Fantasyland Expansion "Downsizing"

[WEDWDW]

If all of the info from the last few weeks is accurate,when do you think we will "hear" something "official" from TDO that they are indeed "possibly" changing the previously announced FLE plans?

It seems the only 2 "safe" parts of FLE are Be Our Guest restaurant and The Little Mermaid E-Ticket.

Is this "second look" even something TDO will acknowledge?Thanks.

 

[stitchlover]

On last week's podcast Pete emailed in to the show and said that Disney Imagineering is denying a downsize of the expansion. They did say they are scaling back the area for the fairies. He was on an ABD back stage tour and was at imagineering. So I would assume the information is accurate and current.

 

[WEDWDW]

On last week's podcast Pete emailed in to the show and said that Disney Imagineering is denying a downsize of the expansion. They did say they are scaling back the area for the fairies. He was on an ABD back stage tour and was at imagineering. So I would assume the information is accurate and current.

Thanks!

What do you think TDO means by the "scaling back" of Pixie Hollow?

 

[Sabbie]

They may be making it less fairy-focused and more something else focused. You shouldn't worry. It will be pure magic.

 

[Schmeck]

The first time I saw the drawings/plans for the new construction, I didn't notice a ride attraction in the Pixie area. The next time the plans were released (or at least posted here on the Dis) there was a ride attraction in the center of the Pixie area. Wondering if this has been taken out?

Of course, maybe I'm just fuzzyheaded from lack of caffeine and lack of sleep from having two emergencies with my kids today - both are OK, but that's not how I had my day planned!

 

[Robo]

1- The first time I saw the drawings/plans for the new construction, I didn't notice a ride attraction in the Pixie area. The next time the plans were released (or at least posted here on the Dis) there was a ride attraction in the center of the Pixie area. Wondering if this has been taken out?

1- Correct.

2- The rumblings are that far more than that would not be built.

It's still only rumor and speculation on any plans.

 

[WEDWDW]

They may be making it less fairy-focused and more something else focused. You shouldn't worry. It will be pure magic.

Thanks!

Are you "at liberty" to say what the "something else" is?

 

[cmash95]

since pixie hollow isn't expected until around 2013, many changes to the planned area, including cancellation are possible. I think if they really ever get an area done, it will be alot like DL. just a small themed meet and greet area. Unfortunately right now Disney is pouring money into DCA and I think those in charge ( who are unfortunately Bean counters) are concerned that too much is being laid out for theme park division. Of course John lassiter is in charge of the DCA expansion, so there is very little chance that any of their changes will be cut. That leaves WDW as the poor stepchild, in my opinion a very bad idea for disney since WDW is the resort that most people come to. If it wasn't for local APers, DL wouldn't survive.

 

[doconeill]

I don't remember ever seeing a ride in the Pixie Hollow area in the two versions I've seen. What was different was the location of Pixie Hollow vs. the "Dueling Dumbos" being swapped, with the blueprints showing Dumbo at the back of what is now Toontown, and the artists rendition/model showing Pixie Hollow there.

At any rate, apparently what the Imagineers told the ABD group is that it isn't a general scale-back, but more that there won't be a full Pixie Hollow area like was shown. Instead, Toontown would get a circus makeover (not a far stretch from the current fair motif), and meet and greets would be held in one of the tents.

Of course, until its built it can change again.

 

[WDSearcher]

If all of the info from the last few weeks is accurate,when do you think we will "hear" something "official" from TDO that they are indeed "possibly" changing the previously announced FLE plans?

It seems the only 2 "safe" parts of FLE are Be Our Guest restaurant and The Little Mermaid E-Ticket.

Is this "second look" even something TDO will acknowledge?Thanks.

I think it's safe to say that FLE will change dozens of times before it's finally "final". Some of it will be reactions to consumers (something becoming more or less popular); some of it will be new ideas or technologies that pop up; some of it will be based on the whims of management.

Harry Potter world changed many many times between groundbreaking and opening day. I expect Fantasyland will be the same.

 

[doconeill]

... Some of it will be reactions to consumers...

According to Disney, almost every change they have ever made has been due to "guest feedback". Apparently there are a lot of people out there who wanted more generic food offerings, more generic merchandise, less stuff to do at night, etc.

I don't know who these people are. I never met them.

 

[Robo]

I don't remember ever seeing a ride in the Pixie Hollow area .

