New Photo Ops Coming to Magic Kingdom

[YEKCIM]

Extreme Fantasyland Makeover announced by Disney today.

 

[annnewjerz]

Heard about that a few hours ago---sounds exciting! It gives me the perfect excuse to make (errr....ask?) DH if we can go back in 2012.

I saw they are also re-doing Star Tours for 2011. I'm sure it will be a great improvement, but I've got to say, I'll miss the old ride no matter how outdated it may be.

 

[WDWFigment]

This is great. Looks like I'll be spending some time in Toon Town after hours in October for the first time...ever.

 

[klmall]

This could definitely make waiting until 2013 or so for a return trip worthwhile. Right now, DH won't go near WDW until at least then! I wonder what all this means for MK in the meantime though during the construction.....

 

[Groucho]

I read the rumors about these on one of the sites recently (maybe jimhall?)... sounds mostly good, it will be nice to have two Dumbos running, though I still kind of wish they'd put back the 20,000 Leagues ride. Oh well, at least DL still has the subs, even if they're not the Nautilus that I loved so much as a kid (and still do.)

WDWFigment, I think ToonTown closes early, before dark at least... I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure it does. I know there's a big gate at the entrance by the train tracks that I've seen locked.

Ann, I agree - if they put Jar Jar in the new Star Tours, that will be a tragedy! Apparently it's going to have pod-racing... which doesn't bode well!

Construction-wise, it may be pretty serious but surely won't be as bad as what's going on over at DL/CA Adventure, where CA Adventure is getting the $1.2 billion makeover and huge chunks of the park are shut down. I am probably holding off heading back there until it's done...

The big question is, what about the boys? They know that Disney has become very princess-heavy lately, and this expansion is unlikely to excite a lot of the younger male demographic. I actually wouldn't mind seeing them do a Pirate's Lair makeover on Tom Sawyer's Island like they did in DL - that was a pretty nice transition, keeping the old charm while adding some cool pirate theming.

 

[WDWFigment]

WDWFigment, I think ToonTown closes early, before dark at least... I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure it does. I know there's a big gate at the entrance by the train tracks that I've seen locked.

Hmmm, I've never seen that gate. I pass by it crossing over from Fantasyland to Tomorrowland, but admittedly, I don't usually pay attention.

I only have a few shots taken in Toon Town after the parks close. This doesn't mean they don't normally lock the gate. I will have to find a new approach to photographing it after hours, because the shots I have aren't that exciting:

 

[boBQuincy]

This is great news! While Fantasyland's rides have been good the scenery and theming has really gone downhill, finishing up when 20,000 Leagues was finally filled in. The new Fantasyland looks to be filled with castles, waterfalls, lagoons, woods, and more, a real fantasy world. Not to mention a proper Pixie Hollow for the oh so popular fairies!

We never spent much time in Toontown anyway but Fantasyland is our favorite part of the park, at least up until about 11:00 am when the double-wide SUV strollers take over!

My guess is minimal disruption to Fantasyland. We will see the usual wall, running from Pinocchio's Village Haus, behind Pooh's Playground, to the entrance to Toontown. And when the wall comes down, wow!

 

[KCmike]

The magic kingdom at WDW needs a complete makeover in the Fantasyland area. I hope its more than the Little Mermaid Ride (like DCA) and Dumbo part 2 and the inevitable meet and greets so they can sell more merchandise. I hope they bring the medieval look like DL has. I love DL's version of Fantasyland. So many rides and the theming is just great. The early drawings though are amazing. I really can't make out what I'm seeing with them though.

 

[MICKEY88]

The big question is, what about the boys? They know that Disney has become very princess-heavy lately, and this expansion is unlikely to excite a lot of the younger male demographic. I actually wouldn't mind seeing them do a Pirate's Lair makeover on Tom Sawyer's Island like they did in DL - that was a pretty nice transition, keeping the old charm while adding some cool pirate theming.

the press release I read early this morning stated that they will be incorporating more villains for the boys..

 

[Todd_H]

the press release I read early this morning stated that they will be incorporating more villains for the boys..

I just hope they keep the Marvel Comics characters out. Nothing against them, I just don't think they have any place in WDW.

 

[MICKEY88]

I just hope they keep the Marvel Comics characters out. Nothing against them, I just don't think they have any place in WDW.

odds are they will end up at Hollywood Studios.joining the muppets, another disney purchase..

