Snow White's Scary Adventures is technically found only in Disney history books. Well, not really. The popular Disneyland original ride underwent a major refurbishment and is reopening as Snow White's Enchanted Wish at Disneyland. The Story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs had already transitioned to a roller coaster ride at Magic Kingdom at Disney World. The classic dark ride received a magical update during the Disneyland temporary closure from March 2020 to April 2021 to give Snow White her happily ever after.
This is not the first major re-theme of this Fantasyland ride. Did you know that Snow White's Scary Adventures opened as Snow White and Her Adventures at Disneyland? I toadally didn't either! With this secret history of Snow White's Scary Adventures, we'll hop through a frightening forest to Snow White's cottage and learn all about the Disney Imagineering of this original Disney dark ride. Then we'll explore how this ride transformed to give Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs a more cheerful and less scary ride story. Let's hop to it!
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The Secret History of Snow White's Scary Adventures at Disneyland
Snow White and Her Adventures opened with Disneyland Park on July 17, 1955. Much like Peter Pan's Flight, the structure of the ride was designed so that guests were to feel as if they were the main character — Snow White. However, after several inquiries from riders ("Why is Snow White not on the ride?!"), Imagineers added Snow White to appear on the attraction during the Fantasyland expansion of 1983. Other dark rides were also redesigned to include their main characters. Snow White's Scary Adventures was the first major refurbishment.
I have two favorite parts of the exterior for Snow White's Scary Adventures. I love looking up at the windows and seeing the Evil Queen opening the curtains and peering down at us. Then when we hopped in line, we passed an apple and spell book, when someone touched the apple, the witch would cackle. it was always hopping good fun to trick someone new into touching the apple for the first time (and seeing them jump)! It's one of my favorite Disneyland hidden gems.
Here's a look at my video of Snow White's Scary Adventures at Disneyland Park.
The Secret History of Snow White's Scary Adventures at Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom's own version at Disney World also made its debut on the park's opening day. Once again, the ride did not feature the princess herself, but this version, named Snow White's Adventures, actually did include some scary adventures! Throughout the dark ride, guests encountered the Witch seven times and included what many guests thought was a frightening ending.
Similar to Disneyland's Snow White ride, the attraction went through a remodeling in 1994 to include Snow White and make it not as scary. Unfortunately, the ride still ended up closing for good in 2012, and Princess Fairytale Hall took its place. But guess what? The closing of Snow White's Adventures led to the creation of another toadally awesome ride: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (which to be honest, is one of my favorites)! And you can still find a Snow White's Adventures ride at Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris, too.
Let's take a virtual ride on The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom.
Snow White's Enchanted Wish Enchants a New Generation
Change is in the air at Disneyland. Snow White's Scary Adventures underwent a major makeover in 2021. The new version of the ride — Snow White's Enchanted Wish — debuts with an enchanted storyline during the Disneyland reopening (following a temporary closure due to COVID-19). Perfect timing, as everyone can use a little Disney magic pick-me-up following a pandemic.
The ride includes all-new scenes with new music, state-of-the-art audio and visual technology, LED black lighting, laser projections and a new animation system. The exterior got fresh paint in warmer and more cheerful colors and new fairy tale-inspired details that complement Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Heigh-Ho, Heigh-Ho, it's off to work we go. Dazzling jewels shimmer in the mine scene. You can now see the dwarfs at work. The Disneyland crews replaced show sets, props and scenes in this iconic ride. The ride underwent electrical upgrades and new projection. Snow White's Enchanted Wish received a new ride ending and Snow White finally has the "happily ever after" she deserves.
My little sister, Lily, is hoppy that one of my favorite Disneyland scary rides will be a little more fun for younger children like her. More princess and dwarfs but less scary witch definitely appeals to her. I'm sure it will continue to enchant future generations of children for many years.
Snow White's Scary Adventures Fun Facts
- Unlike many of the Disney dark rides, when Magic Kingdom's Snow White's Adventures first opened, it featured no music!
- Many of the animatronics featured on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom are from Snow White's Adventures, such as the Dwarfs at the attraction's finale and vultures.
- When the ride first opened at Disneyland, guests often tried to take the apple during the poisoned apple scene. Imagineers redesigned this during the Fantasyland 1983 expansion by using a projection of an apple!
- After the 1983 restoration of Disneyland's Snow White's Scary Adventures, Adriana Castelotti (the original voice of Snow White) was featured on the new soundtrack!
- Take a look at the mine carts on the ride—they're named after the Seven Dwarfs.
- Snow White's Enchanted Wish is a multi-sensory experience. When you see Snow White dancing with the Seven Dwarfs, take a whiff — is that fresh apple pie you're smelling?
Did Snow White's Scary Adventures scare the daylights out of you? Are you happy to see the ride transform into a more cheerful ride with Snow White's Enchanted Wish? Let us know in the comments below! And don't froget to check out our Snow White's Enchanted Wish or Seven Dwarfs Mine Train wait times with our mobile apps (a new SoCal app is coming soon!)
Related: Villains, Darkness and Drops - The Scariest Rides at Disneyland
Stay cool!
