Fantasyland
"Fantasyland is dedicated to the young and the young at heart; to
those who believe that when you wish upon a star, your dreams do come true." - Walt Disney, at the dedication of Fantasyland
Fantasyland! The land of fairy tales and your favorite Disney friends!
This is the place to relive all your favorite Disney adventures with Snow
White, Peter Pan and Alice. The kids love it! After you go through Sleeping
Beauty Castle into Fantasyland, you're in a totally different and fun place!
Attractions
Alice in Wonderland -
this follows Alice's adventures just like the movie. You come face to face
with the Queen of Hears, the Mad Hatter and Hare, the Caterpillar (actually,
you're in him) and all the others!
Casey Jr. Circus Train -
a circus train where you're the animals. People load into this small train
for a little ride.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant -
climb aboard into everybody's favorite elephant and fly around Fantasyland
Fantasyland Autopia -
you actually drive these small cars all around the Fantasyland track. There's
another one kinda like it in Tomorrowland.
It's a Small World, presented by Mattel Toys -
the one, the only! Everybody must ride this one. It's a trip through many
of the world's countries as they sing the same song. It just goes to show
it really is a small world.
King Arthur Carousel -
the merry-go round! Plop your kids in one of 72 brightly decorated horses and stand and wave
as they go by. Or you can ride along with 'em too!
Matterhorn Bobsleds -
the Matterhorn! It's what everybody first sees of Disneyland, even from
the freeway. My family and I always makes a game out of who can see it
first coming closer to Disneyland from the city! It's actually a perfect
1/100 model of the real Matterhorn in Switzerland. It actually was inspired
by the Disney movie "Third Man on the Mountain" which was inspired by Walt's
love for Switzerland and the mountain too. The ride picks up where the
movie leaves off. I heard that there's actually a basketball court in the
very top! This was because when the thing was built, the only buildings
allowed to be that high by city regulations were sports facilities. Well,
about the ride. It's one of every ones, favorites! As you wait in line,
you listen to that Swiss music and then off you go! Speeding around in
a bobsled in the Matterhorn. This one bumps you around a little bit. If
you get the chance to look in between fly-bys, look out over Disneyland.
You can see practically the whole thing. I like doing this one at night
again so I see it all lighted up. It's beautiful! I recommend holding on
to hats and glasses (you'll see the result of those who didn't) and not
putting your hands up. As much as you may be tempted, the ceilings look
quite low to me. The Matterhorn used to have the Sky Buckets going through
it, until they were taken out a few years back. Also, beware of the Abominable
Snowman! Gosh, he used to freak me out when I was little!
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride -
this is a journey with J. Thaddeus Toad through his movie adventures. This
one scared me when I was little too, don't ask me why!
Peter Pan's Flight -
this is a fun ride in Peter ship over Neverland and past Captain Hook.
Pinocchio's Daring Journey -
this follows the adventures the little wooden head had in the movie.
Sleeping Beauty Castle -
not only is it a major Disney landmark, there is the story of Sleeping
Beauty inside of it portrayed in moving models. The picturesque castle is 77 feet tall and definately worth a visit.
Snow White's Scary Adventures -
the name says it! This ride follows Snow White and her seven Vertically
Impaired friends (I don't want to upset anybody.)
Storybook Land Canal Boats -
in you go through Monstro's mouth and into Storybook Land. You visit the
houses of all your favorite Disney character's.
Stores
Camera Kiosk, presented by Kodak
Candy Cart
Castle Princess Shop
Fantasy Faire
The Villian's Lair
Geppetto's Toys and Gifts
Heraldry Shoppe
It's a Small World Toy Shop, hosted by Mattel Toys
Le Petit Chalet Gifts
Mad Hatter
Names Unraveled
Stromboli's Wagon
Tinker Bell Toy Shoppe
Restaurants
Meeko's
Village Haus Restaurant, hosted by Minute Maid
SOMETHING YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT FANTASYLAND:
The drawbridge to Sleeping Beauty's Castle, really does work. It was lowered
on opening day, July 17, 1955 and stayed lowered until the major Fantasyland reconstruction in the '80's. Then with the rededication of Fantasyland, it was lowered again and has been that way since.