Recreating Disneyland's 1958 Version of the Alice in Wonderland attraction

The ALICE 1958 Project
This video recreates the original version of Disneyland’s “Alice in Wonderland” attraction, which opened in 1958. This unique show was destroyed in 1983 after 25 years, having been visited by millions of Disneyland guests.
No film or video documentation was found and almost no clear photography, so we have taken creative liberties to fill in the gaps. Some of our efforts may have improved what was originally there. This is true of the soundtrack as well. Our goal was not to create a historical document but to preserve the impression and style of the original.
The 1958 attraction’s lead designer, Claude Coats, was clearly influenced by carnival spook-house rides and “Tunnels of Love” popular at the time, where the experience was deliberately dark and frightening. The art direction was remarkably crude by today’s standards, which is why the show was gutted to make way for a new version in 1984, which more closely resembled the animated film.
Our research revealed, for example, that the faces of the White Rabbit, Cheshire Cat and Dormouse were repainted over the years to make them more recognizable and less threatening. The looming figures of a furious Mad Hatter and March Hare were completely replaced at one point to make them less terrorizing.
Claude Coats’ vision suffered from limited space, budget, and technology, but was remarkable for many reasons and quite worth preserving. Please note that this version of the video does not allow for animated props to move or doors to swing open. The video includes the indoor portion only, as the final third of the ride-the descent down a winding vine of leaves-did not reenter the building for another scene as it does today.
More information about the creation of this video follows at the end.
CREDITS FOR THE ORIGINAL ATTRACTION:
Bill Martin & Claude Coats: Scenic Design
Ub Iwerks, Wathel Rogers & Roger Broggie: Mechanical Engineering,
Animation & Scenic Effects
Grosh and Sons - Scenery & Murals
CREDITS FOR VIDEO RE-CREATION:
Don Carson - Art DirectionDaniel
Rover Singer - Art Direction
Karen Thompson - Flower Garden Color Designer
Heidi Hirsch - Tulgey Wood Color Designer
Special Thanks to Christopher Merritt & Jeffery Weissman
*This project is not associated with the Walt Disney Co in any way but is a fan tribute to a much loved classic attraction. Please enjoy this video as a love letter to the Disney parks and the Imagineers that bring these stories to life.

[@Arvid_Goatblad]

The cat was apparently so scary on the actual ride 😳so innocent on this

[@maxg4304]

Wow, this is incredible! Those pre-1983 dark rides have always been an annoying blind spot in Disneyland history. I would love to see more!

[@EoinTremont]

Ever since I was 11 I’ve always tried to search the internet for the old Alice ride before the 1984 New Fantasyland refurbishment… now today I got to ride it virtually! This is amazing! Thank you!

[@kathleenbyrnedalton]

Very good. But I think you've forgot to open all the doors.

[@RoomUnderwater]

Amazing job with this, this video deserves a lot more views and recognition. You're really helping preserve history with this.

[@spectroman71]

Great job, almost identical! If only the upside fish had been swimming in the bowl. I love the way you got the sound of each door "slamming" at the end! Also, a couple of the teacups would "get out of your way" as you passed thru.

[@superlolbrothers6559]

In the original 1958 version, the mad hatter and March hare used to pop up and scream out, “very very rude” and “move down move down”. This version in the video is the 60s (tamed) version. So, we’re the lines re-recorded to be more calm? It sounds like it

[@goatprince1]

The voice reels used for the Hatter and Hare were never changed prior to the 1984 update, and were also ripped straight from the film as opposed to being recorded for the attraction. The repeated yells of "move down" heard in this video are the very same reels that were used for the original pop-up versions of the Hatter and Hare in 1958.

[@britneybritney]

This is just magnificent!! Truly incredible. Thank you for this I would love to see more! This deserves SO much more recognition. It would be amazing to see all the original dark rides at Disney

[@DJCarsonCreative]

Thank you so much. I agree, I would love to see more older attractions immortalized I’m this way.

[@britneybritney]

@@DJCarsonCreative That would be incredible!

[@NormanOtterman]

@@DJCarsonCreative You should do this for Peter Pan’s flight I’m sure it’d be incredible

[@DJCarsonCreative]

@@NormanOtterman It would be, I just need to get my hands on the show set package to make sure I do it right!

[@sydneykaiser4680]

I second this!! I would absolutely love pre ‘83 Pan and especially Snow White!!

