In the late 1980s, CEO Michael Eisner challenged WED to design for Disneyland an attraction based on Disney Animation’s then-biggest hit: The Little Mermaid. Imagineer Tony Baxter was again assigned to lead the design on the new attraction, a true successor to the Fantasyland dark rides of yesteryear.
But where to put it? The Enchanted Snow Palace had taken up the real estate next to “it’s a small world,” and Dumbo’s Circusland had occupied the remainder of Fantasyland for almost a decade until that point. That’s when it was suggested, “what if Fantasyland had an entire forest hidden in plain sight?” Fantasy Forest was thereafter “discovered.”
Found beyond the outermost walls of Sleeping Beauty Castle and the tents of Dumbo’s Circusland is an area of Disneyland that transports us into an enchanted world, a diverse forest the likes of which we’ve never before seen. This realm brought together several of Disney’s most beloved animated characters like never before, including those from The Little Mermaid and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.
According to legend, Fantasy Forest existed long before it opened to the Disneyland public. The characters and creatures of Walt Disney’s animated classics - Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - retired to an enchanted forest hidden away from the hustle of Hollywood. Walt Disney himself knew of this forest, and chose the site of Disneyland based on its closeness to the fairy tale knights, dragons and princesses of his animated canon. In fact, Fantasyland was built right next door so that his beloved fantasy characters could come and visit with guests as they pleased.
In 1990, the residents of Fantasy Forest gathered and made an important decision - they would live in secret no longer. They decided to open the bridge to their secret oasis and announced that it would be open to Disneyland visitors in 1993. Since then, guests of all ages have been able to explore the magic and mystery of the Fantasy Forest - an ever-changing hamlet of tranquil beauty and Disney’s wondrous nostalgia.
The Forest is entered beneath the tracks of the Disneyland Railroad and through a passage of magnificent springwaters and soaring rock formations. Waterfalls mark our entrance into a kingdom near-surreal and isolated from the rest of the Park. Small World Plaza behind us, we find ourselves in the shadow of these beautiful, supernatural rock formations - thundering cascades, shimmering rainbows, and lush foliage accent these mysterious formations designed in the not-so-subtle image of Disney characters - Cinderella, Aladdin, Belle, Peter Pan, and the Magic Mirror among others - an incredible effect that would not be replicated again until the opening of Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea in 2024. A magnificent wilderness awaits on the other side. As night falls, the waters undulate in an ethereal, otherworldly light.
A river divides the forest from the road we have taken and travels through the vast woodlands throughout, allowing the road to take many quaint footbridges and lush poolsides. Our grand-entry takes us first across an arched footbridge, churned beneath by a thundering waterfall from a nearby rock formation in the shape of an ogre. The bridge is inhabited beneath by none other than the troll from The Three Billy Goats Gruff, making this footbridge effectively a “Troll Bridge.” This three-headed creature might have a grim sense of humor and a big appetite for Disneyland guests, but don't be alarmed, he's just as goofy and ugly as the same three-headed troll once found in Epcot's Maelstrom attraction. In fact, he is the same!
In the endless acreage of medieval ruins and trees on the other side of the Troll Bridge, we are immersed by the orchestral sounds of European wildlife and mysterious music. It follows our journey as we discover a wooded “wonderland” beyond our wildest dreams. At any moment, one might expect a chance encounter with a fearsome dragon, or a fleeting glance at a knight on his galloping steed. The crumbling arch of a tower frames a “postcard view” of granny’s house from Little Red Riding Hood in a charming glen and - is something snoring inside? The very pavement in which we walk upon tells a story - wolf tracks, wheel lines, horseshoes, and dragon claw prints hint at the stories happening out of sight.
