Adventureland, Tomorrowland, and Fantasyland

by Christopher Smith

  The Disney film stays away from some of the more expressive romantic tones exhibited between Peter Pan and Wendy, Tiger Lilly, and Tinker Bell in Barrie’s works.

  Captain Hook doesn’t actually die during the film, instead fleeing with his first in command, Mr. Smee, from the Tick-Tock Croc.

  Tinker Bell does not drink poison and come close to death.

  At the end of the film, it is Mr. Darling, as opposed to Mrs. Darling, who recognizes Peter Pan and the pirate ship from his childhood.

  Disney child star Bobby Driscoll voiced Peter Pan. Driscoll starred in numerous other Disney films, including playing the role of Johnny in the 1946 film Song of the South, as well as roles in the Pecos Bill segment of Melody Time (1948), So Dear to My Heart (1949), and Treasure Island (1950). Kathryn Beaumont voiced Wendy Darling. Beaumont also voiced another famous Disney character, Alice, in the 1951 animated film Alice in Wonderland.

  Peter Pan was notable for being the last animated film in which all of Disney’s “Nine Old Men” worked together as directing animators. “Nine Old Men” was the designation of Walt’s core group of animators in the early days of the studio that made substantial contributions to many of Disney’s classic animated films. The members of this notable group were:

  Marc Davis’ credits as both an animator in Disney feature films and as a designer and contributor to attractions and experiences in both Disneyland and Walt Disney World spanned more than four decades. Davis began work for Disney in 1935 and designed and brought to life some of Disney’s most beloved characters, including Snow White from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937); Cinderella and Prince Charming from Cinderella (1950); Alice from Alice in Wonderland (1951); Tinker Bell from Peter Pan; and Aurora and Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty (1959). In the 1960s, Davis’ duties transitioned from an animator on Disney feature films to a designer and artist for Disney’s new Anaheim theme park, Disneyland. Davis’ most enduring contributions to the Disney theme parks are his work on Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion. In the words of Walt Disney himself, Marc Davis was a true “Renaissance man.”

  Ward Kimball worked on classic Disney films such as Pinocchio (1940) (animating Jiminy Cricket), Alice in Wonderland (1951) (animating the Mad Hatter and others), and Dumbo (1941). Kimball also brought the character Pecos Bill to life in the 1948 Disney package film Melody Time. He also shared Walt’s love and enthusiasm for railroads. Like Walt, Kimball built a miniature railroad at his home known as the Grizzly Flats Railroad.

  Les Clark animated Mickey Mouse for many years.

  Eric Larson animated Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox, and Brer Bear in the 1946 film Song of the South, and the famed flight over London scene in Peter Pan.

  Frank Thomas animated such Disney characters as Captain Hook in Peter Pan, the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland, and the wicked Stepmother in Cinderella.

  Ollie Johnston animated Mr. Smee in Peter Pan, Anastasia and Drizella in Cinderella, and Prince John in Robin Hood (1973).

  John Lounsbery had a long career with the Disney studio and brought to life many varied Disney animated characters, including Foulfellow and Gideon in Pinocchio, George Darling in Peter Pan, and King Stefan in Sleeping Beauty.

  Wolfgang “Woolie” Reitherman animated Monstro in Pinocchio, the Headless Horseman in the 1949 Disney package film The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, and the “Tick-Tock Croc” in Peter Pan.

  Milt Kahl created some of the most beloved and famous characters in the history of Disney animation, including Pinocchio in the 1940 film of the same name, Peter Pan and the Darling children from Peter Pan, Madam Mim from the 1963 film The Sword in the Stone, Shere Khan in The Jungle Book (1967), the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood, and Tigger in The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977).

  Peter Pan was released on February 5, 1953. The film initially received a mixed critical reception, but has grown to be one of Disney’s most beloved and endearing films. Thanks to the overarching message of children never growing old, Peter Pan also embodies the spirit of the Magic Kingdom perhaps more so than any other film.

