Fantasyland Expansion?!?

[grossmansr]

I will miss Toon Town. But at least I can go to Disneyland and see it (never been!). So I'm excited about the refurb. However, I agree with those who think there's not enough boy stuff. I really hope they include things that will appeal to boys as well. No boy wants to be stuck doing girly things

 

[bigAWL]

For boys in general, I see almost no downside to this expansion. Not much is being lost. Ariel's Grotto, Dumbo, Pooh's Playful Spot, Meet n greet Tents, Mickey and Minnie's houses, and Barnstormer all seem to be getting minor or major overhauls or at least being relocated. The only thing I see that will be completely lost (at least I haven't heard of it being saved in any way) is Donald's Boat.

Now I do agree that for many boys with little (or big) sisters, this could potentially be a major drag, unless they have a couple adults who are willing to split up. Either Jimmy is going to be begging to leave or Jenny is going to be begging to stay. Sure some boys like or tolerate the princesses better than others. But I dare to generalize that most won't be all that interested when they know that there are so many other attractions waiting for them.

I would love it if they added the Skull Rock area Disneyland used to have (and I think DLP has it currently).

I also love the Skull Rock. I never saw it at DL, but you're right about DL Paris. They have a version that is really cool along with Hook's ship and pirate caves.

I suppose they could have included something like it in this expansion, but it would be better to have it close to the existing Peter Pan ride. The only space I see over there is where the old skyway station is and the stroller parking area. Not a lot of space for a skull and a ship in a lagoon. Maybe a small lagoon with skull rock. But then it really doesn't fit with the rest of the architecture in that area.

Actually here's the Stitchkingdom rendering....

http://www.stitchkingdom.com/disney-news/theme-parks/3d-sculpture-magic-kingdoms-fantasyland/

When I look at that model, it looks to me like the "Pixie Attraction" might be a nice play area. That's right next to the Pixie meet&greet area. Seems to me this would be a perfect place to install the queuelesss standby lines that they're testing at RnRC. Take a number and let the kids play instead of standing in line for an hour.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

It's funny to me how everyone is worried about what the boys will do in the new fairy-themed areas. There are so many "boy" areas in Magic Kingdom...Frontier Land, Adventure Land, Tomorrow Land...these could all be considered "for boys" due to Pirates of the Caribbean, Buzz Lightyear, "Space" themes, Tom Sawyer Island, the "mountain" rides...

But girls enjoy all of these rides just fine! And I'm sure boys will enjoy the princess area as well. Who doesn't want to flirt with a princess?

I agree, all the other areas do seem more appealing to boys at first glance, but girls enjoy them as well. I think Fantasyland will be appealing for both, but slightly more for girls.

 

[StephyDee]

When I look at that model, it looks to me like the "Pixie Attraction" might be a nice play area. That's right next to the Pixie meet&greet area. Seems to me this would be a perfect place to install the queuelesss standby lines that they're testing at RnRC. Take a number and let the kids play instead of standing in line for an hour.

RnRC has a queueless standby line? When did this start? and is it the same as what they're planning for Dumbo?

I'm going to WDW in May, and it's one of my all time fave rides, so I'm extremely curious.

 

[bigAWL]

RnRC has a queueless standby line? When did this start? and is it the same as what they're planning for Dumbo?

I'm going to WDW in May, and it's one of my all time fave rides, so I'm extremely curious.

Haven't seen it myself, but here's a discussion: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2351433
And after reading on (I never followed the thread after the very start), it seems it was a short test that has since ended.

 

[fan1080]

You have chosen a downturned thumb as the icon to this thread.

Not to mention the large type face, bold, red lettering.....

 

[Indiana Rose Lee]

It's funny to me how everyone is worried about what the boys will do in the new fairy-themed areas. There are so many "boy" areas in Magic Kingdom...Frontier Land, Adventure Land, Tomorrow Land...these could all be considered "for boys" due to Pirates of the Caribbean, Buzz Lightyear, "Space" themes, Tom Sawyer Island, the "mountain" rides...

But girls enjoy all of these rides just fine! And I'm sure boys will enjoy the princess area as well. Who doesn't want to flirt with a princess?

you don't have kids, do you? it is much more likely for girls to like stereotypical boy stuff than the other way around. sure, some boys like the princesses. but wdw has made an effort through things like the pirate dress up place to bring girls along for the fantasy ride.

