I used to love that ride and the 5 minutes or so to ride in the air conditioning.....and it actually fostered my desire to get out and see the world as a child - there were neat places to visit all over the world etc. I loved and miss this ride, I know as a slightly older than middle aged male I am predisposed to think that the new rides are garbage but honestly I would prefer to be on this ride than any Buzz Lightyear ride from today......back in the day all or many rides were corporate sponsored, RCA was Space Mountain and I think GE was the Carousel of Progress(?). I am too much of a traditionalist to like change, I wish the legacy rides remained untouched.....but a part of me understands the need to update.....
I was at the Smithsonian Air and Space the other day and saw a huge aircraft mural with an Eastern Airlines plane on it. I swear I could hear 'If You Had Wings' song in my head.
This was my FAVORITE ride. I do a lot of live rear projection in my shows and this was a HUGE influence on that. I just loved the feeling of being "in" the film.
I remember this ride from my 5th grade field trip in 1979. I loved it. I loved the campy soothing music. made me want to travel and stay in hotels and go sightseeing and eat in exotic restaurants and all that cool vacation stuff. I also loved the finale with the wind in your face. I wanna go back!
I remember "If You Had Wings" from the first time I visited WDW in 1974 (I was 13) and then the second in 1985 (24). In '74 there was a book of tickets for the attractions, but this one was free. This wasn't as fancy and sophisticated as other rides in the park, but there was something special about it. The combination of music and projected images was pleasant and relaxing. And the "grand finale" is breathtaking. Great memories. Thanks for sharing this video.
😎That’s so cool that you remember that too! The Carousel of Progress was free. So we rode it a few times and do u remember that the song was “The Best Time of your Life”? They changed it to the song from when it was at the 1964 World’s Fair in the late 90’s I think. I still wait for the “Now is the time, Now is the best time; Now is the best time of your life; Open your eyes and live every minute.... “ Well anyway I liked that one better. Was the people mover free too?
I never, ever forgot this wonderful ride. Like wheelstot said you really had to be there to appreciate it. I grew up in Florida so I was on it many times. So wish they could bring it back. I always remembered the people climbing Dunn's River Falls and, of course, the song. Thanks to the people who filmed this.
mark d let me guess, you are a late 90's (or even later) baby and fail to realize how good it was back in the day to ACTUALLY APPRECIATE LESS crowdedness than what we all experience PRESENT DAY with all you younger generation of SPOILED BRATS and FOREIGNERS taking up all the much needed space......
I just can't thank you enough for posting this video. I loved this ride so much as a young teenager that I rode it 26 times in one day. All these years later, my dad I will still say, out of the blue, "You can do all these things. You can widen your world. Eastern--the wings of man." lol
in 1980 at our grad night Kool and the Gang performed here! now when i tell people that KC and the sunshine band played the castle and Kool played Eastern you have to give a history lesson!! i loved this ride, Eastern was the first airline i ever flew on :)
We got stuck on this ride in 1986, I think someone was having trouble getting off and all the cars stopped for about 20 minutes. Can you imagine sitting on this ride for so long with that song and bizarre wall images playing? It was like a form of Cold War brainwashing -- "You Do Have Wings, have wings, have wings.." was forever seared into my brain! Thanks for videotaping and posting. I think I may need deprogramming because now I want to buy some stocks in Eastern airlines!
I was in WDW in 1984 and again in 85 and remember this ride well. Never thought I'd ever see any of it again. I enjoyed it. It was silly, true, but I still have fond memories of it.
Holy Cow, I never thought I would see this again. Thanks so much. No E ticket required for this ride, it was a freebie and we ran back around and rode if over and over again. My Mom's favorite!
With me, this ride opened me up to the possibility of world travel. I still remember the first time I flew on an L10-11 Wide Body Plane from Eastern Airlines, the image of those planes in the ride and the song would come to mind... by the way, when they used to have A B C D tickets to enter the WDW Rides, this one was FREE! My family and I would go out the exit and right back into the entrance. We would do this 3 and 4 times to cool off and then we would go the "Hamburger" plaza at the entrance of Tomorrow Land near the Swan Boats and enjoy their delicious treats which included a Jello Type desert!
