You Can Now Tour Disneyland on Disney+

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To celebrate Disneyland‘s 70th anniversary, Disney+ has launched a series of short documentaries that let subscribers virtually explore various rides and attractions on their TV screens. Although these immersive point-of-view videos cannot replicate the real experience of visiting Disneyland, they are beautifully filmed and will undoubtedly be enjoyable for fans who long to visit but can’t afford a trip right now.

The majority of videos are brief, spanning only a couple of minutes, while some are longer. For instance, the video showcasing the Star Wars attraction Rise of the Resistance encompasses the entire experience, from walking through the queue and pre-shows, and lasts approximately 12 minutes. (The video exploring the surrounding Galaxy’s Edge area has a similar duration.)

In total, you’ll find 18 video offerings on Disney+. These videos showcase attractions from not only Disneyland but also Disney California Adventure located nearby. Here is the complete rundown:

[List of videos]

  • Indiana Jones™ Adventure | Disneyland Resort
  • Radiator Springs Racers | Disneyland Resort
  • Incredicoaster | Disneyland Resort
  • Haunted Mansion | Disneyland Resort
  • Tiana’s Bayou Adventure | Disneyland Resort
  • Cars Land | Disneyland Resort
  • Pixar Pal-A-Round | Disneyland Resort
  • Big Thunder Mountain | Disneyland Resort
  • Jungle Cruise | Disneyland Resort
  • Avengers Campus | Disneyland Resort
  • Hollywood Land | Disneyland Resort
  • Main Street, U.S.A. | Disneyland Resort
  • Mickey’s ToonTown | Disneyland Resort
  • Nighttime Spectaculars | Disneyland Resort
  • Pirates of the Caribbean | Disneyland Resort
  • Soarin’ Around the World | Disneyland Resort
  • Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge | Disneyland Resort
  • Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance | Disneyland Resort

A convenient method for discovering them all simultaneously is by typing “Disneyland Resort” into the search box available on Disney+.

I’ve checked out numerous perspective (POV) videos set in these theme parks, and what stands out is that they were all shot during off-hours when the park was closed to regular visitors. This means you can virtually explore areas like Avengers Campus or Main Street U.S.A., and it feels like you’re the only one there. An experience that only Disney employees usually get to have. (An added bonus: no kids whining for ice cream!)

My sole critique: The videos are brief. I’d delight in one that simulates a Steadicam meandering leisurely through the entire park, transitioning from one land to another, without any rush, for an hour or more. Such a video would serve as a perfect ambient soundtrack while you’re sorting laundry or replying to emails; a tranquil blend of visual and auditory Disneyland experiences (excluding the distress calls of children).

Sign up for Disney+ here.

Amazing Theme Park Rides Based on Movies That Were Never Built

Indiana Jones and the Lost Expedition

Initially, Disneyland had grander plans for the Indiana Jones property that involved a significant transformation of its Adventureland area. Instead of just one ride called The Indiana Jones Adventure, which opened in 1995, they intended to create a larger experience known as The Lost Expedition pavilion. This expansive attraction would have featured two distinct rides: a roller coaster inspired by the mine-car ending from ‘Temple of Doom,’ and a dark ride in jeeps showcasing Indy’s most iconic adventures, including parts of the existing Jungle Cruise. However, due to changes in plans, much of the designated land for The Lost Expedition was eventually used to construct Splash Mountain instead.

Indiana Jones Ore Car Attraction

Let’s delve into the details of the “Ore Car Simulator,” an attraction that was intended for the unbuilt Indiana Jones land within the Lost Expedition complex. Despite the Indiana Jones land remaining a dream, Disney boasts an Indiana Jones mine-train roller coaster: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril, stationed at Disneyland Paris. This was the first looping coaster at any Disney park. I had the chance to experience it once as a teenager, but it unfortunately got stuck during the ride, making for an unpleasant memory.

Indiana Jones Jungle Cruise

The “River Idol” would likely be a key attraction in the revamped Jungle Cruise, designed to fit seamlessly with a whole land dedicated to Indiana Jones-themed experiences. It definitely seems as if it belongs straight out of an Indiana Jones film.

