Fantasyland Refurb?

[PrincessBetsy]

Hiya! I recently read this article about a Fantasyland Refurb scheduled for 2010 to counter-act the new Harry Potter theme in Universal. I just wondered if anyone had any more info about it. It sounds pretty neat, although I can't believe they are getting rid of mickey and minnie's houses

Here is the article:
http://adisneyworldafterall.blogspot.com/2009/07/new-fantasyland.html

Here is a map of the new Fantasyland I also found:
http://www.stitchkingdom.com/2009/0...ngdoms-fantasyland-makeover-surface-its-huge/

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Hiya! I recently read this article about a Fantasyland Refurb scheduled for 2010 to counter-act the new Harry Potter theme in Universal. I just wondered if anyone had any more info about it.

A major enhancement to MK's Fantasyland is welcome and long overdue, but it's not going to "counter-act the new Harry Potter theme in Universal."

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will open in 2010, while any expansion of Fantasyland is unlikely to begin construction until at least some time in 2010, with completion a couple of years later.

A leaked diagram somehow made to onto the Internet in mid-July. Perhaps this leak was an intentional strategy, approved by Disney management, to create buzz on the Internet. Or perhaps it was something that somehow "got out" due to carelessness or an employee intentionally leaking a confidential, internal diagram. Nobody in the fan community really knows.

Nobody knows if the diagram represents an approved, final plan, or if it is one of many different concepts developed, discussed, and discarded.

In fact, nobody knows if the diagram is real. It looks real. It probably is real. But it could also be skillful "armchair Imagineering."

There has been no official news from Disney. The vast number of words that have been written about a Fantasyland expansion at WDW (including this thread) are all just interpretation, speculation, and repeating what others have written.

Kevin Yee has good article about it at http://miceage.micechat.com/kevinyee/ky072109a.htm

The latest buzz is that there will be an official announcement during Jay Rasulo's keynote at the D23 Expo in Anaheim in September. Even that seems to have its basis in speculation. But that's a believable rumor. I wouldn't be surprised if D23 Expo guests get to see a PowerPoint presentation with some renderings, which would then be released as press release the same day.

 

[MJMcBride]

If I had to guess, I would think something would be announced at D23

 

[PrincessBetsy]

If I had to guess, I would think something would be announced at D23

Yes, that's what I was thinking too.

A major enhancement to MK's Fantasyland is welcome and long overdue, but it's not going to "counter-act the new Harry Potter theme in Universal."

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will open in 2010, while any expansion of Fantasyland is unlikely to begin construction until at least some time in 2010, with completion a couple of years later.

A leaked diagram somehow made to onto the Internet in mid-July. Perhaps this leak was an intentional strategy, approved by Disney management, to create buzz on the Internet. Or perhaps it was something that somehow "got out" due to carelessness or an employee intentionally leaking a confidential, internal diagram. Nobody in the fan community really knows.

Nobody knows if the diagram represents an approved, final plan, or if it is one of many different concepts developed, discussed, and discarded.

In fact, nobody knows if the diagram is real. It looks real. It probably is real. But it could also be skillful "armchair Imagineering."

There has been no official news from Disney. The vast number of words that have been written about a Fantasyland expansion at WDW (including this thread) are all just interpretation, speculation, and repeating what others have written.

Kevin Yee has good article about it at http://miceage.micechat.com/kevinyee/ky072109a.htm

The latest buzz is that there will be an official announcement during Jay Rasulo's keynote at the D23 Expo in Anaheim in September. Even that seems to have its basis in speculation. But that's a believable rumor. I wouldn't be surprised if D23 Expo guests get to see a PowerPoint presentation with some renderings, which would then be released as press release the same day.

Thanks for the article!

 

[GetGlowing]

http://twitter.com/touringplans is reporting from D23
"Fantasyland refurb at wdw true!! Nearly doublig size."
"New fantasyland fun begins in 2012"

 

[KyleRayner]

Breaking News from Disney Parks on Twitter! Fantasyland at Walt Disney World will nearly double in size by 2013. It'll be largest expansion in the history of MK. Walt Disney World Fantasyland expansion will include more Princess stories - meet your favorites in their own fairytale worlds.

Star Tours Video: Here's a first look at a high-speed race through desert canyons of Tatooine. In an exciting scene from the new Star Tours, guests aboard Starspeeders will join in a high-speed pod race through the desert canyons of Tatooine. The launch of the new Star Wars based attraction...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jQaHgsKhQ4


Disney Parks and Resorts president Jay Rasulo officially announced the makeover of Walt Disney World's Fantasyland at the Disney D23 Expo on Sept. 12, 2009.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08W5Os-Wnj0



Star Tours 2 was officially announced at the D23 Expo on Sept. 12, 2009. It will be coming to Disneyland and Walt Disney World in 2011 and will feature 3D projections and new destinations.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VliPqCf4Z0w

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Clearly the new look to much of Fantasyland is a direct response to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

BobK/Orlando

 

[rie'smom]

They really need to update this area, I'm thrilled! It will draw us back to Fantasyland. On most of our trips, we skip Fantasyland because it's become boring after having gone so many times.

 

[Condorman]

Clearly the new look to much of Fantasyland is a direct response to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

BobK/Orlando

Not quite.

Clearly anything Universal has ever done since creating USO and IoA is a direct response to Disney's success.

Anybody else notice the difference between those "leaked" plans and the colorful wide-shot of Fantasyland? Dumbo's area in the picture is between the Cheshire Coaster and the Mad Tea Cups, practically where the Tomorrowland Indy Speedway is located. However, on the plans Dumbo is further north, in the current Toontown. It's almost like Dumbo and the Pixie Hollow areas have been switched.

