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

[Senator Tressel]

I saw this posted by a reliable source on another board:

"Yes previews seems to have become the more friendly name for soft opens. It is open, but may potentially have closures until it is fully officially open. "

So it's possible that Nov 19th date will be for public previews.

Completely disagree with that analysis. A pass holder preview is a specific time set aside where you have to sign up and the area WILL be open. A soft opening is unadvertised and can't be counted on.

 

[DanBoris]

Completely disagree with that analysis. A pass holder preview is a specific time set aside where you have to sign up and the area WILL be open. A soft opening is unadvertised and can't be counted on.

Here is my source. The is person has been reporting on WDW for quite some time so I trust his assessment. Also note that the Disney press release and blog post say "previews" starting on the 19th, but don't specifically say it's a passholder, press or public preview.

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/opening-date-for-new-fantasyland-announced.843190/page-3#post-5065678

 

[Senator Tressel]

The post you linked to says exactly what I am saying, that they are two completely different things.

 

[wehavesix]

I think since the AP preview is by reservation only and a limited number of spaces are available, then it will not be what has been previously known as a soft opening. Soft openings have always been unannounced limited time openings. Previews are for a set time and a specific audience. That's not to say there won't be soft openings at FLE. Maybe there will be soft openings before the announced previews. Who know? It could happen!

 

[kennythepirate]

Kennythepirate is reporting that Chip and Dale will be replacing Donald in Frontierland and that Gaston will be making appearances.

Chip n Dale are a pretty strong rumor and Gaston is definitely planned, but things always change.

 

[LaurieN]

DECEMBER 6TH!!!

New Fantasyland Grand Opening Set For December 6 at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort

Previews begin November 19.

I am so sad about the Dec 6th opening we will miss it by 5 days!!! I really had faith that it would be open for Thanksgiving weekend!
I've been trying to talk DH into upgrading our tickets to annual passes when we visit in Nov, now I'm REALLY going to have to push the issue.
Laurie

 

[Queen2PrincessG]

Does anyone else find it odd that Pete won't be there?

 

[exwdwcm]

But it doesn't say 'soft opening' it says previews. And we already got info a few days ago about AP people getting a sneak peak starting in Nov.

Believe me, I want it to mean a soft opening but I just don't think it does.

soft opening isn't a term the public knows (only us Disney freaks!), so preview makes more sense for it when announcing it on the blog. BUT..........I really think since they are advertising this "preview" that it isn't soft opening and that it is something different.

Like someone else said, soft openings can be random and the area or attractions could shut down anytime for tweaking etc. My guess would be for an area and expansion of this size, they would want a lot of soft opening time to get things right and not during busy Thanksgiving week? I mean what kind of sense does it make to open it during one of the busiest weeks for "previews" when the area hasn't had any soft opening/testing/tweaking and time for the CMs to interact with guests in their new roles?

I imagine they would do some sort of "soft opening" prior to the now published Nov 19th preview date. It just doesn't seem right to make the first exposure during one of the busiest weeks of the year, I bet there will be some random soft opening dates prior to the 19th.

.........okay, or maybe, that is just my wishful thinking since we are there Nov 8-17th.

 

[Berlioz70]

Not that my opion matters... but I believe soft openings will occur PRIOR to previews. Soft openings are better known as test and adjust times for the Cast Members. This allows them to open an attraction for periods of time, then stop and talk/readjust processes... try again. All of those procedures will likely be cemented BEFORE previews begin for specific crowds.

I wouldn't be surprised if some locations go into soft opening and then just never close again (such as Entertainment: Belle/Ariel/Sideshow), and others may see openings/closings to iron things out (such as Attractions: Journey Under the Sea). I'm not familiar enough with F&B to make an assessment for them.

 

[Mrs. Buzz Lightyear]

Maybe fingers crossed a little preview during MNSSHP?? A gal can wish cant she

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

DECEMBER 6TH!!!

New Fantasyland Grand Opening Set For December 6 at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort

Previews begin November 19.

They couldn't have picked a better day! (it's mah birthday...)

At least I'll have someone to celebrate with, even if I can't be there.

 

[Royal Consort]

From several boards there seems to be two types of thinking:

1) Previews - open to everyone from Nov 19th, meaning Disney expect a few problems and therefore not everything will run as smoothly as after a grand opening. Like a stage show: they have previews for several weeks before they open and they often make adjustments before opening night.

2) Previews - open to select individuals such as AP holders, cast members, or VIP.

It's a bit Disney vague but I'm hoping for the first. Otherwise, why would Disney announce previews on Nov 19 as a definitive date?

 

[jessrose18]

We were going to visit MK on december 6th....thinking about changing that to the 7th now.... anybody been to an opening is it swamped?????

 

[bjakmom]

OK, I still have hope!! The link that Dan posted gives a link to the soft opening/previews time line they followed for the opening of EE. The walls were down and random soft openings were reported on Feb 2nd - AP, CM and media previews were the end of March and official open was the first week of April.
So if I'm in MK Nov 7 - 13 we can stalk the area day and night for soft openings. LOL Good thing we are staying at BLT this trip.
I am so sad that BOG prob won't be open - don't think they soft open restaurants, not sure - and I know this opening is unlike any other and could be done completely different - but wishful thinking is one of the things I'm best at - so hoping and wishing to see some of FLE it is!!

 

[JessiMommy]

I imagine they would do some sort of "soft opening" prior to the now published Nov 19th preview date. It just doesn't seem right to make the first exposure during one of the busiest weeks of the year, I bet there will be some random soft opening dates prior to the 19th.

.........okay, or maybe, that is just my wishful thinking since we are there Nov 8-17th.

I like your thinking... especially since I'll be there with you from the 11-17th of November!

 

[Royal Consort]

Jennifer Fickley-Baker on August 7th, 2012 at 8:14 pm

We’ll begin accepting reservations for Be Our Guest in late August for guests who wish to dine after Nov. 19. Stay tuned for more details!

Which makes me think this is an 'open to everyone' preview.... I'm hoping.

NARGH!!!

 

[KMcCP]

We were going to visit MK on december 6th....thinking about changing that to the 7th now.... anybody been to an opening is it swamped?????

I'm wondering the same thing- we'll be there already that day since we have the BBB booked for DD and dinner at Park Fare. It's also an early closing night for the MVMCP

 

[N&B'smom]

Which makes me think this is an 'open to everyone' preview.... I'm hoping.

NARGH!!!

Where did you read the following???


Quote:
Jennifer Fickley-Baker on August 7th, 2012 at 8:14 pm

We’ll begin accepting reservations for Be Our Guest in late August for guests who wish to dine after Nov. 19. Stay tuned for more details!

 

[Royal Consort]

It's on the Disney Parks Blog: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/08/new-fantasyland-grand-opening-set-for-december-6-at-magic-kingdom-park-at-walt-disney-world-resort/#comments

Amanda on August 7th, 2012 at 6:12 pm
How exciting! We will be there December 9th! Do you know when we will be able to make dining reservations at Be Our Guest?


Jennifer Fickley-Baker on August 7th, 2012 at 8:14 pm
We’ll begin accepting reservations for Be Our Guest in late August for guests who wish to dine after Nov. 19. Stay tuned for more details!

 

[Photobee]

I like your thinking... especially since I'll be there with you from the 11-17th of November!

Add me to the list wishing and hoping with the rest of you!!! to miss the "preview" by a few days...and the opening by less than a month...**!