Official Fantasyland Expansion Q & A (Mickey gets evicted) PART II

[DanBoris]

Does anyone know if Disney has announced an official, or at least expected ETA for the entire Fantasyland expansion to be complete?

The only thing Disney has said is the the expansion will open in phases starting in "late 2012". I have heard reports that we shouldn't expect to see the Snow White mine ride until at least 2014.

 

[Invisable89]

I wonder why the Seven Dwarfs Mine Coaster is rumoured to be opening in 2014? Is it because it's the new addition to the Fantasyland Expansion plans & is still in it's early stages compared to the other attractions?

 

[KYoung2000]

Thanks for the info

 

[jade1]

It's amazing how small the castle really is...you can barely see it in this picture. It only takes up a small fraction of the Be Our Guest roof.

Hogwarts is as well-although I am sure its quite a bit larger:

 

[Berlioz70]

I wonder why the Seven Dwarfs Mine Coaster is rumoured to be opening in 2014? Is it because it's the new addition to the Fantasyland Expansion plans & is still in it's early stages compared to the other attractions?

Construction hasn't begun yet on the Mine Train. If you consider that construction started on Mermaid in early 2011, for a late 2012 opening... then there's still some time to wait for the Mine Train.

I haven't heard 2014, I would think 2013 would be a good bet. Disney has not said anything official.

 

[twokids0204]

New Aeriel Photo of Beast's Castle area

NOTE: there are no Little Mermaid pictures at this link!

Then what really is the point of clicking...

Berlioz as always, very informative and up to the minute info.

 

[DCTooTall]

I wonder why the Seven Dwarfs Mine Coaster is rumoured to be opening in 2014? Is it because it's the new addition to the Fantasyland Expansion plans & is still in it's early stages compared to the other attractions?

Construction hasn't begun yet on the Mine Train. If you consider that construction started on Mermaid in early 2011, for a late 2012 opening... then there's still some time to wait for the Mine Train.

I haven't heard 2014, I would think 2013 would be a good bet. Disney has not said anything official.

I'd say that, and also probably due to the space required for the construction. not to mention the resources.

Since they are still doing primary construction on some of the village buildings, they may be putting the resources to start construction on Snow White on those buildings to get them closer to completion. Then once the primary structure is completed, they move those workers on to the next building and move the next crew onto the village buildings to start the next phase of their construction.

As for space, currently the place where Snow White is going is pretty much right up against the existing Great Wall of Fantasyland. Because of this and how large it will likely be, You don't want to take up the room which trucks and equiptment might be able to use for the construction of the existing two primary buildings under construction.

I also wouldn't be too terribly surprised if they would need to move the great wall closer to Pooh to have the room to construct Snow White.... either due to the physical building location, or just to allow the equiptment room to get to both sides of the construction. Because of that factor, It would make sense to at the very least wait until after the busy summer season to start construction to prevent creating a bottleneck situation. It may even make sense to wait until they've opened up the walkways in front of Mermaid and Beast to allow traffic to go around the snow white construction area.


And then there is always the view. Snow white will be going up on just the other side of the great wall. It will obstruct the view guests may have of the progress of Mermaid and Beast's castle... so Disney may be waiting because they realize the view and excitement of their nearing completion makes the ugliness of construction much easier to many guests to deal with. (as well as being a great marketting tool).

 

[Berlioz70]

More images of the Beast's Castle.

Updated look at the progress on Beast's Castle, viewed from ground level

 

[chicagoshannon]

That castle is looking so good!

Have they just stopped working on the Ariel ride? We haven't seen any pictures of that in a while.

 

[Berlioz70]

Ariel photos are just not as interesting as the Beast's castle, which is why no one is taking them.

Here are photos of the new Dumbo area!

Dumbo's queue building taking shape as part of the new Storybook Circus

 

[hookedonears]

I'd say that, and also probably due to the space required for the construction. not to mention the resources.

Since they are still doing primary construction on some of the village buildings, they may be putting the resources to start construction on Snow White on those buildings to get them closer to completion. Then once the primary structure is completed, they move those workers on to the next building and move the next crew onto the village buildings to start the next phase of their construction.

As for space, currently the place where Snow White is going is pretty much right up against the existing Great Wall of Fantasyland. Because of this and how large it will likely be, You don't want to take up the room which trucks and equiptment might be able to use for the construction of the existing two primary buildings under construction.

I also wouldn't be too terribly surprised if they would need to move the great wall closer to Pooh to have the room to construct Snow White.... either due to the physical building location, or just to allow the equiptment room to get to both sides of the construction. Because of that factor, It would make sense to at the very least wait until after the busy summer season to start construction to prevent creating a bottleneck situation. It may even make sense to wait until they've opened up the walkways in front of Mermaid and Beast to allow traffic to go around the snow white construction area.


And then there is always the view. Snow white will be going up on just the other side of the great wall. It will obstruct the view guests may have of the progress of Mermaid and Beast's castle... so Disney may be waiting because they realize the view and excitement of their nearing completion makes the ugliness of construction much easier to many guests to deal with. (as well as being a great marketting tool).

Because of some other trips planned this year and next, unfortunately, it looks like the first week in May, 2013 will be our next trip to the world. I will be very, very disappointed if it's not completely open by then.

 

[robinbutterfly]

Can't wait for 2013!

 

[Berlioz70]

You want Ariel - you got it!

Unfortunately, it's not all that interesting.

Here are a variety of images taken of the construction on 4/15.

 

[chicagoshannon]

All of those pictures are great. Thank you!

 

[Berlioz70]

Preparations for the castle wall are underway!

Current Dumbo area Photos.

 

[twokids0204]

Preparations for the castle wall are underway!

Current Dumbo area Photos.

No Ariel...?

 

[Berlioz70]

LOLOLOL!!!


Here you go!

First Look at Ariel's Wedding Dress

 

[twokids0204]

LOLOLOL!!!


Here you go!

First Look at Ariel's Wedding Dress

I can ALWAYS count on you!

 

[Tinkermom76]

LOLOLOL!!!


Here you go!

First Look at Ariel's Wedding Dress

I love that dress! I saw it at the Disney Store the other day and have to have it for my DD!!!

 

[Berlioz70]

Outside of the Storybook circus - which opens in 2012 - we are still hanging onto a Fall 2012 opening date for the rest of Fantasyland, but expecting a phased opening for everything.

Even though it's not technically Disney offical, we at least have a quote from a Disney Mom:

Under the Sea: Journey of The Little Mermaid is a new attraction that will open as part of the Fantasyland Expansion (no opening date yet although most attractions should be open by 2013). I haven't heard anything concerning a meet & greet in this area yet but it would be great to meet Ariel again in her mermaid form.

Does she include Mine Train in that? Hard to know.

Additionally, here is a nice Ariel article from the Disney Insider.