Difference between pages "Walt Disney World Railroad" and "Peter Pan's Flight"

From The Mickey Wiki: Your Walt Disney World Encyclopedia!
(Difference between pages)
Jump to: navigation, search
 
(→‎Attraction History)
 
Line 1: Line 1:
−
The Walt Disney World Railroad is a working steam-engine which surrounds [[The Magic Kingdom]]. The railroad has stations in [[Main Street USA]], [[Frontierland]] and [[Fantasyland]].
 
 
{{Infobox Disney ride |
 
{{Infobox Disney ride |
−
| image=Station.jpg
+
| image=PeterPanEntrance2.jpg
−
| caption='''The Main Street USA Station on the Walt Disney World Railroad.'''
+
| caption='''The exterior of Peter Pan's Flight. Photo by HarshLight'''
−
| land=Main Street USA, Fantasyland, Frontierland
+
| opened=October 3, 1971
−
| opened=October 1, 1971
+
| duration=3:00
 
| park= Magic Kingdom
 
| park= Magic Kingdom
−
| theme= Steam-engine railway
+
| land=Fantasyland
−
| custom_label_1= Duration
+
| vehicle_type= Aerial Galleon
−
| custom_value_1= 20 Minutes (Roundtrip)}}
+
| custom_label_1= Based on
−
 
+
| 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==
 
==Attraction History==
−
The Walt Disney World Railroad was originally built due to Walt Disney's love of trains. Even before he built Disneyland, Walt had a miniature train in his backyard called the Carolwood Pacific Railroad. Walt was so enthralled with trains, that anytime he told guests about Disneyland, he would always conclude "and it will all be surrounded by a train". Sure enough, when Disneyland opened in 1955, the park was surrounded by the Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad. Walt Disney himself was in charge of building the railroad, and he even financed the construction himself. The Disneyland Railroad opened with Disneyland in 1955 and has been running ever since.
+
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"/>.  
−
When Disney began designing Walt Disney World in Florida, they once again wanted to have a train surrounding the park. In 1969, Disney Imagineer scouts Roger Broggie and Earl Vilmer found and purchased five locomotives from the Ferrocarriles Unidos de Yucatan (United Railways of Yucatan) on Mexico's Yucatan peninsula. While one of the five trains was deemed unrepairable, the other four were sent by railway to Tampa Bay. Here, Disney Imagineer and train expert, Bob Harper oversaw their restoration. New boilers were built for the locomotives by the Dixon Boiler Works in Los Angeles, California. In order to make the trains look older, they were fitted with diamond smoke stacks and boiler jackets. The tenders also needed to be completely rebuilt and new fiberglass cabs were manufactured and installed. The trains were then painted with bright colors and brass, before being shipped to Walt Disney World. The Walt Disney World Railroad opened with the rest of the park on October 1, 1971.  
+
  
−
===History Since Opening Day===
+
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"/>.  
−
When the Walt Disney World Railroad opened, it originally consisted of three trains. A few months after the opening, a forth train joined the fleet. For all of 1971, the Railroad provided guest with a roundtrip tour of the Magic Kingdom. At that time however, only the Main Street USA station was open and it wasn't until 1972 that a second station (in Frontierland) opened. The second station meant that guests could now board the railroad at either end of the park. The Frontierland station remained operational until 1990, when it was closed and demolished in order to make room for [[Splash Mountain]]. The station re-opened in a new location in 1991, and the railroad now runs through Splash Mountain (allowing guests to see the "Zip-A-Dee Lady" Scene). In 1988, another station was built in [[Mickey's Birthdayland]]. Originally known as the Duckburg station, the station was renamed the Toontown Fair station in 1996, before closing in 2010 (when Mickey’s Toontown was replaced by the Fantasyland expansion). While Fantasyland was still under construction, the train still stopped at the location of the station, to top off the tender with water and to keep the railroad's operating schedule. While the train was stopped in Fantasyland, a new narration played, telling guest that they are stopping at a "Watering Outpost". The narration also gave guests a preview of what was coming to Fantasyland as part of the expansion. On March 12, 2012 the Fantasyland Station (also known as the Carolwood Station) opened to guests.  
+
  
