Let's fall down the rabbit hole and head to Wonderland! During this secret history of Alice in Wonderland, we'll explore all the wondrous features of this Disneyland dark ride. Residing in Fantasyland, Alice in Wonderland is Disney's only two-story dark ride with an outdoor portion! Now, let's hop through the rest of this secret history.
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The Secret History of Alice in Wonderland
Alice in Wonderland made its debut at Disneyland Park on June 14, 1958. Originally intending to be a walkthrough attraction, Disney Imagineers decided against this idea because of limited time and resources. When the dark ride first opened, it featured much of the same elements that a classic, carnival-traveling dark ride has. Alice in Wonderland relied on painted scenery and flat-board characters to bring it to life.
However, the ride reopened in 1984 after an extensive refurbishment. Opening a year after the rest of New Fantasyland, Alice in Wonderland now featured dimensional characters and new scenes, such as the Unbirthday Party. In fact, some scenes were just removed completely, like the Upside Down Room!
In 2010, Alice in Wonderland closed the rabbit hole for a brief period of time to install new safety equipment. According to Yesterland.com, Disneyland installed new safety barriers on the outside vine portion of the ride. Guests were able to continue adventures in Wonderland about a month later! And yet again in 2014, Disneyland made more improvements to the vine section of the ride, making it wider and removing the previously added barriers. You can only experience this Alice in Wonderland dark ride at Disneyland Park!
Alice in Wonderland Fun Facts
- The voice of Alice, Kathryn Beaumont, in the 1951 animated film also lent her voice for the ride!
- The Mad Tea Party was relocated in 1983 to be closer to Alice in Wonderland.
- The dark ride was one of two rides to open on June 14, 1958 - the other ride was Sailing Ship Columbia!
- While Alice in Wonderland was closed in 2014 for refurbishments, digital projections were also added to the dark ride.
- Before the Unbirthday Party scene was added, the vehicle would just make a U-turn on the vine and head to the unloading area!
- That gigantic tree you travel by on the outdoor portion of the ride? It's a real, living tree!
What's your favorite scene on the Alice in Wonderland ride? Let us know in the comments below! And don't forget to check out our Alice in Wonderland wait times and more.
Stay cool!