The "ride" was not necessarily "shown."
It was a central "area" positioned in front of the large Meet & Greet building.
The area/ride was being discussed at the time we presented the photos of the miniature.
The area was being discussed as either a playground or a small ride attraction.

I have it labeled as "Pixie Attraction" on the OUTDATED image below.

--------------------


And, yes, on the OUTDATED blueprints below, Twin Dumbos and Pixie area are swapped.

MK Fantasyland- Blueprint (945)

The above images are (you guessed it) OUTDATED.

 

[WDSearcher]

According to Disney, almost every change they have ever made has been due to "guest feedback". Apparently there are a lot of people out there who wanted more generic food offerings, more generic merchandise, less stuff to do at night, etc.

I don't know who these people are. I never met them.

Clearly, they don't post on the DIS.

Although it is always good to be reminded that the DIS is a very very small sample of all WDW guests. There are a whole lot more people out there who may well have very different views.

And really ... you can get any answer you want if you ask the question the right way.

 

[WEDWDW]

I think it's safe to say that FLE will change dozens of times before it's finally "final". Some of it will be reactions to consumers (something becoming more or less popular); some of it will be new ideas or technologies that pop up; some of it will be based on the whims of management.

Harry Potter world changed many many times between groundbreaking and opening day. I expect Fantasyland will be the same.

So,if I understand correctly,NOTHING in the original announcement is "safe"?

I had "heard" that Be Our Guest restaurant and The Little Mermaid E-Ticket WERE "safe".Thanks!

 

[Turk February]

So,if I understand correctly,NOTHING in the original announcement is "safe"?

I had "heard" that Be Our Guest restaurant and The Little Mermaid E-Ticket WERE "safe".Thanks!

I assumed they were safe as well for 2 reasons:

A) The walls blocking off construction at WDW have artist renderings for the Little Mermaid ride and Be Our Guest, showing the public what will one day be behind these walls. These are the only public hints at WDW as to what is going on. I figure that if WDW is going out of their way to show these things (and keep in mind they don't have anything that I saw mentioning the princess and fairy areas) that they must be pretty positive these things are going to happen.

B) Didn't I read somewhere that a lot of stuff has already been made for the Little Mermaid ride and that the construction permit for it is easier because it's technically a "remodeling" of 20,000 Leagues since it uses one of the original walls?

Just my thoughts

 

[mousermerf]

We have aerial photos of the site behind the wall - Mermaid has the base of the structure poured and is reusing an old wall of 20KLUTS to keep costs down ("rennovation" costs less then a new building in taxes and you only need 1 old wall per the rules).

The rest of the area is dirt that is being graded, developed, etc.. but the area cleared is the Beauty and the Beast, Cindy, Aurora, etc.. area.

The walls end right at good ol' Toon Town, which is where Pixie Hollow and Dumbo are on the plans - those are definitely up in the air.

Rumor says the restaurant will be built, but they are rethinking the meet/greet areas.

 

[WEDWDW]

We have aerial photos of the site behind the wall - Mermaid has the base of the structure poured and is reusing an old wall of 20KLUTS to keep costs down ("rennovation" costs less then a new building in taxes and you only need 1 old wall per the rules).

The rest of the area is dirt that is being graded, developed, etc.. but the area cleared is the Beauty and the Beast, Cindy, Aurora, etc.. area.

The walls end right at good ol' Toon Town, which is where Pixie Hollow and Dumbo are on the plans - those are definitely up in the air.

Rumor says the restaurant will be built, but they are rethinking the meet/greet areas.

Thanks for the GREAT info!

 

[dburg30]

Figure when the 'curtain drops' there will be a walmart there...

 

[WDSearcher]

So,if I understand correctly,NOTHING in the original announcement is "safe"?

I had "heard" that Be Our Guest restaurant and The Little Mermaid E-Ticket WERE "safe".Thanks!

Considering both of those are under construction, I think it's safe to say that yes ... those are "givens." However, exactly what they look like and how they operate may still change several times, depending on various factors.

 

[WEDWDW]

Considering both of those are under construction, I think it's safe to say that yes ... those are "givens." However, exactly what they look like and how they operate may still change several times, depending on various factors.

Thanks!

I knew construction had started on both of those,but was "concerned" they might turn into "Pop Century-The Legendary Years Part 2"!LOLThanks for confirming that they will definitely be built.

Do you have any info on the other previously announced parts of FLE?Thanks.