A little info on the Fantasyland Expansion.

[New Horizons]

I only post when I have info and I just made it home with some.
Not sure if this will shed any light and any input is appreciated but here goes:

Today I talked with someone I only see rarely and even more rarely get to talk to one on one. This person is greatly in the know ( bash me if you like but this person is no bus driver) and is always very cryptic as they live for their job and would like to keep it. I have posted in the past about other cryptic info they gave me that pans out in retrospect.
Anyway...Here is what was discussed:

Q. Coolest part of expansion in his opinion.
A. Dumbo's Queue. Look for similar experiences added on existing attractions.

I thought that was interesting.

Q.Any insight on what remains from original plan.
A. Beauty and the Beast Restaurant, Belle attaraction and Little Mermaid attraction.

Belle attraction?

Q: What is the Belle attraction?
A: Character meet and greet on steroids.

Not sure if this is new info that this meet and greet survived the changes (I have a job, 2 kids and am remodeling a house so forgive me if I am a little behind.) but I don't remember seeing this confirmed?

Q: What can you safely tell me about the changes to the plan.
A: ....I don" t think...anything.

He smirks and smiles.
Q: OK... What about the Snow White coaster. Any chance.
A: (With a long pause) I can only say thrills are coming. BUT nothing scary.

I have no idea.

He interjects:
Oh...and not all the love is going to the expansion. (Paraphrasing) So as to not put other areas of the park into a bad light in comparison to the expansion some love is goingto other lands.

I think this has been discussed prior.

Q: Like what.
A: (He pauses.) Splash Mountain may be inspirational.
Q:What? May be?
A: I gotta keep you guessing. Right?

???What.

Q: What about Alice in Wonderland.
A: (He looked a little surprised I asked this and then paused...) I can only say if anyone complains about the finished product I will be shocked.

Oh boy. He hasn't viewed these boards!

During this discussion he made a reference to the 100 acre wood but I'm not sure what he was getting at or if it was relevant at all. I know there was a Pooh meet and greet originally planned but..?

Thats all I had time to ask as he was polite but not wanting to go on with this discussion.

I may have another chance Oct\Nov maybe to try again.
Anyone have any insights given what is already known?
I will check tomorrow ..its off to bed for me.

 

[SoupBone]

I only post when I have info and I just made it home with some.
Not sure if this will shed any light and any input is appreciated but here goes:

Today I talked with someone I only see rarely and even more rarely get to talk to one on one. This person is greatly in the know ( bash me if you like but this person is no bus driver) and is always very cryptic as they live for their job and would like to keep it. I have posted in the past about other cryptic info they gave me that pans out in retrospect.
Anyway...Here is what was discussed:

Q. Coolest part of expansion in his opinion.
A. Dumbo's Queue. Look for similar experiences added on existing attractions.

I thought that was interesting.

Q.Any insight on what remains from original plan.
A. Beauty and the Beast Restaurant, Belle attaraction and Little Mermaid attraction.

Belle attraction?

Q: What is the Belle attraction?
A: Character meet and greet on steroids.

Not sure if this is new info that this meet and greet survived the changes (I have a job, 2 kids and am remodeling a house so forgive me if I am a little behind.) but I don't remember seeing this confirmed?

Q: What can you safely tell me about the changes to the plan.
A: ....I don" t think...anything.

He smirks and smiles.
Q: OK... What about the Snow White coaster. Any chance.
A: (With a long pause) I can only say thrills are coming. BUT nothing scary.

I have no idea.

He interjects:
Oh...and not all the love is going to the expansion. (Paraphrasing) So as to not put other areas of the park into a bad light in comparison to the expansion some love is goingto other lands.

I think this has been discussed prior.

Q: Like what.
A: (He pauses.) Splash Mountain may be inspirational.
Q:What? May be?
A: I gotta keep you guessing. Right?

???What.

Q: What about Alice in Wonderland.
A: (He looked a little surprised I asked this and then paused...) I can only say if anyone complains about the finished product I will be shocked.

Oh boy. He hasn't viewed these boards!

During this discussion he made a reference to the 100 acre wood but I'm not sure what he was getting at or if it was relevant at all. I know there was a Pooh meet and greet originally planned but..?

Thats all I had time to ask as he was polite but not wanting to go on with this discussion.

I may have another chance Oct\Nov maybe to try again.
Anyone have any insights given what is already known?
I will check tomorrow ..its off to bed for me.