  A Classical Retelling

  Rather than developing a new backstory for Peter Pan’s Flight, Disney Imagineers instead decided to provide a fanciful retelling of Disney’s 1953 animated film. The result is an attraction that, like the film, exudes hope, innocence, and child-like wonder at every turn. Disney provided the following description of the attraction on its official website:

  You Can Fly!

  Sail high into the moonlit sky with Peter Pan. Board a colorful galleon and, with the help of some pixie dust, embark on a high-flying adventure, passing many of the unforgettable settings and scenes made famous in Disney’s animated film, Peter Pan.

  Return to Never Land

  Journey to the Darling children’s nursery and behold the first meeting of Wendy, Michael, John...and Peter Pan. Sail through the nighttime sky over London, where famous sites like Big Ben and Tower Bridge mingle with a confection of glittering lights. Then, descend into Never Land, home to volcanic peaks and sparkling waterfalls.

  Once there, glimpse the Lost Boys and Mermaid Lagoon and sail past Skull Rock. Swoop into Pirate’s Cove, home to an enormous pirate ship, and behold Peter Pan in a swashbuckling duel with Captain Hook. Finally, make your way back to London, leaving a defeated Captain Hook far behind.

  Storytelling Elements

  The Queue

  Peter Pan’s Flight is housed in a building that supports the medieval Renaissance fair theme of the original section of Fantasyland. The building looks like a large tent with bright colors and numerous banners carrying that theme forward. Both the attraction’s wait time estimate sign and FastPass clock are attached to shields that hang to the right and left-hand sides of the attraction entrance, respectively.

  Peter Pan’s flight features one of the most beautiful exterior signs of any Walt Disney World attraction. The words “Peter Pan’s Flight” are written across a background of white clouds. Peter Pan flies above the clouds with Wendy, John and Michael close behind. The notable London landmark Big Ben leans in the background. Even Tinker Bell gets involved, providing the sparkle that dots the “i” in “Flight.”

  As guests enter the attraction’s queue, the medieval theme is continued, as a series of large colorful shields hang on the metal gateway to the left-hand side of the walkway.

  Thanks to a 2015 renovation, Peter Pan’s Flight now includes a highly entertaining interactive queue. Guests initially walk down a hallway that includes several large, colorful portraits that depict scenes from the 1953 animated film:

  The first portrait hangs on a wall to the right-hand side of the walkway and is a map of Never Land, complete with crystal blue water and location designations of Mermaid Lagoon, Skull Rock, Pirate’s Cove, Crocodile Creek, Indian Camp, and Hangman’s Tree. A plaque at the bottom of the portrait reads:

  This tale starts in Never Land, second star to the right,

  Where we’ll join Peter Pan for an adventurous flight.

  To the left-hand side of the walkway is a large portrait of Mermaid Lagoon. It depicts five mermaids. One of the mermaids plays a harp, another looks into a small mirror, and the other three play in the water. A plaque hanging below reads:

  The journey will take us through a mermaid lagoon,

  Where there’s splashing and playing all afternoon.

  The third portrait is on the right-hand side of the walkway and depicts Captain Hook and Mr. Smee in a small boat. Hook stands regally at the front of the boat with his hook in the air while Mr. Smee nervously paddles behind him. Smee has good reason to be nervous, as the Tick-Tock Croc floats in the background, as does the Jolly Roger. A plaque explains:

  We will pass Pirates’ cove at the end of the day

  To find Tick-Tock the crocodile chasing his prey.

  The fourth portrait hangs on a wall to the left-hand side of the walkway and shows Peter Pan and Tinker Bell flying high above Never Land. A plaque hanging
below the portrait reads:

  Now Peter leaves Never Land, Tinker Bell at his side,

  They fly off to London, where the Darlings reside.

