Do You Really Think It's A Coincidence...

[Ignohippo]

That the new Dumbo area is designed and positioned to perfectly fit with the current ToonTown Fair (with its Circus Tents, etc.)?

Is it possible it was designed that way just in case Pixie Hollow doesn't happen (which I still have some doubts)? Looking at the plans, the Dumbo area doesn't work at all with the theme of the surrounding area but does fit perfectly with the TTF. Imagineering has been way too concerned with creating the mood for the Fantasy Forest to plop a circus right in the middle of it.

Also think that we have very, very specific info on what's being developed for phase one, but Pixie Hollow is very much a mystery.

Does it mean the area isn't being redeveloped? No certainly not. But it could have been planned in a way to continue TTF while the powers that be debate the concept and money that will be spent on FLE's second phase. I'm still haunted by Rasulo's comments when introducing the FLE concept art at D23 last year: "and maybe someday, we'll have Pixie Hollow" (which his resistance could also be why he's now in a different role).

I wonder if it's also possible that the Dumbo area was the first to be created (with the idea of TTF still being there) and then the rest of the FLE grew around it – and now it no longer fits.

Something to think about anyway. I'm interested in hearing everyone's thoughts.

 

[_Scar]

If Lasseter had any hand in this expansion, I'm sure he wanted Dumbo over anything. (;

 

[Ignohippo]

Definitely. But remember, the TinkerBell DVD franchise is his baby. I don't doubt for a second that both the Dumbo area and Pixie Hollow were very much his idea.

As much as I love Lassater, I wish he were a bit more open-minded with these parts of the FLE. Neverland and Alice in Wonderland would seem to make more sense from a popularity standpoint.

 

[tirian]

Definitely. But remember, the TinkerBell DVD franchise is his baby. I don't doubt for a second that both the Dumbo area and Pixie Hollow were very much his idea.

As much as I love Lassater, I wish he were a bit more open-minded with these parts of the FLE. Neverland and Alice in Wonderland would seem to make more sense from a popularity standpoint.

He's creatively talented, but not a genius on the level of Walt Disney or Chuck Jones.

 

[ChiGuy4Now]

I think the theme of the circus fits into the wooded area there, if that's what you mean. I remember watching "Dumbo's Circus" on the Disney Channel growing up, and a very prominent part of the design of the show was the forrest surrounding the circus, as though the circus took a train and plopped down into a spot near the tracks. Wasn't that premise of the show? They could possibly be playing into that idea, with this just being a stop on the road. . .

 

[jt04]

That the new Dumbo area is designed and positioned to perfectly fit with the current ToonTown Fair (with its Circus Tents, etc.)?

Is it possible it was designed that way just in case Pixie Hollow doesn't happen (which I still have some doubts)? Looking at the plans, the Dumbo area doesn't work at all with the theme of the surrounding area but does fit perfectly with the TTF. Imagineering has been way too concerned with creating the mood for the Fantasy Forest to plop a circus right in the middle of it.

Also think that we have very, very specific info on what's being developed for phase one, but Pixie Hollow is very much a mystery.

Does it mean the area isn't being redeveloped? No certainly not. But it could have been planned in a way to continue TTF while the powers that be debate the concept and money that will be spent on FLE's second phase. I'm still haunted by Rasulo's comments when introducing the FLE concept art at D23 last year: "and maybe someday, we'll have Pixie Hollow" (which his resistance could also be why he's now in a different role).

I wonder if it's also possible that the Dumbo area was the first to be created (with the idea of TTF still being there) and then the rest of the FLE grew around it – and now it no longer fits.

Something to think about anyway. I'm interested in hearing everyone's thoughts.

Interesting theory but the TTF infrastructure was temporary when it was built. That is why it was not themed to the area. I doubt it is even salvageable(?).

Besides it's thematically hideous, outdated and smells funny. The bulldozers will end the speculation soon.

I swear there are people who suggest stuff here that they know will be counterproductive to WDW in the name of improving it. Saving TTF is a bad idea on every level. Very bad. Dumbo plus TTF is just unthinkable.

PH is a perfect fit however. And I hope we are not so naive as to believe the theme will never be presented on a bigger stage. Even a motion picture on the AiW scale.

 

[tirian]

Interesting theory but the TTF infrastructure was temporary when it was built. That is why it was not themed to the area. I doubt it is even salvageable(?).