So which is correct? Do we have to wait until 2013 to find out?

 

[Disco]

Anybody else notice the difference between those "leaked" plans and the colorful wide-shot of Fantasyland? Dumbo's area in the picture is between the Cheshire Coaster and the Mad Tea Cups, practically where the Tomorrowland Indy Speedway is located. However, on the plans Dumbo is further north, in the current Toontown. It's almost like Dumbo and the Pixie Hollow areas have been switched.

So which is correct? Do we have to wait until 2013 to find out?

I think I see what you are talking about but the tents could easily be a part of the coaster and not the Dumbo ride. That being said I don't see the Dumbo tents anywhere else and it looks like Pixie hollow is wrapped around back more.
Usually artist conceptions come before blueprints though. Either way the leaked blueprints are correct or near final.

 

[PrincessBetsy]

Breaking News from Disney Parks on Twitter! Fantasyland at Walt Disney World will nearly double in size by 2013. It'll be largest expansion in the history of MK. Walt Disney World Fantasyland expansion will include more Princess stories - meet your favorites in their own fairytale worlds.

Star Tours Video: Here's a first look at a high-speed race through desert canyons of Tatooine. In an exciting scene from the new Star Tours, guests aboard Starspeeders will join in a high-speed pod race through the desert canyons of Tatooine. The launch of the new Star Wars based attraction...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jQaHgsKhQ4


Disney Parks and Resorts president Jay Rasulo officially announced the makeover of Walt Disney World's Fantasyland at the Disney D23 Expo on Sept. 12, 2009.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08W5Os-Wnj0

WOW!!!! The new Fantasyland looks absolutely amazing!! I can't wait until the refurb gets started. Thanks for the pics and the youtube links!!

 

[diz8297]

I'm siked about Star Tours II. Just showed it to ds, age 10-star wars fanatic!
He's all smiles!!

 

[ChrisFL]

Inside sources are saying that this Fantasyland expansion IS directly because of what Universal is doing.

So without competition, we may never have seen this happen.

I've said this time and time again, Competition is a GOOD thing for us guests whether we're going to Universal or Disney, both of them competing to keep us going back is what drives new attractions.

I guess some people just can't comprehend that.

 

[Metro West]

Here's the latest article from the paper this morning.

The expansion looks prety cool indeed: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/trav...nd-disney-world-magic-kingdom,0,7274675.story

 

[rodkenrich]

,

 

[marius97]

For you WDW experts...I'm a newby that doesn't know any better...how soon after making major announcements does Disney generally try to start stuff? Do they have everything already lined up and ready to go? Or is it more likey that it will be well into next year before they get going on anything?

 

[cmash95]

all i can say is as great as all this sounds, get ready to pay close to 100 bucks for a one day ticket. as far as postponing vacations, all the construction is where there are currently no rides so all the rides will probably stay open during construction. and the princess meet and greets as well as the current pixie hollow will also be open. While I applaud the exapansion, I only see one ride being added, iits mostly meet the princesses in their own areas. for the amount of money they are spending I would rather they have more than a second dumbo and the little mermaid.

 

[opus_00]

While I'm happy to hear of a Fantasyland expansion (and always pleased by new rides and dining options), I'm a bit disappointed by the preoccupation with princesses in the released plans (I'm a mom to both a girl and a boy). Although I wasn't a huge fan of Mickey's Toontown Fair, at least Mickey and Friends appealed to boys as well as girls. I wonder if they will relocate Mickey and Friends to another location in the park. Also, while I appreciate the meet-and-greet spots as being reliable opportunities to spend time with Disney characters, this seems like a WHOLE lot of real estate dedicated to standing in line for a few short encounters with princesses.

 

[WaltD4Me]

While I'm happy to hear of a Fantasyland expansion (and always pleased by new rides and dining options), I'm a bit disappointed by the preoccupation with princesses in the released plans (I'm a mom to both a girl and a boy). Although I wasn't a huge fan of Mickey's Toontown Fair, at least Mickey and Friends appealed to boys as well as girls. I wonder if they will relocate Mickey and Friends to another location in the park. Also, while I appreciate the meet-and-greet spots as being reliable opportunities to spend time with Disney characters, this seems like a WHOLE lot of real estate dedicated to standing in line for a few short encounters with princesses.

I agree somewhat. I am very excited about the refurb/expansion and I'm thrilled about the Be Our Guest restaurant, but all the Princess meet and greet areas? Not as thrilled. It is a whole lot of real estate to just to meet Cindy, Aurora and Belle. I wish there was another ride in that plan...and I wonder if Philharmagic will remain where it is?

On the boy front though, I have to admit I think of Fantasyland as more of girls area and Adventureland and Frontierland as the boy areas. What do you think they could put in Fantasyland for boys? As far as Disney (not Pixar) the big boy thing is Pirates (to me) and you can't put them in Fantasyland.

I am sad about Toontown, I liked Mickey and Minnie having spots over there and something for Goofy. They said that Mickey and Minnie would be moving to the front of the park, but I don't know what that means. I love the Princesses, but Mickey and Minnie are Disney to me. I hate to see them edged out.

 

[Chkultr]

First...Thank you for the pictures and the links. I really wish I could have been able to make it to the Expo.

Second....Do you have more of that presentation? He was getting ready to talk about the rest of the lands at the end of the Fantasyland video.

Thanks again