Pinocchio Peers Out Over The Attraction's Entrance

personal preference

stars: 3 (out of 5)
It's the "new kid on the block," as far as Fantasyland dark rides go (despite being over 20 years old). It undeservedly takes knocks as the lesser of the group, even though it is a solid attraction.

vital stats

free association

. . . Probably the least popular Fantasyland dark ride. There's never really a line and many Disney afficionadoes dislike it. I really don't know why. It is imagined and executed well and it portrays the story perfectly. I suppose there's just not really anything outstanding about the attraction and purists shun it because it's not an "original" dark ride. . .

. . . Some of my favorite features of Pinocchio are the working cuckoo clocks in Gepetto's workshop, the attack of Monstro as he lunges towards your vehicle, and the giant cage that Stromboli throws you in. . .

. . . I had the pleasure of touring Pinocchio with the lights on during an Annual Passholder party. What was most remarkable was the so-called "High Striker" (The "Ring the Bell, Win a Prize" carnival game) in the Pleasure Island scene. The noise from the compressed air that sends the "dinger" to hit the bell is extremely loud without the ambient music and really surprised me. . .

pointless trivia

• Music for the ride was re-orchestrated and recorded from arrangements that were used in the original animated feature. The chorus that was used as a background for "When You Wish Upon a Star" included a singer that performed on the original soundtrack. (Disney News, Winter 1983-84)
• Pinocchio was built on the site of the old Fantasyland Theater.
• The Magic Kingdom in Florida is the only Disney park to not have a Pinocchio dark ride. (The French version is called "Les Voyages de Pinocchio"). (Disney A to Z)
• The Tokyo Disneyland "Daring Journey" opened a little more than a month earlier than its Disneyland counterpart. (Ibid)
• Groundbreaking special effects that had their debut in the ride include fiber optics and holograms. (Ibid)
• TEST: Name the evil Puppeteer who captures Pinocchio. Answer Below

Answer: Stromboli

peter pan's flight		sleeping beauty's castle