First we visit the woodland estate of Cinderella, located right here in the forest, where Cinderella lives with her wicked Stepmother and Stepsisters. The Pumpkin Coach is right outside the entrance to Cinderella’s Chateau. A hands-on training session with the Fairy Godmother will help us prepare Cinderella for the Royal Ball, while also enlisting the assistance of brave young “coachmen” and “handmaidens” to retell the Cinderella story through simple props and comical costumes. Cinderella is transformed from rags to riches right before our very eyes, and one lucky child will get to experience a magical transformation of their very own. A second Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique can be found here, though here it shares the attraction space and name. Old Mr. McGregor has hand-grown the fruits and vegetables sold at McGregor’s Produce Cart down the road, a nod to the 1901 children’s book The Tale of Peter Rabbit. The faux vegetable garden nearby is ransacked by adorable Audio-Animatronics rabbits, with Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail, and Peter poking their heads in and out of every which way in the garden.
The Gingerbread House of Hansel & Gretel (Tim Burton’s Hansel & Gretel) is home to a wicked witch with a candy cane nose - and what so happens to be Fantasyland’s largest candy shop. Aurora’s Cottage is close by, where Flora, Fauna and Merryweather are holding a surprise birthday in honor of Princess Aurora’s 16th birthday. This magical “Sweet Sixteen” invites party guests to make birthday cards and greetings for the young Briar Rose. Although she won’t be awake for much longer, Aurora does arrive at the party, mixing and mingling for all to enjoy. Of course, Maleficent is not invited. Goldilocks & Co., with a clever logo in the silhouette of Goldilocks and her Three Bears, is found inside the cottage of the bears. It seems as if the invasive Goldilocks has turned the vacant residence into a pawn shop of sorts where she sells the bears’ belongings. Naturally, the “belongings” for sale are Disney Princess merchandise and the like.
The above attractions and elements opened with the rest of Fantasy Forest in 1993, the attractions as simple meet ‘n’ greet locations with interactive elements in their queues. When Fantasy Faire opened in 2013 as another simple, equally well-themed meet ‘n’ greet location, the Chateau and Cottage received a fresh new spin, creating hands-on, interactive experiences, as opposed to “waiting in line for an hour, meeting the princess, and instantly leaving,” as one Imagineer put it.
The Fantasyland Theatre was another Opening Day attraction for Fantasy Forest. The first ever Broadway-style theater at Disneyland, the Fantasyland Theatre is hidden between towering trees and tucked between lush waterfalls. Both the exterior and interior of the theater were inspired by the forest - beautiful tapestries and murals celebrate the woodland creatures and forests of classic Disney Animation, from Beauty and the Beast to Bambi. However, due to budget at the time, the theater sat long vacant.
The first major production to appear at the Fantasy Forest Theatre was Animazement in 1998, which replaced a long-running musical revue of Disney songs, a decidedly boring and not-so-enchanting spectacle for such a spectacular venue. Animazement brought together the characters and stories of the Disney Renaissance. “It’s a daunting task bringing all these stories together. In fact, it’s ‘Animazement.’” Animazement came and went, and in came Disney’s Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular in early 2003. The much beloved show ran until 2016 - a run of almost 13 years! - when it - actually, it’s still running today. The long-running smash hit of Disneyland celebrated 20 years of performances in 2023.
Inspired by “Alice’s Curious Labyrinth” at the then-new Disneyland Paris, Fantasy Forest debuted with Unicorn’s Cove, a labyrinthine hedge, forest and cavern-themed maze that would later inspire concepts for Beastly Kingdom at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, an unrealized land themed to the myths and legends of the animal world. The mysterious trails, streams and caverns ahead provide exploration amidst the fantastical settings experienced, with luscious, technicolor waterfalls, glistening crystal grottoes, and an enchanted spring for rest and reflection, the home of an encounter with the Cove’s namesake unicorn and the fantastic geysers that surround it.
Fantasy Forest encompasses a key location in every classic fairy tale: the woods. Tall trees provide a lush hideaway for those wishing to evade the law or the spiteful eyes of a wicked witch or stepmother. Trickling streams and miniature waterfalls roll along the side of the road, while the occasional cottage or castle ruin protrudes from amongst the tree stumps and tops. Two such of these fairy tale settings are found in a hidden clearing backed by an impressive mountain range with an even taller waterfall.
