Sunday Special: Classic Dark Rides

For this week's Sunday special we are battling out two iconic and classic attractions... 

Pinocchio VS Snow White 

Both are situated at a veriety of Disney Parks around the world, however today we are going to focus on the versions found at Disneyland Paris. 

These two are not the most obvious choices when it comes to comparing rides. But I wanted to try something different and focus on some smaller, more bespoke attraction. 

While these are different and perhaps not as thrilling then the usual gut wrenching, blood curling, coasters that we know and love, it doesn't mean to say they are any less entertaining or worthy of their place... 

So we will be looking at 3 key factors... 

Theming 

Effects 

Set design / Show scenes. 

Please remember, these are only my views, we all have our own, which is the best thing about being involved in the community, difference of opinion! 

Lets go! 

Theming 

Theming is probably one of the most important things when it comes to dark rides. 

We need to feel immersed and amazed by the environments we are in. 

When it comes to these two dark rides, they both have a very similar, entrance, station and exit. 

Smuggled within fantasyland, almost as if they are like boutiques, waiting to be explored! 

Within the rides themselves, we move through various show scenes and elements, which are telling us the main points of the stories. 

The theming used within both rides are more of a classic style, similar to that of a ghost train, be that a rather elaborate one, with 2D card cutouts forming environments to move through. 

Its during Pinocchio, when we are moving through the workshop, through door to door, as the various warm glow of the amber lights and wooden toys, make us slowly drift into a sense of nostalgia and a place of happiness. 

Here is where we really get a sense movement, not only physically, of course, but within the story too. We are being fully enveloped into this place. 

I feel Pinocchio does this very well. its not majorly complicated and it stays true to simply telling the story

in comparison, I feel Snow White, does the opposite. 

Rather than simply telling the story, we end up going on an almost new adventure. 

I feel the attraction, tries to do too much. Which in turn means that It looses some of its quality and Disney finish. 

So its for that reason, I feel Pinocchio wins this round 

Pinocchio: 1   -   Snow White: 0 

Effects: 

This is a real tough one, as both attractions have great, in fact no, stunning special effects moments! 

First of all, lets please remember these rides were built a fair while back, the fact that the two special effects moments in the rides, still manage to wow audiences today, is a credit to the imagineers. 

Ok lets start with Pinocchio.. 

Of course, I am going to talk about the famous moment when the blue fairy appears in the bedroom! 

This effect was created by the same tech that was used for the haunted mansion. The pepper ghost effect, uses a combination of mirrors and lighting, to create the illusion that figures appear out of nowhere and into the scene. 

In the haunted mansion, its ghosts... obviously... 

In Pinocchio, its the blue fairy! The reason why I love this effect, is that it is so unexpected for a dark ride of this style, to have any kind of special effects. So its a lovely surprise when you do see it! 

Now onto Snow White! 

There is another great special effect in here too! 

The famous transformation scene, where the queen turns into the old hag! This uses a combination of animatronics and a mirror effect. The mirror falsely gives the image of the queen, so that when the figure turns around, boom!, she has changed! 

While this effect is a little more simple, it is still the most famous and memorable moment within the ride. 

Both attractions use classic Disney special effects, which honestly just fills my heart with so much geeky joy,

For the points.... Umm... Oh screw it.... they both have a point this round, for just being so darn wonderfully classic! 

Pinocchio: 2   -   Snow White: 1

Set Design / Show Scenes: 

Ok So I love the show scenes within Pinocchio so much, moving through the work shop, having that nostalgic feel, like I previously mentioned, then onto Coney Island for the various near miss effects and optical illusions! 

But Nothing will beat one of my favourite dark ride scenes out there. 

This is of course within Snow White! 

When we move through the forest, its terrifying! With the use of forced perspective, to make the scene seem like it has depth, the trees slowly swarm around you, with the actual trees, becoming more scary the further you move into the scene! 

This with the combination of a dramatic change to feel and audio, it makes for a very scary moment, that 6 year old Sam will never forget! 

Im sure a few of you, must have also shared my childhood memory of being traumatised by this scene. 

but alas now it makes me smile inside, realising the genius, it must take to make that scene so imposing! 

So for that reason Snow White wins this round... 

Pinocchio: 2   -   Snow White: 2 

Overall

Well its a drawer! If I'm being honest these attractions are just so great! I urge you, should you hopefully be taking a trip to DLP this year, please don't forget about them or allow them to be overlooked! 

As by doing so, you will be missing out on some classic Disney heritage! 

Have you been on these rides? What did you think? 

Leave a comment below or get involved on our insta: @coastersamblog 

Keep your eyes peeled for more articles next week! 

But for now... 

See Ya! 

Sam x