Fantasyland Facelift?

[toniosmom]

I know that this isn't related specifically to DVC, but since many of us do not browse the other forums, I thought you'd all find this interesting. Perhaps this will help improve the value of our DVC memberships?

Florida's Disney World to get Fantasyland facelift

Disney executives are planning the largest expansion in the history of Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom in central Florida.

The development will nearly double the size of Fantasyland and include a new, lavish ride based on the Little Mermaid. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo made the announcement Saturday.

Analysts predict it will re-ignite travel to Orlando, which has lagged in the global recession.

Disney also plans to update Star Tours, the Star Wars-themed ride in Disney's Hollywood Studios. It will debut in 2011. The Fantasyland overhaul will be complete by 2013. Disney declined to say how much it will spend on the projects.

Disney's parks contribute about a third of the giant entertainment company's revenue.

 

[Tinks "SS"]

I saw this on our local news last night too. They said that fantasyland would double in size. Cool!! magic kingdom is our favorite park so i'm thrilled with this move!

Thanks for posting here!

 

[robert@dvcstore]

This is great news for the Magic Kingdom. Here is a link to the Orlando Sentinel article on the expansion:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/trav...nd-disney-world-magic-kingdom,0,7274675.story

Robert

 

[disney0505]

I would think any expansion of the parks would increase the value of DVC. In this case it is MK so BLT may have the most benefit, but as the parks expand ultimately Disney is going to raise the hotel prices which will continue to make DVC an attractive investment.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I welcome new attractions, since my son is now almost 13, MK had become our least favorite park, having done the same attractions over and over, we rarely went to fantasyland. Disney really needs to also focus on DHS, there isn't much to do there at all, it needs help!

 

[tay72699]

Can't wait. It will be nice to see something new at MK. It also makes me happier about our BLT add-on

 

[zev]

Sounds like it is more of a retheaming of the Mickey area then an expansion of MK. I would think of it more like Fantasy Land is annexing another already existing "land". Wonder if they will use any of the ideas they had in mind for the original now dead, Animal Kindom "Mythical Beasts etc"? Besides with Harry Potter coming to Universal they had to do something, so I guess this is it. Not sure it will even come close to what they are doing at Universal though. JMO. If they are updating ST why not Mission:Space as well. The kids in 3d graphics classes in most art programs could do something more then what is in place. Disney could even hold a contest and get it done for free, well maybe some sort of prizes. Still if the update helps DVC values I am all for it.

 

[toniosmom]

I welcome new attractions, since my son is now almost 13, MK had become our least favorite park, having done the same attractions over and over, we rarely went to fantasyland. Disney really needs to also focus on DHS, there isn't much to do there at all, it needs help!

I agree with you. Other than the various character greetings, there wasn't a lot for my DS4 at DHS. I think TSM and TGMR are the only "rides" in the whole park and he wasn't crazy about TGMR. For now, MK is our favorite and we are so excited about the expansion!

I would think any expansion of the parks would increase the value of DVC. In this case it is MK so BLT may have the most benefit, but as the parks expand ultimately Disney is going to raise the hotel prices which will continue to make DVC an attractive investment.

I agree on this point as well. Hotel prices will continue to rise, but our investment will remain. The only increase we will see is an expected MF increase. Hopefully, that won't be too bad.

 

[ADP]

It appears Mickey's Toontown will be absorbed by Fantasyland as part of the expansion. No more Toontown.

 

[tjkraz]

I would think any expansion of the parks would increase the value of DVC. In this case it is MK so BLT may have the most benefit, but as the parks expand ultimately Disney is going to raise the hotel prices which will continue to make DVC an attractive investment.

"Value" is such a fluid thing that I doubt you would ever be able to point to a single event like this and calculate its impact on DVC pricing. Obviously Disney has to keep developing the parks to maintain and grow interest. But the single biggest influence on "values" (IMO) is DVC's own pricing. Generally speaking, when they raise prices resale prices also increase. When DVC lowers prices, resale values fall. Things have been a little more unstable in recent months due to the economy and unemployment (people forced to sell), but in a stable economy DVC largely determines pricing.

Other influential factors also come into play like supply/demand, ending contract dates, annual dues rates for a given resort, other resorts being sold, etc. And prices naturally inflate as it costs Disney more for utilities, property taxes, salaries, insurance, etc. I doubt you'll really see any price bump that can be traced to adding new attractions to parks.

Sounds like it is more of a retheaming of the Mickey area then an expansion of MK. I would think of it more like Fantasy Land is annexing another already existing "land".

About half of the land is being appropriated from Toontown and the other half is new development outside of the current park boundaries. The only things really being "lost" for this project are Mickey & Minnie's houses and surrounding structures plus Ariel's Grotto in Fantasyland.

Wonder if they will use any of the ideas they had in mind for the original now dead, Animal Kindom "Mythical Beasts etc"?

No. Imagineering has no shortage of attraction concepts. They don't need to mine the 10+ year old Beastly Kingdom proposals for Fantasyland ideas.

If they are updating ST why not Mission:Space as well.

Because Star Tour is 20+ years old and Mission Space is about 6 years old. Disney doesn't typically make multi-million dollar investments in attractions so soon after opening.

 

[castleri]

It appears Mickey's Toontown will be absorbed by Fantasyland as part of the expansion. No more Toontown.

I saw one article that stated the things at toon town would be relocated - just didn't say where. It would also appear they plan to use the old 20000 leagues under the sea ride area for a little mermaid attraction.

