Confession # 24 : Changes- Like and Dislike

WDW has made / and is making / a lot of changes lately, some I've liked a lot, some not so much ...

   The new Fantasyland:

Tried 'Under the Sea-Journey of the Little Mermaid' - nicely themed, but unless you're six, just eh.

I do like the Le Fou Brew and am excited about the new '7 Dwarfs Mine Train' (although a CM friend said it was 'just okay').

Loved Toon Town Fair (now gone), totally dislike Storybook Circus.

Overall: not so hot.

    Then there's Hyperion Wharf  Disney Springs.

Looks like more shopping and dining, fewer things to do.
I wish that a few of the clubs would have been kept (Comedy Warehouse, Adventurer's Club, maybe one dance club). It would have given those of us over 18 something to do at night after the parks close.

The new multi-level parking garages will definitely ease the parking place shortage. And hopefully the traffic engineers will design everything perfectly.

Overall: I've felt that DTD need a face-lift for a while, so mostly YAY.

    The Polynesian Resort will return to its original name, Disney's Polynesian Village Resort.
  "The sweeping renovation happening now also includes a new food and beverage experience opening for guests next year, Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto — based on the popular themed lounge at the Disneyland Hotel in California." Disney parks Blog

  

 

 Photo: Orlando Attractions Magazine

From the look of the artist rendering of the new lobby, the waterfall and 'rainforest feel' will be gone.  Booooo.

Aaaand, a new DVC resort is being built over the lake, like a real South Seas resort, too cool.

Photo: Orlando Attractions Magazine

Overall: Mostly like.

Now this is what I'm truly excited over....

Coming over at the Animal Kingdom:

Pandora, The Land of Avatar    

This sounds most interesting!

New rides (on a Banshee!) and a nighttime show: Rivers of Light!

Photo: Disney Parks Blog

Pandora-the-land-of-Avatar-name

Avatar-land-Animal-Kingdom-Disney

Since Camp Minnie-Mickey is gone to make room for Pandora, The Festival of the Lion King has been relocated to a new theater in Africa (where it belongs!). It looks so much better than the former location, more in keeping with the African theme! 

Overall: Bring it ON!

Confession # 23: I Miss ToonTown Fair... Still!

Today is the 3rd-year anniversary of the demise of WDW's Toon Town Fair.

ToonTown was closed in 2011 to make way for The Storybook Circus part of the new Fantasyland.

Dueling Dumbos, Pete's Silly Sideshow, Casey Jr, Splash 'n Soak Stations, The Storybook Circus Giggle Gang (clowns)....

just cannot compare with Mickey's and Minnie's houses. Ever.

New Fantasyland - Opening Soon!

The largest expansion in Magic Kingdom Park history will soon be completed - except for Princess Fairytale Hall (2013, in the former Snow White area) and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (2014), both located in the "Enchanted Forest" section.

Most of the "Storybook Circus" area is now open.

Beginning in November (the 19th), Cast Members, AP holders and DVC members will be able to preview the new Fantasyland and then, December 6th will be the Grand Opening for .....

Enchanted Forest:

   Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid, 

       Enchanted Tales with Belle, 

            Be Our Guest Restaurant, 

                  Gaston’s Tavern, 

                         Ariel’s Grotto,

                                 and Bonjour! Village Gifts

Storybook Circus:

Pete's Silly Sideshow- a character-greeting experience located under the red "big top" where Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck and Goofy play their part as one of the stars of the circus! 

 

 The Great Goofini is the circus daredevil. The Astounding Donaldo is a snake charmer. Madame Daisy Fortuna is the fortuneteller, and Minnie Magnifique is the circus's greatest star.

And don't forget Big Top Souvenirs!

Already operating:

 Dumbo the Flying Elephant, The Barnstormer and Casey Jr. Splash ‘n’ Soak Station 

Previews for Cast Members and select Guest audiences including Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club members will take place well before the grand opening, with general Guest previews starting Nov. 19.

photos: WDW

Personal Note:  Fantasyland has been my least favorite area of MK, but now it's gonna be lots more interesting! 

It's just too bad that Mickey's and Minnie's houses couldn't have been tucked away somewhere in the Enchanted Forest!

Update: Storybook Circus

  The Disney Parks Blog  has announced that part of the new Storybook Circus of the new Fantasyland, will open in late March.

 

 Photo: Disney Parks Blog

So, what will we get? 

One of the new Dumbo the Flying Elephants. The other Dumbo will open at a later date.