The Hauntington Hotel

Before interactive shooting galleries became common in Orlando’s attractions such as Toy Story Midway Mania and Men in Black Alien Attack, Six Flags had developed a Ghostbusters ride concept called Hauntington Hotel. This ride would have allowed visitors to explore a haunted building, using car-mounted proton packs to shoot at targets. According to an interview with the designer at 2600connection.com, the entire ride was designed, engineered, and had even reached the prototype stage, all set for installation in Texas. However, when Six Flags’ parent company sold its theme parks division, the new owners let go of the project, which many consider a significant missed opportunity in theme park history.

Nostromo

For about eight years, the Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland was home to an attraction named ExtraTERRORestrial: Alien Encounter. Riders were literally strapped down to their seats while a menacing E.T. “materialized” in the center of the room, and then proceeded to touch and breathe on them while the lights were out. When Alien Encounter opened it starred a creepy alien; when it was conceived it starred *the* creepy alien — as in H.R. Giger’s iconic xenomorph from Ridley Scott’s classic 1979 film. Astonishingly, someone at Disney thought it was a good idea to insert a little acid-blooded horror into the Happiest Place on Earth. Eventually, Disney came to their senses and abandoned the ‘Alien’ aspect (and the original name for the attraction, Nostromo, after the ship in the film), but not the overall concept. After terrifying children for almost a decade (I was one of them; this thing was pure nightmare fuel), Alien Encounter finally closed in 2003. The site now houses a toned-down version starring Stitch from ‘Lilo & Stich.’

The James Bond Live-Action Stunt Show

The initial plan for Universal Studios Florida featured a breathtaking design by ‘Star Wars’ artist Ralph McQuarrie for a James Bond-themed stunt show. This concept was heavily influenced by Ken Adam, a longtime James Bond production designer. The show, titled “Giant Circular Roof,” would have had the roof opening to reveal screens displaying Bond’s most formidable adversaries. These villains, such as Blofeld and Jaws, would have gloatingly watched 007’s supposed downfall and the launch of a nuclear warhead. Regrettably, this project never came to fruition, but over the years, Universal Studios has hosted stunt shows based on ‘Conan the Barbarian,’ ‘The A-Team,’ ‘Miami Vice,’ ‘Spider-Man,’ and ‘Waterworld.’

Mel Brooks’ Hollywood Horror Hotel

In the initial phases, the Tower of Terror wasn’t themed around ‘The Twilight Zone.’ Instead, it was initially envisioned as a joint venture between Disney and Mel Brooks. Later on, Brooks withdrew from the project, and elements related to ‘The Twilight Zone’ were incorporated instead. However, before that, plans for what was commonly known as “Hotel Mel” included both an attraction and a functional hotel under one roof, along with a murder mystery that could be solved using clues scattered throughout the premises. According to StudioCentral.com, Brooks lost enthusiasm and departed to work on ‘Life Stinks’ around the same time when Imagineers came up with the concept of incorporating haunted elevators that seemingly jump out of their shafts. The Tower of Terror is a fantastic ride, but learning about how we nearly had an entire Mel Brooks hotel certainly makes one feel that life can be frustrating.

Batman Island

Initially, Islands of Adventure at Universal Studios had an area dedicated to Batman instead of Marvel Super Hero Island. This themed section was conceptualized during the ’90s when Tim Burton’s Batman films were trending. The proposed attractions included a Batmobile ride, a Bat-jet experience, and a live performance showcasing Batman, Robin, and even Superman. However, as plans sometimes change, Batman was eventually replaced by characters from Marvel such as Spider-Man and the Hulk.

Batwing: Batman vs the Penguin

On Batman Island, potential highlights might have featured an elevated roller coaster offering riders a choice between the Batman or Penguin route, each providing unique experiences, special effects, and fireworks. A nod to Christopher Walken’s character in ‘Batman Returns’ could be found at Shreck’s Department Store, located in the bottom left corner. Regrettably, this specific roller coaster idea was never realized; however, Islands of Adventure incorporated the concept of “dueling” coasters into its Dueling Dragons ride (now called Dragon Challenge and situated within its Harry Potter realm).