Besides it's thematically hideous, outdated and smells funny. The bulldozers will end the speculation soon.

I swear there are people who suggest stuff here that they know will be counterproductive to WDW in the name of improving it. Saving TTF is a bad idea on every level. Very bad. Dumbo plus TTF is just unthinkable.

PH is a perfect fit however. And I hope we are not so naive as to believe the theme will never be presented on a bigger stage. Even a motion picture on the AiW scale.

Pixie Hollow does not have the rich literary or theatrical legacy of "Alice in Wonderland" or "Peter Pan." Plus, since Disney has done a very good job of marketing it only to little girls (do I need to bother putting that in sarcasm tags?), the area would never be as attractive to entire families as an "Alice" or "Pan" area.

I like the idea of a moderately sized Pixie meet-and-greet on its own terms, but the franchise doesn't warrant a chunk of land which should be used for at least one more C- or D-ticket. I guess the attraction could even be pixie-themed. But with the proximity of the teacups, there's no denying that an expanded Wonderland would fit Fantasyland better than PH, and it would attract a wider audience.

 

[steve2wdw]

Well, if the MK were to expand East, over the WDWRR tracks, with the addition of a "real" Toontown, then Dumbo and his circus themed area would fit perfectly as it would be on the outskirts of town. Any Imagineers out there listening?

 

[steve2wdw]

And just to continue my previous post....if the TL Speedway were reconfigured like the Paris or Hong Kong version (more compact-with electric cars and a futuristic Sci-Fi theme) it could free up some room in the circus themed area to add some of those long forgotten attractions from the DL Circusland expansion that never happened (Mickey's Madhouse-an indoor themed wild mouse and/or Circus Disney-an audioanimatronic ride thru). Then the Barnstormer could be moved to the new Toontown on the other side of the tracks. That could fix the whole back corner of the MK with plenty of room for the PH expansion.

 

[Avenger117]

Pixie Hollow does not have the rich literary or theatrical legacy of "Alice in Wonderland" or "Peter Pan." Plus, since Disney has done a very good job of marketing it only to little girls (do I need to bother putting that in sarcasm tags?), the area would never be as attractive to entire families as an "Alice" or "Pan" area.

I like the idea of a moderately sized Pixie meet-and-greet on its own terms, but the franchise doesn't warrant a chunk of land which should be used for at least one more C- or D-ticket. I guess the attraction could even be pixie-themed. But with the proximity of the teacups, there's no denying that an expanded Wonderland would fit Fantasyland better than PH, and it would attract a wider audience.

It might not be attractive to entire families, but it may be more attractive to different families. There is more diversity in Pixie Hollow than there is in Wonderland and Neverland. I think thats something that Disney can benefit from.

 

[jt04]

Pixie Hollow does not have the rich literary or theatrical legacy of "Alice in Wonderland" or "Peter Pan." Plus, since Disney has done a very good job of marketing it only to little girls (do I need to bother putting that in sarcasm tags?), the area would never be as attractive to entire families as an "Alice" or "Pan" area.

I like the idea of a moderately sized Pixie meet-and-greet on its own terms, but the franchise doesn't warrant a chunk of land which should be used for at least one more C- or D-ticket. I guess the attraction could even be pixie-themed. But with the proximity of the teacups, there's no denying that an expanded Wonderland would fit Fantasyland better than PH, and it would attract a wider audience.

I see your point. I like the idea of PH as a small addition to a Pan area. We are definitely on the same page of wanting FL's backstory to be rich with classic literature and lore. That is what makes this expansion so impressive to me. And why I wish they would give 'Alice' the Dumbo area. That will fulfill the classic aethetic far better. This could be over the top good. They are really close to creating something timeless and as iconic as the castle at the center of it all.

I'd also think adding a Rapuzel area and even a subtle retheme of IaSW into a Geppetto's workshop or project and you have covered just about every Disney classic of a European adapted story.

 

[BrerFrog]

If Lasseter had any hand in this expansion, I'm sure he wanted Dumbo over anything. (;

Abslutely. That Dumbo area has Lasseter's name all over it. If there is one area of this whole FLE that will get everything that was promissed with an extra level of polish it will be the circus area.

 

[Studios Fan]

Abslutely. That Dumbo area has Lasseter's name all over it. If there is one area of this whole FLE that will get everything that was promissed with an extra level of polish it will be the circus area.

