Disney’s theme parks have succeeded in entertaining millions of children and adults alike by taking them on enchanting tours through fairytale worlds. The likes of Snow White, The Little Mermaid and Pinocchio are brought to life in three dimensions, and everybody lives happily ever after.
Or do they?
Walt Disney and his successors based many of the studio’s classic animated features on fairytales that have been around for decades or even centuries. But Disney was very selective in the elements of those stories that it included, opting to leave out anything that wasn’t suitable for a family audience. In some cases, the entire story arc was changed to fit Disney’s target market.
But what if Disney’s theme park rides were based on the original stories, rather than the happiness-and-light Disneynified versions? They’d play out somewhat differently. Parents would recoil in horror, kids would run out screaming and childhood illusions would be shattered.
Let’s take a trip into Disney’s Dark Kingdom, where 6 classic attractions have been transformed into twisted new versions…
6. Under the Sea: Death of the Little Mermaid
Current version: In Under The Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid, riders enter through caverns beneath Prince Eric’s seaside palace and board colorful clamshells. These take them on a sing-song journey through key scenes from the movie, which tells the story of beautiful mermaid Ariel’s dreams of becoming human. In the end, of course, Ariel is granted her wish by King Triton, and marries Prince Eric.
Dark Kingdom version: Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale, this version still sees Ariel rescuing the prince from drowning and falling in love with him. She then visits an evil sea witch, who takes her tongue in exchange for giving her legs (so far, so Disney…). There’s a price, though: every step the mermaid takes feels like she is walking on shards of glass.
The prince marries another woman who he mistakenly thinks saved him (the mermaid is unable to correct him, given her lack of speech). Finally, she is informed that if she MURDERS the prince, she can turn back into a mermaid. She can’t bring herself to do it, however. Instead, she throws herself into the sea and her body dissolves into foam. It’s not all bad, though – she does at least continue to existing as a floating spirit.
5. Pinocchio’s Murderous Journey
Current version: In Pinocchio’s Daring Journey, we see friendly puppet Pinocchio being trapped by the evil Stromboli, encountering an enormous whale and finally being turned into a real boy. The journey is accompanied by Pinocchio’s “conscience”, the talking insect Jiminy Cricket.
Dark Kingdom version: Inspired by Carlo Collodi’s 1883 classic The Adventures of Pinocchio, this version still sees the mischievous Pinocchio achieving his aim of becoming a real boy. Along the way he tussles with a dogfish (instead of a whale) and encounters a Talking Cricket who explains to him that children who are lazy and disobedient never come to any good. As thanks for this advice, Pinocchio throws a mallet at the cricket, KILLING him.
4. Beauty and the (Hungry) Beast
Current version: In Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage, guests learn the story of Belle, who offers to take her father’s place after he is imprionsed in the Beast’s Castle. The Beast accepts, as long as Belle promises to stay forever. Eventually, the two fall in love and the Beast is restored to human form.
Dark Kingdom version: Surprisingly, this one isn’t too different from the Disney version, which was quite faithful to the traditional French fairytale. There’s a bit of excitement to be had, though, from Belle’s two wicked sisters. The Beast allows Belle to visit her home, but only for a single week. The sisters are jealous of her life in the castle, and try to persuade her to stay with them for longer in the hope that the Beast will EAT HER ALIVE on her return. Fortunately for all concerned, their plan fails.
3. Cinderella’s Hall of Torture
Current version: Tokyo Disneyland’s clone of the Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella Castle hosts Cinderella’s Fairy Tale Hall. After walking past murals that retell Cinderella’s story, guests enter the Grand Hall, where they can find a number of recognisable items such as the glass slipper that identified her as Prince Charming’s true love.
Dark Kingdom version: Cinderella’s Hall of Torture is based on the Brothers Grimm version of the fairytale. Like the Disney version, this features two evil stepsisters who try to undermine Cinderella. However, in this version, once they realize that Cinderella is going to be queen, they try to win favor with her. It doesn’t work, though – at her wedding, they have their eyes PECKED OUT by birds.
2. Funeral of the Lion King
Current version: In the Festival of the Lion King musical show, we learn the story of the young lion prince Simba. After Simba’s father Mufasa dies, the evil Scar takes over as ruler. Finally, Simba returns to fight for his kingdom and takes his place as the rightful king.
Dark Kingdom version: The Lion King was (very) loosely based on Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Funeral of the Lion Kingdom sticks closer to the Bard’s plot. Simba still succeeds in killing the jealous brother (Scar). But then he DIES HIMSELF…along with pretty much everyone else
1. Snow White’s Punishing Adventures
Current version: In Snow White’s Scary Adventures, we follow along as the jealous Queen sends a huntsman to murder the beautiful Snow White. Instead, he sends her off into the forest, where she meets a host of playful Dwarfs. Eventually, though, the Queen tricks Snow White into eating a poisoned apple, sending her into an eternal sleep. Luckily, a prince who had previously fallen in love with her arrives on the scene and awakes her with true love’s kiss. The Queen, meanwhile, is killed after lightning strikes a cliff and causes her to fall to her death.
Dark Kingdom version: There’s plenty of darkness in the Disney version. But the Queen’s demise was toned down to be more of a mishap than a deliberate act of revenge from Snow White and the dwarfs. Not so in the Dark Kingdom version, based on the Brothers Grimm fairytale. Instead, she is invited to Snow White’s wedding, where she is made to dance in BURNING-HOT IRON SHOES until she drops down dead. Serves her right.
