The Fantasyland Expansion Plans have changed!!!

[mickeysgirl17]

According to this website and wdwmagic.com, it was reported to the Orlando sentinel that the original plans for the fantasyland expanion have changed!

Here is the article from this site:

A few weeks ago, rumors started circulating that Walt Disney World might be considering changing, and possibly even scaling back, the massive expansion of Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando. It turns out the rumors were on the right track. Speaking on the reasoning for reexamining the plan, an article in the Orlando Sentinel cites Disney Parks and Resorts chairman Tom Staggs as saying, "We took a hard look at it amongst a number of us and said, 'Can we make the appeal broader? Can we make it even better?'"

When the project was announced and plans revealed, one major criticism of the expansion was that it was too "princess-heavy." It appears that issue may be corrected during this period of revision. Staggs states, "One of the things that I thought the early design did fantastically was delivered on that princess experience. And that does tend to skew towards girls. We've kept that intact - not exactly, necessarily, the way it was presented, but that appeal is there. I think we've added some things that aren't just princess-focused, and that's a good positive."

As is customary, Disney is not revealing many details about what exact elements of the plan will be altered and to what extent, but the article suggests the immersive princess meet and greet experiences in the original designs may be changed. While Staggs would not provide figures on how much the revisions to the master plan would affect its proposed budget, it appears elements of the expansion are still on target to debut in 2012 and 2013.

The link provided by wdwmagic for the orlando sentinel:
http://thedailydisney.com/blog/2010...antasyland-expansion-plans-are-being-redrawn/
......

Interesting. I'm happy that they are keeping the Little Mermaid plans though. I'm very excited for this. Hopefully, whatever they come up with, we will know soon and hopefully, even though I thought their ideas seemed great, it will be bigger and better.
Maybe with the opening of Harry Potter, they are considering a lttile more thrill....to compete with crowds.

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

I hope they keep the Little Mermaid attraction as well. I am sad to see some changes, the original plans looked fabulous but on the other hand I'm ok that it's not going to be princess overload, DD isn't into the princesses at all at 8 I can imagine our next trip that won't change and I've seen them all so I don't have any reason to wait in new cues for them. I would like to see some more non gender specific things with the expansion.

I'm up for Neverland experience, Pan, Hook, Smee, Wendy and Tink are all popular and we all know that Peter Pan's Flight already packs in tons of people everday so the intrest seems to be there.

 

[princesscharming]

Just read it. I'm really interested in more info. I wonder how long we'll have to wait for it.

I was psyched for the original plan. But if they want to "neutralize" it some, I'm interested in seeing what they have planned. I'm hoping they don't change the idea too much, though.

 

[Tomh]

I'm also good with them retooling the expansion a bit to make it more gender neutral. DD is nearly 16 now, DS is only 6, so I would love to see more of the expansion done in a way that he will be interested in.

 

[jdd]

I would love to see it change a bit to include more gender neutral stuff! My boys won't be caught dead doing "princess" things - won't even eat at CRT!

I think Peter Pan and Toy Story would be appealing to both boys and girls. Plus, the Incredibles, Finding Nemo and Monsters Inc are big hits with both. And I'd love to see something Tarzan. Also, I wish they'd bring something of Mickey and Minnie in - I'm really bummed to see ToonTown go...

I'm anxious to hear more!

 

[RayaniFoxmur]

As long as they keep Gaston's Tavern and the Little Mermaid ride I really could care less what they do. I think that they have the vision to make it great regardless, but we're really looking forward to some new eating places in MK!

 

[mickeysgirl17]

Yeah, I think adding in some more attractions themed towards boys would be a good idea as well and I really don't care for any of the eateries in MK (especially TS) so some new additions would be wonderful.

Like I've always said, I think maybe a character meal for boys (of course girls can go too), with Capt. Jack, Capt. Hook, Peter Pan and Wendy would be great! Of course, I don't know if they would ever do this.

Now that they say they are changing the plans, it only makes me think that Disney wants to compete with the big crowds going over to the Harry Potter area, and maybe they are considering a new thrill ride. Who knows?

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I have a hunch that this is going to be all good. The original plan was Princess/Fairy overload. I'm glad to be hearing that they are keeping Gaston's Tavern and LMR. Hopefully "Double Dumbo" will make the cut too. I'd be super-psyched for Neverland or Wonderland (both of which are rumored on other sites).

