When Disneyland reopened at the end of April, the new Snow White’s Enchanted Wish opened as well. The ride is a reimagining of the former Snow White’s Scary Adventures, and Disney has been heavily promoting the new version of the attraction. One of the major new scenes near the ride’s finale features Snow White and Prince Charming’s kiss, an integral part of the movie.
Disney is now under criticism from those who believe the scene should have been omitted from the ride as it portrays a situation in which Snow White cannot consent to be kissed. Acts of physical contact are often considered nonconsensual when one or more parties is asleep, inebriated, or otherwise not of sound mind.
Those who support the scene’s inclusion often cite that a Snow White attraction without true love’s kiss would then exclude a main plot point from the story, and the kiss is considered a life-saving action rather than a violation of Snow White’s autonomy.
Disney’s role in the portrayal of social and cultural issues has been a hot topic lately. This controversy follows in the wake of Disney’s push for inclusivity. Major changes have been afoot at the parks, including the new Disney Look guidelines and the ongoing refurbishments at the Jungle Cruise, plus the upcoming closure of Splash Mountain at the U.S. parks.
Guests will celebrate the timeless fairytale of Snow White in a whole new way at the Disneyland Resort, which recently reopened to guests. Snow White’s Enchanted Wish, an original Disneyland attraction, has been reimagined with new magic in storytelling to bring together the beloved Disney Princess, the Seven Dwarfs, the woodland creatures, the Prince – and yes, even the Evil Queen – for the ultimate storybook ending of “happily ever after.”
“The Snow White attraction has such a rich history,” said Kim Irvine, Disneyland Resort creative executive, Walt Disney Imagineering. “We wanted to take into account the beautiful scenic work that has always existed and retell the story in a special way. We believe guests will enjoy this sweet storyline in a stunning experience.”
“You’re still going to feel a lot of suspense,” said Dave Caranci, manager of creative development, Walt Disney Imagineering. “The Evil Queen is still there outside the attraction opening the curtains. But there’s a warmer, inviting feel that’s drawing you inside and now it’s Snow White’s journey.”
Guests can expect to see Happy, Doc, Grumpy and more as they experience Snow White’s Enchanted Wish.
State-of-the-art audio and visual technology inside the attraction is enhanced with new music, LED black lighting, new laser projections and a new animation system.
More than 50 new animal and figure sculpts have been added throughout the attraction.
The newly named attraction blends fresh and familiar details, including new recordings in the queue voiced by the dwarfs Happy and Grumpy in English and Spanish, respectively.
Boarding a mine cart, guests travel through some new scenes of this classic fairytale, beginning with the dwarfs’ cozy cottage. Snow White twirls and dances with Dopey and the scent of Doc’s handiwork – a baking apple pie – wafts through the air.
Vibrant new shadow projections bring to life the dwarfs as they march happily off to work in the mine singing “Heigh Ho.”
The dazzling mine scene sparkles with shimmering lighting effects and glittering jewels. Guests can be on the lookout for Doc examining a jewel, Grumpy hoisting a pick, and Dopey grinning from a jewel-filled mine cart.
The den of the Evil Queen is surrounded by a library of spell books, a glowing cauldron and flasks bubbling with colorful potions, hints of how she concocted the poison apple.
Snow White’s enchanted wish comes true at last as she is awakened from her deep sleep by love’s first kiss, from her Prince. She reunites with her animal friends and joyfully rides off with her Prince toward a golden castle for her “happily ever after.”
The attraction’s brick façade is now painted in warmer pinks, lighter blues and gold colors to complement Sleeping Beauty Castle. In keeping with the architectural style of a European village, the exterior is bright and welcoming, with ornamental birds, butterflies and blooming flowers.
Guests still may see the Evil Queen spying on those below from a window above the entrance.
Snow White was Walt Disney’s original princess, debuting in the 1937 film “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” which was Walt Disney’s first full-length animated feature. This attraction remains the only ride-through princess attraction at Disneyland park.
As guests and Disney cast members work together to promote the health and safety of everyone, the Disneyland Resort is adding enhanced health and safety measures. These measures include appropriate face coverings required for all guests ages 2 and older, temperature screenings prior to park entry, physical distancing, capacity measures, enhanced cleaning procedures and cashless transactions. Markers will be placed in attraction queues to assist with physical distancing guidelines (6 feet between parties).