  As the queue turns, guests will see the fifth portrait hanging on a wall directly in front of them. The portrait shows a nighttime sky with two stars shining bright. This is a reference to both the directions to Never Land, “Second star to the right and straight on ‘til morning,” and the charming song The Second Star to the Right from the Peter Pan film:

  The second star to the right

  Shines in the night for you

  To tell you that the dreams you plan

  Really can come true

  The second star to the right

  Shines with a light so rare

  And if it’s Never Land you need

  It’s light will lead you there

  Twinkle, twinkle little star

  So we’ll know where you are

  Gleaming in the skies above

  Lead us to the land we dream of

  And when our journey is through

  Each time we say goodnight

  We’ll thank the little star that shines

  The second from the right

  A plaque below the portrait reads:

  In the skies above London, on this calm, sleepy night,

  Peter glides toward the city from stars shining bright.

  Just around the bend is the sixth portrait hanging to the left-hand side of the walkway, showing an aerial shot of London at night, including the Thames River, the Tower Bridge, and Big Ben. The portrait’s plaque reads:

  Over rooftops and spires, Peter and Tink soar,

  On toward the Darlings whom Peter adores.

  The final portrait can be seen straight ahead as the queue takes another turn, and shows Peter Pan standing on the Darling family rooftop, with only his face illuminated by the glow of Tinker Bell. The plaque below the final portrait reads:

  Peter arrives at the Darlings’ to watch Wendy tell tales

  Of adventures in Never Land, where excitement prevails.

  As guests round a corner, they find themselves on the doorstep of the Darling Family home. The silhouettes of Mr. and Mrs. Darling can be seen through two exterior windows that are carved from the home’s brick façade. If guests look back they will see the glowing nighttime roofline of London, as well as a 2D cutout of Nana, the Darling family dog, a Saint Bernard, sadly looking back at them.

  Upon stepping inside the Darling home, guests see oval portraits of each of the Darling children hanging on a wall directly in front of them. Just ahead, larger portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Darling hang on a wall to the right-hand side of the walkway. Even old Nana has her portrait hanging on the wall, complete with her signature bonnet.

  As guests walk farther down the walkway they enter the Darling nursery. The nursery itself is intricately themed, with every detail included therein helping to set the stage for the coming attraction. A large window to the right-hand side of the walkway looks out onto the nighttime sky of London, complete with Big Ben shining in the background. This is presumably the window that Peter Pan crept through when visiting the Darling family.

  A wooden hutch with elaborate glass windows sits in the middle of the nursery. The hutch holds a menagerie of toys including a jack-in-the-box, books, a doll, a toy cannon, a chessboard, and other children’s games.

  The beds of John and Michael are close replicas of those depicted in Peter Pan. The observant guests can spot fun details in the area where John’s bed sits:

  A sheet has been tied to the bed’s headboard, mimicking a ship’s sail. A small Jolly Roger flag flies above it, hanging from a broomstick.

  The top hat and umbrella that John carried with him to Never Land in the Peter Pan film hangs on a coat rack in the back of the bedroom.

  A black and white wooden riding horse sits on the floor.

  The room is very messy, with socks hanging out of a cabinet drawer beside the bed.

  The two wooden swords that John and Michael dueled with in the Peter Pan film lay atop John’s bed.

  A calendar sitting next to John’s bed has the date of December 27 circled. The calendar also identifies the year as 1904. This date is significant, as it is the date of the first stage performance of J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan.

  A model sailing ship sits atop a bookcase to the left-hand side of the room. A picture of a pirate ship sailing through the nighttime sky sits on a shelf on that same bookcase

  Michael’s bed likewise includes several fun details. A stack of blocks on the floor harken back to the Peter Pan film. A few of the blocks that sit atop Michael’s bed spell out “Peter Pan.”

  An innovative feature in the queue allows guests to use their shadows to interact with other shadows of objects that are projected on the wall near Michael’s bed. Guests can use their shadow to take a variety of interactive actions, including:

  Ring a series of bells

  Release Tinker Bell from a cage

  Have butterflies land on their outstretched hands

  See Peter Pan, who creeps onto the wall and bows and waves to guests

  Just across from Michael’s bed, to the right-hand side of the walkway, guests will see Nana’s house, along with a bowl of milk that sits close beside it.