 

[annnewjerz]

the press release I read early this morning stated that they will be incorporating more villains for the boys..

I just hope they keep the Marvel Comics characters out. Nothing against them, I just don't think they have any place in WDW.

Based on the video from the D23 Expo that I saw, they will be doing a little to incorporate the villains, but heard not a single mention of the Marvel characters (thank goodness!). If I understand correctly, they will be building a tavern themed after the tavern in Beauty & The Beast where Gaston hangs out, decorated with deer antlers, etc. (although since it's in the MK it won't actually serve alcohol). Can't remember if they were going to add anything else significant for the villains or not.

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

Based on the plans and artists conception drawings available from the Orlando Sentinel, this is FL makeover is going to be DROP DEAD GORGEOUS!!

A new Ariel ride and meet-and-greet! *Two* Dumbos with new circus themeing (and, a rethemed Barnstormer) and a no-standing-in-line queue concept! Separate Belle and Aurora castles! New "villages" (shops and stuff)! A Gaston themed CS and a :Be Our Guest" themed TS! A full-sized Pixie Hollow!!

AWESOME... JUST SOOOOO AWESOME!!!

 

[MICKEY88]

Based on the plans and artists conception drawings available from the Orlando Sentinel, this is FL makeover is going to be DROP DEAD GORGEOUS!!

A new Ariel ride and meet-and-greet! *Two* Dumbos with new circus themeing (and, a rethemed Barnstormer) and a no-standing-in-line queue concept! Separate Belle and Aurora castles! New "villages" (shops and stuff)! A Gaston themed CS and a :Be Our Guest" themed TS! A full-sized Pixie Hollow!!



AWESOME... JUST SOOOOO AWESOME!!!

a Belle castle, or a Beast castle..??

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

a Belle castle, or a Beast castle..??

Sorry, I meant the Beast's castle! But, the village looks like Belle's....

 

[Experiment_626]

That painting is interesting. Looks like they're going to be doing some serious landscaping as well -- lots of greenery and water features. Of course, I'm thinking of all this in respect for its photography potential as much as anything else. Not entirely sure what I'm looking at in regards to that wall behind the castle. These renderings usually exaggerate the scale of what will actually be built. I wonder how photos of Cinderella Castle from the front will differ after this is built ...

Regardless, I'm excited to see this. Really looking forward to the Little Mermaid ride.

SSB

 

[Groucho]

I doubt you'll see it at all from the front of the castle.

My wife and I watched some of the D23 videos tonight. The Attractions Magazine video of the Parks & Resort press conference was funny because someone near the videographer kept saying "NICE!" - we cracked up every time. I'm still trying to decide if it's worth joining D23... I hinted a little about maybe for a Christmas or birthday gift; that'd make the decision a little easier.

It does look pretty impressive, though I'm a little nervous on the "circus" theming - I hope it's not another attempt to shoehorn in the very midway-style games that Walt specifically did not want in a Disney park, and are now in CA Adventure and Dinoland @ AK. Still, it will be nice to see more immersive theming - I find Fantasyland pretty dull for most of it right now; ironically I think the best-looking thing there is the closed-up Skyway location, which will probably be going away!

 

[handicap18]

This is very cool. I agree with Groucho about Fantasyland being dull. This will certainly make it better. Much better. Looking forward to seeing all the pic's in 4 years...

 

[webshark3]

and you KNOW Tomorrowland has to be on the radar. Based on this, I'm already excited for the posibility of that.

And it's because of this that I snap 4000+ photos everytime. I like to document how things were.

My last trip, I experimetned walking though part of MK and the countries at Epcot just holding my video camera out in front of me. So I have a "walk though" of the environment. Looks like I'll have to take care to do it in Fantasyland this trip.

http://www.vimeo.com/1073849

 

[Golf4food]

Having seen photos and videos of DL Paris' fantasyland I'm quite glad they are finally doing something with the WDW version, which is sorely lacking in comparison.

I disagree with the impression that the MK is lacking in boy-oriented attractions. If anything the argument could be made that girl-oriented attractions were LACKING and the new additions will merely help put things more in balance. Pirates, cowboys, space, race cars... all more boy friendly in general. Most other things are at best gender neutral. Adding some more princesses and such is probably a good thing.

And certainly the MK needs another TS restaurant and DW is very excited about Lumiers / Beauty & the Beast restaurant being added.