Hey guys, so recently, I was going through the Sole Imagineer thread, and I came across this concept...
This was a concept I was drawn to. Storybook Circus being removed and replaced with something all new. Well, almost instantly, a few ideas started whirling around in my head. So, here's my spin on a replacement for Storybook Circus...
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Welcome, one and all, to the
Gardens of Imagination. Here is a world where many of Disney's classic stories come to life like never before. In this wondrous new world, nature comes alive to spread its whimsy and wonder.
Entering the Gardens to your right, you'll find that a little circus has set up shop. But, it's not just any circus--it's the circus of none other than
Dumbo the Flying Elephant! Yes, despite Storybook Circus packing up and moving on to another town, Dumbo is still found here entertaining guests. Hey, it wouldn't be Fantasyland without Dumbo.
Guests enter into a circus tent, where they proceed to enjoy an interactive waiting area. Kids can pass the time by enjoying interactive games and entertainment at a giant circus-themed playground.
When the time comes to ride, you'll notice that the new Dumbo spinners, which includes an additional spinner to handle more capacity for the park, include several new touches to make the attraction even more classical. At the base of both spinners are scenic tablets, each depicting a scene from the classic movie. Below the spinning Dumbos is a new water feature, including a beautiful fountain. The Dumbos fly over the circular water feature, while the found cascades from the internal base of the attraction. At night, the entire water feature becomes illuminated with different colors, creating a vibrancy to the entire area. It is really something great to see!
Nearby, replacing the Barnstormer, is the
Fantasy Gardens area. Based around the area in Hong Kong Disneyland, here is a place where you can visit with Mickey and friends at 5 fancifully themed gazebos, nestled among a peaceful garden.
Stroll along a meandering pathway—past colorful flowers, lacy trees and wondrous topiaries—to a picturesque gathering of unique gazebos. At each magical destination, you’re invited to shake hands, share hugs, receive autographs and pose for photos with some of your favorite Disney characters.
As classic Disney movie music plays overhead, explore Fantasy Gardens at your own pace.
Nearby, sheltered by the trees, you'll find a unique locale: the North Mountain from
Frozen. The trees provide a natural transition from the Gardens of Imagination to the forests of Arendelle. Guests are able to see the North Mountain pierce the Fantasyland skies, with Elsa's ice palace resting on its cliffsides.
In the foreground before the mountain are various wooden buildings, representing the village of Arendelle. One of these buildings serves as the entrance to
Frozen Ever After, which has been moved here from Epcot. Face it--a Frozen-based attraction does not belong in the Norway pavilion. I feel it is a better idea to move the ride here, to an area where it
does fit--Fantasyland. This allows Norway to receive a ride that's actually based in its culture--maybe a new version of Maelstrom.
Right nearby the North Mountain is
Wandering Oaken's Trading Post. Unlike other shops in Disney parks, this shop has two different roles: first, there's the "Trading Post", where you can get your fix on Frozen merchandising, and then, there's the "Frozen Funland", where a wide arrangement of activities are found, which include ice skating, playing in snow/ice, photo opportunities in front of snowy backdrops, and sweet treats.
It’s nice and cold inside the Trading Post, a great retreat from the scorching summer sun outside. Though inexperienced guests do frequently fall on the ice skating rink, everyone seems to have a great time amidst the wintery atmosphere.
I don't know yet if there's room for another ride, but if there is, I'd use the opportunity to herald the triumphant return of
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride!
Despite Toad's return, one thing will be different: the exterior. The exterior will now better reflect the English-Tudor style seen at Disneyland's version of Mr. Toad.
But apart from that, the ride will remain the same: same loading area, same vehicles and the same wild adventures on two different tracks!
To the right of the Fantasy Gardens, the
Fantasyland Train Station is located. The next stop after this station is located back on Main Street U.S.A. The station is a quaint, beautifully detailed building layered in brick and beautiful gardening.
From there, guests can either take the train or head back through the gardens to explore the rest of Fantasyland.
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What do you guys think?
