First Element of Fantasyland Expansion Makes On-Stage Debut
Enjoy this article? You may also be interested in these related items from our partners
 I'm Going to the Walt Disney World Resort! Hoodie... from DisneyStore.com |  Mickey and Minnie Mouse on Dumbo Tee for Women -... from DisneyStore.com |  Official Walt Disney World Resort Autograph Book from DisneyStore.com |
If you’re wondering why this new snack cart at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World looks more like it was crafted by ‘crazy old Maurice’ rather than Walt Disney Imagineers, it’s because it will eventually find its home just beyond that blue wall, inside Gaston’s Village as part of the park’s Fantasyland Expansion project.
The Walt Disney World Resort recently announced that its Toontown Country Fair will be closed permanently as of February 12, 2011 to continue work on the expansion which involves the relocation and doubling of the Dumbo attraction into that area. The only remaining attractions will be the train station and Goofy’s Barnstormer, re-themed to the area.
Categories: Magic Kingdom, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: fantasyland, FLE
WDW Refurb Update: Many Adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh Closure in October thru Mid-November
The official Walt Disney World website has updated its operational calendar to include a closure for The Many Adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom from October 25 through November 14.
Planning a trip to Walt Disney World? Be the first to know when changes that potentially affect your trip occur by signing up with ReSearch!
Categories: Magic Kingdom, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: fantasyland, FLE, Refurbishments, Refurbs, Rehabs, Winnie-the-Pooh
Tokyo Disneyland Announces Opening Date for ‘Mickey’s PhilharMagic’
The Tokyo Disneyland Resort has announced that Mickey’s PhilHarmagic, its 43rd attraction, will open to the public on January 24, 2011.
At a cost of about $65 million US, the 4D attraction’s theatre will seat up to 454 guests per show as they thrill to the exciting adventures of Donald Duck as he finds himself face to face with many of the characters from Walt Disney’s animated classics.
The attraction, which will be located in Fantasyland, is connected to its corresponding gift shop, Harmony Faire.
Categories: Theme Parks, Tokyo Disneyland Tags: fantasyland, Mickey's PhilharMagic, TDL
WDW Refurb Update: Extended Closure for ‘it’s a small world’ — Are Disney Characters Being Added?
Thanks to a tip, we have learned that ‘it’s a small world’ at the Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom has been scheduled for an extended refurbishment beginning August 1 and ending October 22. The refurbishment is listed on the official Walt Disney World website daily view for those dates and a call to the Resort did confirm the closure.
We’re sure in time that more about the details of the refurbishment will come to light, but until then, one can only speculate. With the addition of Disney characters at first Hong Kong Disneyland and then Disneyland in 2009, could the Magic Kingdom be far behind?
Below is a video released from Disney Parks which highlights the changes made to the Disneyland version last year:
Planning a trip to Walt Disney World? Be the first to know when changes that potentially affect your trip occur by signing up with ReSearch!
Update: According to the LA Times Fun Blog, both Disney Parks and WDI have denied that there will be characters added to the attraction, which still leaves one to wonder why the attraction will be closed for such a long time when it just experienced an extensive refurbishment about five years ago.
Categories: Magic Kingdom, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: fantasyland, IASW, it's a small world, Refurbishments, Refurbs, Rehabs
Character Changes Coming to Disney World for April/May 2010: Ariel’s Grotto Closes, Lotso Arrives
Although most character meet & greets at the Walt Disney World Resort are fairly standard from day to day, there are a couple of times per year when there are significant changes. These changes usually occur in April/May and September/October. In 2010, these changes are further complicated by the closure of Toontown and the Fantasyland expansion in the Magic Kingdom. Since we’re already getting into April, it’s time to take a look at some of the expected upcoming changes.
April 11 will be the last day for Ariel’s Grotto. It is expected that Ariel will be appearing in human form near the Adventureland Veranda (where Lilo and Stitch currently appear) beginning around May 9 which is when a lot of the changes are set to occur, but the exact date appears to be uncertain at this time. When Ariel does begin appearing in Adventureland, she’s expected to bring Prince Eric with her. Previously an exclusive for the ill-fated but well-received Pirate and Princess Party, this will mark Eric’s full-time meet & greet debut, which we’re told is essentially a test for a possible permanent meet & greet with him in the Fantasy Forest expansion (we’re still holding our breaths for Gaston too). As Ariel and Eric are moving in, Lilo will be leaving the Magic Kingdom (but still appearing with Stitch at Disney’s Animal Kingdom) and Stitch will return to Tomorrowland. No word on whether Ariel will bring her dinglehopper with her at the new locale.