−
==Attraction Plot==
+
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:
−
(NOTE: This section does not include information about the new Fantasyland Station.)
+
[[Image:Peterconstruction.jpg|thumb|400px|A Disney Imagineer working on the Tick-Tok Crocodile and Michael figures for Peter Pan's Flight]]
−
The Walt Disney World Railroad begins with guests boarding the train from one of the three railroad stations. If guests board on Main Street, the narrator will welcome them to the Walt Disney World Railroad and tell them that the train will be stopping at Frontierland and Fantasyland. The narrator then gives riders a little history about the railroad saying:
+
{{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"/>.}}
  
−
{{Quotation|"For an old conductor like me, there is no better place to travel the rails then here at the Magic Kingdom. By the way, we're traveling by pure steam power. This old locomotive is descended from the mighty trains that powered the golden age of steel."}}
+
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/>.
  
−
As the train continues towards [[Adventureland]], the narrator tells guests that they are traveling from the charm of Main Street USA to the jungles of Africa, Asia and South America. He tells them that since they are headed into the heart of Adventureland, where things can get pretty wild. He also mentions attractions such as [[Pirates of the Caribbean]] and the [[Jungle Cruise]]. As the locomotive moves from Adventureland to Frontierland, the narrator tells guest that they've reached the wild west of the Magic Kingdom, saying:
+
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"/>.
  
−
{{Quotation|"This outpost is home to covered wagons, cow folk and [[Country Bears]].}}
+
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>.
  
−
The narrator also mentions [[Thunder Mountain]] and [[Splash Mountain]], before the train enters a cave, alongside Splash Mountain. Here, through a window on their right, guests can look into Splash Mountain and see the “Zip-A-Dee Lady” scene. The train then pulls into the Frontierland station where guests can unload and load. As the train moves out of the station, it passes Big Thunder Mountain, and the boomtown of Tumbleweed. It then travels over a small bridge, where the narrator informs guests that a trip around the park used to take a week! On the left, guests can see a small outpost, as the narrator informs them that Indians were the first people on the land. The train then rolls past an Indian village and some wildlife.  
+
==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.  
  
−
As the train moves into Fantasyland, the narrator tells guests that in Fantasyland they can, "Fly with [[Peter Pan]] and even spin in a [[Tea Cup]]. As the train pulls into the former location of Toontown Fair station, both the narrator and engineer gives guests a preview of what is going to be built there. The narrator tells guests that part of the Fantasyland expansion will allow them to go "under the sea" with the Little Mermaid or even visit the Beast's Castle. When the train stops at the former Toontown Station, the conductor tells guests that they need to stop here and get water. Often times, while the train is getting the water, the engineer will give some of the history of Toontown and then explain what it is going to become.  
+
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.  
  
−
As the train pulls out of Fantasyland and into Tomorrowland, the narrator says that some people think traveling by train is a little too old fashioned. As the train rolls past the [[Tomorrowland Speedway]], he says that any guest can travel the futuristic highway, or choose another mode of transportation such as the [[PeopleMover]], [[Space Mountain]] or [[Astro Orbiter]]. On their right, guests can see into Tomorrowland. As the train continues forward, the narrator informs riders that Main Street was inspired by the small towns of Walt's childhood. He also says that stepping onto Main Street is like stepping back in time. At this point that train reaches the Main Street Station, and the narration starts all over again.
+
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.
  