One of the best rides at the time - especially in the summer! Had an awesome A/C!! Then head around the corner to Mr. Toads Wild Ride and the across to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Still hum the song when in the parks today
Lost it's sponsorship...it survived for awhile without a sponsor, but that usually kills a ride/pavillion. I never got to ride, so I'm super glad this is up on TH-cam. Thanks WYW!
I never, ever forgot this wonderful ride. Like wheelstot said you really had to be there to appreciate it. I grew up in Florida so I was on it many times. So wish they could bring it back. I always remembered the people climbing Dunn's River Falls and, of course, the song.
I loved this ride. I remember riding it over and over with my friend. We were 14. I am 50 now and it seems like yesterday! We are going do Disneyworld in 3 weeks (yippee!) and one of my favorite rides is where this ride used to be.....Buzz Lightyear!! :D
Back in the day of individual ride tickets, this was the only one that was free! I bet we rode that thing 50 times over the years. Love it and love the big finale!
Yay, every once in a while I find myself singing this and I can never understand why others look at me as if I am insane, well their loss...thanks by the way...
This is such a great childhood memory!! Specially since I would travel on Eastern Airlines to FL, and would go to Disney. Thanks for the memories. I’ve never forgotten the tune of the song “If you had wings”
Wow, I took my family last year, and I for whatever reason started to explain one of my favorite rides - which is what I believe to be Buzz Light Year now- which is now my 2 boys favorite. I can't thank you enough for posting this video.
As a kid I loved this ride, it's too bad that some theme park rides eventually cease to exist. Also the theme song from the Disney film Condorman always reminded me of the music on this ride.
I used to love this ride as a kid! Thanks for posting this! I have video somewhere that was horribly shot by my father with our "convertible" VCR that had to have weighed 10 lbs, to which the camera connected to which was at least another five lbs, and sat on his shoulder the whole trip! ahhh... the 80s :)
Both of my Grandpa's worked for Eastern Airlines and every time we visited Disney this was our go to ride. I loved this ride and I am ecstatic to see actual video's of the ride I loved so much as a child. Thank you for posting.
I too loved this ride. My brothers and I would ride it over and over. Yes, partly because it was free and didn't need a ticket. My dad flew L-1011 was probably another reason. Just hearing the music again was awesome. I remember a lot of those rear projected scenes too. Buzz lightyear claims this space now. It seems like they still use the same track and everything. Even the tube section at the end. Thanks for posting this.
I was in college at this time. Of all rides that Disney World has closed, this one is tied with Horizons as the one I miss the most. Thanks so much for posting.
Fantastic. I remember the first I went on that ride! That one and GE's Carrousel of Progress were my two favorite rides at Walt Disney World. Thanks for the memories.
Thanks a million for posting this videos... it brought back beautiful memories. I always loved that ride and looked forward to ride it a few times every time I went to the Magic Kingdom. I just loved the scene where the Cop is directing traffic: PEOPLE vs FLAMINGOS!
Ahhh the memories! This ride existed when imagination was more important than special effects... and before EVERY ride was merely a preshow for a gift shop! Thanks for posting!
This ride closed down four years before I was born and I didn't get to Disney World until about 2000-odd. I see all these videos of old dark rides and I sooo wish I could have seen them when they were open.
I remember this ride being free when the park still used tickets...and I stil think it was better than some of the rides you had to use a ticket for! Thanks for uploading this -- it brings back so many great memories!!
For those who are interested: If You had Wings was essentially Walt Disney World's answer to Disneyland's Adventure Thru Inner Space. Similar location in Tomorrowland, using the same Omni-mover technology, and similar concept. You fly into a globe at the start of If You Had Wings; You travel through a microscope in Adventure Thru inner Space. Here is Steve Wesson's AMAZING CGI recreation of the Disneyland ride: th-cam.com/video/KA3uFkF1A9o/w-d-xo.html
As a kid, I remember going through this ride, and hearing all the 70mm projectors in the background humming along. I think the first time I rode this ride was in 1978, and the last time in 1986.
Remember this ride from my childhood. About the same exact year. As kids we mocked the ride because we thought it was boring. The jingle never left my head however, whether good or bad, I'm not sure.
I actually remember riding this as a very young kid. For years the song was stuck in my head, sadly back then there was no internet to look it up. I even remember the smell inside the ride.