I didn't see where "everyone" is "worried." I saw some pointing out it would be nice if they would add some more stereotypical boy stuff to the area, for the other half of the visitors.

"flirting" with princesses? lots of boys dont't flirt. Maybe 5 and under, but not between 6 and 12. Generalizations of course.

 

[frayedend]

you don't have kids, do you? it is much more likely for girls to like stereotypical boy stuff than the other way around. sure, some boys like the princesses. but wdw has made an effort through things like the pirate dress up place to bring girls along for the fantasy ride.

I didn't see where "everyone" is "worried." I saw some pointing out it would be nice if they would add some more stereotypical boy stuff to the area, for the other half of the visitors.

"flirting" with princesses? lots of boys dont't flirt. Maybe 5 and under, but not between 6 and 12. Generalizations of course.

This just about summed up what I was about to say. Young boys don't flirt. They find girls icky or gross or whatever the current word is. I'm not worried as I don't have girls and can just skip that section. But when you do visit Disney more than a few times you certainly hope that new attraction have something for everyone. Sure there are plenty of boy things but we've seen all of them already.

I personally think a Fantasyland theme with princesses could easily have some wizardry type of stuff to interest the boys also. Not sure what movies to get it from but I bet there is enough content out there.

 

[rotlex]

If you ever get a chance to go to DL, you'll see what a REAL toon town should look like.

I'm actually glad they are taking down that poor excuse for "toon town" at WDW. It always looked like an afterthought to me compared to DL. I think the added Dumbo and Princess areas will be a nice change in that area. The foliage alone should make it a beautiful area to walk through.

I agree with this fully. Toon Town, in WDW, while cute I guess, reminds me more of an area I'd see at a local amusement park, or carnival even. It "feels temporary" to me, and always has.

I'm sure whatever is replacing it, will be an improvement. For reference, I'm not just a grumpy old man, even my 7 year old daughter agrees.

 

[PeterPan09]

This just about summed up what I was about to say. Young boys don't flirt. They find girls icky or gross or whatever the current word is. I'm not worried as I don't have girls and can just skip that section. But when you do visit Disney more than a few times you certainly hope that new attraction have something for everyone. Sure there are plenty of boy things but we've seen all of them already.

I personally think a Fantasyland theme with princesses could easily have some wizardry type of stuff to interest the boys also. Not sure what movies to get it from but I bet there is enough content out there.

I heard on wftv this morning that there is going to be some kind of "Knights in Training" thing-maybe similar to the Jedi Training Academy over at DHS?

 

[SuperTink]

I personally think a Fantasyland theme with princesses could easily have some wizardry type of stuff to interest the boys also. Not sure what movies to get it from but I bet there is enough content out there.

My girls will make a wide arc around anything "princess." Plus they are older now so make that two wide arcs.

I think the new Fantasyland could have a lot of fantasy-type stuff that avoids princesses. Fantasy does not equal princess, but of course Disney is marketing its products and princesses are the trademark. I do hope they come with something different though.

 

[somethingblue]

you don't have kids, do you? it is much more likely for girls to like stereotypical boy stuff than the other way around. sure, some boys like the princesses. but wdw has made an effort through things like the pirate dress up place to bring girls along for the fantasy ride.

I didn't see where "everyone" is "worried." I saw some pointing out it would be nice if they would add some more stereotypical boy stuff to the area, for the other half of the visitors.

"flirting" with princesses? lots of boys dont't flirt. Maybe 5 and under, but not between 6 and 12. Generalizations of course.

No, I don't have kids, but I am an early childhood education major and have done lots of work with children. Not really sure what that has to do with my opinion on this matter. I've read several threads where people are complaining about the new area, saying there isn't anything there for boys. I just like to point out that the majority of MK could be considered "for boys".

And you obviously didn't catch the joking-tone in my last statement, "Who doesn't want to flirt with a princess?". I should have put one of these little faces I guess.

I'm sure that they could add lots of things that are more boy-centric to the area if they wanted to...but I think the interest in princess is strong enough that they probably don't have to. Also, Pirates League is the boy answer to BBB, in a way. They both have an opposite gender package, but they are geared more toward boys and girls, respectively.