Major changes to Fantasy Land Refurb Phase II

[marius97]

Screamscape via Amusment Insider is posting on some major changes to Phase II of the refurb:

Fantasyland Expansion & Little Mermaid - (10/18/10) Amusement Insider has posted a rather huge scoop this week (scroll down a little to find it) regarding the second phase of the Fantasyland expansion. From the sound of it, most of Phase 2 may have been tossed in favor of some new additions. First the good news… that long rumored and dropped roller coaster for the Seven Dwarves mine ride is said to be 100% back on track and will involve a layout with both indoor and outdoor coaster sections. In addition Goofy’s Barnstormer may actually get to keep it’s name, and may be given a minor new theme of Goofy’s performing an aerial circus act, which will fit right in with the new Double Dumbo ride going in next door.
Now for the bad news… especially for the Disney Princess fans out there. They claim that the Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella Meet & Greet attractions may have been scrapped entirely along with the entire Pixie Hollow concept. Even worse however is the rumor that Snow White’s Scary Adventure will be closed down entirely as early as February 2011 to allow for the new redesign plans for this area of the park. Want a little more? Be sure to check out the Amusement Insider’s own Fantasyland construction update as well.

 

[nytimez]

Not that big a scoop -- it was here on the Dis last month. I believe Figment632 had those same details.

Thanks for posting, though -- always good to see more confirmation.

 

[Faldred]

Yeah, I saw that here a while back, too. The SWSA closure will be to use the space to accommodate the princess/fairies meet & greet until a permanent home can be made (possibly at the old skyway station). With the Snow White & the Seven Dwarves mine ride open, they'll likely then use the SWSA space to add a new dark ride to be determined (far enough down the road that speculation is pointless, honestly).

 

[Golf4food]

As long as they keep Belle's castle and Gaston's tavern my DW will be happy.

 

[nytimez]

As long as they keep Belle's castle and Gaston's tavern my DW will be happy.

I'm really not excited about any of it, although the new Snow White ride sounds like it could be good.

MK needs another big E-ticket attraction, not more princesses.

 

[Figment632]

Yea I posted a while back an the info has stopped there, to tell you the truth I think they are running scared an have no clue what they will do.

Here is a link to my thread

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2539696

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Anyone else notice the major expansion to Discovery Cove and the Cheetah Run announcement last week?

I still have no belief that disney is concerned with "keeping up with the jones's" other than to attempt and steal headlines back when the Blackstone owned parks or Universal throws something out....

But the new sea world/ busch gardens expansion are ALREADY being built for opening next year....that is a major investment of amusement change. Especially for Discovery Cove...the boutique park that has been the most successful park opened (dollar for dollar) in orlando probably since EPCOT.

Now disney has seen two of the smaller neighbors give additions with real tangible attractions/ developments...just as they struggle with this goofy fantasyland revamp. The word of the street about more potter...whether based in fact or tactics from universals management...also makes the mouse look a little toothless.

I do think they aren't quite sure where to go...but just might (might...nothing for certain) be feeling actual external pressure to do something to grab attention.

That may or may not be a good thing...as their attempts to beat Universal Studios and IOA to the opening resulted in substandard parks that empty out frequently to this day...but maybe it could be a driver. Perhaps the only true cases where disney deemed it necessary to compete with the locals...in any aspect.

The Discovery Cove thing is the bigger deal than Harry Potter...because Disney has long coveted the boutique park and obviously the Sea World venture has been a smash...

they want it...but i don't think they can do it...

I think they might try though...wait and see

 

[DizCaptain]

It's looking like any major E-Ticket WDW exclusive ride won't happen until Cars Land and other ventures are finished out in California. Those are where Disney's super expansions are being funded and placed. Honestly, Fantasyland seems more like cosmetic maintenance combined with a new layout and more of the "snack" rides to tide us over and over again. I was initially excited but am only really looking forward to this coaster. Everything else just seems like another snack, tiding us over like stitch, laugh floor, all of those.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

It's looking like any major E-Ticket WDW exclusive ride won't happen until Cars Land and other ventures are finished out in California. Those are where Disney's super expansions are being funded and placed. Honestly, Fantasyland seems more like cosmetic maintenance combined with a new layout and more of the "snack" rides to tide us over and over again. I was initially excited but am only really looking forward to this coaster. Everything else just seems like another snack, tiding us over like stitch, laugh floor, all of those.

I would agree...but i...for one...don't necessarily need this E ticket in the magic kingdom.

It's ok to do the kiddie rides and add a new solid attraction like the mermaid and upgrade dumbo and the snow white ride. i don't mind that they aren't attempting cutting edge. That's ok for what is meant to be - the children's main area of WDW. the new restaurant is also badly needed...and its obvious with additions to epcot that restaurants are again a priority to the WDW management. That is not a bad thing.

But i also don't want junk...and let's face it...their record on "big" rides as of late has been spotty...

Everest is - to be honest - a disaster. Mission space is kinda cool but not legendary by any stretch...the rides at AK are also not exceptional...they are developing a pretty bad record here. Toy Story Mania is a good attraction...but not groundbreaking by any stretch.

I fear that they aren't committed to building first rate attractions anymore...and perhaps the days of the splash mountains and tower of terrors (first version...not the following 8) might be a thing of the past.
Too much cost accounting...not enough dedication to getting it right and pushing the boundary to make it exceptional and memorable.

