Future Plans For WDW's Fantasyland

[singerguy04]

Let's also not forget that this expansion isn't necessarily being brought to WDW because it is "long over due". It's a direct response to Universal's Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Let's face it, in it's original form the expansion did not have anything that would have appealed to the outside-disney-fan public. Now, on the other hand, a roller-coaster has been added. Roller-coasters are a big deal, and will gain interest from people who think Shrek is a Disney movie.

Basically, the expansion is happening because management is worried not about guest appeal, but about themselves. More to the point, they view Harry Potter coming to life at Universal as a blow to their inflated egos.

Pretty much! Harry Potter is making Univeral soooooo much bank right now, and with the aching economy Disney has to come up with something to compete. The only thing I disagree with what you said is that it has nothing to do with guest appeal. It has EVERYTHING to do with guest appeal! The new plans including the roller coaster and excluding Cindy, Aurora, and Tink appeal much more across the board than they did before.

[Disney Duster]

Just to be clear, I was saying that in general, just because Walt wanted to move forward did not mean he wanted some very well-loved classic rides to die.

I was mainly talking about Toontown because these are where Mickey lives. It seems like a no-brainer to keep it, and yet they are not (even though Mickey also "lives" in Disneyland...).

I also think that one of the previously thought of dark rides should be there, and I actually think it should be Sleeping Beauty's because in a way if they made it look like Aurora's cottage (perhaps with her castle's spires sticking up behind it or something) it would keep the planned cottage idea, but make it better.

Finally, I would say that Cinderella has more appeal to most people than Snow White, and that her transformation scene has appeal among all big Disney fans, and that only the coaster part really appeals to everybody. For crying out loud Cinderella could get a coaster that goes from her chateau through the transformation scene to the castle or something, or Sleeping Beauty could get a coaster that goes through the cottage and the dragon fight, like I said before.

[DisneyAnimation88]

Finally, I would say that Cinderella has more appeal to most people than Snow White, and that her transformation scene has appeal among all big Disney fans, and that only the coaster part really appeals to everybody. For crying out loud Cinderella could get a coaster that goes from her chateau through the transformation scene to the castle or something, or Sleeping Beauty could get a coaster that goes through the cottage and the dragon fight, like I said before.

Again, it seems to me like your assuming everyone shares your tastes. Considering Snow White's place and importance in Disney heritage, I think it has a lot of appeal for a lot of people. And a Cinderella coaster? A dark ride similar to Snow White's Scary Adventure maybe but I don't think there is anything in Cinderella that could be translated into an exhilirating roller coaster, but Sleeping Beauty I would agree with.

As for Toontown, I'm disappointed it's going for nostalgic reasons but I personally like the plans for what will take it's place (a lot more than Pixie Hollow anyway).

Pretty much! Harry Potter is making Univeral soooooo much bank right now, and with the aching economy Disney has to come up with something to compete. The only thing I disagree with what you said is that it has nothing to do with guest appeal. It has EVERYTHING to do with guest appeal! The new plans including the roller coaster and excluding Cindy, Aurora, and Tink appeal much more across the board than they did before.

I would agree with all of this. I'm happy that Disney is putting significant money into renovating and hopefully improving the park and I hope that similar changes will eventually happen for Epcot, DHS and AK.

[disneyprincess11]

Just to be clear, I was saying that in general, just because Walt wanted to move forward did not mean he wanted some very well-loved classic rides to die.

I was mainly talking about Toontown because these are where Mickey lives. It seems like a no-brainer to keep it, and yet they are not (even though Mickey also "lives" in Disneyland...).

I also think that one of the previously thought of dark rides should be there, and I actually think it should be Sleeping Beauty's because in a way if they made it look like Aurora's cottage (perhaps with her castle's spires sticking up behind it or something) it would keep the planned cottage idea, but make it better.

Finally, I would say that Cinderella has more appeal to most people than Snow White, and that her transformation scene has appeal among all big Disney fans, and that only the coaster part really appeals to everybody. For crying out loud Cinderella could get a coaster that goes from her chateau through the transformation scene to the castle or something, or Sleeping Beauty could get a coaster that goes through the cottage and the dragon fight, like I said before.

I agree, and great ideas! I could picture the Sleeping Beauty 1 with loops and the Cinderella 1 really fast

[Disney Duster]

Thanks disneyprincess11!