The Barnstormer featuring the Great Goofini  with new theming elements.

And the Fantasyland train station of the Walt Disney Railroad.

In other news: Snow White’s Scary Adventures will be permanently closing June 1, 2012.  Princess Fairytale Hall will eventually take its place. 

The next phase of openings will take place in Fall 2012 and all of the Fantasyland expansion is set to be completed in 2014.

I am especially looking forward to  ...

 The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train 

 The coaster will feature a first-of-its kind ride system with a train of ride vehicles that swing back and forth as they move along the track.

The New and Improved Fantasyland

Scratch the first New and Improved Fantasyland announcement.
For whatever reason(s), some changes have been made (no more Pixie Hollow).

The new news:

"The largest expansion in Magic Kingdom Park history is under way, a project that will nearly double the size of Fantasyland. Scheduled to open in phases beginning in late 2012, the new Fantasyland will immerse guests in Disney stories as never before."

Among the planned highlights:

* Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid:
   A major attraction featuring an Omnimover motion system on which Guests will travel with Ariel and her friends.

* The Castle of the Beast:
   Feature: the Be Our Guest Restaurant with seating for 550, will offer counter service by day and full (and pricier) table service dining in the evening.

Nearby in Belle's Village, will be Gaston's Tavern (a small eatery) and Bonjour! Village Gifts (for your purchasing pleasure).

* Maurice's Workshop:
   Guests will be transported via a magical mirror to the Beast's library to meet Belle and Lumiere, and will share in an interactive retelling of the "tale as old as time."

* The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train:
   Guests will take a rollicking, musical ride into the mine "where a million diamonds shine."  The coaster will feature a first-of-its kind ride system. 

* Princess Fairytale Hall:
   A royal court on the site where Snow White's Scary Adventures stands today. Disney princesses Aurora, Cinderella, Tiana, Rapunzel and others will greet guests.
(Uh oh, no more SWSA?? Stand by for the Save SWSA petitions!)

* Storybook Circus:
   Not one but two circling carousels of airborne pachyderms on Dumbo the Flying Elephant (Double Dumbos!!).  Guests can also experience an array of family games and interactive wonders for kids of all ages (hey, are you talkin' to ME??) inside the big top.

* the Barnstormer will get a new look as well, featuring Goofy as The Great Goofini.

Artist Rendering: Walt Disney Co / Orlando Attractions Magazine

Take THAT, Harry Potter!

Orlando Attractions: New Fantasyland

Orlando Sentinel: Fantasyland Expansion

Opening and Closing @ WDW

Opening:

WDW has released more details about the new Art of Animation resort:

Located adjacent to the Pop Century Resort (the site was originally supposed to be Phase II of Pop), the Art of Animation Resort will be a Value Resort and will feature 864 themed rooms in 'The Little Mermaid' wings and 1,120 family suites in 'The Lion King',' Cars' and 'Finding Nemo' wings.

The 1st phase - the 'Finding Nemo' suites- will open May 2012, and the last phase by the end of 2012 (the 2012 apocalypse notwithstanding)  will be 'The Little Mermaid'-themed rooms.

 Concept Art: Walt Disney Company

Closing:

Toontown Fair at the Magic Kingdom will close forever in February 2011. After the 11th, the Barnstormer will be the only thing left standing (and that will be re-themed).


Now, I swear that I heard a local newsperson report that Mickey's and Minnie's houses will be re-located ( to DHS ??)  and I have to say that I hope this is TRUE because Minnie's House
is one of my most favorite things in the MK.

Does anyone have verification of this?

What the Tink?

Remember that major refurbishment of Fantasyland I wrote about?

Well.
It just might be majorly more than merely major.
Theme Park Rangers has the blue prints ... and a few questions!

+ What does this mean to Mickey and Minnie's houses in Toon Town?

(Oh no! They had better NOT get bulldozed like Residential Street over at the Studios was!)

+ Why are two areas designated "DUMBO"?

(Dueling Dumbos?)

+ Like much of Disney in the 21st century, it's princess-heavy: a Cinderella attraction, an Aurora attraction and big Little Mermaid attraction.

(And all the Disney Princess merchandise to go with them.)

+ The area marked as "Castle Wall"?

(What the Tink?)

+ Reason to believe: something HAS to be in the works somewhere, right?

(Right! Disney will definitely do SOMETHING to counter Harry Potter over at Universal's Islands of Adventure).