WDW is not getting the proper re-investment in entertainment since its the juggernaut of the properties (newsflash...i know ) It really isn't a place of innovation that it once was...and is kinda sadly becoming the neglected aunt that bankrolls the spoiled nephews and nieces....

that's probably a bad analogy...but i can't think of anything else at this hour

 

[disfreak22]

Initially I was excited about the new changes coming to Fantasyland. I thought it would be awesome to visit the storybook lands that are so famous. Although I do not disagree with the decision to get rid of Cinderella's chateau and Aurora's cottage, I do have some hesitations in regards to the closing of SWSA. I would hope that the new Dwarfs roller coaster will be a nice substitute for the ride and not Big Thunder Railroad part II. I hope there is some storyline for this ride like along the lines of the dwarfs rescuing Snow White from the witch or something like that; but to have a roller coaster going through the mines does not inspire me to think that it will be a decent substitute. The ride would be cool if it goes through the mines and into the haunted forest though. Hopefully the Disney magicians will make this ride like a roller coaster version SWSA and use some of the technology like Expedition Everest, now that would be cool. Let's hope that these changes are for the better and not some lame water down attempt for greatness.

In response to the alleged "Circusland", I hope that this does not happen. Circusland and Fantasyland do not mix. Why not add more character houses or another ride like the storybook ride from Disneyland. What better ride could there be for the Fantasyland Forest than riding through the tiny storybook houses?

 

[momof2inmn]

I'm pretty new to the boards but have been a Disney fan all my life. What I don't understand is why all these great things are going to DL and not to WDW. WDW is THE face of Disney in the eyes of many (please don't flame me all you fans of DL), so why is DL getting all the goods?

 

[Padrepride]

I'm pretty new to the boards but have been a Disney fan all my life. What I don't understand is why all these great things are going to DL and not to WDW. WDW is THE face of Disney in the eyes of many (please don't flame me all you fans of DL), so why is DL getting all the goods?

While DCA is getting Cars Land and the major overhaul to the rest of the park, it was sorely needed. It is, by far, the weakest of the parks. In my opinion, MK is a great park already and the renovations to Fantasyland will freshen it up a good deal. However, I do agree that the other parks over at WDW could use some help, particularly AK and DHS. I would be greatly appreciative is Disney added on to Pixar Place at DHS.

 

[skiingfast]

I'm pretty new to the boards but have been a Disney fan all my life. What I don't understand is why all these great things are going to DL and not to WDW. WDW is THE face of Disney in the eyes of many (please don't flame me all you fans of DL), so why is DL getting all the goods?

I bet I can guess what side or the Missisippi you live on.

Padrepride pretty much answered it. DL and DCA are 200 feet apart and one got 3 times the visitors.

I'm guessing that a lot of DLR plans are better and Tom Staggs came in liking them but not the ones for WDW. Plus Florida is getting a billion dollars of cruise ships and already got a new villa. Fantasyland may not seem all that great but I think the east coast is getting it's share.

 

[Figment632]

I love how Screamscape is reporting this as news when myself and others reported it two months ago!

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

Fact is many of the really good Disney imagineers now work elsewhere and we're beginning to see the fruits of their labor, I think.

Disney is in trouble imaginatively across the board. WDW has Meg Crofton as their President, don't expect anything more than a business decision from her and if WDW's top dog isn't "imaginative" it doesn't take a genius to see the direction the business will take.

As for the DL vs WDW comment, the responses have been correct. DCA was so bad it needs to be addressed big time. So while it appears DL is being favored it's only circumstance, although truth be told DL remains the most classically representative Disney park (and easily more fun than WDW, IMO)..

 

[MJMcBride]

i prefer the new plans

 

[robertdangelo]

In response to the alleged "Circusland", I hope that this does not happen. Circusland and Fantasyland do not mix. Why not add more character houses or another ride like the storybook ride from Disneyland. What better ride could there be for the Fantasyland Forest than riding through the tiny storybook houses?

I agree... Fantasyland at Disneyland has the Storyland Boat... I miss the WDW Plaza Swan Boats... I remember riding them as a kid in the 70's.

 

[Disco]

Yeah,
I prefer DL to MK as well but it doesn't have to be so. Really it just comes down to the amount of rides and DL has more.
Just went to DL two days ago and it has issues that MK doesn't. Walking down Main Street and seeing that squat little castle, turns the magic vibe off for me. I was also pulling a Walt. I was in Tomorrow Land and noticed a cast member in a fuzzy western fur coat.
All MK has to do is add the attractions in and it would be a no brainer.
But I will agree with just about everyone here that California Adventure is the neediest of all the parks. It was horrible. I didn't even bother going to it this last time. WoC is done but no way am I setting foot into that park with so much construction and attractions being shut down.
However I will just say DCA is the least deserving of all the parks to get a retro. It's one of the newest and it was so poorly designed from the get go that it could rot for all I care. I would rather see parks that have been around longer get some TLC first. MK could hold off for a bit but I would say DS first then Epcot (MS is horrible). Everest is an awesome ride so I think AK could hold out to be the last.
We can talk about DCA after all that...

 

[mike the canuck]

is there any concept art out there for the 'new' Fantasy Land? I have only seen the ground plan layout

 

[skiingfast]

is there any concept art out there for the 'new' Fantasy Land? I have only seen the ground plan layout

A bunch, search for it because Disney has released plenty.