 

[Chellymouse]

No flames please, but IMHO, while Fantasy Land could use a face lift and Toon Town certainly needs spiced up, there are WAY more projects and areas in other parks that need more immediate attention. DH and I love to ride, and quite frankly, there really aren't that many rides on the property, especially thrill rides. With the new coaster opening at US and Harry Potter coming, one would think that Disney would be using their money to compete by adding more thrill rides and sprucing up DHS and Epcot. There is plenty of room for expansion at both parks (and quite frankly AK could use more rides also). While we are NOT fans of US and IOA (we've had poor experiences twice and probably won't go back unless we get free passes or something) but I can see how, especially those of us who have DVC and AP would be more apt to go to those parks.

 

[Bouncin-Tigger]

Here is the offical announcement
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08W5Os-Wnj0

 

[La2kw]

One new ride and a bunch of character meet and greets? Not interested. I'll be able to ride the itentical ride at DCA and have absolutely no interest in dancing with Cinderella or making a birthday card for Aurora.

 

[tjkraz]

No flames please, but IMHO, while Fantasy Land could use a face lift and Toon Town certainly needs spiced up, there are WAY more projects and areas in other parks that need more immediate attention. DH and I love to ride, and quite frankly, there really aren't that many rides on the property, especially thrill rides. With the new coaster opening at US and Harry Potter coming, one would think that Disney would be using their money to compete by adding more thrill rides and sprucing up DHS and Epcot. There is plenty of room for expansion at both parks (and quite frankly AK could use more rides also). While we are NOT fans of US and IOA (we've had poor experiences twice and probably won't go back unless we get free passes or something) but I can see how, especially those of us who have DVC and AP would be more apt to go to those parks.

No flames intended, but thrill rides have never been the bread and butter of Disney theme parks.

Star Tours 2 was also announced and Space Mountain is currently getting refreshed. Soarin, Everest and Mission Space are all new within the last 5 years. By my count, that's half of WDW's entire slate of "thrill rides" constructed/updated in the last half-decade. (The only other ones are BTMR, Splash Mtn, Test Track, RnR and ToT.)

There are dozens of other amusement parks in the US which favor thrill rides--Six Flags parks, Cedar Fair parks even Universal. But that's never been Disney's bread and butter and I wouldn't expect that to change.

One new ride and a bunch of character meet and greets? Not interested. I'll be able to ride the itentical ride at DCA and have absolutely no interest in dancing with Cinderella or making a birthday card for Aurora.

Different demographics. There are many who have no interest in the new Space Mountain, Everest, American Idol, etc. No attraction will ever be universally loved and accessible to all (newborns to seniors), but Disney still has to spread its investments around.

If nothing else, it means that folks who will appreciate Fantasyland won't be in other areas of the park.

 

[Entropy]

It appears Mickey's Toontown will be absorbed by Fantasyland as part of the expansion. No more Toontown.

Gee, no more "Mickey's Birthdayland"

Disneyland is going to get the same Little Mermaid attraction at DCA but it'll open sooner.

 

[toniosmom]

One new ride and a bunch of character meet and greets? Not interested. I'll be able to ride the itentical ride at DCA and have absolutely no interest in dancing with Cinderella or making a birthday card for Aurora.

My guess is that you don't spend a lot of time in Fantasyland now anyway. I don't know if you have any children or what ages they are, but for me, with a DS4, this is a welcome change/addition. I have no love lost for Mickey or Minnie's houses, though. I never found that to be a hugely attractive place and the lines to see Mickey or Minnie there were always long.

There are dozens of other amusement parks in the US which favor thrill rides--Six Flags parks, Cedar Fair parks even Universal. But that's never been Disney's bread and butter and I wouldn't expect that to change.

This has been one of my biggest complaints about Six Flags. We have a Six Flags about 30 minutes from my home and I have stopped going. I call it "coaster land" because they just keep tearing down attractions and building more and more coasters. It's very attractive to teenagers, but not so much for families with small children. The Wiggles World area gets old very quickly, so after two years of season passes, we no longer go. I'm thankful that we can afford to go to WDW each year and can experience so much more for our money.

 

[Dizny Dad]

DW and I are not "ride lovers", so new thrill rides will never attract much of our attention. We are more of a holistic experience couple, looking for that perfect blend of rides, attractions, interesting venues to sit & relax (it is vacation) and NEW types of entertinment, the kind that Disney is famous for exploiting.

I do agree that DHS needs more somrthing. A few of the attractions, after experiencing them twice, get old fast, i.e Indiana Jones. After the first experience, how many of you still think that all of the volunteers are just park visitors?

We will never view Animal Kingdom as a place for rides. I appreciate the total experience there. Don't you just love watching DeVine, as she slowly makes her way along the walkway from tree to tree?

 

[zev]

I am all for Disney doing more "thrill" rides. The Disney version of thrill is a lot tamer then other places and tend to be better themed. (Universal might be catching up though). Space Mountain at 8 years old made me a coaster lover (It is still one of my favs!) Still many relaxing or unique diversion spaces have already been converted to more retail space or character space (Penny Arcade, Walt's Theater, 20,000, Sky Buckets) I do not think WDW needs to become coaster land but they already keep the family and tot's in mind in a high degree. More well done, theme detail to the point of extreme, solid thrill rides please!................and something besides retail?

 

[Lost in Neverland]

In the end I think this expansion is going to be a real plus for WDW. The last time we were in the park and it was really crowded that area was almost unbearable due to the number of people crammed into a tight space. Especially around the carousel and Peter Pan. IMHO it will be nice to get a facelift for that area and open it up so it will be more enjoyable. My kids are older now but still love to go to FantasyLand because of all the memories they have there. I just hope they remember most people look for the carousel as the trade mark of FantasyLand and they should not move it out of sight of the castle.