Fantasyland Changes

Aussiegirl · 09-17-2009, 07:12 PM

Here is a link to an article listing the details: http://seekingalpha.com/article/161657- ... antasyland

and this link has some photos of what the finished projects will look like: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/o ... otogallery

A completion date of 2012 and 2013 may put a hinge in our plans to go in fall of 2011! I worry of what will be open, and what will be closed due to the construction!

AmandaAnn · 09-17-2009, 08:34 PM

I hope it doesn't totally mess up your trip.

We're going in January or 2010.... I wonder if they will start right away or not.

Quote:

In addition, Walt Disney also plans to set up two new dining places - Gascon's Tavern and The Beast's Castle. The company also intends to construct a new underwater ride, based on the "The Little Mermaid", both in Florida Fantasyland and at the ongoing expansion site of California Adventure.

They called Gaston Gascon...

And the Little Mermaid ride at California Adventure isn't going to be underwater... it's a dark ride where that California Dreams movie thing used to be.

The pictures look AWESOME! I am super excited about The Little Mermaid ride! (At California Adventure too. Ariel has always been one of my favorites!)

Edited to add:
This article says the Little Mermaid ride at Magic Kingdom will be just like the one at California Adventure, so neither one of them would be underwater then I guess. Oh well, still excited!!

jeffsamber · 09-18-2009, 06:48 PM

Oh Wow - I saw the pics and they look so amazing! There was also a video on youtube where they showed how you would be able to go from princess to princess by seeing them actually in their story setting. Not sure what the link is to the video. Will post it if I find it again. Has anyone heard how long all of this will take? I'd love to go again 2011-ish but I also don't want to be in the middle of the construction.

longhorn · 09-18-2009, 07:09 PM

Doesn't that new princess area look like so much fun! My daughter is going to LOVE it. I also read that they will be expanding Dumbo - you think that means the end of 45 min waits?

Carolc · 09-18-2009, 08:49 PM

Interesting... thanks for posting the links

Regarding the Fantasyland changes, take lots of photos of things as they are now. I vaguely remember the 'old' Fantasyland at Disneyland and wish my dad took more photos of it. While I love the warmth and look of Fantasyland now (which I believe is the way Walt really wanted it, but couldn't afford it at the time), I was sad to see the pirate ship and Skull Rock gone forever. So, take lots of pictures - thank heaven for digital! Hmm.. If they update Dumbo, I hope they'll add water... does anyone know why CA has water and FL doesn't? Seems ironic since FL is so much hotter.

Regarding the mention of DL's Star Tours in the SeekingAlpha link, I wonder what their plans are. I love Star Tours, but a change is long overdue. I remember reading (before the ride opened) how easily the simulators could be reprogrammed, yet all these years they've never changed the destination from the Moon of Endor (which they ironically never make it to). I always thought it would be cool if each gate, er, Starspeeder 3000, would go to a different destination - like Hoth (as advertised during the queue) or Tatooine or Cloud City or something. That way, it would feel more like a space port, and the variety would be nice.

Regarding California Adventure - I'm interested to see what changes they have planned. To me, California Adventure has a handful of really cool rides, but it is missing that warm welcoming feeling that the other US Disney parks have.

snowdrop · 09-18-2009, 09:05 PM

I had read the rumors earlier this summer, and was hoping it was true! I'm really excited! I wish it was happening now, lol! Here's a link to when they announced it at D23. I think the fans reactions are SO cute!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08W5Os-Wnj0

Quote:

Originally Posted by longhorn

I also read that they will be expanding Dumbo - you think that means the end of 45 min waits?

They are getting rid of the que, and instead will have a play area when the adults can sit & the kids can play until you are called to "get your feather." I think that sounds cute, though who knows if it'll cut down the wait time!

I've never ridden Dumbo since I was 5, maybe I'll have to take a quick ride on an upcoming trip before it moves.

AmandaAnn · 09-19-2009, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowdrop

They are getting rid of the que, and instead will have a play area when the adults can sit & the kids can play until you are called to "get your feather." I think that sounds cute, though who knows if it'll cut down the wait time!

I think that sounds super cute too!!

I am excited for Cars Land at California Adventure, but I am pretty sad they aren't just calling it Radiator Springs. Doesn't make sense to me.

MelissaD · 09-19-2009, 12:40 PM

I have to say, I am a bit jealous CA gets the Cars area. I wish they would give the racecars at MK a facelift to make them look like the cars in the movie. That would make my boys so happy.

britt · 09-20-2009, 07:08 PM

What do you Disney World people think of the fact that the Fantasyland expansion will mean the end of Toon Town? I heard on a podcast that Goofys Barnstormer will stay, but be completely re-themed and that Toon Town will be no more. Thoughts?

Most of you know, I'm a western states girl, and so only know Disneyland. I'm not a huge fan of the Disneyland Toon Town, probably because I don't have kids yet. I know my nephews REALLY love it. I'm sure I'd be sad if it went bye bye though!! Even if its not my favorite.

The expansions all seem super cool to me!! A giant project. I'm excited I get to see if before anything happens. And it gives me something cool to look forward to when I go again some day.

Disney Baby · 09-21-2009, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by britt

What do you Disney World people think of the fact that the Fantasyland expansion will mean the end of Toon Town? I heard on a podcast that Goofys Barnstormer will stay, but be completely re-themed and that Toon Town will be no more. Thoughts?

Most of you know, I'm a western states girl, and so only know Disneyland. I'm not a huge fan of the Disneyland Toon Town, probably because I don't have kids yet. I know my nephews REALLY love it. I'm sure I'd be sad if it went bye bye though!! Even if its not my favorite.

The expansions all seem super cool to me!! A giant project. I'm excited I get to see if before anything happens. And it gives me something cool to look forward to when I go again some day.

When I first read that there were going to get rid of Mickey and Minne's houses and retheme Goofy's Barnstormer to go with the circus theme for Dumbo, I was a little sad. I am okay with the houses because they are going to create houses for them at the front of the park. We love to take pictures in the houses but we really walked through them to get to Mickey and Minnie! For my three girls, Goofy's Barnstormer was their first roller coaster. Since my son is only 4.5 months, they will probably be converting theme before he is big enough to ride it.

When my husband and I went to WDW before children, we never even made it Toon Town. I think that they children will really like the new circus theme! I am really excited about the changes. I think that it will be a better use of space than Toon Town.