Both of these have my attention. What could possibly be changed or added to Splash? I'm very intrigued by this.

A thrill ride in the expansion? Ok that could mean anything from a roller coaster to a virtual coaster to a log ride (I'm aware it's been done with Splash). Very interesting stuff. Thanks for the post! :sohappy:

 

[WDWmazprty]

Wow! Sounds very interesting. I'm curious to see if this guy knows what he's talking about.

 

[_Scar]

Sounds like a thrilling ground ride is coming to FLE.

He makes it seem like Cinderella's Chateau is out, and it probably is.

Seems like Frontierland rumor may be true after all and it seems like it will be themed to Song of the South? Maybe a Zip a Dee Doo Dah ground ride? I mean, it's Song of the South- there's not much they can do they haven't done already.

Seems like Alice could be what's going into FLE as of right now taking EVERYTHING into consideration.

I'm not complaining one bit.

TYSM

 

[SeaCastle]

Some thoughts here...

- The fact that your source says that the Dumbo queue is the most exciting park of the expansion makes it sound like either this will truly be something spectacular or the rest of the expansion is pretty ho-hum (in the opinion of whoever your source is).
- Spreading the love to other parts of the Magic Kingdom is in line with what tirian said. (If anyone out there is listening, bring back the fountains in Adventureland!)
- What you posted is also generally in line with what's here, so I'll take it there's a hefty amount of truth here.

 

[_Scar]

Some thoughts here...

- The fact that your source says that the Dumbo queue is the most exciting park of the expansion makes it sound like either this will truly be something spectacular or the rest of the expansion is pretty ho-hum (in the opinion of whoever your source is).
- Spreading the love to other parts of the Magic Kingdom is in line with what tirian said. (If anyone out there is listening, bring back the fountains in Adventureland!)
- What you posted is also generally in line with what's here, so I'll take it there's a hefty amount of truth here.

Maybe not literally the best thing in the expansion but the most exciting because it is a NEW type of queue experience that could potentially change the way guests enjoy the parks.

 

[huntzilla]

I think, by the Splash Mountain thing , he meant an attraction in the scope and scale of Splash Mountain would be coming to FLE. I think another Splash Mountain level E-Ticket, with the LM attraction, would be amazing and really complete the FLE to it's potential. Going out on a limb here, the Bald Mountain water flume ride was once considered for this area. It was to be Splash Mountain esque. :lookaroun

 

[_Scar]

I think, by the Splash Mountain thing , he meant an attraction in the scope and scale of Splash Mountain would be coming to FLE. I think another Splash Mountain level E-Ticket, with the LM attraction, would be amazing and really complete the FLE to it's potential. Going out on a limb here, the Bald Mountain water flume ride was once considered for this area. It was to be Splash Mountain esque. :lookaroun

That'd still be in Fantasyland. It seems like Splash Mountain inspiration is for something outside of FLand, and recent rumors have been pointing to something big with merchandising will be moving into Frontierland.

Plus, the land existing in FLW for another ride is large, but not flume large where you need every side covered. The remaining patch (where Cinderella and Aurora were to go) is basically an island in the middle of FLand.

 

[Magenta Panther]

Both of these have my attention. What could possibly be changed or added to Splash? I'm very intrigued by this.

A thrill ride in the expansion? Ok that could mean anything from a roller coaster to a virtual coaster to a log ride (I'm aware it's been done with Splash). Very interesting stuff. Thanks for the post! :sohappy:

Yes, Splash Mountain is very in need of updating. A thoroughly charming ride, but with very dated AAs. It would be AWESOME if it got an upgrade. Very exciting possibilities there.

I'm still hoping for the 7 Dwarfs Mine Ride. Seven wonderful characters that don't get enough exposure in the parks deserve an attraction of their own. Snow White's Scary Adventures is a bit of a wash IMO. I've never been impressed with it. A dark coaster ride with the Dwarfs would add so much to Fantasyland. Hope hope hope...

 

[Magenta Panther]

I think, by the Splash Mountain thing , he meant an attraction in the scope and scale of Splash Mountain would be coming to FLE. I think another Splash Mountain level E-Ticket, with the LM attraction, would be amazing and really complete the FLE to it's potential. Going out on a limb here, the Bald Mountain water flume ride was once considered for this area. It was to be Splash Mountain esque. :lookaroun

Well, now that you mention it, you're probably right. I guess. :shrug: But darn it, Splash Mountain desperately needs an upgrade. I hope it gets one, and soon.

