Fantasyland Facelift?

[jade1]

We're in a similar boat, but with our first child. We bought at BLT in November last year and hadn't really planned it as much for kids as for ourselves (stayed and the GF for our wedding and we're monorail snobs now). But with our first baby due on Christmas Day this year, we're even more excited about DVC now that he'll have an expanded fantasy land to go to as a very young child - couldnt' have timed it better if we tried!

I know all the threads on the themeparks board keep talking about the lack of boy stuff in the FL plans, but I'm optimistic that they'll have a good amount of boy stuff in there by the time it's all done. And another castle meal can only be a good thing as far as I'm concerned!

XMAS Day-that's awesome, congrats. That's the thing, 3 or 4 years from now will be a whole new "world" to explore down there.

 

[tjkraz]

Unfortunately, Disney found a "very expensive" alternative to the regular, ol' meet and greet. Why let kids have a photo op and get an autograph for free? There's big $$$$ in character meals.

Character meals may be a bit more profitable than others, but probably not as much as you would think. The performers all receive equity wages and handlers are required, too. Also, tables do not turn-over as quickly at character meals since guests linger for a longer period in order to get all of their photos and autographs.

Yes, Disney charges more but the vast majority of that revenue is absorbed by added expenses (salaries) and the lower total guest count. CTR is the one noteworthy exception since the fees are SO much higher and they've packed in extra (cheap) junk like magic wands and character photos.

Has it even been confirmed that this restaurant will be a character meal? I was at the parks presentation last weekend and it seemed pretty clear that the adjoining "attraction" included Belle making an appearance to interact with guests. Having Belle simultaneously appearing in the attraction and the restaurant goes against one of their basic operating tenets.

I, too, spotted the Lumiere animatronic that "Ransom" mentioned from the concept artwork. That seems like a slam-dunk idea since it is so unobtrusive.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Character meals may be a bit more profitable than others, but probably not as much as you would think. The performers all receive equity wages and handlers are required, too. Also, tables do not turn-over as quickly at character meals since guests linger for a longer period in order to get all of their photos and autographs.

As a veteran. regarding character meals,.....I won't be surprised when the characters and waitstaff begin wearing rollerskates.

We are now taking DGKs to Disney and I can't believe how quickly they get you in and out. You'd better not put your fork down, unless you mean it...'cause there goes your plate. They already have fixed menus, to hurry things along. And, you better hope your flash goes off on the first and only photo op.

 

[La2kw]

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.

You guessed wrong. MK is our favorite park after Disneyland, and we do enjoy Fantasyland. But we enjoy the rides. Character meet and greets are no substitution for rides, IMO. In fact, they are clearly cheaper than building rides which is what I suspect is the motivating factor for WDW to build them. Even when my kids were the age of your one kid, they preferred rides over characters. I think it's good that WDW is finally putting some more money into the MK, but I just wish it was more than just one ride, considering the amount of land they are dedicating to character meet and greets.

You don't think the lines for these character meet and greets are going to be long? I've seen the lines for the princesses at the Toontown tent. These will probably be just as long, if not longer.

 

[Tara]

Character meals may be a bit more profitable than others, but probably not as much as you would think. The performers all receive equity wages and handlers are required, too. Also, tables do not turn-over as quickly at character meals since guests linger for a longer period in order to get all of their photos and autographs.

Yes, Disney charges more but the vast majority of that revenue is absorbed by added expenses (salaries) and the lower total guest count. CTR is the one noteworthy exception since the fees are SO much higher and they've packed in extra (cheap) junk like magic wands and character photos.

I agree with this theory that character meals (for the most part) aren't that much more profitable. However, I will add that while they aren't more profitable than other character meals (or other table service), I bet they draw in a good percentage of guests who otherwise would have eaten counter service, off site, or in their villa/vacation home.

 

[5forDiz]

I'm trying to visualize how this works with WDW railroad....would it need

to be moved back somewhat in this area to accommodate

expansion ?

 

[ransom]

I'm trying to visualize how this works with WDW railroad....would it need

to be moved back somewhat in this area to accommodate

expansion ?

No, this will be well clear of the RR. There is actually a good stand of trees between the railroad and the area that will be used -- most of which was already used once upon a time for 20,000 Leagues or is currently used by Toontown. So they're really just reclaiming area, for the most part.

 

[5forDiz]

No, this will be well clear of the RR. There is actually a good stand of trees between the railroad and the area that will be used -- most of which was already used once upon a time for 20,000 Leagues or is currently used by Toontown. So they're really just reclaiming area, for the most part.

Ah ha, got it now. Many thanks for your reply

 

[eliza61]

I think it's always a good thing when disney updates it's offering. It doesn't really affect me mainly because I have teens and young adults so we're never in Fantasy land.

I do wish Disney would offer more for boys though, it's slim pickings for them.