−
==The Trains==
+
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.
−
There are four trains in operation on the Walt Disney World Railroad. The four locomotives for the trains were built between 1916 and 1928 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia. The trains consist of a steam locomotive, tender, and five passenger cars. Each train has a capacity of approximately 365 passengers and 2 wheelchairs. The tender has a capacity for 1,837 gallons of water and 664 gallons of fuel oil. The tender needs to be topped off with water every three or four trips around the park. The water tower used to top of the tenders is located at the Carolwood Station in Fantasyland.  
+
  
−
<html>
+
==Cast <ref> http://www.worldlibrary.org/articles/peter_pan's_flight </ref>==
−
<style>
+
* '''Peter Pan'''- Ronnie McMillan
−
.gal img {
+
−
  width: 214px;
+
−
  height: 150px;
+
−
}
+
−
</style>
+
−
<div class=gal>
+
−
</html>
+
−
{| style="text-align:center; border-color: #A7D7F9; background-color:clear; padding:4px 4px 4px 4px;"
+
−
|-
+
−
| [[File:Walter.jpg]]
+
−
| [[File:Lilly.jpg]]
+
−
|-
+
−
| '''The #1 "Walter E. Disney"'''
+
−
| '''The #2 "The Lilly Belle'''
+
−
|-
+
−
| [[File:Broggie.jpg]]
+
−
| [[File:Roy.jpg]]
+
−
|-
+
−
| '''The #3 "Roger E. Broggie" '''
+
−
| '''The No. 4 "Roy O. Disney"'''
+
−
|}
+
−
<html>
+
−
</div>
+
−
</html>
+
  
−
==Crew==
+
* '''Wendy Darling'''- Kathryn Beaumont
−
Each train has a three man crew who are in charge of their daily operation. The crew consists of an engineer, a fireman, and a conductor. The engineer is in charge of the operation of the train. The fireman is in charge of the operation of the boiler, and the conductor is in charge of the management of the train and its passengers.
+
−
Early in the morning before park opening, the first train crew arrives at the roadhouse and preps the locomotive for the day. First, safety and readiness checks are performed by the engineer and conductor. Since the train needs steam pressure to operate, a compressed air line must be tapped into the atomizer line when the fire is first lit. It must stay in the atomizer until enough steam has been raised to re-light the atomizer's fire. After this is done, the conductor will inspect that track and the arrangement of the switchs outside the roadhouse, to make sure it is safe to leave. After the boiler is ready, the engineer will give two short whistles to signal they are ready to go. After the conductor responds with two short buzzes, the train is put into motion. As each individual car leaves the roadhouse, the maintenance crew inspects the running gear located beneath the train.
+
−
As the train heads out of the roadhouse and towards the main track, the engineers test the safety features on the train. This consists of two tests, intentionally popping the safety valves and purposely running the train past a red block light. If the features are working properly, the safety valves will release excess steam, and the train brakes will automatically turn on after running through the red block. These tests are performed daily, to meet safety standards.
+
−
==Daily Operation==
+
−
===Opening===
+
−
The Walt Disney World Railroad operates daily, beginning at 9 am. It takes approximately 20 minutes for the train to make a round trip, meaning that guests can expect a train to arrive at each individual station every 7 minutes. There are usually two trains in operation on any given day, although sometimes three are in operation if the park is busy. Disney's goal is to have the first train arrive at the Main Street Station on the hour, and at every subsequent 20 minute interval (:20 and :40). The second and third trains then try to keep up with the first train, as much as possible. If one of the trains falls behind, they must either try to catch up or drop behind a lap, in order to stay on schedule. It is important for the trains to be on schedule in order for the park closing to run smoothly.
+
  
−
===Block Signals===
+
* '''Indian Chief'''- Candy Candido
  
−
Along the Walt Disney World Railroad, there are six block signals which let the train conductors know where the other trains are. The block signals on the railroad resemble a traffic light, in that they have three lights (red, yellow, and green). Three of the block signals are located near the stations, while the other three are spread around the track. The lights typically change from '''Green''' to '''Yellow/Green''' to '''Red''' to '''Yellow/Red'''. After the lights have followed this pattern, they reverse in the opposite direction, '''Yellow/Red''' to '''Red''' to '''Yellow/Green''' to '''Green'''. Each of the lights have their own specific meaning:
+
* '''Captain Hook'''- Corey Burton
  
