerial Gallon
+
| vehicle_type= Aerial Galleon
 
| custom_label_1= Based on
 
| custom_label_1= Based on
 
| custom_value_1= Disney's Peter Pan
 
| custom_value_1= Disney's Peter Pan
 +
|custom_label_2= FastPass +
 +
|custom_value_2= Yes
 
}}
 
}}
 +
Peter Pan's Flight is an attraction located in [[Fantasyland]].
 +
==Attraction History==
 +
Like many of Walt Disney World's opening day attractions, the history of Peter Pan's Flight began in the early 1950s as an idea for a Disneyland attraction. In 1954 Disney artist Herb Ryman created concept art for a Peter Pan attraction planned for Disneyland's Fantasyland. Included in the art were a Mermaid Lagoon scene, as well as a large rainbow that was never used. <ref name= "avenue"> http://www.disneyavenue.com/2014/07/making-of-peter-pans-flight.html </ref> In August 1954, Imagineer Marvin Davis completed a design for the "Peter Pan Fly Thru" attraction, which now included scenes showing Hangman's Tree and Crocodile Creek. This ride plan also had guests flying through openings in the face of Skull Rock. <ref name="walt" > http://www.waltdisney.org/sites/default/files/Pan_2.jpg </ref>. Of note is the fact that in both Davis and Ryman's plans, the ships that guests rode in moved counterclockwise. This is the opposite direction that the ships would move when the ride was actually constructed <ref name= "avenue"/>.
  
 +
Besides coming up with the ride's general layout, Marvin Davis was also responsible for the unique ride system that the attraction used. Instead of having the vehicles run on a ground track, the ride vehicles were instead connected by a large rod to a track on the ceiling. By late 1954, a test track and ride mock-up were created by Bob Mattey and other Imagineers in the Special Effects shop building at the Walt Disney Studios <ref name= "walt"/>.
  
==Attraction History==
+
In early 1955, Imagineers and artists Ken Anderson and Claude Coats were charged with painting the attraction and getting it ready in time for Disneyland's opening day. According to Anderson:
 
+
[[Image:Peterconstruction.jpg|thumb|400px|A Disney Imagineer working on the Tick-Tok Crocodile and Michael figures for Peter Pan's Flight]]
Although Peter Pan's Flight was not an opening day attraction in Disney World's Fantasyland, it opened two days later on October 3, 1971. The attraction was an expanded version of Disneyland's Peter Pan attraction which had opened in 1955. The original Disneyland version of the ride, was made so that guests would see the story of Peter Pan, through his eyes. Because of this, Peter Pan himself was nowhere to be seen on the attraction. Guests would board ride vehicles, which were suspended from a ceiling track, and go through the story as if they were Peter Pan. Despite Imagineers best efforts, many guests did not understand the attractions premise, and they were confused as to why Peter Pan was not on an attraction which was named after him. Unlike other dark rides, Peter Pan's Flight let guests "fly". To give guests this feeling Imagineer Marvin Davis came up with a new ride system. Instead of having the vehicles run on a ground track, the ride vehicles are connected by a large rod, to a track on the ceiling.
+
{{Quotation| There wasn't time for a lot of preliminary planning, we just went in there and did them! We had already done the feature films, so the look, the story, even the key scenes were already thought out. We knew the theme and we knew how much space we had, so we just started in<ref name= "walt"/>.}}
  
When Walt Disney World was originally being designed, there were no plans for a Peter Pan attraction. Instead, the attraction would have been replaced by a Mary Poppins ride. Eventually however, it was decided to include an expanded version of Disneyland's Peter Pan's Flight in Walt Disney World. Although the basic idea of guests flying over scenes from Peter Pan was kept intact, the storyline was changed, so that it included Peter Pan as a main character. Other changes to the attraction included, the addition of Audio Anamatronics, which were not present in the Disneyland version of the attraction. Scenes depicting Peter fighting with Captain Hook, aboard his 48 foot long ship, and then Peter celebrating with the Darling children were also added to the Disney World version. The final difference between the attractions is that instead of stopping the ride vehicles to load and unload guests, Peter Pan's Flight in Disney World uses and Omnimover system, similar to the one used in the [[Haunted Mansion]].
+
Peter Pan's Flight (as the attraction was eventually named) opened in Disneyland on July 17, 1955 <ref name= "allears"> http://allears.net/tp/mk/pan.htm </ref>. Although very popular, initially Disney did not want to create a version of the attraction for the unbuilt Walt Disney World. Instead, Peter Pan's Flight was to be replaced by a Mary Poppins ride that took guests “flying” through various scenes from the movie <ref name= "Korkis"> https://www.mouseplanet.com/10436/Mary_Poppins_Fun_Facts </ref>. Eventually however, due to either the cost of creating the new attraction, or guest expectations for a Fantasyland that was similar to Disneyland, it was decided to include an expanded version of Disneyland's Peter Pan's Flight in Walt Disney World <ref name= Korkis/>.
  