At an rate. it should be interesting to hear info leak out over the next 9-12 months.

 

[jerivera]

I don't mind the princess theme. Although I do think THREE princess meet-&-greet areas are excessive. Do 1, and 2 rides! So I'm ok if they change a some things, but if for any reason they actually scale back the project, that would be sad.

I want more Disney!

 

[troynkasey]

By the looks of the aerial picture on wdwmagic.com the Little Mermaid ride is still a go and looks like Gaston's tavern is a go. Nothing else has been started. And I guess both of those could be red-lighted, but the Little Mermaid ride looks to be pretty far along to stop. They could always retheme the idea though... either way I think some of it will stay and some will go. I almost wonder if they decide to move/change/eliminate the Cinderella meet and greet, Aurora meet and greet, and Pixie Hollow. This would be a good chunk of the area they could retheme into a more neutral or male themed area. I wondered if they would go the route of a Peter Pan attraction and use Captain Hook and the pirates theme as an option... Just a thought.

 

[PatriciaH]

I think they will keep Little Mermaid and the Be Our Guest restaurant. I hope they nix the awful clowns near Dumbo-even keep Dumbo where he is near the castle. I also hope they add more rides and not arts and crafts meet and greets

 

[El&Asmom]

Thank goodness! And this is coming from a mom of 3 little girls.
Honestly, how many times can you make a birthday card for Aurora? They need to add more attractions/rides that will be interesting to do more than once. Fantasyland can be more than princess land. Make it gender neutral so that all kids and adults can enjoy it. I do agree with others in that they should keep the Ariel ride and Gaston's.

Maybe the big wigs have been reading the disboards. There were lots of complaints about the original plans.

 

[TDC Nala]

'Can we make the appeal broader?

That was it, right there. Always thought the original plan was way too much designed to appeal solely to little girls (and older female princess fans - I'm not one - well I am an older female, but not a princess fan). I know princesses = $ but come on. Disney's forte was attractions for everyone.

I seriously doubt we will see a thrill ride go in, either.

A tavern in MK...I'm waiting for some poor CMs working there to have to explain to guests that they can't get a beer. I think they need to rename that one.

 

[lucas43068]

i just hope everything is still open and the place isnt a mess for our trip next year!

 

[nessz79]

I'm also very glad to hear that they are scaling back on the princess stuff. I mean, Disney isn't all about princesses- it's about the fantasy story lines. Sure, the princess characters are great, but they shouldn't be the only focus of Fantasyland. So hooray for that!

I am still looking forward to the new LM ride.

 

[wbabcock]

I have two boys - granted they are older - so I was a little dissappointed with the original plans and worried it may be a little to "girly" for my boys. So with these new changes I have new hope that I may get them to go. And I read earlier that somebody posted a desire for an eatery with more of a boy theme - I so agree with this!

 

[feezle]

Keep Be Our Guest, Little Mermaid, and throw in some new scenery. Then take the rest of the money and fix up DHS by replacing Fantasmic with World of Colors and build a full scale Mickey Mouse Clubhouse in the style of the current toontown for meet and greets with the fab 5. Also revamp the GMR and add something to the Backlot Tour while you are at it.

 

[kmk1180]

I'm glad they are changing, I do hope they get rid of Pixie Hollow.
Sorry I know some people loved the idea but seemed odd to me to have a whole area based on a couple made for dvd movies.
Beyond Tinkerbell I don't see any of those characters lasting long term appeal.
They've been doing good for 40 years so far (in FL and more in CA), I'm willing to give them the benifit of the doubt that they know what they are doing.

 

[DVCajun]

I'm still trying to figure out how Gaston's Tavern can exist without beer.

 

[CLR4321]

Wouldn't it be awesome if they brought back Mr Toads Wild Ride? Or even added an Alice in Wonderland ride, perhaps like Disneyland's- if not maybe an updated version (not that I don't like the one at DL now - It's always been one of my faves)? There are so many cool old Disney movies that do not have an attraction. Or maybe Fantasia? I am a sucker for the classics, so I can dream!
My bet is that they keep the Little Mermaid ride in tact, and make Pixie Hollow a smaller area. I am so happy they decided to change the plans, it was definitely a smart move on Disney's part.