Storybook Land Canal Boats

Disneyland:

Storybook Land Canal Boats is one of my favourite attractions at Disneyland. I love the simplicity of it and always enjoy hearing the Cast Members share the fairy tales as guests float past the miniature scenes from Disney classic animated films. I remember often being chosen as the “Whale Watcher” when I was young and being allowed to sit facing forward on the very front bow. I doubt this would ever be allowed now!

Technically, Storybook Land Canal Boats is an opening day attraction, though on July 17, 1955 the ride looked very different. Walt had originally wanted to create an entire miniature city that the boats would sail around and the city would be inhabited by small audio animatronics. He got the idea from a miniature land in The Netherlands called Madurodam and he was going to name his version Lilliputian Land after his wife. This idea was ahead of its time in terms of technology so the next idea was to create miniature models of famous world landmarks. This led to the name Canal Boats of the World.

Canal Boats of the World opened with the “canal” part but not the “world” part. The boats would just float around muddy canals with nothing to look at as the models were not ready. This attraction was only open for two months before closing due to mudslides along the banks and boat problems. When it reopened on June 16, 1956, plants were added along the banks to prevent mudslides and the models were changed from famous landmarks to scenes from Disney films. Over the years addition scenes from newer films have become part of the attraction, but it has stayed relatively the same since 1956. The old ticket booth is even still out front, though it only serves as an entrance sign now. Fun Fact: Apparently the little doors on the models actually open so Imagineers can change the lightbulbs inside when they burn out.

Tour of Storybook Land Canal Boats:

The journey begins by sailing through the mouth of Monstro the whale from Pinocchio.

First Scene: From the Silly Symphony: The Three Little Pigs. The Big Bad Wolf’s home as well as Fiddler, Fifer, and Practical Pigs’ homes made of straw, sticks, and bricks.

Second Scene: From Alice in Wonderland: A small English village and the White Rabbit’s hole.

Third Scene: From Peter Pan: London Park where Peter Pan and the Darling Children flew over on their way to Neverland.

Fourth Scene: From Aladdin: The Sultan’s palace and the city of Agrabah. Then boats sail under rose covered archways where Aladdin and Jasmine flew over, sideways, and under on their magic carpet ride. Afterwards, the boats sail through the Cave of Wonders.

Fifth Scene: From Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: The dwarfs’ cottage in the woods.

Sixth Scene: From Cinderella: The French country village and the towering castle. Cinderella’s pumpkin carriage is on the road, fleeing from the ball.

Seventh Scene: From the Silly Symphony Lullaby Land: The flora-made patchwork quilt.

Eighth Scene: From The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad: Ratty’s small home and the stately manor Toad Hall.

Ninth Scene: From Frozen: The village of Arendelle with Elsa and Anna’s castle, Elsa’s ice palace, and Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post.

Tenth Scene: From Pinocchio: Geppetto’s woodcarving shop and Alpine village.

Eleventh Scene: From The Little Mermaid: Prince Eric’s castle and ship, followed by the city of Atlantica.

Disneyland Paris:

Disneyland Paris has their own version of this attraction called Le Pays des Contes de Fées which opened two years after the Park did. This attraction does not have Cast Members who guide the guests on a tour of the fairy tales, rather the boats travel along a wire in constant motion, almost like an underwater omnimover system. A storybook is placed in each scene so guests can know which fairy tale the scene takes place from. Characters from each film can also been seen as part of the model which differs from the Disneyland version. Both versions are found in Fantasyland and intertwine with the Casey Jr. Circus Train attraction.

Tour of Le Pays des Contes de Fées:

First Scene: From Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: The dwarf’s diamond mind with Dopey and the dwarfs’ cottage.

Second Scene: From Tangled: Rapunzel’s tower with Flynn Rider climbing up her hair and Rapunzel at the top.

Third Scene: From Hansel and Gretel: The witch’s gingerbread house.

Fourth Scene: From the Silly Symphony The Old Mill: The old mill.

Fifth Scene: From The Little Mermaid: Price Eric’s castle and ship. Prince Eric is looking out of a balcony from his castle.

Sixth Scene: From Fantasia “The Pastoral Symphony.”: A Greek temple and Mount Olympus.

Seventh Scene: From Make Mine Music: Peter and the Wolf: A snow covered forest and cottage with Peter trekking through the snow and the wolf hiding nearby.

Eighth scene: From Fantasia “Night on Bald Mountain.”: A village with the Chernobog standing atop castle ruins.

Ninth Scene: From Aladdin: The Cave of Wonders (with the actual tiger’s mouth entrance!) and Abu trying to steal a ruby.

Tenth Scene: From The Sword in the Stone: The sword in the stone.

Eleventh Scene: From Beauty and the Beast: Belle’s village with Belle sitting on the fountain reading to sheep. The Beast’s castle is in the background.

Twelfth Scene: From Return to Oz: The Emerald City with Dorothy, the Tinman, the Scarecrow, and the Cowardly Lion.

 

Have you been on both Storybook Land and Le Pays des Contes de Fées? Which little scene is your favourite? If you could add another miniature scene, which would it be?