I agree. An improved Dumbo experience is better than what is in TTF now.

 

[_Scar]

Lasseter seems like a smart guy- I don't think he'd make a mini-land out of Tinkerbell's straight to DVD franchise. Dumbo? Yes. Cinderella? Yes. Beauty and the Beast? Yes. The Little Mermaid? Yes. Pixie Hollow? No, but Iger would.

 

[Ignohippo]

Interesting theory but the TTF infrastructure was temporary when it was built. That is why it was not themed to the area. I doubt it is even salvageable(?).

Besides it's thematically hideous, outdated and smells funny. The bulldozers will end the speculation soon.

I swear there are people who suggest stuff here that they know will be counterproductive to WDW in the name of improving it. Saving TTF is a bad idea on every level. Very bad. Dumbo plus TTF is just unthinkable.

Nowhere in my post did I state that they should save TTF. I was merely suggesting that the Dumbo area certainly fits the theme of what's there presently and that this may have been done intentionally. As for the area needing a serious rehab, I'm sure Dis could renovate what's there, over time, without much of a problem – if that was the path they would choose.

My thoughts are that this whole thing began with the idea to expand the Dumbo spinners. The area to the north of the Speedway was designated as the spot and then it was decided to re-theme the Barnstormer and create a Dumbo mini-land. TTF at that time was probably going to stay (which the Dumbo area was designed to fit in with) – until Potter-land was announced. Then the FLE was designed and it was decided TTF would go but Dumbo would stay.

 

[Ignohippo]

It might not be attractive to entire families, but it may be more attractive to different families. There is more diversity in Pixie Hollow than there is in Wonderland and Neverland. I think thats something that Disney can benefit from.

How in the world could you say that? Pixie Hollow could be a small component of Neverland (which would appeal to boys)!

Think about it this way. On the latest model of Pixie Hollow, make the Pixie M&G smaller in the back, get rid of the D-ride, and put a small lake there with a mini-version of Captain Hook's pirate ship (that kids could play on; slides, etc.) and skull rock off to the side with a small area for a Peter Pan, etc. M&G. How would that not be more exciting that what's currently planned? And it would appeal to boys!

 

[tirian]

It might not be attractive to entire families, but it may be more attractive to different families. There is more diversity in Pixie Hollow than there is in Wonderland and Neverland. I think thats something that Disney can benefit from.

Different races of fairies do not make an attraction "diverse." They're still fairies for little girls.

Also, judging from the queues, very few—if any—Guests make a decision to see a character based on the color of its skin.

The argument you're trying to make doesn't tread water—and it's SO 1990s. :lol:

Wonderland, Neverland (at large), or anything that focuses on more than fairies and princesses would attract a larger audience than Pixie Hollow.

 

[tirian]

My thoughts are that this whole thing began with the idea to expand the Dumbo spinners. The area to the north of the Speedway was designated as the spot and then it was decided to re-theme the Barnstormer and create a Dumbo mini-land. TTF at that time was probably going to stay (which the Dumbo area was designed to fit in with) – until Potter-land was announced. Then the FLE was designed and it was decided TTF would go but Dumbo would stay.

Nope, the plans to raze TTF have been bouncing around for almost a decade. The replacement was determined just a few years ago.

EDIT: The only reason was that the TTF tents were dry-rotting.

 

[Avenger117]

Different races of fairies do not make an attraction "diverse." They're still fairies for little girls.

Also, judging from the queues, very few—if any—Guests make a decision to see a character based on the color of its skin.

The argument you're trying to make doesn't tread water—and it's SO 1990s. :lol:

Wonderland, Neverland (at large), or anything that focuses on more than fairies and princesses would attract a larger audience than Pixie Hollow.

I was basing that on people that I have spoken to. My family isn't big into Disney like I am, but they took a big interest in the Princess and the Frog. I think alot of people were impressed by the effort. I also think that there are many girls and families that would enjoy a land where some of the characters look like them.

 

[tirian]

I was basing that on people that I have spoken to. My family isn't big into Disney like I am, but they took a big interest in the Princess and the Frog. I think alot of people were impressed by the effort. I also think that there are many girls and families that would enjoy a land where some of the characters look like them.

PATF is one thing, because it's part of the Princess franchise, too; but there are plenty of things people can enjoy that supersede skin color. It's very risky to think that such "diversity" is a good reason to build Pixie Hollow instead of anything else that appeals to all age groups.