Snow White’s Adventure, one of the original Fantasyland “dark rides” opened on Disneyland’s opening day, July 17, 1955 and proved to be one of the most popular Fantasyland attractions from 1955-1982.

Until the Fantasyland re-design, Snow White was not in the attraction at all. Disney Imagineers wanted guests to take on the persona of Snow White and ride through the attraction as if they were actually her. However, few understood this concept and often left many to wonder why she was absent from the attraction.

With the creation of the new Fantasyland in 1983, Snow White’s Adventures was transformed into Snow White’s Scary Adventures, receiving a complete makeover of both the exterior and interior of the attraction. During the re-deign, all the Fantasyland dark rides were slightly changed to include the main characters of the films these attractions represented. Snow White’s Adventure was no exception, thus making Snow White appear in the attraction today. The exterior took its visual cue from the castle of the Evil Queen, complete with an imposing tower from which she can (and does) occasionally stare down on unsuspecting guest.

As you venture through Snow White’s Scary Adventure, you will be there as the Evil Queen transforms herself into the old hag, get temped by the poisoned apple, see Snow White’s 7 little friends in their jewel-laden mine and behold the “happily ever after” ending with Snow White and her Prince.

Additional Trivia and Fun Facts

• From 1955-1982, a sign at the entrance of the attraction, featuring the Witch with a poisoned apple, reminded would-be riders that the attraction was scary.
• One problem Imagineers faced early on was many guests often stole the poisoned apple from the warning sign. This problem was fixed with the 1983 re-design by new hologram technology.
• Senior Vice President of Creative Development at Walt Disney Imagineering, Tony Baxter, was so afraid of messing things up with the re-design of the attraction that he asked for all dark rides to be 25% longer. This way, he could claim that even if there were not better, they would at least be longer.
• Each mine car vehicle bears the name of one of the 7 dwarfs – Doc, Bashful, Happy, Sleepy, Sneezy, Grumpy or Dopey.
• As you enter the building, there is a bookstand with an apple on it. If you touch the apple, you’ll hear the sound of thunder and the laugh of the Evil Queen.
• When the attraction was remodeled, the new soundtrack featured the voice of Adriana Castelotti, the original Snow White.
• In honor of Disneyland’s 50th anniversary celebration, a golden mine car was added to the attraction.
• Above the entrance to the attraction there is large window covered in red curtains. About every 30 seconds the Evil Queen pops her head out.