Disneyland Rethemes Walt’s Classic Opening Day Attraction, New Princess Takes Over

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A long-awaited piece of Tangled magic is finally making its way to Disneyland Park — and it’s arriving in miniature form. Starting this winter, Rapunzel’s iconic tower will be added to the Storybook Land Canal Boats attraction in Fantasyland, marking the very first time that the world of Tangled has officially joined a Disneyland ride.Credit: HarshLight via FlickrSet to debut as part of the Disneyland Resort’s 70th anniversary celebration, this tiny yet charming addition will nestle right into the fairytale landscape of Storybook Land, adding to a beloved attraction that dates all the way back to Walt Disney himself.Tangled Comes to Life in MiniatureCredit: DisneyWhile Disney fans around the globe have been treated to Tangled-themed experiences — most notably the elaborate Rapunzel’s Forest at Tokyo DisneySea — fans visiting Disneyland in California have had relatively little to celebrate when it comes to the beloved 2010 animated film. Aside from character meet-and-greets and themed restrooms in Fantasyland, Tangled has never had a dedicated attraction or show at Disneyland.Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) shared the news on X posting the concept art and stating, “Storybook Land is getting more miniature magic Rapunzel’s Tower will debut in Storybook Land Canal Boats at@Disneyland this winter! Sail into the details and history of the beloved attraction. http://di.sn/6015AouuB”Storybook Land is getting more miniature magic Rapunzel’s Tower will debut in Storybook Land Canal Boats at @Disneyland this winter! Sail into the details and history of the beloved attraction. https://t.co/vzVoEtSv2Q pic.twitter.com/xVRh3chnRb— Disney Parks (@DisneyParks) October 6, 2025That all changes this winter, as guests will soon be able to sail past Rapunzel’s tower, recreated in stunning scale along the banks of the canal. According to concept art and official details, the tower will be nestled between the Patchwork Quilt landscape and Toad Hall, two longtime staples of the attraction’s storybook charm.Even in miniature, the tower features the signature tall, winding stonework topped with a shingled turret — immediately recognizable to fans of the film. Vibrant greenery surrounds the scene, completing the look of Rapunzel’s tucked-away forest home.Easter Eggs for Tangled FansImagineers have made sure this addition is more than just a visual nod. Tangled fans will find subtle references throughout the new scene. Most notably, a series of wanted posters featuring the notoriously difficult-to-draw Flynn Rider are scattered across a stone wall near the tower. Just like in the film, none of the artists seem to have quite nailed his nose.A small boat dock will also sit nearby, inspired by the romantic rowboat scene from Tangled that remains one of the film’s most iconic moments. The dock is framed by delicate twinkling lights that stretch up a trellis and across the nearby bridge — echoing the floating lanterns Rapunzel and Flynn Rider admired in the movie.By day, guests passing by will hear a new musical arrangement of “When Will My Life Begin?” floating from the tower, helping to capture the spirit of Rapunzel’s lively — if repetitive — daily routine. At night, the ambiance shifts, with the tender duet “I See the Light” playing as the canal glows with soft, flickering lights.A Perfect Fit for a Disneyland ClassicThe addition of Rapunzel’s tower is not just a welcome tribute to a modern classic — it’s a continuation of the very spirit of the Storybook Land Canal Boats, which has evolved over the years to include iconic Disney scenes in miniature.The ride originally debuted in 1955 as “Canal Boats of the World,” opening day of Disneyland. It was reimagined in 1956 into the fairytale-rich Storybook Land guests know today. Since then, it’s grown into one of the park’s most detailed and lovingly maintained experiences, showcasing handcrafted miniatures of castles, homes, and villages from Disney Animation history.The attraction pays homage to Walt Disney’s own fascination with miniatures. He collected them for years and was closely involved in the design and development of this peaceful canal tour. The scale used throughout — 1:12 — allows for an impressive amount of realism in the buildings and their surroundings.In recent decades, Storybook Land has received updates to reflect the expanding Disney animated universe. Scenes from Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, and Frozen have all joined the canal’s lineup. Now, Tangled earns its rightful place among them.Disneyland’s 70th Anniversary Brings New SurprisesCredit: DisneyThe new Rapunzel addition is timed to coincide with the Disneyland Resort’s 70th anniversary celebration in 2025 and 2026. While it may be small in scale, it adds another layer of storytelling to one of the park’s most classic rides — and gives guests a reason to look twice at every turn of the canal.As Disney prepares to roll out a year of new experiences, character appearances, and nostalgic callbacks to its origins, this tower serves as a symbolic blend of past and present. It’s a reminder that even the quietest corners of Disneyland are still growing and changing — with room for both timeless fairy tales and more recent Disney favorites.International Growth of Tangled AttractionsUntil now, Tokyo DisneySea was the only Disney Park to boast a Tangled-themed ride. That attraction, Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival, invites guests on a romantic boat ride through Rapunzel’s story and is one of the highlights of Tokyo DisneySea’s new Fantasy Springs expansion.Soon, Disneyland Paris will join the list, with Walt Disney Studios Park set to debut its own Tangled-themed ride as part of the transformation into Disney Adventure World. With Disneyland’s new tower addition, the stage is being set for Rapunzel to become a more prominent fixture across Disney’s global portfolio.Tiny Details, Big MagicThe team behind Storybook Land Canal Boats has long been known for its precision and creativity. Each element of the ride — from the delicately trimmed trees to the movable doors on each building — is designed with an extraordinary level of detail. During the holidays, some buildings even receive tiny seasonal decorations, proving that no detail is too small to enhance the magic.The Rapunzel addition is expected to maintain that same level of detail, with nods to the original film that eagle-eyed fans will appreciate. From the patterns on the tower walls to the lantern-inspired lighting, this new scene will be a must-see for both longtime fans of the attraction and first-time visitors.As the tower rises in Storybook Land, one thing is clear: Disneyland continues to honor its history while making room for new magic. And with Rapunzel’s tower soon watching over the waters of Fantasyland, guests of all ages will have one more reason to fall in love with the ride — and the story — all over again.The post Disneyland Rethemes Walt’s Classic Opening Day Attraction, New Princess Takes Over appeared first on Inside the Magic.