 

[Goofy DVC]

I find it interesting that Universal Studios is spending $265 million on the Harry Potter Area and that is to be so great. But, Disney is spending btween $300 and $400 million on Fantasyland and some feel Disney is going low cost and second rate?
Am I missing something? Maybe my #s are wrong?? I also read that the Harry Potter Area is 20 acres.

 

[photobob]

I exciting to see the upgrades, long needed in fantasyland.

 

[mikeandkarla]

Does anyone else have only boys? Although it seems a change is needed to compete wtith IOA's Harry Potter, all the designs I have seen tend to cater to princesses for girls. It would have been nice to see 1 or 2 boy themed attractions. I'm sure when it is done and I am there it will be cool, something new to check out.

 

[PEANUT1]

Does anyone else have only boys? Although it seems a change is needed to compete wtith IOA's Harry Potter, all the designs I have seen tend to cater to princesses for girls. It would have been nice to see 1 or 2 boy themed attractions. I'm sure when it is done and I am there it will be cool, something new to check out.

I think this is why disney bought Marvel comics..they have more "boy" appeal...maybe they will filter some of this into the parks too.

 

[tjkraz]

The Cinderella area will have sessions for both boys and girls (how to be a prince / how to be a princess.)

The Little Mermaid dark ride will certainly appeal to all audiences.

Dumbo is gender-neutral, and I understand there may be some retheming of Goofy's Barnstormer which may not be girl-focused.

Seems like there's a little testosterone in Belle's area, too, with the Gaston tavern, Beast, Lumiere, etc.

Star Tours 2 was also announced at the same time and is clearly aimed more at boys.

I'm still fairly mystified by some of the response. The new Fantasyland addition looks fabulous and it really shocks me that it's being criticized so much simply because it doesn't hold equal appeal for all genders and age groups. The princesses are what they are...they are girls. Fantasyland also has Peter Pan, Pooh ride & playground, teacups, Philharmagic, Dumbo, etc. Disney's parks have plenty of attractions to appeal to boys.

 

[Kuzco]

I personally think it is a great addition/change and can't wait to see the finished product. A major update to MK attractions was long overdue in my opinion!

 

[DenLo]

Does anyone else have only boys? Although it seems a change is needed to compete wtith IOA's Harry Potter, all the designs I have seen tend to cater to princesses for girls. It would have been nice to see 1 or 2 boy themed attractions. I'm sure when it is done and I am there it will be cool, something new to check out.

I thought it was only me. I agree the boys appear to be an after thought on these meet and greets. One did show the boys learning to be knights, which should be pretty cool. But the rest really for girls. I think the Dumbo interactive games could be a boy attraction if they don't make them for really young children. Most of the kids in our extended family outgrow the Dumbo ride pretty early. Curious to see what the second ride will be.

They also mentioned a Gaston's Tavern, and show people drinking foamed drinks. Does this mean MK is going to serve alcohol?

 

[Gowahoowa]

They also mentioned a Gaston's Tavern, and show people drinking foamed drinks. Does this mean MK is going to serve alcohol?

MK will never serve alcohol. It is the way Walt intended it to be. I don't think they would ever do that...nor do I ever want them to.

 

[Tara]

I think this is why disney bought Marvel comics..they have more "boy" appeal...maybe they will filter some of this into the parks too.

I'm not clear if Disney can use Marvel characters in the Florida parks given the fact that the Marvel purchase still allows Universal to maintain its licenses? (I think perhaps just east of the Mississippi?)

I could be wrong about this as I haven't paid close attention.

 

[Sammie]

I think it is fabulous news. I hope they keep Barnstormer and simply refit it for the theme.

 

[sskem96]

I think it is fabulous news. I hope they keep Barnstormer and simply refit it for the theme.

I read somewhere that it might be rethemed to be a 7 Dwarves mining type thing.

Does anybody know when the current attractions will start closing? We have a trip planned for spring 2011 and it will be my niece's 1st trip. She will be 3. I'm hoping most of Fantasy Land doesn't end up being closed while we're there! I'm thinking maybe most of the heavy construction won't happen quite that soon?

We're considering our trip this Thanksgiving our "farewell to Fantasyland" trip. I know Fantasyland will still be there, but it won't be the same. It might be better, but I want to be able to remember what it looks like now to, as well as Toon Town. I don't know if we'll be back before changes start occuring, so we'll make sure we see everything we want to and get our last picture of the girls in Minnie's gazebo. We have a picture of them in it from every trip. Every time we pick a spot to take an annual picture, Disney takes our spot away! It was supposed to be a car in Toon Town in front of Goofy's Garage, but we only got a picture in it with DD12 when she was 2. The next time we went, it was gone, so we got pics in the gazebo instead. Now the gazebo will be gone too. We'll have to figure out a new photo spot! The store in Toon Town is also one of my favorite stores. I will definitely miss that! I almost always find something there I can't find at the other stores.