It's been three years since they closed down the AWESOME Cinderella Castle mystery tour and now they're finally doing something with the space left inside.
"Cinderella" Attraction and Toy Story Mania!
Coming to Tokyo Disney Resort
May 7th, 2009
URAYASU, CHIBA - Oriental Land Co., Ltd. announced that two new attractions are scheduled to open in Tokyo Disneyland Park and at Tokyo DisneySea Park. Opening in 2011 inside Cinderella Castle in Fantasyland at Tokyo Disneyland Park will be a new walkthrough type attraction themed to the Disney classic film Cinderella. At Tokyo DisneySea Park, the new attraction Toy Story Mania! will open in 2012 in the themed port of American Waterfront.
New Tokyo Disneyland Attraction (Title Undetermined)
The Disney classic film Cinderella has been well-loved around the world since its premiere in 1950. Now guests can experience the world of Cinderella through dioramas and paintings inside Cinderella Castle. Also recreated within the castle is the grand ballroom where Cinderella danced with Prince Charming.
* Opening: 2011 (tentative)
* Attraction Location: Inside Cinderella Castle in Fantasyland
* Attraction Type: Walkthrough
* Investment: Approximately ¥2 billion (US$20.2 million)
Source:
http://www.jtcent.com/extras/news/news_090507.html
Concept art of the Ballroom:
I am THRILLED that they are NOT putting in a Bibbiddi Bobbiddi Bootique like in WDW, but judging from the concept art (the little girls with the sashes), I wouldn't be surprised if one opens nearby so that they can have photo ops with the Princesses and Princes in the ballroom.
I'm glad that they're finally doing something with it, but I'm sad that it's being replaced with something not as cool as the original attraction. I guess the Mystery Tour was too scary for kids? On the other hand, seeing the actual ballroom of Cinderella is something that you would expect to see inside Cinderella Castle. I wonder what's going to happen to the audio-animatronic dragon though? Not to mention all the other audio animatronics and things in this ride. I would love to see the AA Horned King pop up in another park! Imagine how awesome that would be!!!!
If you read the rest of the article, other attractions coming to Tokyo Disney Resort are: Toy Story Mania!, Turtle Talk with Crush, and Mickey's Philharmagic. It's great that TDR is getting new attractions, but I'm sad that they're losing some unique attractions for other Disney park copies. (Mickey Mouse Revue is finally lost forever for the sake of its more modern predecessor). Also, Toy Story Mania is taking over the Disney Parks! What the heck?!?