  Wendy’s bed is neat and well made. As was the case with the boys’ area, Wendy’s part of the nursery is filled with storytelling details:

  A suitcase sits on the bed, and includes a label reading, “HANDLE WITH CARE, PROPERTY OF Wendy Darling.” Other stamps on the suitcase indicate stops in Edinburg, France, London, and Manchester.

  Another piece of luggage on the floor has stamps for the “Grand Edinburg Hotel,” “L’ARC TRIOMPHE,” “PARIS,” and the “HOTEL BALTIMORE,” which is also in Paris.

  If guests look closely, they will see a silhouette of Peter Pan hanging on a wall to the left of Wendy’s bed.

  Another smaller silhouette of Peter Pan hangs to the right of Wendy’s mirror on the far right of the room.

  Large bows are tied to the posts of Wendy’s bed.

  Perhaps the most magical and popular aspect of the new interactive queue is Tinker Bell. Thanks to Disney’s projection mapping technology, Tinker Bell appears as a twinkle of light and flies around the nursery, creating a variety of interactive effects:

  Flying behind the “pirate sail” on Michael’s bed and into a small trunk

  Rocking the toy sailboat sitting atop Michael’s bookcase

  Splashing into a pitcher of water that sits on a nightstand beside Michael’s bed

  Flying through the keyhole of a dresser in Wendy’s room

  Prancing around a mirror in Wendy’s room

  Adjusting a crooked painting above Wendy’s bed

  The spark that represents Tinker Bell turns into a heart in front of Peter Pan…or, more appropriately, his shadow.

  Tinker Bell flies overhead and sparkles guests with pixie dust as they exit the nursery.

  The Attraction

  On their journey to Never Land, guests travel in open air pirate ships that are suspended from an above-head track. The manner in which the ride vehicles travel through the scenes of the attraction presented Imagineers with a unique challenge:

  The attraction indicates the type of thought that goes into the selection of each ride vehicle system. With any attraction, the first step is to try to understand the story you want to tell and the particular hook (sorry!) that makes it interesting. For Peter Pan’s Flight, we would want to fly through the show. So a system with an overhead track was devised—suspending the vehicle so that it can be carried through the show space as though flying under its own power. This choice dictates the sight lines available to Guests and, therefore, the staging of the show scenes. A designer typically doesn’t have to worry about what a set looks like from the top, but in this case, it really matters.

  —The Imagineers, The Imagineering Field Guide to the Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World, Imagineer’s-Eye Tour (2005
), 90.

  The ride vehicles start with a hard left turn after departing the attraction’s boarding area and fly over the Darling family nursery. If guests look closely they will see Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy sitting at a table having a tea party. Wendy reads a bedtime story to John and Michael, who lay in their beds. The silhouette of Peter Pan’s shadow appears on the nursery wall. Peter Pan then proclaims, “Come on everybody, here we go!” Tinker Bell sprinkles some glowing pixie dust as Nana barks at the galleon flying overhead.

  Upon leaving the nursery, guests fly over London in one of the most breathtaking scenes in any Disney attraction. The gorgeous cityscape is painted with dark blues and twinkling lights. Included amongst the sights are miniature versions of the Thames River, the Tower Bridge, Big Ben, and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Guests can see the moving lights of the traffic and hear the honks of horns from the busy streets below. The silhouettes of Peter Pan, Wendy, Michael, and John fly cross the moon in the distance.

  As the pirate ships enter Never Land, the landscape turns to mountains, volcanoes, bright streams and flowers, all glowing by virtue of “blacklight” illumination techniques. The ominous voice of Captain Hook orders, “Fire, Mr. Smee!” A miniature version of Hook’s pirate ship can be seen below the ride vehicles, with a flashing light indicating a firing canon. To the left of the ride vehicles, guests can see the camp of the Lost Boys, with the various members huddled around a fire.

  Up ahead, to the right-hand side of the pirate ships, is Mermaid Lagoon. The blue water of the lagoon shines bright, as three mermaids (noticeably two less than depicted in the portrait in the queue), lay upon rocks. One mermaid runs her hand through the water, another plays a harp, and the third stares into a mirror while patting her hair.