Thanks to his resounding success in Disney's Aladdin, the Genie has made the leap from actor to director, and he wants to put YOU in the picture with his high-flying film set in the skies above Agrabah.

This is your chance to pilot your own Flying Carpet around the multicoloured film-set and steal the scene!

Attraction Experience

You've entered the world where Toons make their movies, and now it's your chance to shine in the spotlight!  From the entrance to the courtyard, the glistening magic lamp draws you closer to the temporary oasis in this corner of the Toons' backlot.  The Genie from Aladdin has made the classic jump from actor to director - his script has the a-ok, the tropical Agrabah film set is ready and built... but where are the extras?  It's your time to shine, time to become a part of the animation magic!

Entering through the steel scaffolding at the side of the set, Genie has added some flashing signs and vibrant props to guide guests in to his casting call.  Next thing you know, you're in the extras' green room backstage, amongst scenery, props and real movie equipment for the upcoming production.

When you finally make it onto the set, the Agrabah theme hits you full-on, with luxuriant wooden marketplace barriers and colourful canopies surrounding a gigantic backdrop of Aladdin's desert oasis.  Even the paths feature various souvenirs and artefacts from Agrabah trodden into them.  Cameras ready to roll, effects on standby, actors on cue!  This is your call, don't miss your big break!

Climb into one of the 16 Flying Carpets, and, when Genie shouts "action!" put all your acting skill into the scene.  Your carpet soars upwards into the air and swirls around the giant, dazzling magic lamp centrepiece at a dizzying speed.  Don't forget your acting talent now, Genie wants smiles all round - perfect, perfect perfect!  Actors in the front can control the height of the carpet using the lever, whilst those in the back can control the tilt and pitch of the carpet - why not work together to really steal the scene?

Aaaand... cut!  Your carpet glides back to the ground and Genie couldn't be happier.

"Perfect people, perfect!  Have your people call my people, let's do lunch!"

Fun Facts & Footnotes

There are 16 flying carpets, each with room for up to 4 guests.  Once the ride has begun, guests in the front can control the height of the carpet whilst those in the back control the pitch.

For his directorial debut, Genie has created his very own production company, noticeable on various signs throughout the set: Three Wishes Productions.

The multicoloured Agrabah backdrop measures 450m² and is unique to this attraction.  In addition to giving Toon Studio much more outdoor colour, it also allows the Disneyland Hotel to remain mostly hidden from within the park.

The voice of the Genie is performed in English by Dan Castellaneta, most well known for his work in The Simpsons as the voice of Homer Simpson. He has also provided the voice of Genie in the first Aladdin sequel, The Return of Jafar, as well as in the animated television series and the Kingdom Hearts games.

History

This is the second version of this new take on a classic Disney attraction.  The first, The Magic Carpets of Aladdin, opened at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom on 24th May 2001 in the park's Adventureland.  The ride features a realistic Agrabah theme, similar to Adventureland Bazaar in Paris' Disneyland Park, and does not feature the curved backdrop nor a smoking magic lamp.  For Walt Disney Studios Park, the attraction was turned on its head with the scenery becoming merely movie sets and guest becoming stars in the Genie's 'directorial debut'.

One early concept proposed for the attraction involved the shooting of a desert storm sequence, complete with an appropriate backdrop and wind machine.  Another idea dropped in the early stages of development was to feature a costuming tent next to the attraction, allowing guests to try various Agrabah costumes.

Flying Carpets Over Agrabah was the final attraction to be added to the grand opening line-up of Walt Disney Studios Park, after the Sound Effects show in Production Courtyard was dropped in favour of this and Studio Tram Tour's Reign of Fire set-piece.  It was Imagineered at the last minute to fill the gap for an attraction aimed primarily at children, and was placed in the corner of Animation Courtyard, allowing extra space next to Art of Disney Animation in anticipation of further expansion of the land.

The attraction was equipped with Disney's Fastpass at opening, but today this feature operates only on the busiest of days.

As part of the 2006/07 Toon Studio place-making project, Flying Carpets Over Agrabah finally received its three 'Oasis' sand dunes in front of the attraction, which were initially withdrawn from plans before the park opened.  The new planting areas feature an Oasis theme with countless palm trees, sandy yellow flooring and even intricately detailed hanging Arabian lamps.  They hide the ride area from view to create a more intimate zone and a distinct themed area.  The new area of themeing was completed in October 2006 and opened to guests on 28th December 2006.  It was improved further during a full refurbishment of the attraction in March 2007, with a covering of sand filling the planters surrounded by repainted silver railings, to match those of Crush's Coaster.

See also: Le Passage Enchanté d'Aladdin