Looking for a rundown of known changes on horizon

[rutgers1]

I used to check this board daily, but I had to give it up because my wife wanted to shoot me. I kind of went cold turkey for a while and now find myself wondering what is on the horizon for Disney in Florida. We are DVC members and find ourselves getting a bit of a "been there, done that" feeling -- which we totally don't want to get. In fact, on our next trip, we are taking the Disney cruise but will bypass the parks altogether when we return and instead opt for Universal.

So, with that said, is there anything on the horizon that will suck some of my fellow "been there, done that" people back?

I love changes - any change. New rides, of course, top the list. However, new restaurants, hotels, shows, etc. are great, too. I've read up a bit on the planned changes for Fantasy Land, though from what I gather, some of those plans are up in the air, right?

 

[Faldred]

The new Little Mermaid ride, the Beauty and the Beast castle (along with the two restaurants), and the Dumbo move/expansion all seem to be absolutely happening. (Also very likely the Barnstormer gets a circus-themed facelift.)

It's the rest of the project that seems to be up in flux. While it's still rumor at this point, the presumption is they're going to ditch the princess areas for a Snow White & the Seven Dwarves mine coaster. Those familiar with the concept consider it a "D-ticket" attraction, so it won't be a full-fledged coaster.

There don't seem to be any serious rumors about adding additional rides to other WDW parks. It looks like DCA is getting the bulk of the attention in the short term, leaving Florida to just have the FL expansion project.

 

[rutgers1]

I can't wait to see what the renovation ultimately looks like. That alone will be worth a return visit.

I wonder if the Mermaid ride will be a big time attraction.

Thanks for the response!

 

[MJMcBride]

There don't seem to be any serious rumors about adding additional rides to other WDW parks.

i would consider Star Tours 2.0 a big deal

 

[rutgers1]

When will Star Tours be renovated? I think the article I read about a Star Tours renovation was about California............though I am probably wrong on that.

 

[skiingfast]

When will Star Tours be renovated? I think the article I read about a Star Tours renovation was about California............though I am probably wrong on that.

They are both being redone. DL and DHS. DL's is supposed to be done in May, I'm not sure of the date but I believe I've heard DHS's will be done sooner. Maybe by spring break, but I don't know for sure.

 

[Faldred]

i would consider Star Tours 2.0 a big deal

For some reason, I had that in my head as already done. Still, it's a refurb of an existing attraction, not a new one.

 

[MJMcBride]

i would think Star Tours will be running in Florida by Star Wars weekends in May

 

[spectromagic04]

i would consider Star Tours 2.0 a big deal

Also dont forget the rumored pixar place expansion that should take place sometime between 2011 and 2013.

 

[doconeill]

i would think Star Tours will be running in Florida by Star Wars weekends in May

Assuming that it is in May...

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Don't forget the new open area where the AC and BET used to be..

MG

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Don't forget the 16 planned 'meet & greets', the 7 new fast food restaurants and of course Flamingo Crossings!!! Ooooooh.

 

[lovemickeyshouse]

Don't forget the 16 planned 'meet & greets', the 7 new fast food restaurants and of course Flamingo Crossings!!! Ooooooh.

If wishes really did come true Epcot would get a major makeover.

 

[MJMcBride]

If wishes really did come true Epcot would get a major makeover.

really I think Epcot is great

 

[Mom of 2 Wife of 1]

Don't forget the 16 planned 'meet & greets', the 7 new fast food restaurants and of course Flamingo Crossings!!! Ooooooh.

You mean as opposed to the lame-o Harry Potter makeover of Universal Studios with some gift shops, one new attraction and a few redux of previously existing rides?

BTW, WDW is no longer doing Pixie Hollow, Cinderella's chateau or Aurora's cottage, and instead replacing the latter with a coaster.

Try to keep up with the headlines, chief.

 

[tjkraz]

i would think Star Tours will be running in Florida by Star Wars weekends in May

Disney's travel agent rehab schedule currently lists WDW Star Tours as re-opening "late-2011."

Given that they rarely complete any rehab tasks earlier than estimated, I wouldn't expect ST2 to open until sometime after the summer--perhaps just in time for the 2011 holiday crowds.

Disneyland's ST is still estimated at May 2011.

 

[rutgers1]

Are the rumored changes to the Fantasyland "plan" for the better or worse?

 

[Faldred]

Are the rumored changes to the Fantasyland "plan" for the better or worse?

I'd say for the better, personally. The best parts of the original plan - adding the Little Mermaid ride, the upgrade to Dumbo (including the circus theming of the surrounding area), and the two new restaurants - look to still be happening. The worst parts - whole areas devoted to princess and fairies meet and greets - look to be tossed.

In exchange, it looks like a D-ticket ride gets added (at the cost of losing the SWSA dark ride), and hopefully a replacement dark ride will happen at some point in the future.

No idea what's going to happen to the Judge's Tent/Pixie Hollow area as of now.

I'd still like to see some updates to existing rides, such as the trackless version of the Pooh ride like in Tokyo and some way to increase capacity for Peter Pan.

 

[tjkraz]

Are the rumored changes to the Fantasyland "plan" for the better or worse?

Word is that Tom Staggs--the new head of the entire Parks & Resorts division--visited Walt Disney World with his teenage sons and came away disappointed with the idea of most FL additions being princess-centric.

Like the previous poster said, the Little Mermaid attraction and BatB restaurants are the only things set in stone--they are actually being constructed.

The Snow White mine car ride does sound like an improvement but it could also be a big bore if Disney doesn't do it "right." It's rumored to be a family friendly coast which means theming will be key. Probably won't have any more than 3-4 story drops with a fair amount of ups & down, sharp turns, etc.

It certainly sounds better than a couple of meet and greet locations, but it's no Expedition Everest in terms of the thrill factor. Designers will need to focus very strongly on the entertainment aspects (scenery, animatronics, etc.) rather than just relying on a fun ride system to please guests.

 

[ToddS]

The new coaster is starting to sound to me a lot like Barnstormer, which will be about 200 yards from it. What's the point?