NEWS: 10 Rare Photos Celebrating The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh’s 25th Anniversary

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh at Walt Disney World is celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary! Disney has released some rare historical photos of the attraction. Learn more below!

Here are all the details from Disney Cast Member Taylor Stevanovski:

If you’re craving a trip to the Hundred Acre Wood, chances are you’ve hopped in a Hunny Pot at The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh at Walt Disney World Resort. Did you know that this week, this buzz-worthy attraction turns 25? To celebrate, we’ve gathered the best vintage photos of Winnie the Pooh and pals, as well as of the attraction through the years.

Back in 1998, a sign in Fantasyland announced the future The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh attraction at Disney World.

While Pooh and friends anticipated their scrumptious adventure into the Hundred Acre Wood, they still had quite the presence in the park — including at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in 1997!

Rarer characters such as Owl, Kanga and Roo even made special appearances.

On June 4, 1999, The Many Adventures of the Winnie the Pooh opened its doors! Guests hopped in an oversized Hunny Pot and followed Pooh, Tigger, Gopher, Piglet and more in a delightful romp through the classic Walt Disney Animation film “Winnie the Pooh.”

If the ride’s exterior looks a little different these days, in 2010, the queue and façade were completely reimagined — including relocating a 120-ton tree to blend the space with the new Fantasyland expansion.

Guests now explore Tigger’s Bouncy Place, Rabbit’s Garden, Pooh’s Hunny Hives and more as they wander through the queue. It’s an interactive experience that’s sure to leave a rumbly in your tumbly!

Pooh and friends have continued to venture out of the Hundred-Acre Wood through the decades, from a group photo in front of Cinderella Castle in 2000 to an appearance in the Share A Dream Come True Parade that debuted in 2001 for Walt Disney World’s 100 Years of Magic Celebration.

In 2011, the pals even stopped by Disney’s Animal Kingdom! These days, you may spot them at Magic Kingdom or EPCOT — including everyday appearances at The Crystal Palace.

We hope you enjoyed this small smackerel of Disney history! Next time you embark on a blustery day on The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, keep an eye out for another nod to the attraction’s past — an homage to Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride which occupied the space until 1999.

For more ways to celebrate all things Pooh, put your trivia skills to the test or see how this willy, nilly, silly ol’ bear touches hearts around the world.

RELATED ARTICLE: 8 Facts and Secrets about The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh at Disney World

by Kristin

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh is an adorable attraction that helps to bring the pages of the classic storybook to life right before your eyes.  There are several scenes from the book that are created on the ride including all of your favorite characters, too.  The attraction first appeared in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom and has always been extremely popular since it was added.  Here are eight fun facts and secrets about The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh:

8 – Winnie the Pooh is more famous than you realize!

The voice of Winnie the Pooh, Jim Cummings, has brought the loveable bear to life for us over the years.  You may not realize that not only has he voiced other characters, but he has also voiced in other Disney attractions, too!  He has been in Aladdin, Hercules, The Lion King, Tarzan, and others. As far as attractions go, he was the narrator for Illuminations:  Reflections of Earth at Epcot!

7 – There is a lot to do in the ride queue.

Many guests never even experience the ride queue because they utilize Disney Genie+ for the attraction.  Normally, I would say that waiting in line would be my last choice, but at this attraction, it is a lot of fun!  There are lots of things for guests of all ages to touch and play with to keep them busy during the line.  There are different interactive fun things to do, including drawing shapes in virtual honey.  This is definitely a ride queue that you won’t be as bored in if you have to wait in it!

6 – Pepper’s Ghost Illusion is used in Pooh’s dream sequence.

The Pepper’s Ghost Illusion is really cool!  This is where you use lights and glass positioned and set up the right way in order to project an image.  This is used in many attractions across Disney World including The Haunted Mansion, which is probably the most extensive use of the technique.  Many would think it is some kind of hologram, but it is Pepper’s Ghost Illusion.

5 – Mr. Toad gives the deed over to Owl.

When you are in the scene at Owl’s house, be sure to pay very close attention to the pictures in the house.  You will see a picture of Mr. Toad handing over the deed to Owl.  This is important because Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride was the attraction that was in the location where Winnie the Pooh was established. Disney is notorious for paying homage to the forgotten and replaced attractions, so this is a nice nod to Mr. Toad.

4 – Moley and Pooh are in a picture together.

Since Disney is so big on leaving a little bit of an old attraction behind, it is no surprise that they left a few little trinkets to remember Mr. Toad by.  There is also a picture of the attraction of Pooh and Moley, who was one of Mr. Toad’s best friends, together on the attraction.  Be sure to keep your eyes peeled so that you don’t miss the little details!

3 – The ride vehicles are motion-enhanced.

When you meet Tigger on the attraction, you should notice that your ride vehicle begins to bounce up and down so that you can be like Tigger.  Have you wondered how this could be?  The ride vehicles themselves are on a ride track for the vehicles to follow.  Each car is also motion-enhanced in the front of the car so that it can control the bouncing movements.  It’s so much fun to bounce like Tigger!

2 – A nod to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

We know how much Disney loves to add little facts and details about other attractions when they make a new attraction.  You might have thought that the nods to Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride were all, but there is actually a nod to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea as well.  If you look in the treehouse play area that is out front of the attraction, you will notice that there are carvings inside of it.  One of the carvings is the Nautilus!  How cool is that?

1 – This was the only dark ride in Fantasyland at Hong Kong Disneyland when it opened.

When Hong Kong Disneyland first opened, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh was the only dark attraction that was open at Fantasyland.  They chose this attraction because Winnie the Pooh is in line with Mickey for generating profits and product sales.  They wanted a recognizable and popular character to be there for the opening that would have the guests relating to the park and attractions.