Rides That Have Inspired Movies

Most of Disneyland’s rides offer guests the chance to experience their favorite movies and stories firsthand. But did you know that inspiration sometimes works the other way around? With so much detail and storytelling in every Disney ride, it’s not surprising that some have inspired major movies! The following is a complete list of every current or former ride now immortalized on the big screen.

Current Rides/Attractions

Tower of Terror (1997) – Disney’s first attempt at transforming a ride into a movie was the made-for-TV “Tower of Terror”. California Adventure had yet to house its own version of the ride, so the film’s inspiration came entirely from the Orlando version. Unlike the Haunted Mansion or Pirates, the Tower of Terror film explained the backstory of the ride’s characters. Guests finally learned where the ghosts in the elevator came from and how they died, but the film adds a resolved ending obviously absent from the actual ride.

The Haunted Mansion (2003) – While the ride does not have a clear-cut plot or character arc, the film uses the famous mansion as it’s setting. But unlike the ride, the movie is a light-hearted comedy that will not spook you the way a drive in the doom buggies will! Throughout the Haunted Mansion film you’ll find tons of references to the ride, from the famous “welcome foolish mortals” line to the singing busts. In fact, this film has the most references to its original ride out of all the ride-inspired Disney movies.

Pirates of the Caribbean (2003) – The most famous ride-inspired movie is, without questions, Pirates of the Caribbean (and its sequels). Observant moviegoers will notice that the film’s story arc roughly follows that of the ride, including iconic moments like the pirate raid and the jail scene. After the film’s release, the ride underwent a brief refurbishment to incorporate some of the film’s voices and characters, focusing primarily on Captain Jack Sparrow.

Closed Rides/Attractions

The Country Bears (2002) – Based on the Country Bear Jamboree, this film chronicles the backstory of the show’s stars. The Country Bears features the famous bears from the park show, but the film features an original soundtrack from composer Christopher Young.

Mission To Mars (2002) – This major sci-fi production shares little more than its name with the original ride. Mission To Mars is a story of space exploration and rescue, when a team of astronauts becomes trapped on Mars. Though Mission To Mars features major stars, including Tim Robbins, Gary Sinise, and Don Cheadle, the film saw low box office reception and harsh reviews from critics.

Rumored/Upcoming Movies

It’s A Small World – On April 22, 2014 (the ride’s 50^th anniversary), Disney announced plans to produce a major motion picture based on It’s A Small World. While few details have been released about the project, Walt Disney Studios confirmed director Jon Turtletaub and screenwriter Jared Stern have both reportedly signed onto the film.