After announcing plans in 2009 for (let's face it) its response to Universal Orlando's Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Disney's changed the new Fantasyland attraction line-up to broaden the land's appeal beyond Disney Princesses.
The Pixie Hollow character greeting area is gone, as are separate themed areas for Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella. Instead, all the princesses will be gathered in the "Princess Fairytale Hall," which will take the place of Snow White's Scary Adventures.
Snow White and her dwarfs aren't being evicted however. Disney's chosen to go ahead and actually build what might be the most-suggested ride in theme park history: The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, an indoor family coaster themed to Disney's first feature-length animated film.
The "Beauty and the Beast"-themed Be Our Guest restaurant remains, as does the circus-themed section featuring an expanded Dumbo ride (*and the Little Mermaid ride). Goofy's Barnstormer be retained from the soon-to-close Mickey's Toontown, as expected, but be renamed "The Great Goofini," to keep with the circus theme of this part of the new development.
What do you think? Is the de-emphasis on the princesses a plus, or minus, for your family? Is the addition of an indoor family roller coaster enough to make you think about a visit, if you weren't before?
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EDIT: Perhaps I jumped ahead of myself there, I read that the ride vehicles will swing back and forth with each turn of the track. Hmm... I was thinking along the lines of an indoor Big Thunder Mountain, but doesn't look like that's the case.
This version of Fantasyland represents an improvement over the previous plans, and certainly over what Disney has now. So that will help Disney. Theme parks are a "what have you done for me lately?" business.
Sigh.
This is why I should never leave the jungle.
If only they brought back the submarines it would be a perfect Fantasyland.
I would have also liked to have seen one of the walthough princess attractions stay, perhaps Belle. It would be something that could, in some way, go head to head with Olivander's.
Then again, who would have thought that Fantasyland, of all lands, would have the most roller coasters!?!?!
I will say one thing about IOA's Harry Potter: it really is not any different than Fantasyland Expansion. No offense to WWOHP which is what EXACTLY IOA needed and was able to really capture the imagination usually found only at Disney, but in all honesty, the only additions to WWOHP was the dark ride and stores. All the rest of WWOHP was already there as Dueling Dragons, Enchanted Unicorn, and Enchanted Oak. MK is getting a brand new Dark Ride, Resturant,and Roller Coaster. Sounds about even to me!
I'm not sure how I feel yet about this, Snow White is a classic ride which Disney himself designed and had put into the park. It's also one of the last great "opening attractions" left in Magic Kingdom. I also can't help but have this sinking feeling this "Mine Train Ride" is going to be nothing but an Indoor wild mouse coaster. The "Rocking back and forth" part is pushing me into thinking that however I hope they put a LOT more into it then just that and music. There are better options or they could even custom design a ride system similar to what USO did with Mummy. I'd like to have high hopes but I just can't manage to get myself excited about it yet. So I'll just wait on judgment until more info is available.
I still don't get why their taking away and not just adding, Disney has the space. That still confuses me.
"Where's the Snow White ride?"
Can you see the possibility for confusion? Better to go with one Snow White ride in Fantasyland, and make it the one with the latest technology and (I hope) engaging storytelling.
I wouldn't get too caught up with what Walt did and did not do in the parks. I suspect that if you brought Walt back for a day, showing him the latest technology available to theme parks, he'd likely order half the parks torn down for immediate rehab and redevelopment. The man loved his tech toys and would be challenging his employees to use them to tell stories in new and more engaging ways.
So... they should.
Now an attraction like Space Fantasy The Ride in Universal Japan is quite an effort. Check it out.
The Mine Train coaster is supposed to have state of the art tech behind it, and from the pictures the layout appears to be nothing like a wild mouse. My guess is it will be a custom design, unique and perfect for all ages.
The Little Mermaid dark ride was already at the top of my list of things to do, as was the Be Our Guest restaurant. I am glad they are still in the plans.
My kids are are getting a bit too old for Dumbo, but you can bet I will check out this newfangled version of the tired old midway spinner, even if it is only to see the queue-less ride system in action. Queue-less rides are the wave of the future, and Dueling Dumbos is going to set a new standard.
As for the Goofy coaster...meh. Poor Goofy! All he ever gets is a re-theme. Schucks. Still the ride is a fine starter coaster, so it is worth keeping. No harm, no foul.
The new Princess meet-n-greet area seems like a winner for those who are into that sort of thing. And lets face it, the Snow White dark ride was a bit of a dog anyway - I'd rather have the coaster in this case.
One more note, the landscaping and scenery in the renderings look simply breathtaking. If WDI pulls it off as pictured we are all in for quite a treat.
Now, going into what have you done for me lately mode... when is the big "Disney is fixing the Dance Club Yeti" announcement going to be made?
