9 Favorite Movies Based on Disney Attractions, and Disney Attractions Based on Movies

When it comes to turning theme parks into movies, Disney has the market cornered. They also are quite adept at turning movies into their latest attractions. With ‘Tomorrowland’ hitting theaters, here’s a look at some of the Mouse House’s  most popular attractions – both at the park, and in the theater. 

The original Pirates boat ride opened in 1967. It gained popularity for its detail, catchy song and singing, animatronic, pirates. After the success of the first movie, ‘Curse of the Black Pearl,’ the ride was updated to include the life-like animatronic version of Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow.

When ‘Star Wars’ premiered in 1977, it was an epic movie-going experience like no other. Star Tours, the popular motion-simulator ride, made its debut at Disneyland in 1987. Today, the attraction, now in 3D, has been updated and renamed Star Tours – The Adventures Continue.

The only thing more popular than the adventures of Dr. Jones is the ride based on them. The Disneyland attraction, Indiana Jones Adventure, made its debut in 1995, taking park visitors on a thrill ride featuring a mine car, lava and, yes, snakes.

When it premiered in 1988, ‘Roger Rabbit’ made quite a splash, impressing moviegoers with its seamless interaction between live action and cartoon characters. The subsequent Disneyland ride, Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin, takes guests on a trip through Toontown in interactive vehicles.

The Disneyland ride Submarine Voyage, launched its subs in 1959.  After the success of ‘Finding Nemo,’ the attraction was turned into the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage in 2007, with added characters like Nemo, the little orange clownfish, and his friend Dory. 

Disney’s animated film about the boy who never grew up is a timeless classic, and so is the ride based on it. Peter Pan’s Ride has been taking guests to Neverland ever since Disneyland opened in 1955.

“To infinity, and beyond!’ Or, just swing by Disneyland to see both the Toy Story Midway Mania ride and Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters.

The gentle ride, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, which is located in Fantasyland, remains a popular attraction amongst younger park-goers, allowing them to experience what it’s like to “fly” with Dumbo.

The movie lent itself to both the Mad Tea Party spinning tea cups ride in Disneyland and to the Alice in Wonderland ride, where Disney fans can take a journey down the rabbit hole while riding in a giant caterpillar.