Mickey's Toontown Fair closing for construction of new area 2/12/2011- no end date.

[Cleveland Hercules]

This is great to hear, I was starting to worry that since they were reviewing the project that this area might stay and not be updated in any way.

 

[PortMickey]

Here are the details from the Disney Parks blog:
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/12/new-fantasyland-expansion-update/

"As many of you know, we’re in the midst of the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history, which will nearly double the size of Fantasyland. In order to make way for this transformation, it’s important to let you know Mickey’s Toontown Fair will close in early February.

That doesn’t mean we’ve forgotten about some of your favorite characters. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and the Disney princesses will move to Town Square in the location currently known as Town Square Exposition Hall in spring 2011. Until that location is ready, they will continue to greet guests throughout Magic Kingdom. Meanwhile, Tinker Bell will relocate to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and her other fairy friends will appear later in the spring at Epcot. The Walt Disney World Railroad will stay open, but the Toontown station will remain closed during construction.

We hope you will pardon our dust as work progresses and if you’d like to experience Mickey’s Toontown Fair, you’ll have until Feb. 11 to make those plans. Remember, there are still many other entertainment experiences throughout Magic Kingdom to delight everyone in the family.

Fantasyland construction will be completed in phases with most new experiences open by 2013. This expansion is particularly exciting because it will enable us to share treasured stories with you in a whole new way. We’ll share more with you here as our work progresses."

 

[Disco]

Cool,
Bout time. Was expecting it to happen earlier this year though.
Now if we just knew what they planned to put in its place.

 

[spectromagic04]

Can't wait to see the progression of the Fantasyland Expansion!

 

[Eyemalive]

We were suprised that it was still open when we visited in November.

 

[Faldred]

I've got a friend going down around March 1. Does this affect the Barnstormer, or just the train station / judge's tent / playground area?

 

[skier_pete]

I've got a friend going down around March 1. Does this affect the Barnstormer, or just the train station / judge's tent / playground area?

Haven't read any specifically mentioning Barnstormer - but the fact they are saying "Toontown will be closing" tells me they won't have Barnstormer open. It seems unlikely anyways, as the entrance to Barnstormer is so far into Toontown.

 

[Disco]

I've got a friend going down around March 1. Does this affect the Barnstormer, or just the train station / judge's tent / playground area?

I thought I remember reading before that they were going to keep the Barnstormer open during the construction. I wasn't sure if they meant before or after they rethemed it though. It would make sense if they did the retheming of the ride to finish in conjunction with the opening of Fantasy Land.

 

[skier_pete]

I thought I remember reading before that they were going to keep the Barnstormer open during the construction. I wasn't sure if they meant before or after they rethemed it though. It would make sense if they did the retheming of the ride to finish in conjunction with the opening of Fantasy Land.

I haven't seen this stated - only that Barnstormer will not be torn out, but probably be re-themed. (I think nothing is certain from the whole FL announcement except LM ride and Be Our Guest Restaurant.)

 

[Disco]

I haven't seen this stated - only that Barnstormer will not be torn out, but probably be re-themed. (I think nothing is certain from the whole FL announcement except LM ride and Be Our Guest Restaurant.)

I distinctly remember talk of rerouting traffic to the Barnstormer but it may have been conjecture by laypeople.
Eh, my thoughts are that they won't close a perfectly good ride if they don't have to. I’m betting they’ll keep it open for most of the FLR.

 

[skier_pete]

I distinctly remember talk of rerouting traffic to the Barnstormer but it may have been conjecture by laypeople.
Eh, my thoughts are that they won't close a perfectly good ride if they don't have to. I’m betting they’ll keep it open for most of the FLR.

Well, if they really are going to re-theme it to a Dumbo/Circus theme (not a given) that would take a pretty extensive refurb, as they'll have to rip out the Barn and redo pretty much everything but the coaster itself. So, I could see it closing for a 9-12 months just for that. They *could* leave it open for a while before shutting it down, because I'm sure they won't re-open it until the rest of the area is done.

 

[The 4 "Quay"balleros]

We're trying to put together a trip to the WORLD( with money we saved from the small vacation we just canceled) and if it goes through, we may able to see Toontown before it falls. We love Mickey and Minnies houses!

 

[robertdangelo]

It is rumored that the barnstormer may get a Casey Jr. Theme.

 

[Disco]

Well, if they really are going to re-theme it to a Dumbo/Circus theme (not a given) that would take a pretty extensive refurb, as they'll have to rip out the Barn and redo pretty much everything but the coaster itself. So, I could see it closing for a 9-12 months just for that. They *could* leave it open for a while before shutting it down, because I'm sure they won't re-open it until the rest of the area is done.

Exactly,
A refurb of a ride will not take as long as it would to build a whole new "land". It just comes down to how extensive the refurb will be. However, I'm thinking that they won't tear down the barn as it has some history to the park. Not sure how they would or could match the theme?
My wager is they start the work on the Barnstormer around the same time, or shortly after, they move Dumbo (takes a bit more work to move and rebuild a ride). Until then it will be open. Any bets? I’ve got 5 Digi-Disney dollars burning a hole in my pocket… Someone give me some odds.

 

[AKVHutch]

Anyone heard anything about when the characters will be available in their new spots. We are taking our DGD at the end of March and she is looking forward to seeing fairies and princesses.