[[Image:Peterconstruction.jpg|thumb|200px|A Disney Imagineer working on the Tick-Tok Crocodile and Michael Audio Anamatronics.]]
+
With this task in mind, in February 1971, Imagineers Bill Justice and Bill Martin completed drawings for the Magic Kingdom version of the attraction <ref name= "walt"/>.  Unlike the original Disneyland version  where guests played the role of Peter Pan, in Walt Disney World's version guests would fly over various scenes from the movie. To this end, Audio Animatronics of Peter Pan, the Lost Boys, various pirates, and Indians were created for the Magic Kingdom version of the attraction. Scenes featuring: Wendy reading to the boys in the nursery, Indians in their camp, and a climatic duel between Captain Hook and Peter Pan were also added to the new attraction. Also included in the Florida version, was Captain Hook's 48 foot pirate ship where the duel takes place <ref name= "walt"/>. One final difference between the two attractions is that unlike Disneyland's Peter Pan's Flight, the ride vehicles in Walt Disney World use an omnimover ride system similar to the one used in the [[Haunted Mansion]] <ref> https://www.mouseplanet.com/guide/148/Walt-Disney-World/Magic-Kingdom/Fantasyland/Peter-Pans-Flight </ref>. Peter Pan's Flight eventually opened on October 3, 1971, two days after the Magic Kingdom's grand opening <ref name= "allears"/>.
  
Although Peter Pan's Flight hasn't seen any major changes since it opened, the attraction is expected to get an interactive queue in the near future. The queue will extend out to the former location of the Fantasyland [[Skyway]] station, which has been used for restrooms in recent years.
+
Although Peter Pan's Flight hasn't seen any major changes since it opened, the attraction did debut a new interactive queue on January 29, 2015. Following the refurbishment, the queue is now themed so that guests enter the Darling children's nursery. While going through the nursery, Peter Pan and Tinkerbell pay guests a visit <ref> http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/peter-pans-flight/news/29jan2015-video---peter-pans-flight-debuts-new-interactive-features-in-expanded-queue-area.htm </ref>.
  
 
==Attraction Plot==
 
==Attraction Plot==
 +
[[Image:Peterwin.jpg|thumb|400px|Peter Pan and the Darling kids celebrating their victory.]]
 +
Peter Pan's Flight is a dark ride attraction that takes guests "flying" through the story of Disney's Peter Pan.
  
Peter Pan's Flight is a dark ride attraction that takes guests "flying" through the story of Disney's Peter Pan. After walking through a covered queue, guests reach the loading area. Here, guests board "aerial gallons" (their ride vehicle), as they move forward into the show building. Behind them, a large mural of scenes from Peter Pan can be seen. The mural was painted by Disney Imagineer's Ken Anderson and Claude Coats. Before entering the building, the gallons are sprinkled with pixie dust, which causes them to begin to fly. The flying effect is enhanced by the fact, the ride vehicles are attached to a track on the ceiling. With nothing below them, guests get the feeling that they are really flying.
+
After walking through a covered queue that takes them into the Darling children's nursery, guests reach the attractions loading area. Here, guests board "aerial galleons" as they move forward into the show building. Behind them, a large mural of scenes from the movie can be seen. Before entering the building, the galleons are sprinkled with pixie dust, which causes them to begin to fly.  
  
