Things We Hate About Magic Kingdom's Classic 'Peter Pan' Ride

This ride is a certified classic, but there are a few things about it we just can’t get behind.

A colorful scene depicting a battle between Captain Hook and Disney's Peter Pan on the bow of a pirate ship on Peter Pan's Flight. — Credit: Disney

While it may be weird to think about, Peter Pan wasn’t there on Magic Kingdom’s opening day. Peter Pan’s Flight actually opened just a few days after Magic Kingdom’s grand opening on October 3, 1971.

Today, Peter Pan’s Flight is about as iconic as Magic Kingdom itself and often ranks as one of the most popular and beloved rides at the entire Walt Disney World Resort.

However, there are a few things we don’t particularly like about this attraction, and we think most fans would agree.

The Wait

Animated scene featuring four children and a fairy flying in the night sky against a backdrop of a full moon. The children, in their nightclothes, are led by one dressed in green, reminiscent of Peter Pan. A glowing fairy beside them leaves a trail of sparkles. — Credit: Disney

Let’s get this one out of the way first. As we said, Peter Pan’s Flight is pretty popular and usually has a pretty long wait throughout the day. There are definitely times when the wait dips down to 30 minutes and below, but typically, guests can expect to wait around 45 minutes to an hour on a regular day at Magic Kingdom.

Time is the only thing more valuable than money inside Disney World, so guests will want to spend it wisely. Waiting such a long time for an attraction of this caliber doesn’t make sense for some travelers.

Of course, Peter Pan’s Flight is a must-do for many guests, but at the same time, there are other, better attractions waiting at Magic Kingdom. Try to knock Peter Pan out in the morning or at night to avoid waiting long in line.

The Ride

A scene from a Peter Pan-themed attraction featuring Captain Hook and Peter Pan dueling on a ship's bow — Credit: Disney

Peter Pan’s Flight is an absolute classic, but this status comes with a price. For 54 years, Peter Pan’s Flight has been serving sky-high tours of London and Neverland, and while the experience is pretty much the same as it’s always been, the ride is certainly showing its age.

The actual on-ride experience can be a little shaky and bumpy, though this kind of adds to its charm. Peter Pan’s Flight isn’t your typical dark ride. Instead of simply taking riders on a track, passengers are lifted up by the top of the ride vehicle, giving the illusion of flight.

This mechanic is impressive but also a little jerky and noisy, serving as a reminder that this attraction has been operating for over half a century.

The Length

Peter Pan's Flight at the Magic Kingdom — Credit: HarshLight, Flickr

Peter Pan’s Flight is both fun and magical, but it is not long. Lasting a little over two minutes, this ride feels relatively short, especially if guests wait a long time to hop aboard.

While the actual experience is pretty incredible, Peter Pan’s Flight can feel underwhelming for those who may have built up the attraction in their minds.

Peter Pan’s Flight is undoubtedly one of Magic Kingdom’s most iconic attractions, but it’s not for everyone. We recommend trying it once while you’re there, but it’s up to you if you want to fly around Neverland again.

Do you agree or disagree?