Walt Disney Imagineering files permit for Peter Pan's Flight at Walt Disney World

11 days ago in "Peter Pan's Flight"

Forum Forums Tweet Share Tweet Share

Posted: Tuesday May 7, 2024 1:12pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Walt Disney Imagineering has filed a new permit for Peter Pan's Flight at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.

The permit carries the vague but intriguing title of "Install Set Elements," and the contractor on the project is InterAmerica Stage Inc. (Thanks to @danlb_2000 on the WDWMAGIC Forums for spotting the permit.)

While we don't know what the work is for, it is worth noting that Walt Disney Imagineering is the permit owner, suggesting this is likely an addition rather than any type of routine maintenance that Facility Asset Management would usually own.

InterAmerica Stage Inc. is a long-time WDI contractor, having completed work on Test Track, Dumbo, and Spaceship Earth.

"Peter Pan's Flight" at Magic Kingdom is a classic Disney park ride that first opened in 1971. This attraction takes visitors on a journey through the narrative of J.M. Barrie's "Peter Pan." Guests board hanging pirate ships that glide them from the Darling children’s nursery, across a miniature London at night, and on to the fictional Neverland. The ride showcases various scenes, including encounters with mermaids, Native American characters, and the infamous Captain Hook. As one of the park's original attractions, it holds a special place in the history of Walt Disney World.

Discuss on the Forums

Get Walt Disney World News Delivered to Your Inbox

MerlinTheGoat9 hours ago

I don't think it's particularly silly to expect an archaic and neglected ride to receive at least some solid updates over the years. Especially when the ride has other also old cousins across the world that have received more love and attention by comparison. There's also a reason why WDW's gets picked on more than Disneyland's version for instance. Their Pan is technically an older ride, but has received multiple major updates over the decades, especially its initial 1983 overhaul. I don't even really want a clone of Shanghai's version. I still think the best overall version right now is the one at Paris (except for the London flyover). But WDW's is a mess right now and really could use some major updates. Just bringing it up to 1980s standards would be a huge improvement.

eddie1049 hours ago

Seriously we’re comparing a decades old attraction to something built recently? Be for real for a second and think about why this post might come off as a little silly.

wbostic1213 hours ago

At least MK has an omnimover load versus the one in California. It is truly painful to watch everyone just step two at a time and have the ship lurch to a halt, have it be loaded and checked, and then lurch into the ride.

Animaniac93-9813 hours ago

Disneyland did widen their vehicles though some years ago, but I also think it's a case of the weight or turn of larger vehicles that would be a concern. Still would have been a worthwhile investment in the long run.

MerlinTheGoat14 hours ago

I'm curious if there's a weight capacity concern with the existing structure. Or perhaps a spacial limitation with certain turns and/or scenery. DL's version of Pan never got the double row update either, despite the version at Paris being very similar and having double row seating (though I think a subtly larger show building along with a much newer track). Tokyo original Pan was previously a clone of WDW's. And while they did overhaul the scenery a few years ago, Tokyo didn't add double row seats either. Aside from the likely case of the usual neglect towards WDW attractions, TWDC may also be kicking the can down the road regarding messing with the track or vehicles in order to avoid having to adhere to modern safety regulations. They could perhaps conceivably make alterations to some of the scenery without much fuss. But if they mess with the track or vehicles, that could possibly open up a can of worms wherein they are legally forced to make much more extensive alterations to the entire building and everything within to adhere to codes.

DonniePeverley14 hours ago

I recently did the Peter Pan in Shanghai. The Orlando version is embarassing.

Animaniac93-9818 hours ago

One wonders why in the 90s when they added extra seating to Toad, Dumbo and Snow White they didn't do the same for Peter Pan.

The Empress Lilly18 hours ago

And a great indoor queue Then again, I'll pick double capacity over standing twice as long in line, but a prettier line.

EricsBiscuit20 hours ago

Yet WDW still has the best Neverland scene and the most detailed London flyover.

jeanericuser00120 hours ago

That is where I think you are failing to understand the powerful potential of a revamp. Certain parts of the ride can be kept while other parts can be modified, removed, or changed. The ride itself is simply flying over dioramas and a couple animatronics just as the great movie ride was riding through closed sets with animatronics. What changed runaway rail did was the powerful addition of projection mapping to greatly alter the ride itself. As a result its a very very different ride now but when you take away some of the changes its still the same ride. The same I feel could be done to peter pan to greatly improve the ride but in order to do so it would have to be cleverly done with a combination of set piece changes, new lighting, new effects, some alterations to the existing art, and most important, projections to add in additional animated elements that previous would bring the other wise still scenes to life. I have not seen any video of peter pan at MK with lights on but I suspect it is possible to do it while not significantly breaking the bank for disney. Its not like they are creating another tron. Then again peter pan tron sounds really wild but that is one acid trip for another time.

Bocabear1 day ago

by "cliff notes" I just meant the highlights of a Peter Pan Ride but painfully short... not literally the book report thing... A book report Peter Pan is fine with me... Though I do wish all of them were a little longer... The flight to Neverland, then a quick swoosh around neverland and back to loading.... The Shanghai version feels like a little more of an attempt at a story....and again, the cued score to the ride is perfect...especially how they do the end ride...

jeanericuser0011 day ago

Giving peter pan the dumbo treatment will still not change anything. As comped said, its meant to be cliff notes. Besides its a question of what is a better use of space. At this point disney has plenty of new franchises incoming that will require a lot more effort where is a simple revamp of peter pan is all that is needed. Revamps have done a lot for disney in the past. Spaceship earth may be epcot's oldest attraction but the revamps have kept it fresh for decades. A revamp on peter pan may prove handy for disney especially if tiana's adventure ends up being more of a dud. With universal slowly grinding ever closer to epic universe and disney just starting on some big projects its gonna be a while before disney can release any big attractsions to draw people back in. That is why a revamp may draw in some people at a time when disney has nothing to offer that is relatively new.

Comped1 day ago

Because that's what they're supposed to be. As designed.

Bocabear2 days ago

The Shanghai version of Peter Pan is about the best version...that is still classic Peter Pan's flight with some additional projection mapping...just enough to make it magical....and a score that follows the story. It is lovely... THe WDW dark rides all feel like the cliff-notes versions....