Again, it seems to me like your assuming everyone shares your tastes. Considering Snow White's place and importance in Disney heritage, I think it has a lot of appeal for a lot of people. And a Cinderella coaster? A dark ride similar to Snow White's Scary Adventure maybe but I don't think there is anything in Cinderella that could be translated into an exhilirating roller coaster, but Sleeping Beauty I would agree with.

You are right that I don't know it for sure, but from what I do know that I have heard and experienced, and from statistics that Disney has taken, I am almost positive Cinderella is more popular than Snow White among people.

And I was saying we would go from Cinderella's cheateau through the garden with magic transformations to her castle (and maybe through her castle ballroom, they would have to add that in the castle, then, or maybe just through the "castle gardens" where she and the prince walked) and then back to the chateau. It would be more of a magical ride that is slightly fast when "galloping" to the castle, like Peter Pan's flight is more magical and amazing than thrilling, you know?

As for Toontown, I'm disappointed it's going for nostalgic reasons but I personally like the plans for what will take it's place (a lot more than Pixie Hollow anyway).

What is replacing Toon Town? I forget.

[WonderlandFever]

How could anyone forget? lol










Images taken from WDW News Today

[pinkrenata]

Cute old-timey signs, at least!

[singerguy04]

This almost looks as though the other half of the dumbo expansion is going to be a Circus Show. If that's the case, that would explain why the Dumbo section is taking up so much room. Beyond that, I LOVE the idea! How many place can you go to see a circus anymore, and on top of that it could be run by classic Disney characters! Now, this is all my personal speculation but wouldn't it be kinda cool?

PS
Duster, I'm not at all meaning to shut down your ideas because I actually like a lot of them. I just wanted to male that clear because I realized I might have sounded condescending earlier!

[WonderlandFever]

I found some new information I can't believe I have missed, not much but a little more light shed on the Storybook circus



A peek at the larger rendering shows a water feature in Storybook Circus theme to Casey Jr., as well as a remodeled railroad station to replace the Toontown Fair station



Concept art shows an enormous and prominent marquee for Storybook Circus


Taken from http://progresscityusa.com/


Going back to SWSA...it really is sad to lose a dark ride show building for the meet and greet. I really hope Disney re-thinks this down the road and makes it another dark ride there are plenty of other places to put a meet and greet spot, I mean they should put it in the new section by the mine coaster or utilize the old skyway area I mean really they don't even need a permanant spot as all the princesses can be met out and about, not just in the Magic Kingdom but even at Epcot

[DisneyAnimation88]

You are right that I don't know it for sure, but from what I do know that I have heard and experienced, and from statistics that Disney has taken, I am almost positive Cinderella is more popular than Snow White among people.

Provide the statistics and evidence and I would have no argumentm otherwise that is a very bold statement. There are other, very popular films that don't have an attraction based on them (Jungle Book, 101 Dalmatians, Beauty and the Beast, Pinocchio) in WDW. Considering Snow White's place in Disney history, I personally think it's appropriate that it has some place in the parks. I don't have a problem with Cinderella but the fact remains, the attraction based on it is gone so perhaps the imagineers and Disney executives don't agree with you.

[Disney Duster]

It's kind of funny because you're getting mad at me because I think you like Snow White more. I won't give you any facts beyond the fact that it is true that I heard from many places and Disney's official consumer reports that Cinderella is the most popular princess next to Ariel, though it's foggy that Cinderella may actually be more popular than her. You can choose to not believe Cinderella is more popular than Snow White among most people, but I'll still tell ya the truth about what I've heard and experienced.

I actually think it's more important to have a Snow White attraction than any other kind of attraction, because of it's place in history. Didn't think I'd say that, did you? But what I am saying is that shouldn't replace an already planned attraction, you shouldn't take away something planned, announced, shown all this art of, that at least some people did really want, and then take it away.

Remember, Snow White DID have a place in the parks. A place that I think should stay, instead of be torn down and put where other characters' attractions could go!

As it is now, I just don't think Snow White's ride should be so big, because there can very clearly be another attraction right next to it, be it Cinderella's or Aurora's. She's taking up the space that two princesses previously had!

Also, Toontown is not getting replaced with anything signifigant, Dumbo's attraction is just spilling out over it, because it's too big. Toontown should just stay where it is, and just make the land between it and Dumbo fit in some kind of Disney anthropomorphic animal theme. Seriously. Because Mickey and the gang are not circus performers, they were only in circus cartoons sometimes. It's weird for them to live in a circus, when they really live in Toontown!

