Peter Pan's Flight - please help me understand

[BigMickeyFan]

I apologize in advance if I offend, but I really do not understand the popularity of this ride. DH and I were finally able to get on it this last trip to see what all the fuss was about, and when we got off, we just kind of looked at each other and went "Hmmm." Why is it always on so long of a wait?

 

[yulilin3]

I think the appeal is that is one of the Classics. All ages can get on, and the characters are well known.
I know how you feel about the big wait, I personally don't go on it, unless I'm with my 1yo nephew, or I'm going with people that have never been to MK, and that's with a FP. No way I'm waiting 30min+ for a 1min ride.

 

[Robo]

I apologize in advance if I offend, but I really do not understand the popularity of this ride. DH and I were finally able to get on it this last trip to see what all the fuss was about, and when we got off, we just kind of looked at each other and went "Hmmm." Why is it always on so long of a wait?

As with anything...either you like an attraction, show, restaurant, park, song, book, movie, or person... or you don't.

It is a very S-L-O-W L-O-A-D-I-N-G attraction as it has a very low number of guests that can be in the attraction at one time... and the ships move very slowly.

This is a very nostalgic attraction for me, as I remember riding it as a child.
A gentle, pleasant ride.

 

[bradk]

i love the suspended vehicle system. it's a whole different experience than most other dark rides. some neat effects too.

it's no ET mind you..

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) It can be misunderstood.
2) Like many Disney rides, one must put themselves into the story.
. . . pretend you are Peter or Wendy
. . . pretend Tink has hit you with Pixie Dust
. . . pretend you are flying over London on the way to Neverland
3) Now, you can get the gist of the ride

NOTE: Remember, that Walt wanted his rides to be "stories". EVERY ride has a prelude, a story and a conclusion. In many cases, the area leading to a rider and the costumes of the CM's lead into the story.

 

[letthewookiewin]

I love it b/c I love Peter Pan. I love the book, and to me it felt like I was flying through the book.
Also, on our DS's first trip it was the only ride that my youngest DS rode with my DH. My DS8 is a big mommy's boy, and he wanted to ride everything with me. I was finally able to convince him to ride something with my DH and it was the Peter Pan ride. Now he says that it's his and his daddy's "special ride", and he will only ride it with my DH.

 

[carlyle688]

The reason I like it is because I've been going on it since the first time I went to MK in 1972. Granted, I won't stand in a long line to get on it, but if the line is short, I'll ride.

 

[meeko_33785]

I enjoy it; it's atually my favorite ride at MK and I'm not really that big of a fan of the movie. I think it has a different feel than a lot of the other rides in the parks- its relaxing, its got some nice scenery to look at (especially while your flying over London), the flying effect is unique against similar rides and I think the dreamy version of "You Can Fly" is gorgeous. Its really a more peaceful, beautiful and charming experience and I think that's why I prefer it.

Ironically, the only ride at WDW I like better is Tower of Terror which is not peaceful at all, so go figure.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We go on it because it was our DS's favorite ride. He's now 33, but we're all young again when we go on it and remember!

Besides that, I like it a lot because it tells the story!

Bobbi

 

[raven69david]

This is a ride primarily for younger kids as they are all at the stage where they've seen all the Disney movies recently and it's fresh in their mind. Don't get me wrong, adults love the ride too but if you look at the line, you'll notice it's mostly all families with young ones. Before DD3 was born, DW and I would get on all of the Disney kiddie movie rides (i.e. Winnie the Pooh, PPF, Snow White, Dumbo Ride, etc).

 

[Lowell317]

A quick Peter Pan story:

When I was real young, maybe 5, my family took us (my sister and I) on a trip to Disney. While waiting in lines for attractions, I, like many young boys, had a LOT of questions. For one reason or another, in line for Peter Pan my dad tried to explain how the stock market works. He told me that individuals who own a share of stock in a company own a little bit of the company and since I was a Disney stock holder, I owned a part of Disney. He went on to explain that how much a person owns of the company depends on how many shares they had and that since I only had one share, I owned a very small part. By now we had gotten into our ship. As we passed over the city and saw the cars below, I somewhat loudly declared that "THIS IS MY PART OF DISNEY, THIS IS THE PART I OWN"
My family has mocked me for this for 20 years and when I took my fiance to DW last spring I dragged her into line and told the story.
I assume that many have very fond memories of Peter Pan which is what makes it so popular.

 

[bradk]

This is a ride primarily for younger kids as they are all at the stage where they've seen all the Disney movies recently and it's fresh in their mind. Don't get me wrong, adults love the ride too but if you look at the line, you'll notice it's mostly all families with young ones. Before DD3 was born, DW and I would get on all of the Disney kiddie movie rides (i.e. Winnie the Pooh, PPF, Snow White, Dumbo Ride, etc).

well that argument really holds true for most of the attractions in fantasyland.. except snow white doesn't quite get the reception that peter pan does (and as characters go, she's probably even more popular than he)

 

[LovingDVC]

Peter Pan is one of the only movie rides in Fantasyland that isn't scary for toddlers and preschoolers. It's fun for adults and children. Parts of the Winnie the Pooh and Snow White rides still scare my DD who is now 4, but she is always eager to ride Peter Pan. Peter Pan does have a FP, so we usually grab one of those when we arrive--less time waiting in line.

 

[rkandmjsmommy]

For us, its all about our DS, HE LOVE LOVE LOVES Peter pan so its a must for us every trip!!! I think its neat how you are "above" the ride, its just a classic

 

[thunzor]

I remember the line at Peter Pan not being that long when I worked their in the mid-90s (now it is consistently the longest line in fantasyland). It was my impression that the line was so long at Peter Pan for a variety of reasons:
1) The recent surge in the popularity of Pirates at Disney
2) The release of Peter Pan on DVD
3) The popularity of Tinkerbelle
4) The ride just simply appeals to children (It was my son’s favorite ride their before he had ever even seen Peter Pan)

 

[java]

Ah memories!! That's why we keep going. It has that magical feeling to it with the You Can Fly You Can Fly You Can Fly! It just IS Disney to me. I have to go on it every trip and am pleased to say that my dd is exactly the same way(she is now 10)
I remember coming out of Peter Pan as a child and believing that I could fly and then seeing the Buckets overhead. Ah heaven

 

[enyaj40]

because with a little bit of pixie dust, i can fly over london and ride in captain hook's pirate ship

 

[fairestoneofall]

My DD insists that we always ride Peter Pan first. And DH and I rode it on our anniversary trip without the kids. I love it. Yes, it is a short ride and yes, the lines are long. But that ride is magic.

While I think it needs a new paint job, I hope that WDW never messes with the magic and charm of this ride.

 

[Doc Goofy]

I think everyone summed it up pretty well. It evokes a feeling... It's MAGICAL. The wait is pretty dreadful at times, though. Ugh!

ET ROCKS!

 

[grumpymakesmehappy]

Peter Pan is one of the first rides I rode at WDW so for me it brings back that magic moment of my childhood. I think that is the main appeal of Peter Pan. It seems to bring most back to their childhood and who doesn't like to reminisce?