After ascending into the air, the first scene that guests see, depicts Wendy reading to John and Michael as they go to sleep. In the background, guests can hear nursery music playing. Riders then hear Peter Pan say, "Here we gooooooo" as he and the Darling children fly out the window. Guests then fly with the children out of the house. Below them, riders can see Nana the families dog barking, before they continue on. The gallons then fly over London, swooping just over Big Ben. As they fly over London, riders can hear "You Can Fly" playing. If guests look closely at the moon as they fly by, silhouettes of Wendy, John, Michael and Peter can be seen.
+
After ascending into the air, the first scene that guests see depicts Wendy reading to John and Michael as they go to sleep. In the background, guests can hear nursery music playing. Riders then hear Peter Pan say, "Here we gooooooo" as he and the Darling children fly out the window. As the group takes off into the night, guests can see Nana (the family’s dog) barking beneath them. Leaving the nursery behind, the galleons then fly over London, swooping just over Big Ben. As they soar over the city, riders can hear the song "You Can Fly" playing in the background. If guests look closely at the moon as they fly by, silhouettes of Wendy, John, Michael and Peter can be seen.
  
After flying over London, guests fly into Neverland. Below, Captain Hook orders his crew to fire upon Peter (and the guests). As the gallons fly over Neverland, guests can see the Mermaid Lagoon, the Lost Boy's Camp and Tiger Lilly's tribe below. The next scene guests see shows's Captain Hook's ship. Hook has taken Wendy, Michael, John and the Lost Boys captive. Nearby, guests can see the Tik-Tok Crocodile floating in the water. Peter Pan then arrives and battle's Hook aboard his ship. After defeating the pirate and taking control of the ship, guests can see Peter and the Darling children celebrating. In the water, the Tik Tok Crocodile can be seen trying to eat Hook, as the captain calls out for Mr. Smee. The final scene in the attraction depicts Peter flying the Darling children back to London, aboard Captain Hook's ship. Guests then arrive back at the loading area, and exit the attraction.
+
After flying over London, the children fly into Neverland. Below, Captain Hook orders his crew to fire upon Peter (and aerial galleons). As the galleons continue over Neverland, guests can see the Mermaid Lagoon, the Lost Boy's Camp, and Tiger Lilly's tribe far below. The next scene guests enter brings them up close to Captain Hook's ship, where they discover that Hook has taken Wendy, Michael, John and the Lost Boys captive. Nearby, guests can see the Tik-Tok Crocodile floating in the water. Peter Pan then arrives and battles Hook aboard his ship. After defeating the pirate and taking control of the ship, Peter and the Darling children are shown celebrating. In the water, the Tik Tok Crocodile can be seen trying to eat Hook, as the captain calls out for Mr. Smee, who is nearby in a row boat. The final scene in the attraction depicts Peter flying the Darling children back to London aboard Captain Hook's ship. Guests then arrive back at the loading area and exit the attraction.
  
==Cast==
+
==Cast <ref> http://www.worldlibrary.org/articles/peter_pan's_flight </ref>==
 
+
[[Image:Peterwin.jpg|thumb|200px|Peter Pan and the Darling kids celebrating their victory.]]
+
 
* '''Peter Pan'''- Ronnie McMillan
 
* '''Peter Pan'''- Ronnie McMillan
  
Line 52: Line 55:
 
==Fun Facts and Trivia==
 
==Fun Facts and Trivia==
  
* Big Ben reads 7:15 on the mural of London, located in the loading area.
+
* Big Ben reads 7:15 on the mural of London that is located in the attraction's loading area <ref> http://www.disneytrivia.net/search.php?searchin=question+answer&keyword=peter+flight&operator=AND&catID=&search=Search </ref>.
  
* Although forced perspective makes it seem higher, guests are actually only seventeen feet above the scenes in Peter Pan's Flight.
+
* The mural was painted by Disney Imagineers Ken Anderson and Claude Coats <ref name= "walt"/>.
  
* Famous locations that can be scene on Peter Pan's Flight include, the Thames River, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Tower Bridge and the Parliament Building.
+
* Although forced perspective makes it seem higher, guests are actually only seventeen feet above the scenes in Peter Pan's Flight <ref> http://www.disneyfanatic.com/7-impressive-facts-peter-pans-flight/ </ref>.
  
==References==
+
* Famous locations that can be seen on Peter Pan's Flight include:  the Thames River, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Tower Bridge and the Parliament Building <ref> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNOIoNCUAVc </ref>.
  