[DisneyAnimation88]

I'm not mad at all, when it comes to the two films and characters I'm indifferent; I like them both even if they're not my favourites. I've said before, I like the expansion as it is but I would have no issue with a Cinderella attraction if it were added. I'm not disbelieving anything as I'm really not bothered about whether Cinderella or Snow is the more popular character, I really have no problem with either.

When it comes to the abandoning of the attractions, I think it's really Disney's perogative to do so. Look at Pop Century, that was half-built before Disney abandoned it. It's their money that is being put in to the expansion so they have to spend it how they see fit.

I think it's unlikely that the expansion will look exactly as it does in the concept art in terms of it's size. When it's completed and opened it might be smaller that you think. Disney have apparently left space for more attractions so I don't think it will be as compact as it appears, though I might be wrong.

Again, I don't have any problem with the circus land. I liked Toontown and I'm sorry to see it go but I don't think Mickey and the others are intended to live there. Isn't the story about a travelling circus which Goofy is a part of? I admit that I probably would have preferred Wonderland or Neverland but I like the concept art for the circus and I definitely prefer it to the original plan for Pixie Hollow.

[WonderlandFever]

Wonderland would have been an absolute dream come true.......

And no, Mickey will not be living in the circus area we have no idea where his permanent meet and greet area will be, all we know is that it will be at the Exposition Hall along with the Princesses unitl further notice.

[disneyprincess11]

How could anyone forget? lol










Images taken from WDW News Today

*LE GASP* ITS THE THREE LITTLE PIGS AND PETE! YAY FOR CLASSIC DISNEY! Thanks for posting!

I found some new information I can't believe I have missed, not much but a little more light shed on the Storybook circus



A peek at the larger rendering shows a water feature in Storybook Circus theme to Casey Jr., as well as a remodeled railroad station to replace the Toontown Fair station



Concept art shows an enormous and prominent marquee for Storybook Circus


Taken from http://progresscityusa.com/


Going back to SWSA...it really is sad to lose a dark ride show building for the meet and greet. I really hope Disney re-thinks this down the road and makes it another dark ride there are plenty of other places to put a meet and greet spot, I mean they should put it in the new section by the mine coaster or utilize the old skyway area I mean really they don't even need a permanant spot as all the princesses can be met out and about, not just in the Magic Kingdom but even at Epcot

Sounds/looks great! Thanks!

[Big Disney Fan]

I'm disappointed that Mickey will not be part of this.

Will we at least get to have the Three Little Pigs themselves on hand here? And even Pete?

I've NEVER seen Pete in a Disney park before! Nor have I seen the pigs in a LONG time! It would be neat if they actually appeared here for meet-n-greets.

[Disney Duster]

Well Disney Animation I hope you're right that more attractions will come instead of huge, huge Dumbo and Snow White attractions.

The Three Little Pigs should be in their houses, that fits the fairy tale theme of fantasyland much more! And Goofy's part of the circus but not Mickey? No, it should be the Casey Jr. Jr. train with a smaller stack, and Goofy and Mickey live in Toontown. Disney...whyyyyyy????!!!

[Big Disney Fan]

Well Disney Animation I hope you're right that more attractions will come instead of huge, huge Dumbo and Snow White attractions.

The Three Little Pigs should be in their houses, that fits the fairy tale theme of fantasyland much more! And Goofy's part of the circus but not Mickey? No, it should be the Casey Jr. Jr. train with a smaller stack, and Goofy and Mickey live in Toontown. Disney...whyyyyyy????!!!

I don't know why it has to be called "Casey Jr. Jr.". It was just being mouthed off by some smart aleck at Imagineering.

[WonderlandFever]

We still have no idea if Mickey is going to be in this circus or not....we just have to wait and see, and the three little pigs are more than likely just part of the artwork for old County Bounty gift store and Pete's Sideshow you ask? The restrooms that was formerly Pete's garage LOL!

[FigmentJedi]

Yeah, but the Sideshow theme doesn't really belong with bathrooms though. I'm hoping at least it's some kind of show or a game for the Dumbo tent.

[Disney Duster]

I don't know why it has to be called "Casey Jr. Jr.". It was just being mouthed off by some smart aleck at Imagineering.

I actually thought it was a good idea. I think that Goofy and the rest of the Fab Five should have their own Toontown like place, and Dumbo should be all Dumbo, no Goofini or anything. Casey Jr. Jr. just fits a lot better.