Image: Disney Parks
Here’s our first look inside Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival, a new dark ride at Tokyo DisneySea’s Fantasy Springs based on Disney Animation’s Tangled. The attraction is a boat ride not unlike Pirates of the Caribbean that takes you through the story of Rapunzel’s dream to see the floating lanterns glow—and discover that her “mother” kidnapped her to use her magical long hair for eternal youth, and that maybe she’s her kingdom’s lost princess.
The Disney Princess era of CG animation kicked off with 2010’s Disney release Tangled starring Mandy Moore as the long-haired Princess Rapunzel, and Zachary Levi as her reluctant rescuer turned true love Flynn Rider. It’s exciting that the Disney hit finally gets a classic fairytale ride of its own, albeit in Japan first. So you’ll have to travel far to go on Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival—though there’s some hope it may come to Disneyland eventually as part of its recently announced expansion. Take a look at the ride in action below in a video from Disney Parks; images in the gallery ahead also show the incredible work from Imagineering in bringing this ride from animation to life.
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Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival at Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs
Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival at Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs
Image: Disney Parks
The entrance evokes the 2010 film directed by Nathan Greno and Byron Howard.
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Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival at Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs
Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival at Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs
Image: Disney Parks
As you ride the boat outside you’ll be able to see Rapunzel in her tower, where her story begins.
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Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival at Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs
Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival at Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs
Image: Disney Parks
Love that there’s so many details like Flynn Rider’s wanted poster—too bad they got his nose and name wrong (his real name is Eugene).
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Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival at Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs
Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival at Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs
Image: Disney Parks
The hair texture looks so cool and I’d love to see this in action swinging about. That would be the “best day ever”!
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Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival at Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs
Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival at Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs
Image: Disney Parks
The Snuggly Duckling is not only featured in the ride but you can also visit it as a restaurant in Fantasy Springs.
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Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival at Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs
Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival at Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs
Image: Disney Parks
LOOK AT HER GLOWING HAIR! Ahhhh! Also, Pascal breaking the ride fourth wall here is delightful as you pass by.
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Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival at Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs
Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival at Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs
Image: Disney Parks
The lantern scene is a showstopper and I feel like images don’t quite do it justice. Cannot wait to see this in person.
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Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival at Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs
Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival at Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs
Image: Disney Parks
“At last I see the liiiiiiiiiight”
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Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival at Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs
Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival at Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs
Image: Disney Parks
And here’s some outdoor facade work with Flynn trying to outrun Maximus.
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Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival at Tokyo Disney Fantasy Springs
Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival at Tokyo Disney Fantasy Springs
Image: Disney Parks
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Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival at Tokyo Disney Fantasy Springs
Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival at Tokyo Disney Fantasy Springs
Image: Disney Parks
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Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival at Tokyo Disney Fantasy Springs
Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival at Tokyo Disney Fantasy Springs
Image: Disney Parks