This most definitely brought a smile to my face! I'd forgotten all about the cop directing "traffic." And I remember enjoying this ride mostly for it's A/C.
OMG this was the first ride I went on in Tmrw Land...I refuse to think of what year but...Eastern flew us there. My Mom and Dad thought this was really cool. I liked the tunnels that made you look like you were skiing downhill...Sorry to say this ride is now a BUZZ kill..lol Thanks for the memories.
I loved this ride! No lines, and free back when you had to have tickets. My brother and I would go through over and over again when our tickets were running low.
I remember that too...The "E" Ticket ride. We rode this one when we ran out of tickets. The ride was kind-of cheesy but that tune...oh that tune. I still sing it until this day. It's almost as catchy as Small World. I also agree with you about the simple rides. I miss them too.
Wow. I still remember this one. I remember flying the now defunct Eastern Airlines on one of my first trips down to Disney World. This one was replaced by Delta Dreamflight when Delta replaced Eastern Airlines as the carrier for Disney World.
I rode it in the early 80s. There are so many things about the park back then, that have been.. I'll use the word lost, but they were necessary changes. Like the way they blasted the music in all the rides to drown out the clacking of the projectors, and they had the AC blasting to compensate for the heat of the projectors, but all together, they created a sort of feeling you don't get really now. But I still love the parks.
I remember if you had wings I was 9 years old when I rode the ride with my mom and dad at the magic kingdom in 1979 and the Ride was free sponsored by eastern airlines one of my favorite rides at the magic kingdom
DAMMIT, I NEED a clean sample of this "If You Had Wings" track. It was sooo peaceful and nice, I remember the attraction at Disney so waaaayyy back when, I even have an authentic EA wings pin from my flight when I was 8-9 years old...
I worked there in the Animatronics shop in 1972, this was one of the better shows to light up a fat rat in. We used to watch from the cat walks overhead.
The AC on this ride was the best. #disney #WDW
YES, especially in the last part when the seat pivots slightly backward and the strong fans come on.
Wow, this video is nostalgia at its best for me. I'm 42 and remember this ride at age 8 like it was yesterday...Best memory ever.
J M K Exactly. I'm The Same Age and I Loved This Ride with My Family. Especially ' The Fast ' Part...Epic
I remember this ride fondly as a kid...it always kept moving and had a catchy tune that followed you home...
I used to love that ride and the 5 minutes or so to ride in the air conditioning.....and it actually fostered my desire to get out and see the world as a child - there were neat places to visit all over the world etc. I loved and miss this ride, I know as a slightly older than middle aged male I am predisposed to think that the new rides are garbage but honestly I would prefer to be on this ride than any Buzz Lightyear ride from today......back in the day all or many rides were corporate sponsored, RCA was Space Mountain and I think GE was the Carousel of Progress(?). I am too much of a traditionalist to like change, I wish the legacy rides remained untouched.....but a part of me understands the need to update.....
Im 45, and remember this ride..... the best place to refresh and rest...... nice good memories.
These Classic Disney rides elicit great childhood memories. Thanks for that.
I went on this Ride @ Disney World in 1986!
I loved it! I love the Song!
I went on that Ride 3 times that day because I love the song!
The last time I rode this ride, my mother and brother were still alive. Part of me, thus, is still there.
I know it may be a small detail but I remember as a kid I loved the projection sequence where the birds transformed into the L1011 TriStars
I was at the Smithsonian Air and Space the other day and saw a huge aircraft mural with an Eastern Airlines plane on it. I swear I could hear 'If You Had Wings' song in my head.
This was my FAVORITE ride. I do a lot of live rear projection in my shows and this was a HUGE influence on that. I just loved the feeling of being "in" the film.
what was ride like?
mark d it always reminded me of the original ride in the Mexico pavilion at Epcot, minus the boats
I remember this ride from my 5th grade field trip in 1979. I loved it. I loved the campy soothing music. made me want to travel and stay in hotels and go sightseeing and eat in exotic restaurants and all that cool vacation stuff. I also loved the finale with the wind in your face. I wanna go back!
I remember "If You Had Wings" from the first time I visited WDW in 1974 (I was 13) and then the second in 1985 (24). In '74 there was a book of tickets for the attractions, but this one was free. This wasn't as fancy and sophisticated as other rides in the park, but there was something special about it. The combination of music and projected images was pleasant and relaxing. And the "grand finale" is breathtaking. Great memories. Thanks for sharing this video.
