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

[momto4princesses]

Just looking at the recent pictures I think disney is behind schedule for the fantasyland expansion.

I can't see how they can get most of the buildings finished with the grounds and decorations as well by this summer at all.

I am thinking more likely most of fantasyland will not open until very late 2012 or most likely 2013 sometime.

Shame since I was exicted when the rumor started about beauty and the beast rest might open this summer.

But what you also have to take into consideration is Fl's summer are full of rain which throws you behind but then in the winter months we get very little rain which allows you to make up alot of time. I think you'll be amazed at how much more can get done Jan-Mar as opposed to June-October. JMO

 

[DanBoris]

But what you also have to take into consideration is Fl's summer are full of rain which throws you behind but then in the winter months we get very little rain which allows you to make up alot of time. I think you'll be amazed at how much more can get done Jan-Mar as opposed to June-October. JMO

I could see things opening in the summer, what I am having a hard time with at this point is that parts of Storybook Circus are supposed to open in 6 weeks. Even excluding the tents and they still have a lot of work to do on that area.

 

[Magalex]

Just curious! We have our vacation planned for 6/7-6/14 so what could be open at that time point? Any wild guesses?

 

[lsulindy]

Just curious! We have our vacation planned for 6/7-6/14 so what could be open at that time point? Any wild guesses?

The new Dumbo, Casey's water area, and the train stop in should be open.

A recent blog post entry suggested that The Little Mermaid ride and Be Our Guest restaurant would be open this summer. Which would be earlier than most people expected. So, those are possibilities.

 

[exwdwcm]

Interesting! I haven't been to DL to ride their version of the ride, but I watched the ride-through video on YouTube...and I'm pretty excited about it! But then I really *like* the old-school Disney dark rides--Peter Pan, Small World (yes, I really do like it!), Snow White. To me there is a lot of magic in those, despite the fact that they are relatively low-tech and definitely not thrill rides. Plus I was amazed at how spot-on they got the Little Mermaid scenes for the ride!

It's nice that we all get excited about different things...keeps the lines more manageable!

so true! I was really surprised there was no line at mermaid in DL when I went. It was dead empty! I am sure there will be crowds at WDW though for sure- since it has been so long awaited!

This makes me so excited to see them test the new dumbo out!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZkBQM6qM74&context=C35c28bdADOEgsToPDskLDKUaPboLs3OwniRgjerjP

Oh awesome! Love it!

 

[pmdeve]

We are going the middle of June, can't wait to see what is completed by then

 

[miprender]

This makes me so excited to see them test the new dumbo out!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZkBQM6qM74&context=C35c28bdADOEgsToPDskLDKUaPboLs3OwniRgjerjP

We will be there the end of June and never imagined it will be possible that this area could be open

 

[nytimez]

The new Dumbo, Casey's water area, and the train stop in should be open.

A recent blog post entry suggested that The Little Mermaid ride and Be Our Guest restaurant would be open this summer. Which would be earlier than most people expected. So, those are possibilities.

Maybe I missed it, but I don't see where it says this summer -- just this year.

 

[lsulindy]

Maybe I missed it, but I don't see where it says this summer -- just this year.

Ahh... I didn't read through it again. Looks like they changed the wording...

This quotes the original wording:
http://disneybrit.com/2011/12/fantasyland-expansion-to-begin-opening-summer-2012/
and here:
http://wdisneysecrets.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20975&p=269802

“the Fantasyland expansion—first announced at the 2009 D23 Expo, with an update given at the 2011 D23 Expo—will more than double the size of the area. The first phase opens in summer 2012 and will feature fresh attractions and richer experiences. Cruise by this summer to check out Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid, Be Our Guest restaurant, and more!”

 

[nklooz]

The new Dumbo, Casey's water area, and the train stop in should be open.

A recent blog post entry suggested that The Little Mermaid ride and Be Our Guest restaurant would be open this summer. Which would be earlier than most people expected. So, those are possibilities.

Shouldn't Goofini also be open when the new Dumbo opens?

 

[Berlioz70]

This makes me so excited to see them test the new dumbo out!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZkBQM6qM74&context=C35c28bdADOEgsToPDskLDKUaPboLs3OwniRgjerjP

Very exciting!! Thanks for posting.

Ahh... I didn't read through it again. Looks like they changed the wording...

“the Fantasyland expansion—first announced at the 2009 D23 Expo, with an update given at the 2011 D23 Expo—will more than double the size of the area. The first phase opens in summer 2012 and will feature fresh attractions and richer experiences. Cruise by this summer to check out Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid, Be Our Guest restaurant, and more!”

I honestly think it was poor reporting. Phase one will be open by the summer, but phase 2 (TLM and B&B) are not opening until the fall. I think someone over edited/paraphrased without all of the facts, which led to an unfortunate misunderstanding.