−
* '''Green''': The next 2 blocks are completely clear. It is safe to proceed.
+
* '''Mr. Smee'''- Corey Burton
−
* '''Yellow and Green''': The next block is clear, however, the block beyond is occupied. It is safe to proceed, but be prepared to stop at the next block.
+
−
* '''Red''': The next block is occupied and it is not safe to proceed past this point.
+
−
* '''Yellow and Red''': The next 2 blocks are both occupied; it is not safe to proceed past this point.
+
−
===Whistles===
+
−
On the Walt Disney World Railroad, the engineers use distinct whistle patterns to communicate while the conductor. The conductor then responds with a buzzer using the same pattern. The buzzer goes off inside the cab of the locomotive. At the stations, the engineers will ask to depart by giving two short whistles. The conductor must respond and give the ok, because they have the final say as to whether or not the train moves. The whistle pattern used on the Walt Disney Railroad is typically:
+
−
* '''One Short''' – Attention
+
−
* '''Two Short''' – Forward Movement
+
−
* '''Three Short''' – Reverse Movement
+
−
* '''One Long, One Short''' – Approaching a Station
+
−
* '''One Long, Two Short''' – Crew spotted along track (also used as a general greeting)
+
−
* '''Two Long, One Short, One Long''' – Public Crossing ahead
+
−
* '''Two Long, One Short '''– Meeting Point (junction)
+
−
* '''One Long''' – Stop Immediately / Emergency stop.
+
−
* '''Four Long''' – Train in distress.
+
−
* '''Two Short, One Long, One Short''' – Engineer is acknowledging the maintenance crew
+
  
−
===Closing===
+
==See the Attraction!==
−
On the train’s last trip around the park, the conductor announces at each station that the final train is departing. All guests can ride the train until it reaches the Main Street station for the final time. After guests have unloaded, the conductor walks the length of the train to make sure that all guests are off, and that any lost items are brought to the lost and found. The train then goes to the Fantasyland Station where the conductor steps off and throws the switch to allow the train back into the roadhouse. The engineer relies on the conductor to back the train into the roadhouse, from the rear platform of the last coach. The fireman then throws the Fantasyland switch back to the main line, so that trains in operation can continue running. When the final train has been returned to the roadhouse, the switch is left where it is. When the train reaches the switch, and the track crossing, the conductor will signal the engineer, letting him know the train has successfully cleared. This continues until all the trains are parked completely in the roadhouse.
+
 
 +
{{#ev:youtube|lNOIoNCUAVc|420}}
  
 
==Fun Facts and Trivia==
 
==Fun Facts and Trivia==
−
* The "Walter E. Disney" and "Roger E. Broggie" trains were on the shop floor together in 1925. Their serial numbers are sequential (58444 and 58445), and both trains were built for the United Railways of Yucotan by the Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia.
 
  
−
*For a behind the scenes tour of the Walt Disney Railroad, guests can experience the "Magic Behind our Steam Trains" tour on select days.
+
* 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>.
  
−
* At one time there were plans for a Tomorrowland Station to be added to the Walt Disney World Railroad. The train station would have been located near Space Mountain.
+
* The mural was painted by Disney Imagineers Ken Anderson and Claude Coats <ref name= "walt"/>.
  
−
==References==
+
* 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>.
−
http://wdw.railfanning.org/
+
  
−
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/magic-kingdom/attractions/walt-disney-world-railroad/
+
* 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://www.omniluxe.net/wyw/mkindex.htm
+
* 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>
 +
 
 +
==References==

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.
Retrieved from "http://themickeywiki.com/index.php?title=Walt_Disney_World_Railroad&oldid=11090"