There is one classic attraction at Disneyland that is long overdue to be drastically revamped or replaced entirely in my personal opinion. While Disney eyes areas of the theme parks to refresh, it consistently amazes me that this one ride remains overlooked.
Here’s why it’s about time that Disney finally changes this ride. Mickey Visit brings you the latest Disney news and planning resources, including the return of Disney’s cheap water park pass and details on the upcoming ticket price increase.
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Fantasyland’s Long History of Change at Disneyland
Fantasyland in Disneyland is home to multiple classic and opening day attractions. Of Disneyland’s original Fantasyland attractions, several are still part of Disneyland, including King Arthur Carrousel, Peter Pan’s Flight, Mad Tea Party, Snow White’s Adventures (now called Snow White’s Enchanted Wish), and Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.
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Most of these attractions have largely remained similar over the years minus tweaks to add in the namesake characters to rides, with the exception of Snow White, which was completely reimagined in 1983 and transformed again into Snow White’s Enchanted Wish in 2021.
The most recent update featured new scenes, effects, and a less frightening storyline, which is why the attraction was also renamed from Snow White’s Scary Adventures. This refresh considerably improved the popularity of the attraction, as it’s now one of the most popular attractions in this area of Fantasyland.
Just next door to Snow White is Pinocchio’s Daring Journey, which opened at Disneyland on May 25, 1983, as part of the major Fantasyland makeover that year that transformed Fantasyland into its distinctive fairy-tale village architecture. However, this attraction hasn’t received any major storyline updates even though it is arguably far scarier than the previous version of Snow White.
Pinocchio’s Daring Journey Deserves a New Look
Pinocchio’s Daring Journey has remained largely unchanged since it opened in 1983, and some of its darker scenes can feel surprisingly intense compared to the other attractions in Fantasyland. This classic dark ride follows Pinocchio through some of the most notable and frightening moments in the film, including Stromboli’s imprisonment, Pleasure Island, the Coachman, and Monstro the whale.
But what really sticks out from these scenes are the surprisingly dark details that feel really uncomfortable by today’s standards, including the sound of whipping chains, villains smoking cigars, and scenes of children being mistreated, including one child who’s been transformed into a donkey that is crying out “mama” repeatedly.
These harsh sounds and unsettling imagery give it a distinctly different feel from the other Fantasyland rides, which our family jokes sets it apart as the “horror movie ride” of Disneyland. Who needs a haunted house at Disneyland for Halloween when you have Pinocchio’s Daring Journey?
While many Disneyland loyalists cringe at the idea of revamping an opening day attraction, Pinocchio is not actually an opening day attraction! Many mistake it for one, due to its age and location among the other opening-day dark rides. But it debuted in the park in 1983, nearly thirty years after the other rides in this area of Fantasyland. It is definitely a classic attraction, but not an opening day one.
But What About Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride?
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride has a far more loyal following than Pinocchio’s Daring Journey. If we begin talking about updating Pinocchio, what stops Disney from touching Mr. Toad?
I would argue that there is more whimsy for Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride that remains for most of the attraction, aside from that little trip to hell at the end. But even that trip to hell is far less scary, in my humble opinion, than the scene on Pleasure Island in Pinocchio’s Daring Journey.
There is still a sense of whimsy in the hell sequence, with cartoonish demons and a soundtrack that leans into humor compared with the unsettling sounds of whips and crying children that fill Pinocchio’s darkest moments. And unless kids already understand the religious and cultural lore behind what makes hell frightening to adults, most will likely find Pinocchio far more unsettling.
Beyond that, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride has far higher popularity than Pinocchio’s Daring Journey on any day of the week. There is staying power in Mr. Toad and enough of a cult following from adults that keep guests coming back to repeat this attraction. The same cannot be said for Pinocchio’s Daring Journey.
Pinocchio’s Daring Journey could easily receive a makeover similar to what we saw with Snow White’s Enchanted Wish that removes some of the darker elements of the attraction but keeps the storyline intact. This is likely the easiest solution, especially with Disney working within the limitations of the small space in one of the oldest areas of the theme park.
Others online have also called out that this attraction would do far better with an entirely new storyline that focuses on a more modern story like Rapunzel or Frozen. That is likely far more challenging than just a general modern refresh, due to the limitations of space in this area, but many guests would surely welcome a swap of that magnitude. Especially when you look at the innovative dark rides found at international Disney parks, like Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival at Tokyo Disneyland and Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast at Tokyo Disneyland.
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What do you think? Should Pinocchio’s Daring Journey be updated or replaced? Or should Disneyland leave it alone?
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