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/magic-kingdom/attractions/peter-pans-flight/
+
* A barrel in the exit of Peter Pan's Flight is labeled "Fire Chief Richard LaPere Jr., Lost Boys Fire Brigade" this is a reference to the fire chief of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which provides service to Walt Disney World <ref> Yee, Keven. Walt Disney World Hidden History Second Edition. N.p.: n.p., 2014. Print. </ref>
  
http://allears.net/tp/mk/pan.htm
+
==References==
 
+
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/magickingdom/fan-flight.htm
+

Revision as of 20:52, 8 March 2018

Peter Pan's Flight
PeterPanEntrance2.jpg
The exterior of Peter Pan's Flight. Photo by HarshLight
Magic Kingdom
Land Fantasyland
Opening date October 3, 1971
Vehicle type Aerial Galleon
Ride duration 3:00 minutes
Based on Disney's Peter Pan
FastPass + Yes

Peter Pan's Flight is an attraction located in Fantasyland.

Attraction History

Like many of Walt Disney World's opening day attractions, the history of Peter Pan's Flight began in the early 1950s as an idea for a Disneyland attraction. In 1954 Disney artist Herb Ryman created concept art for a Peter Pan attraction planned for Disneyland's Fantasyland. Included in the art were a Mermaid Lagoon scene, as well as a large rainbow that was never used. [1] In August 1954, Imagineer Marvin Davis completed a design for the "Peter Pan Fly Thru" attraction, which now included scenes showing Hangman's Tree and Crocodile Creek. This ride plan also had guests flying through openings in the face of Skull Rock. [2]. Of note is the fact that in both Davis and Ryman's plans, the ships that guests rode in moved counterclockwise. This is the opposite direction that the ships would move when the ride was actually constructed [1].

Besides coming up with the ride's general layout, Marvin Davis was also responsible for the unique ride system that the attraction used. Instead of having the vehicles run on a ground track, the ride vehicles were instead connected by a large rod to a track on the ceiling. By late 1954, a test track and ride mock-up were created by Bob Mattey and other Imagineers in the Special Effects shop building at the Walt Disney Studios [2].

In early 1955, Imagineers and artists Ken Anderson and Claude Coats were charged with painting the attraction and getting it ready in time for Disneyland's opening day. According to Anderson:

A Disney Imagineer working on the Tick-Tok Crocodile and Michael figures for Peter Pan's Flight
There wasn't time for a lot of preliminary planning, we just went in there and did them! We had already done the feature films, so the look, the story, even the key scenes were already thought out. We knew the theme and we knew how much space we had, so we just started in[2].

Peter Pan's Flight (as the attraction was eventually named) opened in Disneyland on July 17, 1955 [3]. Although very popular, initially Disney did not want to create a version of the attraction for the unbuilt Walt Disney World. Instead, Peter Pan's Flight was to be replaced by a Mary Poppins ride that took guests “flying” through various scenes from the movie [4]. Eventually however, due to either the cost of creating the new attraction, or guest expectations for a Fantasyland that was similar to Disneyland, it was decided to include an expanded version of Disneyland's Peter Pan's Flight in Walt Disney World [4].

With this task in mind, in February 1971, Imagineers Bill Justice and Bill Martin completed drawings for the Magic Kingdom version of the attraction [2]. Unlike the original Disneyland version where guests played the role of Peter Pan, in Walt Disney World's version guests would fly over various scenes from the movie. To this end, Audio Animatronics of Peter Pan, the Lost Boys, various pirates, and Indians were created for the Magic Kingdom version of the attraction. Scenes featuring: Wendy reading to the boys in the nursery, Indians in their camp, and a climatic duel between Captain Hook and Peter Pan were also added to the new attraction. Also included in the Florida version, was Captain Hook's 48 foot pirate ship where the duel takes place [2]. One final difference between the two attractions is that unlike Disneyland's Peter Pan's Flight, the ride vehicles in Walt Disney World use an omnimover ride system similar to the one used in the Haunted Mansion [5]. Peter Pan's Flight eventually opened on October 3, 1971, two days after the Magic Kingdom's grand opening [3].

