Disneyland Park has abruptly blocked off the exterior of one of its iconic Fantasyland dark rides: Pinocchio’s Daring Journey. This attraction, which replaced the Mickey Mouse Club Theater on May 23, 1983, has delighted generations of guests with its enchanting retelling of the Walt Disney Animation Studios film Pinocchio (1940).
The ride tells the story of the wooden puppet who wishes to be a real boy, with animatronics and sets bringing the beloved characters to life. The attraction has stood the test of time, with versions opening at Tokyo Disneyland in 1983 and Disneyland Paris in 1992. These three versions still operate today, providing millions of park-goers with a classic Disney experience.
However, things look a bit different for Disneyland Park guests these days. According to WDWNT, Disneyland Resort has installed large wooden construction walls and fabric scrim material on the exterior of Pinocchio’s Daring Journey. These walls, which blend into the Fantasyland aesthetic with dark wood paneling, conceal scaffolding installed around the ride.
The construction walls and fabric material extend to the ride’s extended queue. This area, now blocked off, has been replaced with stanchions, ropes, and purple flags, forcing guests to stand in the sun while they wait for their turn to experience the ride. Thankfully, Pinocchio’s Daring Journey typically sees wait times of no more than 20 minutes, with shorter lines usually being the norm.
While Disneyland Resort has not publicly acknowledged the construction work, it appears to be part of routine maintenance rather than a significant overhaul. Crews have been working on several areas throughout Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park in preparation for the Southern California Disney destination’s 70th-anniversary celebrations, which will begin on May 16, 2025. Whether this maintenance work will be completed before the anniversary celebrations remains unclear.
Despite the ongoing work, Pinocchio’s Daring Journey is still operating as usual, though it may close early on nights when Disneyland Park hosts fireworks due to its proximity to Sleeping Beauty Castle. Guests can check the Disneyland Resort app for the latest operating information.
Are any other Disneyland Resort attractions in need of some maintenance work? Share your thoughts with Disney Dining in the comments!
