Source: Quest For Vault Disney
December 1967 – August 2008
LOCATION
Tomorrowland – The famous gardens were basically stuck right in the middle between Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, and Main Street USA. But since they originally belonged to the House of the Future, the space was always classified as a Tomorrowland attraction. Today, this space is now part of Fantasyland, and is home to Pixie Hollow.
BACKGROUND
The garden first appeared at the base of the House of the Future in 1957. At the onset, the garden space was much smaller, and formed the entryway to the house without much fanfare. But when the House of the Future closed in 1967, the gardens filled in all remaining space and became the Alpine Gardens (named for their stunning view of the Matterhorn).
In the 70s, Disney drew up plans to draw traffic into the gardens with a brand new restaurant with a stage for live performances, but the plans never came into fruition. The Alpine Gardens remained a peaceful rest area until 1996, when they underwent a minor transformation to become King Triton’s Garden.
King Triton’s Garden doubled as a rest area and character meet & greet space. The back corner of the Garden (near the current exit to Pixie’s Hollow) became Ariel’s Grotto, where Ariel met guests from her enchanted clam shell.
EXPERIENCE
The Alpine Gardens offered guests an in-park picnic area with completely unobstructed views of Matterhorn Mountain. A themed souvenir shop offered collectibles and snacks, and the upper deck of the gardens had covered seating. Around the deck, guests followed a winding walking path, surrounded by water features and miniature shrubs.
When the space became King Triton’s Garden, the picnic area disappeared. Instead, the water features became a focal point (which fit with the mermaid theme!), and Disney enclosed portions of the garden to make room for the private grotto. In both forms, the gardens/garden won the hearts of tons of park guests, and became a hidden gem for frequent visitors.
CLOSURE
By 2008, Ariel’s location moved. Her attraction had been announced for California Adventure, and she was starting to meet guests alongside her fellow princesses in the rear of Fantasyland. Instead, Disney decided to use the space to bring a new franchise into the park: the Tinker Bell and friends series. Tinker Bell and her pixie crew moved into the gardens in 2008, and the space transformed yet again into Pixie Hollow.
TRIVIA
The Alpine Gardens became the hot spot for special events during park hours. Muhammad Ali famously visited Disneyland in 1991, and signed figurines for guests on the private Alpine Gardens deck.
The souvenir shop in the Alpine Gardens was most famous for its postcard selection.
After dark, the ponds in both the Alpine Gardens and King Triton’s Garden put on underwater light shows.
Thanks for sharingthis article. I think Alpine Gardens was a cool idea since the Matterhorn is so prominent behind it.