Peter Pan’s Flight has been operating since the opening day of the Magic Kingdom back in October 1, 1971, and continues to draw in huge crowds and long waits.
Perhaps it’s the attraction’s combination of nostalgia and fancy that continues to bring in the crowds who wish to experience the magic of flying out the bedroom window, soaring over London, defeating the pirates, and living happily ever after.
After Disney opened the new Tangled Rest Area in Fantasyland, they were able to shut down the bathrooms that once stood near Peter Pan’s Flight and create a new interactive queue to entertain guests during the sometimes very long wait times.
In my opinion this queue is wonderfully done.
Inside the New Queue
Let’s take a look inside the new Peter Pan’s Flight queue.
The queue begins with some beautiful artwork depicting iconic scenes from the 1953 film. You get a chance to see the mermaids as well as Peter Pan himself.
Soon you are outside the home of George and Mary Darling. You can see them through the window, and you enter into their house where you encounter pictures of the family.
Next you stroll through the children’s bedrooms. The children aren’t there, but you can see something special is happening. Using some high-tech projections, pixie dust appears.
As you pass by an interactive wall, you can summon a butterfly to land on your finger or ring some bells that occasionally appear in the shadow above your head. The effect is fun. It does cause some starting and stopping of the line, but there seems to be enough space between this interactive station and the eventual loading area of the ride so that there is no true delay in the ongoing loading process.
Stellar Storytelling
From a storytelling perspective, I think Disney really hit it out of the park (pun intended). This new queue is a perfect introduction to the story, where you enter the house, see something special is about to happen, and then get a sprinkling of fairy dust. You then board the traditional ride and take off through the bedroom window on your adventure!
Beyond all that, it will also provide some new, air conditioned space to help guests stay cool during the long lines of the summer.
Do you like the new queue for Peter Pan’s Flight?