Area between Fantayland and BTMR

[soaringirl]

In our first visit to DLR, I remember going from Fantasyland to Big Thunder Mountain, and it got to my attention that most of the area was boarded, and it felt weird, like it was an isolated part of the park until arriving (I think) to the BBQ place which was filled with pumpkins (it was in September).
Looking at the map in the Disney website, I see only "trees" in there.
Can someone tell me what's in there and why it was boarded?
Thanks!

 

[Malcon10t]

If you are coming out of Fantasyland, to the left is the back stage area to Village Haus, then the backside of BTMRR. To the right, it is the backstage area behind the Festival. If you use Google Maps, you can see it better. It isn't so much "boarded up" as it is gates to allow trucks through after hours.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I'm pretty sure it's the Festival arena (think that's what it's called). The boards are actually large doors. It's primarily used for special events now. Last time I was in there was back when the Hunchback show was there a million years ago. So please someone correct be if my memory has failed me.

 

[MinnieStar]

As 3Minnies1Mickey said, it's probably the Festival area which is used as a venue for special/private events. The company my mom works for had their company picnic hosted there years ago.

 

[annadette]

Anyone remember when they had that POTC Stranger Tides Preview Show there last year? I'm pretty sure it was in that area - it was very dark when we went, but it was a large show area that they had set up to look like a pirate's ship with sound equipment, screens to see the movie and lighting and stuff. If you weren't there when that show was on, you'd never even notice that it existed. It was pretty neat!

 

[soaringirl]

Thanks for the replies! It seemed odd to walk by and see.. well, nothing. But it was nice in a kind of way, since not so many people were walking by, so it was a nice respite from the crowds.

 

[Malcon10t]

I'm pretty sure it's the Festival arena (think that's what it's called). The boards are actually large doors. It's primarily used for special events now. Last time I was in there was back when the Hunchback show was there a million years ago. So please someone correct be if my memory has failed me.

When I went there (Festival Arena) for the Orange Grove Party for DIsneyland's 50th, we entered through the BTM Petting area. It is actually behind the petting zoo (between the zoo and the railroad tracks.) I had thought the OP was talking about the area between the BTR BBQ and Fantasyland.

See if this link works.

You might be very surprised to see how close the Fantasyland theater is to the BTM BBQ...

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

I couldn't remember how we entered...and this was probably in 1997. Of course I don't remember the petting zoo or if the BBQ restaurant was there.

 

[Malcon10t]

I couldn't remember how we entered...and this was probably in 1997. Of course I don't remember the petting zoo or if the BBQ restaurant was there.

The restaurant was there, and I believe the petting zoo was also. The restaurant was quite different, it was the Festival of Foods, and featured BBQ, but was more of a counter service from my memory.

I had thought they were referring to the area near the Village Haus end of the trail, where the service gates are.

 

[Hawaiian Style]

If I remember correct the station for the skyway ride was here. Last time I remember riding it was in 1990, and I guess they never fully used that area after they closed it. I loved that ride...went right though the Matterhorn.

 

[XGrumpy1]

And before all of of this and BTMRR was "Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland" that took you past Cascade Peak, Beaver Valley, Bear Valley, the Livivg Desert, and Rainbow Caverns.

You could choose to ride the Pack Mules or Stage Coach (in the early years).

There were lots of early anamatronics, and in the last years the ride suffered with maintenance issues and in the mid 70's gave way to BTMRR. BTMRR took some of the space, but much of the area the train ran has been a series of failed experiments.