One of the oldest (and somewhat controversial) rides at Disneyland theme park is finally getting a friendlier makeover. In 1955, Fantasyland included a dark ride that featured Disney’s first princess in Snow White and Her Adventures. Right off the bat, the ride had guests scratching their heads. The point of the ride was to have guest go through the rides with the eyes of Snow White and so, the princess was never shown. But the parkgoers just didn’t get the concept that they would be seeing the ride from Snow’s point of view. But the larger complaint from parents was that the ride was too scary for little ones.

After a long refurbishment in 1983, a “new” Fantasyland opened at the park with all of the storybook rides updated. The changes to the land were fantastic allowing guests to feel as if they were walking through the neighborhoods of where the like of Peter Pan and Pinocchio lived. The outside of the newly-named (calling it what it was) Snow White’s Scary Adventures was impressive with new elements that featured the evil queen looking down at the crowd below from her tower window and a sneak peek into her dungeon while waiting in line. The main star was added to the ride, but only briefly as the rest of the ride focused on the witch “chasing” after them. But its fatal flaw was that it was still scaring the kids.

Now in 2021, a whole new experience will await guests with Snow White’s Enchanted Wish. The castle from which the ride takes place matches more closely to the Sleeping Beauty Castle. Gone are the skulls and dark tones and more bright colors are now embraced.

The folks at the park say that the new ride will feature state-of-the-art audio and visual technology including new music, LED black lighting, laser projections and a new animation system. Not wanting to give too much of the surprise away, they are a little coy on the details. However, we do know that the ride opens inside the Dwarf’s cottage where Doc has just baked an apple pie and Snow White is dancing with the others.

Then it’s off to the mine where vibrant shadow projections are shown throughout while singing “Heigh-Ho.”

“The most dazzling scene is the mine, which sparkles with shimmering lighting effects and glittering jewels all around,” says Michael Ramirez, Public Relations Director at Disneyland Resort.

But the new update is not without its critics. Some people have already stated their displeasure about the new changes including “Thomas” who commented on Disney Parks Blog, “I liked the fact it was scary. Now it looks boring.” I think Thomas and others like him have forgotten that Fantasyland is supposed to be more focused on the kids, not adults like him.

And while there is no mention of the evil queen or the witch that she becomes in regards to the ride in the press materials, that doesn’t mean that she won’t be poking around. We’ll just have to wait and see.

(Main image: Wikimedia)