Credit: DisneyDisneyland Resort may be amid its 70th anniversary celebrations (with its official birthday on July 17), but that doesn’t mean everything is in tip-top shape at the House of Mouse’s first theme park.
From Wondrous Journeys at Sleeping Beauty Castle in Disneyland Park to World of Color–Happiness over at Disney California Adventure Park and the official debut of the Walt Disney animatronic in the A Magical Life show on Main Street, U.S.A., Disneyland70 is attracting guests from far and wide.
However, even with all the embellishment for its 70 years in operation, guests still have to battle maintenance errors at the theme parks. This one went so viral that over 10 million people saw it happen.
Peter Pan’s Flight: A Classic for a Reason
A cornerstone of Disneyland’s Fantasyland since opening day in 1955, Peter Pan’s Flight remains one of the park’s most beloved attractions. This suspended dark ride whisks guests away on a flying pirate ship, lifting them out of the Darling nursery and into the starry skies over London before diving into the colorful world of Neverland. It’s a short journey—just under three minutes—but one filled with timeless Disney magic.
The adventure begins in the beautifully themed queue, where guests pass through a detailed recreation of the Darling children’s bedroom. Once aboard, riders are treated to aerial views of London, complete with Big Ben and a glittering Thames, before gliding into Neverland’s iconic set pieces—Mermaid Lagoon, Skull Rock, and the climactic battle between Peter Pan and Captain Hook.
Even with minimal thrills, the ride’s immersive storytelling and visual charm continue to draw long wait times, often 40 minutes or more. It’s a favorite among families, accessible to all ages, and offers Early Entry as the best strategy for skipping the queue.
Over the years, subtle updates have refreshed certain scenes, replacing outdated portrayals with more culturally respectful storytelling, such as a redesigned Tiger Lily sequence.
Though brief, Peter Pan’s Flight captures the heart of Disney’s fantasy legacy. It’s not just a ride, it’s a flight fueled by imagination and nostalgia.
For a group of guests, though, the flight was anything but brief.
Peter Pan’s Flight Goes Down and the Lights Come On
As captured by social media couple Hunter and Anthony (@hunterandanthony), it can be seen that while riding Peter Pan’s Flight at Disneyland Park, the lights were on and cast members were seemingly present inside the ride.
The view
@hunterandantony_ The view 😬#jet2holidays #fyp #disneyland #disneyworld
Since it was posted earlier this week, the video has received over 1.3 million likes and 10.8 million views (at the time of publication). Comments flooded in about the state of the attraction with the lights on, as well as people retelling their experiences on other attractions that had maintenance issues. The currently trending Jet2 Holidays sound is seemingly aiding its virality.
In an earlier post, the pair shared another video of them at a standstill on Peter Pan’s Flight.
Peter Pans Flight
@hunterandantony_ Peter Pans Flight #fyp #disneyland #fantasyland
So, it may be a favorite with the Disney theme park crowd, but there is always a risk that a flight with Peter Pan over London may turn out to be the exact opposite of magical.
Have you ever had a lights-on experience at the Disney theme parks? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!