Personally I feel disappointed in the non- Dumbo circus section of the old ToonTown. Nothing specific is listed in the announcement, and it is hard to tell in the artwork if there are any attractions back there- so are we just going to be left with those old tents from ToonTown Fair? Yuk. I'd rather see Pixie Hollow built then keep those silly old tents (that coming from a 30 something yr. old MALE). Hopefully that section can/ will be further expanded and better themed in years to come. Otherwise the project looks great.
BOOOOO to Disney for their rendering of the roof on the Mad Tea Party. On the concept art they show it as an all new, BEAUTIFUL, whimsical roof (similar to the one at DLP). However Disney just finished rehabbing Mad Tea Party, and no such roof was installed. I am sure it sounds silly... but I am really disappointed. It also makes me wonder what other things will get cut back on this project.
Will they still be doing the Little Mermaid Ride and revamping the Dumbos? I hope..... (I think they are)
If we get two brand new rides, Little Mermaid and The mine train..... that is already more new rides than Harry Potter Land (the hypogryth and Dragon Challenge are not new..... just like The great Goofini will not be new).
I think that as far as appealing to a family and people who are interested in more theme oriented rides and attractions, they have a plan that will make a lot of people want to come see what they've got. It's great that the land will have some appeal to boys and girls this way.
Really, if Universal investing money into their park gets Disney to react this way, then it's a win win for themepark fans! Both parks will probably have a lot of business! I know I want to go see the new Fantasyland even more now!
Maybe Disney World can use the submarines in a new attraction in the Animal Kingdom park sometime in the future. I think Animal Kingdom could use another nice ride, and it would be nice to see the submarines be used again.... like how they found use for them in the CA parks with the Nemo ride. Maybe they can do something animal themed and use them at Animal Kingdom!
I am happier now with the new announced Fantasyland plans than I was with the massive ammount of meet and greets before. We got another ride!!
C'mon Mickey - get your finger out! Your doing it well in Anaheim, lets see some Orlando action...
Now, as for the toning down of Disney princesses, I can't say I'm thrilled about that personally because they're one of my favorite parts of everything Disney. However, it does make great sense. One of my husbands complaints about WDW has always been that he thinks it's more for girls than boys. While I've always disagreed, maybe this will make him (and other skeptics) think twice about that from now on!
It is o.k. to enjoy going to other themeparks.
Visiting Universal's wonderful Potter-land, or loving the laid back atmosphere and beautiful animals of SeaWorld doesn't change your Disney experience at all. You can love them all! Ultimately when themeparks compete for our attention and build new and innovative attractions, we ALL win! This new and improved Fantasyland is an example of that.
I also can't wait to see what Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld do next!
I have been going to Orlando annually since I was 2 and am 37 now. I go to all the theme parks (except Sea World - have issues with Orcas and dolphins in captivity) Disney and Universal.
I saw there was some construction going on in Magic Kingdom.They have it gated off near the tea cups. Look forward to seeing the new changes, BUT the lines are going to be crazy at first - ugh!
Same could be said for the hardcore Harry Potter Universal fans. The story is about Disney's new Fantasyland, yet Harry Potter is mentioned in so many posts (It's like ants at a picnic!..... lol).
It's funny how we get passionate about Disney and Universal on here the way some people do about Sports teams! It is okay to like more than one though, I agree.....lol.
I am excited to see the new Disney Fantasyland, I really think the drawings are look nice. I'm glad that the competition between Universal and Disney may help keep both companies striving to stimulate thier audiences to keep us interested and give us new things.
And it's not any one movie from Pixar, it's the whole suite of films. The entire land should be themed after that Pixar movies: Toy Story, Nemo, Cars, Incredibles. That would have people talking and get them excited about visiting the park again.
I like what they have proposed but it does seem like they're holding back a bit. New breath needs to be given to Imagineering.
But You've got to be kidding me that this is the absolute best they can come up with? Especially for the room and the caliber that this park has.
It's one thing to keep with the brand, but at this point, it seems to me that they are relying too much on this and not even try to come up with something more original and groundbreaking.
Giving up the submarines for a dwarf family friendly coaster doesn't do much to appeal the crowds that seek the Wizarding World of HP. I just don't see how this will be the thing that is going to fill the park with the masses. Is it a wonder why slapping together a budget conscious entertainment attraction didn't work at DCA? Have they not learned? By far I think this was such a typical Disney error, even though they do have time and money to redeem themselves here and totally, and I mean totally blow the mind. Unfortunately the big wigs aren't thinking innovation. I think their reaction into simply building something for the sake competition is really evident here and no, if I had my choice I think I'd choose Harry Potter over a Dwarf mine ride and a double Dumbo combo wonder. What's crazy is that I don't even care about HP, never seen the movies, but just from reading about the technology and the fact that they made the place look the real deal is enough to warrant my interest. Missed opportunity indeed. Seems the Eisner era isn't really dead after all.
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