No Changes For Pinocchio's Daring Journey

Before Disneyland had the Pinocchio’s Daring Journey attraction, there was the Mickey Mouse Club Theatre. Note the Mickey head in the Tournament Festival shield above the tent awning:



The same shot in genuine FauxD©:



Part of the 1983 Fantasyland remodel changing this piece of real estate into the dark ride that belong’s to our animated wooden friend who became a real little boy.



This shot was taken approximately eight years later on April 16, 1991 and shows Gepetto’s workshop, featured towards the end of the ride:



From January 2007, there doesn’t appear to be any change:



From May 2009, I shot this closeup of the musical wooden figures on the dresser/armoire. I wonder what’s inside that piece of furniture?



Same kettle, figures, and clocks in May 2012:



October 2014:



February 2016:



Even the rocking horse seen in 1991 is still here, as of May 2016:



If you’re averse to change, this attraction may be the one for you!

See more Pinocchio's Daring Journey photos at my main website.

3D Jamboree!

This undated 1950’s shot of the Disneyland Opera House makes one yearn when the place wasn’t a victim of over-population. Zooming in, we can see that the Opera House still doesn’t have any attractions inside; instead, it touts the “3D Jamboree” movie playing over in Fantasyland. 



Its official release date is June 16, 1956, and it played at the Fantasyland Theatre (the space now occupied by the Pinocchio’s Daring Journey dark ride) until January 1964. The movie was comprised of two animated shorts, “Melody” (1953) and “Working for Peanuts” (1953), shown in 3D, presented by the Mouseketeers.



From the D23 website:

The Mickey Mouse Club Theater Theater in Fantasyland at Disneyland showed Disney cartoons; opened August 27, 1955, changed its name to Fantasyland Theater in 1964, and closed December 20, 1981. At one time, the 3D Jamboree was featured, and guests donned polarized glasses to watch Mouseketeers and Disney cartoons in 3-D.

The Mouseketeers pre-filming a sequence in front of the theater for the Opening Day telecast:



Annette is visible in the background, along with Roy Williams at center and Jimmy Dodd on the right, standing next to Minnie Mouse—the creepy version!







Back to D23:

The cartoon fare in the theater changed from time to time, and the theater itself was only open during busy periods. Before the theater was built in the Opera House as the home to Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, this was the only auditorium in the park, so it was also used for press conferences and cast member events. It made way for Pinocchio’s Daring Journey in the new Fantasyland in 1983.



One important fact the article left out was the air conditioning, which helped make it a popular attraction on blazing hot summer days!



In this February 1959 shot, the movies have changed to “Pecos Bill” (1948) and “El Gaucho Goofy” (1943).



See more Disneyland Opera House photos at my main website.

FINAL 80s Flashback: More Fantasyland

Today we take a final peak at Disneyland during the decade of my youth, starting with two angles of the Casey Junior attraction (former) ticket booth.



A few "you are there" style shots from the attraction itself:





Looks like you're SOL if you want to purchase something at Gepetto’s Arts and Crafts shop. I am guessing these shots were captured early morning before the Park was open, so if you can juuuuuuust wait a few hours, you might be able to get a trinket here.



The entrance to the Pinocchio attraction:



The Snow White attraction exterior:



A zoom-in view of the attraction entrance door and signage:



Another view of the exterior, featuring the "gargoyles":



Love this detail of the ravens on the skulls:



Still there today!



You know you've been to Disneyland too many times, when...



you're able to recognize a building exterior from the corner of one letter.



Back to the 80s exterior of Peter Pan's Flight:



One of King Arthur's Carrousel:



Kind of Alice's exterior, but also a bathroom exterior...I'll leave it up to you how you want to classify it:



Final one for the series has us whisking off from the now defunct Fantasyland Skyway Station:



See more Disneyland photos at my main website.

Inside the Fantasyland Theatre

Before Pinocchio's Daring Journey joined the dark rides of Fantasyland, that space was occupied by the Fantasyland Theater. Wonder what it looked like inside? Let's follow Alice in Wonderland who was gracious enough to take these two little gals inside one day back in July 1963.

Here's a rare interior view of the theater with Papotin's Revue in progress.



Let's zoom into what the spotlight is focused on:



This shot is even more rare considering the show only ran a few months in 1963. Direct from Paris...Andre Tahon & Papotin's Revue. A delightful musical fantasy starring the incomparable puppet-master, Andre Tahon. A show that will appeal to the young at heart of all ages.

And it only required 1 "E" coupon.

More vintage and current Fantasyland photos at my main website.

Pinocchio's Daring Journey

Pinocchio's Daring Journey is a dark ride that doesn't get a lot of love here; today I will attempt to rectify that with photos from my last ride through.

Get into your vehicle and awaaaaaay we go!



Welcome to Stromboli's Puppet Theatre!



The happy faces you see…



hide the evil Stromboli that runs the show.



Jiminy Cricket attempts to warn Pinocchio.



But to no avail. He enters Pleasure Island anyway.



Looks good so far, doesn't it?



Do you think it's buttered?



Things start to get a little seedier...



and then the truth is revealed.





Watch out for Monstro!



Jiminy Cricket returns to the scene.



The Blue Fairy arrives to make it all right.



Our last vision of Pinocchio shows him as a puppet still. No real boy on this attraction.



Last shot of Jiminy Cricket.



To grainy to get a good view of his medal.



A few closing shots of Gepetto's Workshop.





The exit mural:



Hope you enjoyed your ride through!

More of the wooden boy that became human on my main website.