[@CreepyKingdom]

This was great! Would love to see the original Snow White's Scary Adventures!

[@Lilsalamun]

SAME

[@itsmecp]

I actually rode it as a child and it was so scary nearly all the kids (including me) came out crying which is probably why the remodeling happened.

[@itsmecp]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5m2dnivd7KJeJIsi=kSVH-BxRmbhZi6tK

[@joelstein4657]

An absolutely amazing and wonderful use of technology. Brings back a lot of memories. Thanks, I hope you're successful.

[@AXander1978]

FRIKKIN AMAZING!! Snow White needs this treatment!

[@atsmithson]

And also Mr.Toad and Peter Pan.

[@CC007]

THIS IS AMAZING!!..Omg...I remember the upside down room from when I was little in the mid-70's. Thank you for doing this. Is there a 1950's version of Peter Pan's Flight?. Yes for sure on Snow White's Scary Adventures.

[@ASnuggleBuggy]

We're all at the stupidest tea party, Alice.

[@Dylan-Hooton]

This is really great! I want to see the original pre-1983 Mr. Toad Wild Ride next! :)

[@disneyfactsguy]

I second this.

[@laurakloe]

Thank your for this! Such dedication went into the making of this video.

[@Andres-gp9hy]

I'm just... SPEECHLESS... This is just BRILLIANT!!! Would be a dream come true for me if you could do Peter Pan and Snow White, as I've always dreamed of riding the original versions of those (bought both E-Ticket issues of them just for the pics and info!!!). Excellent work!!!!!

[@shane5110]

This was amazing. Thank you for creating this video.

[@davidmiles533]

DON! Hey old buddy. How ya been. I haven’t seen ya since the Building stage of Toontown. Been many years since Ren Faire. I watched this yesterday and my childhood came rushing back. Thanks for the hard work. Living in NY now. Different wife, different life. Stay safe.

[@davidmiles533]

Thanks for the heart Don. I knew you’d see it eventually. You can IM me if ya want.

[@thebrettgeverchannel]

This is so cool. i love it. i have google 360 cardboard i wish this was in 360

[@DJCarsonCreative]

brett gever - Working on that now

[@burgower1994]

Just amazing! Are you planning to do any other rides in the future? I am so impressed how detail this is! Thank you

[@DJCarsonCreative]

No plans to do other attractions unless we could get our hands on the original show set drawings, there just isn’t enough documentation out there to build them upon.

[@islandplace7235]

I had always heard how scary this version of the ride was, it does not seem so rough, when compared to snow white.

[@user-1999emperor]

Especially the original version at Florida's Magic Kingdom!

[@spinningpeanut]

It doesn't seem rough because nothing is moving. From the pictures I've seen the hare and hatter are so fuckin terrifying. This looks like the post first refurbishment version with how they aren't angry at you.

[@omcgh]

Amazing, brilliant job!! This is as close as it gets to being in the original!

[@painin2teeth]

I like this version

[@tomorrowsociety]

Incredible work, Don. This is so great!

[@erwinco2613]

That voice 🇬🇧 🇺🇸 Kathryn Beaumont The voice of Protagonist Alice Pleasance Liddell in ALICE in WONDERLAND she all ready @ the Age of 84 years old. 🇵🇭 🇯🇵 きょかつい 許克偉 Kyo Katsui Erwin Co

[@michaelharrington4503]

What did you use to make this recreation?

[@Yeonp]

Absolutely astonishing...!

[@zehlua]

THIS IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@tinkershell1856]

Amazing work!!! Love this! So fun to relive the original version 💙

[@magicemperor2420]

This is astonishing and awesome! Is there any way to get Kathryn Beaumont‘s dialogue clean, without music?

[@DJCarsonCreative]

Many thanks! Sadly I don’t have that audio

[@chuck7514]

Cool video, now I know what the last scream is from that still around today.

[@imnotuploading512]

The old ending used to be some explosions, pointing signs and 4 screaming doors? (Where is now the queen being upset.)

[@disneyfactsguy]

This was amazing. Great job.

[@silviog6987]

Amazing!! Congratulations!!! I'm a disneyland fan and student of life and work of Walt Disney... I'm impressed. I never can go to disneyland but i can make a real layout of any era... Tanks, i never see this ride in the 1958 version, only three ir four photos... How do you research and what's photos do You use to do the recreation? Sorry about My English.

[@nathanheinzeart]

FANTASTIC! THANK you!

