The less scarey version was done in the mid to late 90's. Guests complained that al you saw was the Witch throughout the ride. What people didn't grasp was you were taking the role of Snow White, somewhat. It was all the Witch and a scene with the Dwarfs going after her.
I loved the older version but I can understand parents complaining because it was a ride in Fantasyland and it scared the kids too much.
Here's what I remember of the ride:
The loading area looked like a castle courtyard and part of the surrounding area. A waterfall was on the wall using mylar strips that moved to simulate moving water falling from a mountain. The exit of the ride looked like the Dwarves' diamond mine. The cars are the same as the ones today: look like they are carved out of wood with a Dwarf's name on the front of each one. They have two rows fitting two adults in each row. The car takes off around the wishing well (you also hear Snow White singing the song, "I'm Wishing") and then turns toward the "castle" entrance. There is a window above the entrance that the Evil Queen parts the curtains and stares down at you as you approach. The loading area is pretty much the same as it was before the change.
Once you enter it all becomes very sinister for the rest of the ride. You are in a dark castle chamber. The car moves toward the Wicked Queen. Her back is to you with her arms raised. You see her reflection in the magic mirror in front of you. She says: "Mirror, mirror, on the wall..." Just as you get to her she spins and it's the Wicked Witch who cackles at you.
You travel into the castle dungeon. You see a skeleton in a cell with a huge spider descending on him (I always wondered if this was the same spider they use in the HM). You go by another cell where the skeleton's head is sticking out through the bars. He tells you to "Go Back, go back!" All around are blinking rat eyes. This was so cool because they were everywhere. You ride into another room where a huge cut-out shelf, full of cutout beakers and jars, tilts and you hear crashing glass. You then see the Witch holding an apple over her cauldron. Then through another door and you are in the swamp. There's a dark tunnel to your left that the Witch, in a boat, slides out and says "See the apple?". There are alligators on both sides of the car that move back and forth; but they also look like logs, as well. One of the alligators lunges and follows the car as you pass. Then you weaved back and forth as the creepy trees reached and lunged for you. Another neat effect was after the last tree these eyes floating up from the swamp and dissappearing like more monster rising up to get you. You turn a corner and enter the Dwarves' cottage. You first see all the anthropamorfied [SP?] furniture and woodland critters looking horrified. You turn a corner and see all the Dwarves on the stairs up toward a door. There is a shadow of a ghostly figure projected on the wall right in front of the door. One of the Dwarves, Doc I think, is saying something like "She went this way!" Dopey is at the end of the line holding a candle, looking like he's ready to bolt in the opposite direction. You approach one of those barn doors with only the top half open. The Witch slides into view cackling at you. You turn and leave the cottage. You see a sign pointing to the diamond mine. You enter and a cart full of diamonds rolls at you head-on. You pass by another tunnel and the Witch laughs and it echos as if she's waiting down that path for you. You make another turn and she's standing in front of you pushing a support beam. She says "Enjoy the ride, dearie!" and pushes the beam. Then other beams are tilting and you hear the sounds of creaking beams and rock caving in. You go into another room and the witch is on a ledge above you next to a huge gem. She has a large pole wedged under it and is prying it out to drop on you. As you approach the Witch says "Good-bye, dearie!" and the gem tilts out. You pass under it into a final, tiny room full of strobe lights and explosion shaped lights. You were hit by the gem and this is the result. This effect was one of the other great parts I remember about the ride. Your car then exits out to the unload area.
I know I probably got a few parts wrong but you get the basic idea of it. The Witch was always popping out at you; it was a blast. A classic dark ride with some well known characters and scenes. I was sad to see it go for a "kinder, gentler" version where you actually see Snow White.
