Oldiesmann Posted August 16, 2010 Share Posted August 16, 2010 http://thedailydisney.com/blog/2010/08/disney-parks-chief-fantasyland-expansion-plans-are-being-redrawn/ Disney is redrawing the sweeping Fantasyland expansion plans it laid out last year, even as bulldozers clear land for the project inside the Magic Kingdom.With the revisions, begun under new Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs, designers are attempting to rebalance the plans, which initially tilted heavily towards young girls by emphasizing attractions and experiences built around Disney's stable of animated-movie princesses. "We took a hard look at it amongst a number of us and said, 'Can we make the appeal broader? Can we make it even better?'" Staggs said during an interview this week with the Orlando Sentinel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delirium_Guy Posted January 18, 2011 Share Posted January 18, 2011 Disney will unveil its updated Fantasyland plans this evening for Magic Kingdom.... Fantasyland Details Fox 35 here in Orlando has gone a step further by going into a bit more detail about the attractions, including the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train coaster. They also have some renderings posted. In true Magic Kingdom fashion, though, something always gets replaced. Snow White's Scary Adventure will be replaced by a princess meet and greet area Fox 35 article The new plans look a bit more exciting, so I guess we should be thanking the Wizarding World of Harry Potter for that.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkroz Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 And the full new plans have been unveiled... THE NEW NEW FANTASYLAND THE DISMISSED ORIGINAL DESIGN (for comparison): As you can likely see, there are a few major changes. First, the idea of the separate Aurora, and Cinderella meet-and-greet locations has been scrapped. Instead of each princess having her own castle or home or location, both Aurora and Cinderella (plus various other princesses) will be combined into "The Princess Fairytale Hall," which will be located in what is now Snow White's Scary Adventures classic dark ride (which will, incidentally, be closing). The area which formerly was meant to contain Cinderella's home (the purple-tinted house in the direct center of the latter map) is now going to be home to "The Seven Dwarves Mine Train," which will be a completely new coaster (and not a redesign of the current Goofy's Barnstormer) that is partially indoors. The official press release states that the ride will “take guests on a rollicking, musical ride into the mine “where a million diamonds shine.” The coaster will feature a first-of-its kind ride system with a train of ride vehicles that swing back and forth, responding to every twist and turn of the track. The journey will be accompanied by music from the classic Disney film and animated figures of Snow White and the Dwarfs.” Speculation says that this first of its kind ride system may be Premier's recently revealed Drifting Coaster, which sounds to me like it has a swinging capability not unlike that "fishtailing" mechanism which our own Italian Job: Stunt Track was supposed to have... The announced "Pixie Hollow" area (upper right in the second, original concept art) has been nixed, and replaced (or... something) with "Storybook Circus". I have read on many fan sites that Disney fans are not at all thrilled about this... It looks to be a loose remodeling of the current "Mickey's Toontown Fair" area, retaining the large circus tents which housed meet-and-greets. Of course, that's not to say that Disney fans were all too thrilled about Pixie Hollow, either. I couldn't care one way or another, though I imagined Pixie Hollow as being a very beautiful, serene place to be at night, with fiber optics, leaping fountains, and soft music very much like Disneyland's Triton Garden (but, like many, I was a little peeved at the idea of yet another Disney ride being centered around a fly-by-night, direct-to-video movie... Remember when Disneyland's Big Thunder Ranch got a makeover to include the cows from Home on the Range? 'Oops,' says imagineering.) The Storybook Circus sub-land is still anchored by the affectionately named "Dueling Dumbos," which will feature an interactive queue full of games, props, and music. In keeping with the circus theme, Goofy's Barnstormer will be re-themed to "The Great Goofini," a stunt plane driver for the circus. This should theoretically allow Disney to keep much of the ride intact, including the aviation themeing throughout, and the airplane-shaped trains. (Please also notice how Disney's expectations and desires are made very, very clear by who is depicted in the concept art, and their expressions, outfits, and family). Though it is a little disappointing that the giant tents of Mickey's Toontown Fair are staying in what might otherwise be a very tranquil, forested area, I think that the Storybook Circus does have potential. Look at Busch Gardens Williamsburg's Italian carnival area. Sure, it's "schmaltzy" with midway games and bright colors, but it all feels very well put together, very natural, and very carefully designed. I'm sure we can expect the same of New Fantasyland. It seems that a French village is planned for the outskirts of the forest, just outside The Beast's Castle (which will still contain the Be Our Guest Restaurant) which will feature shopping and dining in a very small-town atmosphere. Also included is a reimagining of the old Enchanted Tales with Belle. According to the press release, guests will enter Maurice's house and step through a magical mirror that leads into the library of The Beast's Castle, where Belle and some of the film's characters will act out the story as they used to on the old outdoor stage near Tomorrowland. Otherwise, "Under the Sea - Journey of the Little Mermaid" (an exact copy of Disney California Adventure's "Ariel's Undersea Adventure") is still expected. IN Storybook Circus Seven Dwarves Mine Train Princess Fairytale Hall Enchanted Tales With Belle Whatever will take place in Storybook Circus' tents... OUT Snow White's Scary Adventures (closing) Pixie Hollow (scrapped) Cinderella's Birthday Meet-and-Greet (scrapped) Aurora's Meet-and-Greet (scrapped) UNCHANGED Under The Sea - Journey of the Little Mermaid Dumbo The Flying Elephant(s) Barnstormer (now being rethemed to The Great Goofini) Be Our Guest Restaurant All photos and info from Disney and More. As the original poster quoted, the original New Fantasyland is meant to draw the children (or at least the young girls) away from a certain School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Disney got a lot of flak online for catering too much towards the girls, with the original plans essentially calling for four new princess meet-and-greets, a fairy playground, a restaurant, and a dark ride. Speculation is that the retooling of Fantasyland was meant to create a more well-rounded experience, drawing not only young girls, but families with children of any gender who aren't quite old enough for Potter, or who aren't interested in him. Instead of princesses, fairies, and mermaids, it's now dwarves, circuses, and mermaids. So, will it work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheikra_rocks Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 I actually want to see the Little Mermaid area! I am also intrigued about the new coaster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jzarley Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 I'm sure a lot of Disney purists will disagree, but I really think "Snow White's Scary Adventures" time had come and gone. I think replacing it with a new attraction is a good move. (And, if my three great-nieces--ages 6, 4, & 3--are any indication, a princess meet & greet area will be HUGELY popular...those girls spend all day in the park wearing princess dresses & tiaras ) I'm also intrigued by the new coaster, and pleased that it's themed to "Snow White"--it pays homage to Disney's legacy that the first feature length animated film is getting its own 21st century attraction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdawg1998 Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 Now, we just have to wait three-four years? Good. My littler sister (four) has always wanted to go to Disney. I told her we can wait until all this new stuff comes out! I can't wait! (I know, I can't even wait). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PREMiERdrum Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 I'm excited to see if this (likely Vekoma) rocking coaster system is better than the solidly "meh" eMotion system from Mack. I'm impressed with the changes to the plan... sometimes it helps to have a fresh set of eyes come in to look at a project. Spending that much cash on something that appealed almost exclusively to a reasonably small demographic was, IMO, stupid from the beginning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XGatorHead 8904 Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 Some thoughts on the removal of Snow White's Scary Adventures: http://www.orlandose...,3599889.column Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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