Although Peter Pan's Flight hasn't seen any major changes since it opened, the attraction did debut a new interactive queue on January 29, 2015. Following the refurbishment, the queue is now themed so that guests enter the Darling children's nursery. While going through the nursery, Peter Pan and Tinkerbell pay guests a visit [6].

Attraction Plot

Peter Pan and the Darling kids celebrating their victory.

Peter Pan's Flight is a dark ride attraction that takes guests "flying" through the story of Disney's Peter Pan.

After walking through a covered queue that takes them into the Darling children's nursery, guests reach the attractions loading area. Here, guests board "aerial galleons" as they move forward into the show building. Behind them, a large mural of scenes from the movie can be seen. Before entering the building, the galleons are sprinkled with pixie dust, which causes them to begin to fly.

After ascending into the air, the first scene that guests see depicts Wendy reading to John and Michael as they go to sleep. In the background, guests can hear nursery music playing. Riders then hear Peter Pan say, "Here we gooooooo" as he and the Darling children fly out the window. As the group takes off into the night, guests can see Nana (the family’s dog) barking beneath them. Leaving the nursery behind, the galleons then fly over London, swooping just over Big Ben. As they soar over the city, riders can hear the song "You Can Fly" playing in the background. If guests look closely at the moon as they fly by, silhouettes of Wendy, John, Michael and Peter can be seen.

After flying over London, the children fly into Neverland. Below, Captain Hook orders his crew to fire upon Peter (and aerial galleons). As the galleons continue over Neverland, guests can see the Mermaid Lagoon, the Lost Boy's Camp, and Tiger Lilly's tribe far below. The next scene guests enter brings them up close to Captain Hook's ship, where they discover that Hook has taken Wendy, Michael, John and the Lost Boys captive. Nearby, guests can see the Tik-Tok Crocodile floating in the water. Peter Pan then arrives and battles Hook aboard his ship. After defeating the pirate and taking control of the ship, Peter and the Darling children are shown celebrating. In the water, the Tik Tok Crocodile can be seen trying to eat Hook, as the captain calls out for Mr. Smee, who is nearby in a row boat. The final scene in the attraction depicts Peter flying the Darling children back to London aboard Captain Hook's ship. Guests then arrive back at the loading area and exit the attraction.

Cast [7]

  • Peter Pan- Ronnie McMillan
  • Wendy Darling- Kathryn Beaumont
  • Indian Chief- Candy Candido
  • Captain Hook- Corey Burton
  • Mr. Smee- Corey Burton

See the Attraction!

Fun Facts and Trivia

  • Big Ben reads 7:15 on the mural of London that is located in the attraction's loading area [8].
  • The mural was painted by Disney Imagineers Ken Anderson and Claude Coats [2].
  • Although forced perspective makes it seem higher, guests are actually only seventeen feet above the scenes in Peter Pan's Flight [9].
  • Famous locations that can be seen on Peter Pan's Flight include: the Thames River, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Tower Bridge and the Parliament Building [10].
  • A barrel in the exit of Peter Pan's Flight is labeled "Fire Chief Richard LaPere Jr., Lost Boys Fire Brigade" this is a reference to the fire chief of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, which provides service to Walt Disney World [11]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 http://www.disneyavenue.com/2014/07/making-of-peter-pans-flight.html
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 http://www.waltdisney.org/sites/default/files/Pan_2.jpg
  3. 3.0 3.1 http://allears.net/tp/mk/pan.htm
  4. 4.0 4.1 https://www.mouseplanet.com/10436/Mary_Poppins_Fun_Facts
  5. https://www.mouseplanet.com/guide/148/Walt-Disney-World/Magic-Kingdom/Fantasyland/Peter-Pans-Flight
  6. http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/peter-pans-flight/news/29jan2015-video---peter-pans-flight-debuts-new-interactive-features-in-expanded-queue-area.htm
  7. http://www.worldlibrary.org/articles/peter_pan's_flight
  8. http://www.disneytrivia.net/search.php?searchin=question+answer&keyword=peter+flight&operator=AND&catID=&search=Search
  9. http://www.disneyfanatic.com/7-impressive-facts-peter-pans-flight/
  10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNOIoNCUAVc
  11. Yee, Keven. Walt Disney World Hidden History Second Edition. N.p.: n.p., 2014. Print.