One of my favorite rides of all time. Love vintage Disney!
Yes! And the key word is "vintage." Everyone hates 'em now, because they choose ideology over their own customers.
This song ("If You Had Wings") was much more of an ear worm than "It's a Small World"... stuck in your head all day long after you rode it :)
It's such an earworm, it stuck in my head for over 35 years. I vaguely remember the ride, but the song is indelible
This was the happiest ride. When there were still tickets for rides this one was free!
Omg I remember the tickets and this one being free, I’m not sure if Carousel of Progress was free too.
😎That’s so cool that you remember that too! The Carousel of Progress was free. So we rode it a few times and do u remember that the song was “The Best Time of your Life”? They changed it to the song from when it was at the 1964 World’s Fair in the late 90’s I think. I still wait for the “Now is the time, Now is the best time; Now is the best time of your life; Open your eyes and live every minute.... “ Well anyway I liked that one better. Was the people mover free too?
I never, ever forgot this wonderful ride. Like wheelstot said you really had to be there to appreciate it. I grew up in Florida so I was on it many times. So wish they could bring it back. I always remembered the people climbing Dunn's River Falls and, of course, the song. Thanks to the people who filmed this.
Loved this ride. Never a line.
Edward James there's a reason for that
ride sucks?
mark d let me guess, you are a late 90's (or even later) baby and fail to realize how good it was back in the day to ACTUALLY APPRECIATE LESS crowdedness than what we all experience PRESENT DAY with all you younger generation of SPOILED BRATS and FOREIGNERS taking up all the much needed space......
THE READ QUEEN well that was pointlessly mean
THE READ QUEEN And you kids get out of my yard too!
I just can't thank you enough for posting this video. I loved this ride so much as a young teenager that I rode it 26 times in one day. All these years later, my dad I will still say, out of the blue, "You can do all these things. You can widen your world. Eastern--the wings of man." lol
in 1980 at our grad night Kool and the Gang performed here! now when i tell people that KC and the sunshine band played the castle and Kool played Eastern you have to give a history lesson!! i loved this ride, Eastern was the first airline i ever flew on :)
I rode this ride in October 1985 and I liked it a lot. Nice to see a video of it.
We got stuck on this ride in 1986, I think someone was having trouble getting off and all the cars stopped for about 20 minutes. Can you imagine sitting on this ride for so long with that song and bizarre wall images playing? It was like a form of Cold War brainwashing -- "You Do Have Wings, have wings, have wings.." was forever seared into my brain! Thanks for videotaping and posting. I think I may need deprogramming because now I want to buy some stocks in Eastern airlines!
One of my favorite rides at the Magic Kingdom!
Brings back great memories...............
I was on this ride 1977 and i was only 12 thank you for posting this
I was in WDW in 1984 and again in 85 and remember this ride well. Never thought I'd ever see any of it again. I enjoyed it. It was silly, true, but I still have fond memories of it.
One of my favorite rides!!! Man, that brought back memories.
Holy Cow, I never thought I would see this again. Thanks so much. No E ticket required for this ride, it was a freebie and we ran back around and rode if over and over again. My Mom's favorite!
With me, this ride opened me up to the possibility of world travel. I still remember the first time I flew on an L10-11 Wide Body Plane from Eastern Airlines, the image of those planes in the ride and the song would come to mind... by the way, when they used to have A B C D tickets to enter the WDW Rides, this one was FREE! My family and I would go out the exit and right back into the entrance. We would do this 3 and 4 times to cool off and then we would go the "Hamburger" plaza at the entrance of Tomorrow Land near the Swan Boats and enjoy their delicious treats which included a Jello Type desert!
One of the best rides at the time - especially in the summer! Had an awesome A/C!! Then head around the corner to Mr. Toads Wild Ride and the across to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Still hum the song when in the parks today
This brings back so many memories of when I was a kid.
Lost it's sponsorship...it survived for awhile without a sponsor, but that usually kills a ride/pavillion. I never got to ride, so I'm super glad this is up on TH-cam. Thanks WYW!