I just hope no one plans a vacation around this paragraph without more official confirmation.

 

[kkproulx]

I'm sad now....we are going the end of March.....I wanna change to the end of summer now!

 

[PrincessBelle39]

We are there for the first 2 1/2 weeks of August. I'm checking all the time for some positive news.

 

[laura428]

Very exciting!! Thanks for posting.



I honestly think it was poor reporting. Phase one will be open by the summer, but phase 2 (TLM and B&B) are not opening until the fall. I think someone over edited/paraphrased without all of the facts, which led to an unfortunate misunderstanding.

I just hope no one plans a vacation around this paragraph without more official confirmation.

Hmmm... our trip is booked for Sept 15-23. Wondering if I should try to postpone til October....?

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

Struggling with the waiting till 2013 to go... hopefully they will have it ready by then

 

[nytimez]

I honestly think it was poor reporting. Phase one will be open by the summer, but phase 2 (TLM and B&B) are not opening until the fall. I think someone over edited/paraphrased without all of the facts, which led to an unfortunate misunderstanding.

That would be my guess too.

Hmmm... our trip is booked for Sept 15-23. Wondering if I should try to postpone til October....?

If it's very important to you to see the new stuff, don't book your trip until you know it will be open, plain and simple. You could move it to October and still not see it, since they could open it in November or even December.

I'd take any "ahead of schedule" rumors with a huge grain of salt at this point.

 

[lsulindy]

I honestly think it was poor reporting. Phase one will be open by the summer, but phase 2 (TLM and B&B) are not opening until the fall. I think someone over edited/paraphrased without all of the facts, which led to an unfortunate misunderstanding.

I just hope no one plans a vacation around this paragraph without more official confirmation.

I agree. I was surprised when I read it. I think it's a misstatement that they've now corrected. From what I understand, phase I (Dumbo, Casey water area, etc) will be open before the summer. Little Mermaid and Be Our Guest will be later. Possibly late summer, but I wouldn't say "cruise by this summer" to see them.

 

[pilferk]

But what you also have to take into consideration is Fl's summer are full of rain which throws you behind but then in the winter months we get very little rain which allows you to make up alot of time. I think you'll be amazed at how much more can get done Jan-Mar as opposed to June-October. JMO

The other thing is this:

Much of the initial work is on infrastructure, foundations, etc....stuff that's not readily apparent when simply looking over the wall. That stuff all has to be completed prior to "vertical" construction.

Sure, I'm sure SOME of that was in place, before. But I'm also sure they had to do some massive work and re-work on those systems, as well as add new ones.

I think things will begin to progress a LOT quicker, provided that work is done now. I don't know about timelines/schedules, but I'm not SURE they're behind, just by looking over the fence.

 

[DanBoris]

I agree. I was surprised when I read it. I think it's a misstatement that they've now corrected. From what I understand, phase I (Dumbo, Casey water area, etc) will be open before the summer. Little Mermaid and Be Our Guest will be later. Possibly late summer, but I wouldn't say "cruise by this summer" to see them.

Dumbo, and probably Goffini and the train station have pretty much been confirmed to open in February. There was this recent Disney press release:

"New Fantasyland (early 2012) – The largest expansion project in Magic Kingdom history will open in phases beginning February 2012 at Walt Disney World Resort, featuring attractions and experiences in an area that will nearly double the size of Fantasyland. Among the novelties, guests will be able to fly high with The Great Goofini or with Dumbo the Flying Elephant, “immerse” themselves in Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid and “be our guest” at the Beast’s Castle. Out of the gate in early 2012 will be The Barnstormer coaster, Fantasyland Station and – for the first time anywhere turning counter-clockwise – the first half of the Dumbo the Flying Elephant attraction. Completion of The New Fantasyland is scheduled for 2014 with most new experiences open by 2013."

Not to mention the official Disney Parks calendar list a Dumbo refurb from January 09 - Friday, February 17. Since it wouldn't make sense to close and re-open the existing one, this is pretty good confirmation that Feb 17 is the target date for the new Dumbo to open.

 

[lionking13]

this video i am about to post has a fantasyland expansion clip from 2:15 to 4 minutes

http://www.youtube.com/user/MiceChat?blend=1&ob=video-mustangbase#p/a/u/0/9GIg-K0Kdw8

My opinion on the whole Fantasyland timeline is that the summer opening of Beauty and the Beast area, and LM area are bogus. I believe that the storybook circus area will open sometime in late February since Disney wants to keep one dumbo open at all times. As far as Disney has announced the BATB area and LM area will open sometime in late fall but I'm hoping they are ahead of schedule judging by the amount of work done on the exterior of both areas. Hopefully Disney will clarify whats happening with Fantasyland