When Fantasy Springs opened at Tokyo DisneySea in June of 2024, it opened with two attractions themed to the classic animated film Tangled, the first was a restaurant, The Snuggly Duckling, the second a gondola ride, Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival. Both were built simultaneously in Disneyland’s own Fantasy Forest, a conjoint attraction and restaurant exclusivity deal with the Tokyo Disney Resort and the OLC, the latter who owns the former.
The Snuggly Duckling not only has a large tree growing into it, but also appears from the outside looking in to be slanted and sloped at an unrealistic, impossible angle, just like it was in the film. The watering hole of famous thugs and ruffians, hook-handed or otherwise, has a menu full of “dreamy” fare, from Duckling Dream Turkey Legs and Cheeseburgers to Pastrami Dream Dips and a live pianist for the evening’s entertainment. Everyone’s got a dream here, from the weapons lodged in the walls and ceiling, to the fliers advertising “Hook Hand’s ‘I’ve Got a Dream’ World Tour.” “Sounding Sharper Than Ever! Performing in a Kingdom Near You!”
In a romantic voyage through the blossoming romance and “best day ever” of Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival begins outdoors under the shadow of Rapunzel’s Tower, where its namesake resident sings “When Will My Life Begin” from her opened window, both she and the tower viewed and heard from near and far. Previously this area in the Enchanted Forest was a water playground themed to The Little Mermaid and King Triton.
The voyage in itself is simple. There is no conflict, there is no drama. The scenes are gorgeous, faithful to the film, faithful to the romantic setting and elements, free of villainy, full of romance. It is in essence the heart and soul of the Fantasy Forest theme.
Imagineers long desired an attraction themed to The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh for Disneyland. Pooh had been a popular character since the publication of Winnie the Pooh in 1926, and a venerable star of Disney Animation since Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree released in 1966. Still, he did not make his debut in a Disneyland attraction until the opening of Pooh's Hunny Hunt in 2003.
Pooh’s Hunny Hunt brings to life the delightful tales of the “bear with very little brain” and all of his friends from the Hundred Acre Wood. Pooh’s Thoughtful Spot, a meet ‘n’ greet location and themed playground had opened with Fantasy Forest in 1993, and had guaranteed for a full decade prior the appearance of Pooh and his Friends from the Hundred Acre Wood with its slides, tire swings and familiar locales of the Hundred Acre Wood. Pooh Corner, which was later and conveniently attached to the exit of Pooh’s Hunny Hunt, is a charming cottage overflowing with charming British decor, baked goods and merchandise from all corners of the Wood.
Pooh’s Hunny Hunt was the first “trackless dark ride" in the world, debuted first at Tokyo Disneyland on September 4, 2000. It soon became the most popular attraction overseas, with wait times no shorter than two hours at a time. Its success led WED to petition for its addition to a vacant corner of Fantasy Forest. Management agreed, and with a budget of $130 million, Pooh's Hunny Hunt opened inside a large, cottage-sized storybook in the summer of 2003 at Disneyland.
In vehicles fashioned to resemble honey pots, we soon learn our vehicle has no visible track - in fact, the pots move through the fully realized scenes and pages of the storybook at a constant speed, independently moving, starting, stopping, dancing, reversing direction, spinning, and holding a mind all their own. In one scene Tigger invites us to bounce - and we bounce along with him - and in another scene, Heffalumps and Woozles transform our (and Pooh’s) flight of fantasy into a colorful, whirling, twirling nightmare. The still groundbreaking adventure is accompanied by the musical score from the Winnie the Pooh featurettes, and was incorporated into the attraction under the supervision of Disney Legends Richard M. Sherman and Buddy Baker. Richard, along with his brother Robert B. Sherman, wrote the songs and Buddy conducted and arranged the score for the original featurettes.
The whole reason for Forest Forest being is Under the Sea: Journey of The Little Mermaid.