I never, ever forgot this wonderful ride. Like wheelstot said you really had to be there to appreciate it. I grew up in Florida so I was on it many times. So wish they could bring it back. I always remembered the people climbing Dunn's River Falls and, of course, the song.
I loved this ride. I remember riding it over and over with my friend. We were 14. I am 50 now and it seems like yesterday! We are going do Disneyworld in 3 weeks (yippee!) and one of my favorite rides is where this ride used to be.....Buzz Lightyear!! :D
Back in the day of individual ride tickets, this was the only one that was free! I bet we rode that thing 50 times over the years. Love it and love the big finale!
Omg! Decades of memories brought back!
Yay, every once in a while I find myself singing this and I can never understand why others look at me as if I am insane, well their loss...thanks by the way...
LOVED this ride so much it certainly felt like you were flying at the end ;) and the words to the song are so easy to remember ... haha!
This is such a great childhood memory!! Specially since I would travel on Eastern Airlines to FL, and would go to Disney. Thanks for the memories. I’ve never forgotten the tune of the song “If you had wings”
Wow, great video. Back when Disney was Disney.
"BRING IT BACK!"
Wow, I took my family last year, and I for whatever reason started to explain one of my favorite rides - which is what I believe to be Buzz Light Year now- which is now my 2 boys favorite. I can't thank you enough for posting this video.
As a kid I loved this ride, it's too bad that some theme park rides eventually cease to exist. Also the theme song from the Disney film Condorman always reminded me of the music on this ride.
I used to love this ride as a kid! Thanks for posting this! I have video somewhere that was horribly shot by my father with our "convertible" VCR that had to have weighed 10 lbs, to which the camera connected to which was at least another five lbs, and sat on his shoulder the whole trip! ahhh... the 80s :)
Another classical attraction gone but not forgotten thanks for the upload
Both of my Grandpa's worked for Eastern Airlines and every time we visited Disney this was our go to ride. I loved this ride and I am ecstatic to see actual video's of the ride I loved so much as a child. Thank you for posting.
I'm happy that you could enjoy this with your grandpas!
I too loved this ride. My brothers and I would ride it over and over. Yes, partly because it was free and didn't need a ticket. My dad flew L-1011 was probably another reason. Just hearing the music again was awesome. I remember a lot of those rear projected scenes too.
Buzz lightyear claims this space now. It seems like they still use the same track and everything. Even the tube section at the end. Thanks for posting this.
I was in college at this time. Of all rides that Disney World has closed, this one is tied with Horizons as the one I miss the most. Thanks so much for posting.
Fantastic. I remember the first I went on that ride! That one and GE's Carrousel of Progress were my two favorite rides at Walt Disney World. Thanks for the memories.
Thanks a million for posting this videos... it brought back beautiful memories. I always loved that ride and looked forward to ride it a few times every time I went to the Magic Kingdom. I just loved the scene where the Cop is directing traffic: PEOPLE vs FLAMINGOS!
Ahhh the memories! This ride existed when imagination was more important than special effects... and before EVERY ride was merely a preshow for a gift shop! Thanks for posting!
Wow! This brings back some great memories from my childhood. Thank you so much for posting it!
Ah, it was the ride to go on when you had used up all of your ride tickets. Great memories, thanks for posting!
If You Have Wings was a ride that you don't need tickets during the early years .
This ride closed down four years before I was born and I didn't get to Disney World until about 2000-odd. I see all these videos of old dark rides and I sooo wish I could have seen them when they were open.
I remember this ride being free when the park still used tickets...and I stil think it was better than some of the rides you had to use a ticket for! Thanks for uploading this -- it brings back so many great memories!!
I loved this ride when I was a little kid. Thank you so much for preserving my memories!!!!!
For those who are interested: If You had Wings was essentially Walt Disney World's answer to Disneyland's Adventure Thru Inner Space. Similar location in Tomorrowland, using the same Omni-mover technology, and similar concept. You fly into a globe at the start of If You Had Wings; You travel through a microscope in Adventure Thru inner Space. Here is Steve Wesson's AMAZING CGI recreation of the Disneyland ride: th-cam.com/video/KA3uFkF1A9o/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for posting! Reminds me of times when Disney World was almost flawless, and riding a plane wasn't like riding a city bus. :)
Thank You for sharing! I have wonderful memories of this attraction.
