A beloved Disney tale is getting its own magical corner in Disneyland’s classic Storybook Land Canal Boats attraction. Beginning this winter, Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Tangled will officially join the lineup of miniature fairy tale scenes featured in the classic boat ride of Fantasyland.
As revealed in newly released concept art, the detailed addition centers on Rapunzel’s iconic tower from the film. You’ll find the new scene between the Patchwork Quilt and Toad Hall. The slender stone tower features a shingled turret and multiple windows nestled high (in miniature terms, of course) above the ground. The tower is surrounded by landscaped greenery and rocks that give the tower a secluded look, capturing the essence of Rapunzel’s hidden home.
As you pass the scene, look closely: you’ll spot multiple wanted posters for Flynn Rider scattered across the stone walls nearby. True to the film’s running joke, each poster gets Flynn’s nose wrong in a different way, even in miniature form.
Further down the canal, guests will float past a dock designed to resemble the one seen in the film’s iconic lantern scene. The dock will be adorned with soft, glowing lights that wind up a trellis near the bridge where the Casey Jr. Circus Train passes overhead.
The new scene will be brought to life through music as well. During the day, you’ll hear a sweet instrumental arrangement of “When Will My Life Begin?” drifting from Rapunzel’s tower, evoking her long days of painting, baking, (brushing and brushing and brushing) and dreaming of the outside world. At night, “I See the Light” will play as lantern-like lights twinkle beside the water, recreating the romantic floating lights boat scene between Rapunzel and Flynn.
A Brief History of Storybook Land Canal Boats
The Storybook Land Canal Boats attraction first opened at Disneyland in 1955, just a few weeks after the park’s grand opening. Originally known as the Canal Boats of the World, the ride was initially unfinished and lacked the detailed miniatures it’s now known for.
In 1956, the attraction was reimagined and reopened as Storybook Land Canal Boats, featuring beautifully detailed, small-scale recreations of iconic Disney settings. Over the years, the attraction has been updated with new scenes, including additions from Frozen and Aladdin, ensuring that both classic and modern Disney stories are represented.
Guests board small boats guided by a Cast Member and float through a tranquil canal, passing by miniature versions of beloved storybook locales. The attraction remains a favorite for guests of all ages due to its blend of gentle pacing, Disney history, and intricate artistry.
The addition of Tangled marks the latest evolution of this enduring attraction, continuing its tradition of celebrating Disney storytelling in miniature form.
