Honey, I Shrunk the Kids… and Disneyland
Ahh, the place where most Disney characters call home!
Who would have known that inside the giant whale from Pinocchio, there’s a universe filled with characters from some of your favorite Disney movies? Storybook Land Canal Boats is a classic boat ride that debuted when Disneyland opened its doors in 1955. It’s a chill adventure through Disney’s history, where we sit down, relax, and watch miniatures and adorable scenes from movies like Aladdin, Frozen, Cinderella, and many more.
What we like about Storybook Land Canal Boats
This is, above all, a very charming ride that reminds me a lot of It’s a Small World. The main difference is that you have a guide inside your boat, similar to what you’d experience on Jungle Cruise, who tells you a little bit about the history of the ride and the characters you meet. It’s relaxing, it’s a good way to rest your legs, and it gives you that daily dose of nostalgia while recharging your energy for the next ride. This is an attraction that doesn’t try to be more than a chill boat ride, and there’s nothing wrong with that.
Instead of the dolls from It’s a Small World singing non-stop, you get to explore a world filled with miniatures of castles and characters, from the palace of Agrabah to the kingdom of Arendelle. The boat ride lasts about five minutes, and the guide’s commentary about the places and characters keeps it interesting most of the time.
This is also a great attraction for toddlers and, above all, a wonderful way for families to enjoy some quality time, catch a nice breeze, and take a relaxing boat trip inside Disneyland. It’s also a treat that you get to listen to classic Disney songs during your journey. You might hear A Whole New World while traveling through Agrabah and spotting the Genie’s magic lamp, or the bells ringing as you pass through Arendelle.
What we don’t like about Storybook Land Canal Boats
Don’t get me wrong, I do think that Storybook Land Canal Boats is charming, but it’s also too… simple? I think it needs way, way more miniatures and characters than it currently has, and especially miniatures of names like Aladdin, Elsa, the Genie and more. I’m not even asking for animatronics or crazy new visual effects, just more miniatures. More often than not, each new kingdom has a castle, a few houses and that’s it.
As I mentioned, I do think this ride could remain charming without any CG effects, but I’d love to see additions like a train miniature moving through some kingdoms or a small figure of Elsa dancing atop her castle. So far, I don’t think there’s anything like that. What about incorporating some practical effects to enhance the experience, like a cool snow effect when we explore the world of Frozen?
For now, this is a classic ride that feels a bit too stuck in the past for my liking. Is it still a good way to pass the time with your toddlers? Absolutely. However, I think kids older than 8 might find it a bit boring. It’s a Small World is also a classic, but it has far more going on at any given moment to keep your attention focused on your surroundings. Storybook Land Canal Boats could benefit from more of that.
Storybook Land Canal Boats FAQ
Where is Storybook Land Canal Boats located?
Storybook Land Canal Boats is located in Disneyland.
What is the height requirement to ride Storybook Land Canal Boats?
There is no height requirement for this ride.
Is Storybook Land Canal Boats too scary for children?
No, it is not. The boat moves slowly and there are no jump scares or even villains making an appearance.
Do we recommend Storybook Land Canal Boats?
Not really. We think that this ride could use more miniatures and characters to make it interesting. We do recommend it for families traveling with toddlers, though.