Loved this attraction when I was a kid growing up in Orlando!! Brings back the memories!!
As a kid, I remember going through this ride, and hearing all the 70mm projectors in the background humming along. I think the first time I rode this ride was in 1978, and the last time in 1986.
Remember this ride from my childhood. About the same exact year. As kids we mocked the ride because we thought it was boring. The jingle never left my head however, whether good or bad, I'm not sure.
I just loved this ride. The last few minutes were so amazing!! Thank you, for bringing it all back, for us.
I loved this attraction as a kid. Great song!!
Great cool down spot, no lines and the AC was awesome! Also it was free! No A B C D E ticket required.
I actually remember riding this as a very young kid. For years the song was stuck in my head, sadly back then there was no internet to look it up. I even remember the smell inside the ride.
This most definitely brought a smile to my face! I'd forgotten all about the cop directing "traffic." And I remember enjoying this ride mostly for it's A/C.
OMG this was the first ride I went on in Tmrw Land...I refuse to think of what year but...Eastern flew us there. My Mom and Dad thought this was really cool. I liked the tunnels that made you look like you were skiing downhill...Sorry to say this ride is now a BUZZ kill..lol Thanks for the memories.
Thank you for the flood of memories.
After I saw this video the song was stuck in my head for days.
Thanks for the video. I loved this ride as a child!!
I loved this ride as a child. Thank you for posting this.
I loved this ride! No lines, and free back when you had to have tickets. My brother and I would go through over and over again when our tickets were running low.
I absolutely loved this as a kid... that and the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse...
I remember that too...The "E" Ticket ride. We rode this one when we ran out of tickets. The ride was kind-of cheesy but that tune...oh that tune. I still sing it until this day. It's almost as catchy as Small World. I also agree with you about the simple rides. I miss them too.
Thanks for posting....I loved that ride. I knew everything associated with it............THanks
Omg thank you for this
The best of times back in the day.. thank you for posting this!
Thank you so much .. this brought back memories
My cousin and I used to go on this ride when it was extreamely hot..the AC was Fantastic!
It was great.Thanks for the memories.
Wow. I still remember this one. I remember flying the now defunct Eastern Airlines on one of my first trips down to Disney World. This one was replaced by Delta Dreamflight when Delta replaced Eastern Airlines as the carrier for Disney World.
Wow! That put a smile on my face! Great memories!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing.
I rode it in the early 80s. There are so many things about the park back then, that have been.. I'll use the word lost, but they were necessary changes. Like the way they blasted the music in all the rides to drown out the clacking of the projectors, and they had the AC blasting to compensate for the heat of the projectors, but all together, they created a sort of feeling you don't get really now. But I still love the parks.
I forgot about the guy directing the flamingos. Such a lighthearted and amusing ride.
Great footage! Thanks for keeping the memory of this ride alive.
This is a really awesome ride I've never seen before! I wish I could've been on it.
Thanks for putting this up.
I remember if you had wings I was 9 years old when I rode the ride with my mom and dad at the magic kingdom in 1979 and the Ride was free sponsored by eastern airlines one of my favorite rides at the magic kingdom
DAMMIT, I NEED a clean sample of this "If You Had Wings" track. It was sooo peaceful and nice, I remember the attraction at Disney so waaaayyy back when, I even have an authentic EA wings pin from my flight when I was 8-9 years old...
yep it was the best free ride back when you had to have tickets. There was never a line and the AC was great on a hot day. Loved that ride.
Brought back lots of memories across from the Almighty space Mt first plane ride was on eastern thanks for vid
Under the radar great stuff...love this song would be great in a current mix.
totally remember this ride...it was bizarre then and its really bizarre now,but i still loved it.
If you had wing.... If you had wings.... If you had wings, had wings, had wing.... LOL I still remember the song very well!
I miss this ride sooo much!!
When my brother & I was on this ride in Walt Disney World in 1998 the song was different. I think it was 88.
You are right. I think it all changed after Eastern went out of business in the early 90s.
I miss this ride so much! I would love to go on it again. I remember the birds and the song. I wish I knew where to find the song.
I worked there in the Animatronics shop in 1972, this was one of the better shows to light up a fat rat in. We used to watch from the cat walks overhead.