Dick Tracy’s Crime-Stoppers

Prior to the release of Warren Beatty’s “Dick Tracy” in 1990, there was high anticipation for the film’s success, leading Disney to consider creating a theme park attraction based around it. This proposed ride would have allowed participants to embark on a chase through Chicago with Dick Tracy, utilizing dark ride sets. Each vehicle would have been equipped with tommy guns for interactive target shooting experiences. However, as “Dick Tracy” didn’t develop into a long-lasting franchise, the project was abandoned. Remnants of this concept can be seen in the design of the vehicles used in the Indiana Jones Adventure, and the interactive shooting gallery idea persists in attractions like Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin.

‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ Ride

Visitors for this ride inspired by the 1993 stop-motion Christmas movie would have hopped onto eerie flying caskets reminiscent of Peter Pan’s Flight, but with a Tim Burton-esque twist. Although Disney found the concept appealing, Tim Burton himself, who had joint control over the characters, was uninterested and scrapped the plan entirely. Instead, every year, Disney reimagines the Haunted Mansion in California as “Haunted Mansion Holiday,” incorporating characters from the movie during the festive season.

Godzilla Bullet Train

Since the 1970s, there were initial plans to incorporate a bullet train ride into the Japan Pavilion at Epcot. The ride would have allowed visitors to peer through windows at screens depicting a trip across the Japanese landscape. However, an intriguing alternative idea involved Godzilla – he would emerge from the ocean and assault the train as it traveled through Tokyo Harbor. Reportedly, this project never progressed past discussions with Toho, the studio responsible for Godzilla, because they felt that a colossal, destructive monster didn’t align with Epcot’s tranquil, naturalistic environment. Too bad.

The Great Muppet Movie Ride

For over two decades, The Muppets have been a significant part of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, featuring their MuppetVision 3D movie. Initially, plans were for the Muppets to play a more prominent role in the park, with a spoof of the Great Movie Ride called The Great Muppet Movie Ride. In this attraction, Jim Henson’s beloved characters would have reenacted iconic movie scenes. However, Disney and Henson were merging at that time, but the deal was halted following Henson’s death in 1990, which prevented the development of The Muppet Movie Ride. Yet, Disney eventually acquired the Muppets in 2004, so it’s possible that their most spectacular theme-park attraction is still on the horizon.

Jurassic Park Jeep Safari

At Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Jurassic Park features a ride called River Adventure, which is like a log flume and only slightly resembles the Jurassic Park movies due to its animatronic dinosaurs. The initial plan, however, included additional Jurassic Park attractions such as a Jeep Safari that would have closely followed the movie’s narrative. This ride would have taken visitors on an autonomous journey through the park, encountering brontosauruses, outrunning T-Rexes, and confronting raptors. Unfortunately, this concept was thought to be too similar to the River Adventure for both to operate together, as reported by DisneyAndMore.Blogspot.com.

Jurassic Park Jeep Safari

This image showcases the Jurassic Park Jeep Safari vehicle, which shares a comparable atmosphere with the iconic 8-seater DeLoreans from ‘Back to the Future’.

Baby Herman’s Runaway Buggy Ride

Originally, Disney had plans to expand ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’ into multiple theme-park rides beyond just Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin in Disneyland. One proposed ride was Baby Herman’s Runaway Buggy Ride, where guests would act as Baby Herman’s stunt double in a risky scene, seated in baby carriage-shaped vehicles. Guests were supposed to wear baby bonnets throughout the ride to enhance the illusion and boost photo sales. However, conflicts between Disney and Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment over control of Roger Rabbit halted the development of this ride. The same disputes also prevented the building of additional rides based on the movie.

Toontown Trolley

Similar to how the Baby Herman ride halted plans, disagreements about the Roger Rabbit character led to abandoning ideas for a Star Tours-like simulator ride that would’ve immersed visitors in a tour of Toontown, the cartoon world from ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’. Initially, these rides were meant to be included within a completely new Disneyland area called Hollywoodland. However, over time, this section was reimagined as Mickey’s Toontown instead. Alas, poor Roger.

Toontown Trolley

Here’s another fascinating concept sketch for the Roger Rabbit Trolley Ride. It seems quite surreal and vibrant. I bet children, particularly those energized by sugar, would find it captivating.

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2025-07-17 22:27