Summary of Silly Symphony Swings
- Overview: Silly Symphony Swings is a ride inspired by classic Mickey Mouse cartoons, featuring two-person swing seats.
- Key Details: Located in Pixar Pier, it offers a thrilling experience with minimal fear factors.
- Tips for Enjoyment: Enjoy the ride at night and be aware of restrictions regarding belongings.
- Fun Facts: Originally called the Orange Zinger, the ride has a fascinating history evolving with themes and designs.
Silly Symphony Swings gets its name from Walt Disney’s “Silly Symphonies,” a series of 75 short films produced between 1929 and 1939, particularly featuring “The Band Concert.” You will find Mickey Mouse as the band conductor at the top.
This ride is a simple swing-style attraction, quite similar to Golden Zephyr, except for the two-person seats. Before spinning, it rides above Paradise Bay, slightly enhancing the thrill.
The storyline is a typical Mickey Mouse fantasy that gets out of hand. While Mickey conducts the William Tell Overture by Gioachino Rossini, a tornado takes over, spinning the audience (the riders) through the storm. Look up, and you’ll see tornado scenes above you.
Silly Symphony Swings closely resembles Golden Zephyr, offering similar views. Some riders prefer it as you are less confined and not squished against the sides of the ride vehicle. For most guests, experiencing either one of these rides is sufficient.
What You Need to Know about Silly Symphony Swings
- Location: Pixar Pier
- Rating: ★★
- Restrictions: 48 in (122 cm) to ride alone; those between 40 and 48 inches must ride with a responsible person.
- Ride Time: 2 minutes
- Recommended for: All guests meeting the height restrictions.
- Fun Factor: Moderate to boring.
- Wait Factor: Medium to short; averages about 10 minutes at busiest times.
- Fear Factor: Low, unless you are extremely afraid of heights or prone to dizziness.
- Herky-Jerky Factor: Low
- Nausea Factor: Low, unless you are prone to dizziness.
- Seating: Swing vehicles seat one person each with individual seatbelts; simply walk up and sit down.
- Accessibility: Transfer from a wheelchair or ECV onto the ride vehicle is required; enter to the right of the regular line and take the elevator to the second level. Service animals are not permitted.
How to Have More Fun on Silly Symphony Swings
- The Silly Symphony is particularly enjoyable at night.
- For safety reasons, guests cannot take backpacks or bags on the ride; storage baskets are available. Flip-flops may also need to be removed as per the Cast Member’s instruction.
- Riders must be able to lower the lap bar completely to participate.
- This attraction often closes early on days with a World of Color show, so check the schedule ahead of time to avoid disappointment.
- Each person secures an individual seat, so ensure your children can handle this responsibility before allowing them to ride.
Fun Facts About Silly Symphony Swings
The ride was inspired by the classic Mickey Mouse cartoon shorts. While “The Band Concert” isn’t technically categorized as one of the Silly Symphonies, it resembles them closely.
Some speculate that the voice associated with Silly Symphony Swings belongs to the fictional Mr. Tinkershmidt, the new owner of Paradise Pier.
This classic swing ride was originally known as the Orange Zinger, designed to look like a gigantic half-peeled California orange, with bumblebees serving as the ride vehicles.
During a renovation in 2010, Imagineers considered a Pinocchio theme, where marionette strings would attach to the swings, and Geppetto would control the riders. Ultimately, they opted to expose the orange for better views while keeping the thematic music intact.