Also on April 11, Goofy will be leaving Frontierland and move to Adventureland where he’ll be dressed as a pirate and hang out near the quartermaster’s desk at the Pirates League. Winnie the Pooh and Tigger will relocate to the Toontown Fair train station. Finally on this date, Clarabelle Cow and Horace Horsecollar will join the Frontierland Hoedown, replacing Liverlips and Shaker of the Country Bears.
The majority of the changes are set to take place on May 9. In addition to the assumed date of Ariel’s re-appearance in the Magic Kingdom, the following character changes are expected across the parks:
- Mary Poppins and the formerly-rare Bert will be appearing in Fantasyland near the carrousel.
- Wendy will be joining Peter Pan once more in the new meet & greet location in Fantasyland
- Pooh and Tigger will leave the Toontown Train Station in Fantasyland and move to Town Square
- Chip and Dale are moving from Town Square to Tomorrowland
- Snow White is moving from Town Square to Cinderella’s Wishing Well
- Lotso from Toy Story 3 will be debuting at the Animation Building at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, replacing Carl, Russell and Dug from UP (they are expected to leave in April and may appear at the Animal Kingdom’s Oasis)
- Jojo and Goliath will no longer meet near Playhouse Disney Live. Jojo will remain at the Play’n'Dine meal where she’ll be joined by Handy Manny
- Piglet(!), Pooh and Stitch will join Donald, Daisy and Minnie at the Sorcerer’s Hat at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the mornings. This will be the only current opportunity to meet Piglet outside of dining at Crystal Palace.
This information comes from a very reliable source in the way of WDW Character Hunt which also reports some upcoming buzz for the October changes:
- Rapunzel and Flynn Rider from Disney’s Tangled will begin making appearances
- Belle’s Storytime will close (the show will return in some form in the Fantasy Forest expansion)
The site also reports that it’s basically a given that Phineas and Ferb will not be appearing in the parks until at least 2011.
We will report more news as it becomes available.
Categories: Animal Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: Adventureland, Ariel, Characters, Eric, fantasyland, Frontierland, Goofy, Lilo, Stitch, Toy Story, Toy Story 3, TS, TS3
D23 Anniversary Event: Steven Clark Talks D23 Expo, New Upcoming Events and WDI Drops Bombshells
Last night, Disney’s D23 held a private after-hours event for members who attended its (slightly early) first anniversary party in which most of the existing Fantasyland was turned into a bounty of attractions, unique character meet and greet experiences and dessert party.
Aside from the party, there were two key events. The first of which was a buffet style dinner inside the Diamond Horseshoe in which D23 head Steven Clark offered a presentation concerning the first anniversary of the first official community for Disney fans.
Introduced by Walt Disney World ambassador Clay Shoemaker, Clark talked about his own personal experience as a fan prior to joining the company, attending an event in the early 90s in which many Disney legends (past, present and future) were in attendance and presented upcoming projects from The Walt Disney Company. He spoke of meeting Walt Disney Studios archivist Dave Smith whom he had recognized from Dave’s column in Disney Channel magazine. He spoke fondly of Smith’s warmth and how Smith had offered him a private tour of the Studios in Burbank. Clark recalled how he had encountered a custodian with a fanny pack at the Studios and watched as a squirrel ran up the custodian’s leg, took food out of the fanny pack and ran off, appearing to gesture a thank you along the way. It was then, Clark notes, he knew he ‘was at Disney.’ Clark then led the room in a toast saluting D23 and its members and both of their successes. He introduced several key members of the D23 group that were in attendance (and a couple that were not) and spoke of their contributions to the success of the club and the expo.
First Look: 3D Sculpture of Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland (Update)
Note: Updates in bold.
Months before the official announcement, we were one of the first to share the blueprints for the new Magic Kingdom Fantasyland with you. Today we are thrilled to be able to show you this image we acquired of an actual sculpted model of the Fantasyland redo.
You’ll notice some derivations from the blueprints. Notably, the ‘Dueling Dumbos’ has swapped places with Pixie Hollow, which now appears to be a Fairies themed version of California Adventures’ Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree with a formal meet & greet area behind it. Toontown is completely gone as expected (not just refurbished) save for the Barnstormer, but whether it will be re-themed for either Dumbo as Casey Jr or for Snow White and a mine train remains to be seen. It also appears that the Hundred Acre Wood/Winnie the Pooh meet & greet area didn’t make the cut. After some have pointed out, it does appear that Pooh will remain and after some uncareful consideration, it appears the existing playground/meet and greet area seamlessly integrates into the woody fantasy forest motif even more.
As a reminder, click on the smaller image shown to see it in larger view. You should then also click on the resize arrows in the lower right hand corner to view the photo at its original size after which you can click and drag to pan the image.
