Everyone knows that Snow White’s Scary Adventures is based on the film Snow White, and that Alice in Wonderland is based on its namesake. However, many other Disneyland attractions are inspired by films that are less obvious.
Jungle Cruise
This ride is based on the 1951 film the African Queen that featured Humphrey Bogart (who won the Academy Award for Best Actor – his only Oscar) and Katharine Hepburn.
The attraction may have been inspired by the film, but it isn’t a faithful retelling of the movie. Over the years, the ride’s spiel transformed from being straight-laced account of traveling through a real jungle into the comedy-based tour we enjoy today. The names of the boats have changed over the years, but there was originally one boat named after the film.
The Golden Horseshoe
The Golden Horseshoe has a mixed inspiration. The interior was based on the 1953 movie Calamity Jane. Harper Goff, the same person who designed a saloon set for Calamity Jane, designed the interior of the Golden Horseshoe. Harper said that he followed Walt Disney’s direction and basically built a replica of the set for Disneyland, right down to the last detail.
While the interior is based on Calamity Jane, there are other touches that reference the 1940s animated film Pecos Bill. The doors to the Golden Horseshoe depict Pecos Bill and his lady friend Slue Foot Sue. In the film, Sue rode a giant catfish down the Rio Grande, which helps explain how a random image of a cowgirl riding a giant fish is part of Frontierland. Thanks to the Babes in Disneyland blog for the photos of the doors.
New Orleans Square Train Station
While you wait for the Disneyland Railroad at the New Orleans station, you’ll notice a second train station on the other side of the tracks. This is actually a replica of an identical station that was once on the site. Walt Disney gave the original to his friend Ward Kimball who was a fellow train enthusiast. The film So Dear to My Heart used the train station as a set while it was part of Ward’s personal Grizzly Flats Railroad in his backyard.
The story goes that Walt tried to buy back the station, but Ward wouldn’t give it back. A replica was built instead, which is what you see today. The original train station is now owned by John Lasseter, who is well known for his role at Pixar and more recently in helping shape the creative design of the Disney theme parks.
Splash Mountain
The hot weather favorite, Splash Mountain, is based on the film Song of the South.The film has never been released in its entirety on home video in the USA because Disney believes some of the content would now be considered politically incorrect. Because of this, the attraction omits Uncle Remus and instead focuses on the trickster Br’er Rabbit. It remains one of Disney’s most popular attractions, even if its source content might be offensive to today’s audience.
Matterhorn Bobsleds
Use of the Matterhorn both in style and name grew from Disney’s extended vacation in Switzerland while filming Third Man on the Mountain. He was impressed by the beauty of the real Matterhorn, and merged his idea of a toboggan ride concept with the idea of a bobsled coaster ride that would run around and through the structure.
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
The Wind in the Willows isn’t top of mind for today’s Disney Channel generation, but it was the inspiration for the Fantasyland classic Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. Few of today’s riders know the story, but everyone seems to enjoy taking a wild ride to hell and back.
Photos and article inspiration via Huffington Post