Imagineers at first toyed with the idea of an entire The Little Mermaid land in lieu of what would become Fantasy Forest. At Eisner’s insistence for a The Little Mermaid attraction, “Mermaid Lagoon” was envisioned as an “underwater kingdom” to the northern berm of Fantasyland, concealed in a black-lit dome with an exterior fashioned to resemble the kingdom of Atlantica, and the dome’s interior as a snapshot of the film’s famous “Under the Sea” sequence, featuring carnival flat-rides themed to marine animals, and a “C-Ticket” dark ride as the starring feature.
When ideas evolved and other characters filtered in, the ideas were allocated to creating an E-Ticket dark ride instead, with a whole forest and lagoon carved around it. Prince Eric’s Castle and its surrounding bluffs, lovingly adapted from the film and set sometime after its happily ever after, became the second major castle in Fantasyland, and captured the royal estate in a slight state of ruin after decades of weatherwear. A sub-tropical lagoon sits at the base of a salty waterfall, with remnants of a majestic sailing ship strewn along its jagged rocks and shores, and, too, a full shipwreck in the foreground with Ariel as the figurehead. We enter a sea cavern at low tide and meander the sandswept tunnels and ruins within the castle. The ceiling of one such rotunda is graced with mosaics depicting ferocious sea monsters and naval battles, including one with a giant octopus that resembles a certain sea witch.
A song-filled “shell-abration” in a floating seashell (similar to Peter Pan’s Flight), our underwater journey takes us fathoms below on a tour of scenes from the film, including Ariel’s grotto and a graveyard of lost ships. Immersive effects and fully-dimensional scenes of song and dance recreate each unforgettable scene from the film that kickstarted the Disney Renaissance. Sebastian conducts a spectacularly realized “Under the Sea” sequence, followed by the eel and soul-infested lair of Ursula before her startling transformation into a gargantuan, hulking kraken amidst a raging maelstrom. We emerge from the depths in time to celebrate Ariel’s happily ever after in a romantic fairytale finale of fireworks.
Gadgets & Gizmos Aplenty is held inside an “above-the-surface” recreation of Ariel’s famous grotto, right down to the statue of Prince Eric and treasures untold strewn along its rocky walls. Ariel’s Grotto itself is in the cave nearby, the all-too-appropriate meet ‘n’ greet location for the Little Mermaid herself.
Fantasy Forest has a vast “nature trail” that follows along the backside of the railroad tracks and through to the other side of Disneyland itself, the southwestern stretch of Frontierland known as Folktale Forest. Because there are no attractions on our journey to this secondary fantastical realm, the beautiful streams, hills and trees are sporadically dotted by static vignettes of classic fairy tale scenes and Silly Symphonies. Here Humpty Dumpty is sat on a wall, not quite yet having had his great fall. The Flowers and Trees sing and dance, and the Cookie Carnival is seen at a moment’s glance. Elmer Elephant and Tillie Tiger share a kiss, the Tortoise and the Hare have their race, and The Wise Little Hen enlists the help of a reluctant Donald Duck and Peter Pig in baking her famous bread. Peter and the Wolf even appears in a snowy cutaway. Several other vignettes are also here, but it would take too long to name them all!
The Fantasy Forest Trail was added in an effort to round-out the entirety of Disneyland. Folktale Forest had long been a dead end, and foot traffic often congested in Frontierland and Fantasyland as a result. By leaving this remarkably quaint walking corridor intact, guests can escape the hustle and bustle of the rest of the Park and just enjoy a moment’s peace, with ample opportunity for seating and snacking along the way. As we draw near the American Folktale Forest, the vignettes transition from European fairy tales and settings to American, including those of Johnny Appleseed and Paul Bunyan. The figure of Paul Bunyan and Babe stand at 25 and 15-feet, respectively, and Paul’s hat can be seen from the Rivers of America!
***Next time: Tomorrowland!
I'll do a full breakdown of Fantasyland soon, including anything that might not have been mentioned, but woof, that was a lot of work to get all those sub-lands done and out!
I love the detail that Flight of Passage and the Guardians ride opened on the same day even in the mirrored timeline, meaning Joe Rohde couldn’t escape having to be at both premieres in one day in either timeline
