May 1983 – present

LOCATION

Fantasyland – When entering through the castle, you will see Pinocchio on the left side, just beyond Snow White’s Scary Adventures.

BACKGROUND

Pinocchio’s Daring Journey was not one of the original dark rides in Fantasyland. In fact, it wasn’t until it’s equivalent in Disneyland Tokyo became overwhelmingly popular that Disney found space for Pinocchio in California. The massive Fantasyland refurbishment in 1983 provided the perfect opportunity for Pinocchio’s debut, and Pinocchio, Jiminy, and friends have found a permanent home in the heart of Fantasyland ever since.

EXPERIENCE

Details:

  • Single Rider Line – no
  • Fast Pass – no
  • Height Requirement – none
  • Duration – 2:00

Visitors board wooden cars and begin their journey as audience members of Stombroli’s Marionette Show. After a moment of being entertained by Pinocchio and the other marionettes, the cars veer around a corner and head backstage, where they find themselves trapped alongside Pinocchio in a giant cage! Jiminy Cricket guides the cars out of the cage and onto Pleasure Island, an iridescent escape where Pinocchio and friends witness magic, tricks, and optical illusions. As the cars leave Pleasure Island, they are swept out to sea and narrowly escape the jaws of Monstro the whale! Finally, guests head back to Pinocchio’s village, and witness the Blue Fairy turn him into a real boy to the tune of “When You Wish Upon A Star.”

MY RATING – ★★★★☆

Pinocchio is by far the most underappreciated dark ride in the park. It has unique holographic illusions, features the often forgotten songs of the classic Disney film, and is long for a dark ride (3 minutes). I never leave Disneyland without making a stop to see Pinocchio, and I always encourage others to do the same. If you’re worried about little ones being frightened, here’s my take: Pinocchio is a dark ride, literally, so if little ones get nervous in the dark, they won’t fare well; most of the rooms are dimly lit at best. The only moments that kids might find scary are the cage (the puppet master is loud and a little intimidating) and the Monstro scene (there is a flash of light, and he leaps forward, a few feet ahead of your car). But most of the ride has cheerful music and friendly characters, so kids usually have no problem with Pinocchio’s Daring Journey.

Pro tip: This dark ride doesn’t tell the story as clearly as some of the others, so I would recommend guests watch the film before heading into the park.

VISITING TIPS

Even during the hectic holiday season, I walked right onto this ride. I have never seen much of a line, which is surprising because it’s so well done! Visit Pinocchio any time that works in your touring plan, and you should have no more than a minimal wait.

TRIVIA

Pinocchio’s Daring Journey was the first ride to open in Disneyland Tokyo before opening in either Disneyland or Disney World.

This is the first ride or attraction in Disneyland to use holographic illusions (the mirror, Pleasure Island scene). The Blue Fairy, widely believed to be an example of holographic imaging, actually uses the Pepper’s Ghost Illusion, frequently used in the Haunted Mansion. The Illusion uses reflective sheets, not holograms.

Before the 1983 Fantasyland expansion, Pinocchio’s home belonged to a small theater that housed shows similar to those in the Fantasy Faire and hosted character meet and greets.

3 Comments on Pinocchio’s Daring Journey

  1. Pinocchio’s Daring Journey Ride features Native American stereotypes.

    To the Duchess of Disney. I don’t know if you and the Disneyland fans are aware. I recently went on Pinocchio’s Daring Journey this January 2023 and it features problematic content involving depictions of Sioux Native American stereotypes as peace pipe smokers featured in the tobacco Row section of the Pleasure Island ride right next to Honest John and Gibbons. Also it features an Asian doll stereotype in a cage. Also there’s a disturbing scene with 2 donkey boys in cages which is no longer acceptable in a family themed ride.

    If the Disneyland staff and the park owner sees this comment. They need to retheme it to remove problematic content involving Tobacco Row section and the Tobacco and alcohol references and remove the cages from 2 donkey boys and remove the Native American stereotype statues because the Native Americans have been mistreated by the USA government in the 18th, 19th and 20th century.

    The Disneyland staff should make the ride more like the Pinocchio 2022 remake and change beer to root beer and maybe change the classic cartoon characters to fit in more in line with the Pinocchio 2022 Disney remake film.

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