Today we have a special Fantasyland posting, with the latest news and information from the expansion, and this is our first Fantasyland posting of the new year. A year ago at this time we posted our very first posting regarding the Fantasyland Expansion, and it was very successful.
Here is a list of our previous postings regarding Fantasyland:
January 2010 and January 2010 2.0
April 2010
May 2010
June 2010
July 2010
August 2010
September 3, 2010
September 17, 2010
October 1, 2010
October 22, 2010
November 20, 2010
On Tuesday January 18, 2011, the Walt Disney Company announced, on the Disney Parks Blog, additions to the Fantasyland expansion in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and Pixie Hollow are no more, instead we have an expanded Circus area and the long-rumored Dwarf Mine Train.
Let’s take a look at the original aerial view from September 2009:
Now take a look at the aerial view released on January 2011:
Let’s take a look at the newly announced Snow White Mine Cart Rollercoaster to be placed in the location of the original ideas of the Cinderella Chateau and Sleeping Beauty Cottage.
The new rollercoaster “will take you on a rollicking, musical ride into the mine “where a million diamonds shine.” The coaster will feature a first-of-its kind ride system with a train of ride vehicles that swing back and forth as they whisk along the track. The journey will be accompanied by music from the classic Disney film and animated figures of Snow White and the Dwarfs.” (Disney Parks Blog)
With Snow White and her Dwarfs getting a new attraction in the new Fantasyland, that means Snow White’s Scary Adventures will be replaced with the Princess Fairytale Hall, a new meet-and-greet opportunity to meet other Disney Princesses, like Cinderella, Princess Aurora, Tiana, and Rapunzel.
Other news released this week was more information about the new Circus themed area coming to the location that is Mickey’s Toontown Fair now. The “Dueling Dumbos” will be housed in the Storybook Circus tent where guests will be able to fly with Dumbo, and also play fun and interactive games as they wait to ride their favorite elephant. 
Goofy’s Barnstormer will be re-themed to the Great Goofini, a circus themed version of this Mickey’s Toontown Fair attraction. This attraction will take guests on a twisting, turning, daredevil, roller coaster “flight” high above the circus fun.
In the Circus themed area of the New Fantasyland the Toontown Train Station will be re-themed to Casey Jr, and be the Fantasyland Train Station.
Finally, more details were released about the Beauty and the Beast area of the Fantasyland expansion. The Be Our Guest restaurant is set in the halls of the Beast’s Castle, and will seat up to 550 guests and offer “great food fast” service by day and full table service dining in the evening. Just outside the restaurant, you will also be able to explore Belle’s Village, which includes Gaston’s Tavern and Bonjour! Village Gifts.
Here is an updated overhead view of what is to come and open by 2013 in the New Fantasyland, as they are calling it now.
Now, onto the second half of this report, a photo report of the updated area that is now New Fantasyland Construction. First off, during the Press Event new artist renderings were added to the wall, including several aerial views of the project and a new Seven Dwarves Mine Train preview, as well as plussed Beauty and the Beast and Little Mermaid wall coverings.
Moving along the Great Wall of Fantasyland from Pinochios Village Haus to Mickey’s ToonTown Fair, this is the order of the wall coverings. First is a ‘mini’ version of the Fantasyland aerial view.
Moving down the wall, we come across Maurice’s Cottage which had two new additions, a new “New Fantasyland… Dreams Come True 2012” banner across the top, as well as a cut out of Belle reading a book titled “Fantasyland”.
Across from the newly named Storybook Treats we have the newest addition to the Great Wall of Fantasyland, the Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train preview.
In front of the Beast’s Castle picture, a cut out of the Beast was added along with the new banner.
My favorite addition to the wall is the GIANT aerial view concept art of the New Fantasyland, it is right in front of the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh attraction, and near the new Pooh Meet-and-Greet location.
Finally, the Little Mermaid board has been moved to in front of the Mad Tea Party attraction, and Ariel, Prince Eric, and Sebastian have been added to the board, along with the new banner.
Now onto the various construction photos from today’s early morning adventure in the park. The stupid trees are in the way of most of the views, sadly.
That will finish up our super-sized Fantasyland Expansion posting, but before we go I have two questions for you, one of them for you to ponder. One, With Cinderella Chateau out of the picture, do you think we can see the renaming of Prince Charmings Regal Carousel back to Cinderella’s Royal Carousel? And two, with the new plans unveiled, do you think we can see the new exhibits in One Man’s Dream at Disney’s Hollywood Studios to be unveiled soon?
Pictures and Information from Disney Parks Blog
Thanks for such a great update!!
ReplyDelete