[@poohbear4515]

No wonder kids and people got scared of the Cheshire Cat. I would’ve piss my pants.

[@dreamwithinadreamfilms]

This is AMAZING!!! How did you do this? I feel like I’m there! 😊😄👍👍👍

[@colorfultrouble2693]

people were saying this was creepy, but its doesnt sound creppy

[@kacperyt2980]

But earlier (at the opening day of the ride) Cheshire Cat, Dandelion, Mad Hatter and March Hare were looking different and creepy. Everyone (especially young children) were concerned about the Tea Party scene and the Cheshire Cat scenes, and they don't like the final scene with screams and doors. Click on this link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/enPEm5SDp5amZtk in this link is a history of this ride, and how creepy it looked

[@colorfultrouble2693]

@@kacperyt2980 but i wanted to see those things in the video, the atmosphere

[@brianna_lynch]

Wow this is different!

[@danielolson4286]

FANTASTIC! Can't wait to see the finished form. One item, though. Are you sure that isn't the second Dandelion popup (mid-60's revision) rather than the meaner looking 1958 original? (I've got photos)

[@atsmithson]

Show us the photos.

[@goatprince1]

Do you mind uploading those photos somewhere? The original Fantasyland dark ride interiors are incredibly elusive, so any additional documentation is genuine treasure.

[@kenrohloff5265]

Really good job

[@OneHewMan]

This is really something special. Any chance of this coming to VR headsets?

[@DrewtheDisneyDude]

Incredible work. How long did this take to make?

[@DJCarsonCreative]

Two months with four folks working on it (named in the comments).

[@DrewtheDisneyDude]

@@DJCarsonCreative Awesome!

[@shahzadamiri1317]

❤

[@TheDisneylandBeat]

This is wonderful, thank you!

[@roycem4945]

superb job

[@princessmoondoll3764]

This is amazing!!

[@kennethrohloff7535]

Very nice job!!

[@willowby]

Wow

[@dougbriglmen716]

You know the Cheshire cat in the recreation seems a lot less scary than the way. Yesterworld described it in his video🤷‍♂️

[@atsmithson]

Who made those goofy hollers?

[@SteveCarras]

Goofy! Aka Pinto Colvig Rip 1892/1967 same as Bert Lahr the cowardly lion of Oz

[@KKISCRAZYFUL]

Very impressive

[@CullenVance]

AMAZING

[@JacobsonCinema]

Not bad, you should next try to do the original Mr.Toad's Wild ride, or orignal Snow white ride .

[@SteveCarras]

A certain Disney doggo 🐶 Yahhooo

[@TheFoxPrince1]

Could you do one on Peter Pan’s Flight from 1955?

[@DJCarsonCreative]

I would love to but I don’t have access to any of the show set documents :(

[@carlosrodriguezborges2990]

2:12 😆😆😆🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@rickymiller2531]

Have you seen the real version

[@DJCarsonCreative]

I saw what became of it by 1973, then again after the refurbishment in 1983, and finally the more recent enhancements which included some quality integrated projections. The current version is the best but it is nice to be able to explore and ride through the original from an historical perspective at the very least.

[@NicoleMadi-nc6kb]

There is no door when she entered to wonderland hoping the mad hatter the Cheshire Cat and the queen are still there especially the tweedles Dee and Dum

[@thewonderfulworldofderek6087]

New 60th anniversary years celebration movie film. 51th anniversary celebration Tcm DVD

[@rexrabbiteer]

The only bad thing about this version was the lack of queen of hearts which was odd

[@DJCarsonCreative]

Agreed, so happy she, and the King, are included in the updated version. Another thing the original suffered from was no sound buffering between scenes, so you could hear everything all the time from everywhere.

[@TodorokiShoto03]

If y’all think they are making this up, they aren’t.

[@irvingmicheaux2761]

Do Tales of the Ookeefinoke next

[@mylife14748]

Is it a game?

[@britishmangoes.721]

Do the same but with snow white and her adventures

[@abramgamertv8146]

will they ever move

[@DJCarsonCreative]

Yes, the last round is animation and exporting as a 360 video so you can "ride" through the attraction.

[@abramgamertv8146]

ok

[@abramgamertv8146]

is the lion going to move?

[@DJCarsonCreative]

abram Gamer tv Everything is moving now :)

[@Jimmietruck28]

VERY VERY RUDE!!!!!