The Disney Attractions Discussion Series: Mad Tea Party

[Big Disney Fan]

<b>The Disney Attractions Discussion Series
Part One - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... php?t=6648" target="_blank">Space Mountain</a>
Part Two - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... php?t=6699" target="_blank">Peter Pan's Flight</a>
Part Three - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... php?t=6739" target="_blank">Pirates of the Caribbean</a>
Part Four - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... php?t=6774" target="_blank">Tom Sawyer's Island</a>
Part Five - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... php?t=6828" target="_blank">It's A Small World</a>
Part Six - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... php?t=6903" target="_blank">Star Tours</a>
Part Seven - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... php?t=7004" target="_blank">Splash Mountain</a>
Part Eight - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... php?t=7183" target="_blank">Mr Toad's Wild Ride</a>
Part Nine - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... php?t=7388" target="_blank">The Haunted Mansion</a>
Part Ten - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... hp?t=14225" target="_blank">Soarin'</a>
Part Eleven - <a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/forum/vie ... p?p=226391" target="_blank">The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror</a>
Part Twelve - <a href="http://www.dvdizzy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14272" target="_blank">Big Thunder Mountain Railroad</a>
Part Thirteen - Mad Tea Party</b>



<b>Statistics</b>
*One of the only attractions found at all five parks worldwide, all opening with their respective parks, save for Tokyo, which opened in 1986, three years after the rest of that park.
*All versions, except for Disneyland, are under a canopy roof to protect it from the elements.

[Big Disney Fan]

I read somewhere that early on in WDW's lifetime, the teacups were also uncovered, probably as late as 1974. I wonder when it was that they got their canopy roof?

[Wonderlicious]

I always get a kick out of this one. Yes, it's exceedingly simple, and you can do it in nearly every theme park in the world (often with knock-off teacups). But the fact that it's Disney, and has the Alice soundtrack on as you spin round must make it a bit more of a classic. It's always on my list of things to see in the Magic Kingdoms.

I do have to say though that I think that the general consensus of "carnival rides" being unfit for Disney parks is a bit silly. I can understand people saying that they're a bit of an excuse for a cheap new attraction, but the fact is that nobody would bash a Fantasyland carnival ride (perhaps out of it being a Walt original), even one that isn't particularly elaborate such as the carousels. As long as the theming is good, in my opinion, then I shan't bash.

[avonleastories95]

The chances of not getting dizzy on this ride are more likely than the Queen of Hearts talking out her problems instead of a beheading ! But seirously, this is one of my favorite rides at Disneyworld. Yes, it has been done before in many other parks, but I feel that this teacup attraction stands out more. The reason being the music that is played from Alice in Wonderland, the movie that it is based on. The colors and the music itself makes you seem that you are on "The Bad Acid Trip Ride," besides that, I enjoy this very much!

[David S.]

I enjoy it too! I love the music and the colours, and my favorite part is the cute little Doormouse peeking out of the teapot!

I do really wish the MK had the Alice darkride to compliment the Teacups, as then you could have even more story elements from the film in the park.

[UmbrellaFish]

I used to love teacups. Now they just make me sick! I still ride them, only at the end of my visit, though.

[Big Disney Fan]

The cups all have different designs on them. In fact, until Tokyo's teacups were remodeled in 1998, they all had different designs. Here's an old shot of the pre-1998 designs:



After the ride was remodeled, however, the cups all echoed the look of Paris' cups, like so:



And when Hong Kong Disneyland opened, their cups, too, resembled Paris'. Now the only versions that have different designs are in the States.