Update #2: Disney Global Pinvestigation has done a fabulous thorough analysis comparing the model to previously released concept art which you can check out here.
Update #3: Robo has graciously provided us with his rendition of the above photo complete with notations as to what we believe each attraction will become in the new layout. Same rules as above for viewing apply.
Update #4: Just as a formal response/disclaimer to some things I have read, it is absolutely not my intent to represent this image as either being current nor as being representative of what will actually become part of the new Fantasyland. Obviously things are always subject to change at any time, even right until the very point it would be introduced.
On a lighter note, another important notation someone has made is that the model’s Pixie Hollow meet & greet area is fully enclosed as indicated by an entrance/exit on either end of the range along the back border.
Categories: Magic Kingdom, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: fantasyland, Makeover, Refurbishments, Refurbs, Rehabs
Sylvania to Sponsor Disneyland’s ‘it’s a small world;’ New Marquee in Early 2010
“We are thrilled to be associated with such an icon of the Disney experience. At SYLVANIA, we are creating ways to see the world in a new light. Our association with ‘it’s a small world’ is a perfect fit for our own vision,” said Rick Leaman, president and CEO of the Siemens lighting unit, OSRAM SYLVANIA.
“‘it’s a small world’ is a celebration of the hope we all share for peace on Earth,” said Walt Disney Imagineer Tony Baxter, who is the creative lead for Disneyland. “It’s an illuminating global message, so it’s fitting that this classic attraction should be sponsored by a company that literally helps illuminate the world.”
A new illuminated marquee, the only change to the attraction, will brighten the overall experience for guests and is slated for installation in early 2010. The design is a visual celebration of what the attraction represents, the happy spirit of children everywhere.
This sponsorship is part of a 12-year agreement between The Walt Disney Company and Siemens. The agreement includes marketing and promotional rights, attraction sponsorships and a promotional presence that features Siemens products and services at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California. Siemens also is the sponsor of the Epcot icon, SpaceShip Earth.
“it’s a small world” originally was created for the 1964 New York World’s Fair as an exhibit that would benefit UNICEF, which is dedicated to the welfare of children all over the world. The attraction moved to its Anaheim home in 1966.
Considered a quintessential Disney theme park experience, “it’s a small world” contains more than 300 Audio-Animatronics® figures, representing children around the globe. It also features more than 250 toys and 80 animated props. After a full year of work, an enhanced version of the attraction opened in February 2009, including stylized dolls and toys dressed as several classic Disney characters seamlessly integrated and geographically located in the lands where their stories take place.
Categories: Disneyland, Disneyland Resort, Theme Parks Tags: Attractions, fantasyland, IASW, it's a small world, Siemens, Sponsorships
‘Blueprint’ Surfaces of (Big Gulp) Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland Makeover – It’s Huge.
A big tip o’ the ears to our lovely friends at the Disney Report who have obtained and posted a very highly detailed blueprint of a long rumored upgrade to Fantasyland (now removed). Personally, I don’t take too much stock in rumors and I think I have a talent for knowing what’s likely and what’s not and while I would never believe anyone if they told me what this design foretells, it does have some key elements that I’ve been ‘aware’ of myself. Most notably the fact that something big was coming to the Magic Kingdom alas the upper crust felt the park was being neglected so they started to shift focus to it, that the Little Mermaid was coming to Magic Kingdom (reportedly one of the conditions of being able to bring it to Disney’s California Adventure was to be able to replicate it in the Magic Kingdom to reduce costs) and that it (and/or something big) was finally going over the huge plot of land that once was the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (and now hidden by lots of trees).
With all that in mind, I’d either be willing to accept that this is in fact legit, or someone has way too much time on their hands.
Another thing to keep in mind is that even beyond the ‘blue sky’ phase, Imagineering has been known to drop projects on a dime. Take for example the Little Mermaid attraction featured on the DVD that was designed for Disneyland Paris.
Categories: Magic Kingdom, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World Tags: 20 000 leagues, 20 000 leagues under the sea, blueprint, caruthers, fantasyland, little mermaid, Magic Kingdom
‘Guardians of the Galaxy,’ ‘Captain America: The
WATCH: ABC Teases ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ Television
First Look: ‘Big Hero 6′ Hi-Res Concept Art, Film Clip
‘TRON: Uprising,’ ‘Jake and the Never Land
Disney’s ‘Planes’ Hi-Res Stills, Fun Facts and
‘Mary Poppins,’ ‘Once Upon A Time’ and
Disney’s ‘Story’ App Uses Personal Media on iPhone to
New Disney Arrivals at Hot Topic for May 7, 2013 (9 Items)
QR Code Business Card