But WOW, Bald Mountain! With Chernobog, in a dark CREEPY flume ride? AWESOME!!!!

 

[SeaCastle]

I think, by the Splash Mountain thing , he meant an attraction in the scope and scale of Splash Mountain would be coming to FLE. I think another Splash Mountain level E-Ticket, with the LM attraction, would be amazing and really complete the FLE to it's potential. Going out on a limb here, the Bald Mountain water flume ride was once considered for this area. It was to be Splash Mountain esque. :lookaroun

That'd still be in Fantasyland. It seems like Splash Mountain inspiration is for something outside of FLand, and recent rumors have been pointing to something big with merchandising will be moving into Frontierland.

Plus, the land existing in FLW for another ride is large, but not flume large where you need every side covered. The remaining patch (where Cinderella and Aurora were to go) is basically an island in the middle of FLand.

I'm not sure how to interpret the Splash Mountain comment, but I'm almost positive it was not directed at the Fantasyland Expansion itself, and that rather he was talking about the changes to other parts of the park.

The rumors I heard are:
1. Frontierland is underperforming when it comes to merchandise sales
2. Plans exist to make modifications to Tom Sawyer Island and the Rivers of America. These are long term plans that are apparently moving up the approval ladder (though are still relatively distant from fruition.) These plans, along with modifications to Frontierland, have been in the works for the past 10-15 years.
3. There is a relatively large expansion plot behind Big Thunder Mountain, which won't be used anytime in the near future.
4. Some sort of prep work is going on backstage on the Frontierland side of the park for a project that will presumably be of no importance to guests (i.e. not an attraction)

These are totally different rumors, and I believe a combination of these have led fans to believe that some sort of attraction has been fast-tracked for Frontierland, which doesn't appear to be the case. Furthermore, the Snow White mine train coaster makes sense in the fact that it could theoretically be put on and island and still be able to be operated. Look at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. With the exception of a vehicle maintenance shed located on the other side of the berm, the ride is located onstage from all angles: along the Rivers of America, front entrance to the attraction, and the Walt Disney World Railroad. Backstage infrastructure for the attraction is virtually out of the view of guests (same for Barnstormer). Also keep in mind the Matterhorn is located on an "island" and works just fine.

Obviously, a ride on the scope of Big Thunder Mountain is almost definitely not coming to Fantasyland, but an elaborate Barnstormer-esque ride is certainly a possibility. The footprint of the attraction is rather small, yet still manages to be a minute-and-a-half long ride. There is ample room in the former chateau area for a longer, more elaborate Barnstormer attraction themed to, let's say, Snow White. Just some food for thought.

EDIT: I attached an aerial photograph of the area. The circle on the right is Barnstormer, roughly. The circle on the left is the area of the former chateau area, again, roughly.

 

[_Scar]

here's what we know

 

[TP2000]

here's what we know

Scar, that pretty much sums up all of the rumors and online chatter of the summer. Thanks for creating that map for us, as it actually paints an accurate picture of what we know effective late August, 2010.

Let's hope we can fill in some more details by 2011.

 

[_Scar]

Scar, that pretty much sums up all of the rumors and online chatter of the summer. Thanks for creating that map for us, as it actually paints an accurate picture of what we know effective late August, 2010.

Let's hope we can fill in some more details by 2011.

:sohappy:

It's no problem! I'm really excited for the announcement (whenever it may be).

It's not like it can be at next year's D23 event :shrug:

 

[disneysroyal411]

:sohappy:

It's no problem! I'm really excited for the announcement (whenever it may be).

It's not like it can be at next year's D23 event :shrug:

No not then, this upcoming Winter issue of D23 Magazine! Santa delivers:xmas:... :lookaroun :wave:

 

[raven]

We already know the NextGen queues are being installed at Pooh, IASW, HM, and a few others so having Dumbo jump on the bandwagon isn't so surprising. Also, since no one read it clearly, he said that FL EXPANSION wasn't getting all the love. That doesn't exactly mean another "land." More than likely it has to do with something I mentioned a few weeks back. The "love" is planning to be spread to other parts of Fantasyland.

 

[_Scar]

We already know the NextGen queues are being installed at Pooh, IASW, HM, and a few others so having Dumbo jump on the bandwagon isn't so surprising. Also, since no one read it clearly, he said that FL EXPANSION wasn't getting all the love. That doesn't exactly mean another "land." More than likely it has to do with something I mentioned a few weeks back. The "love" is planning to be spread to other parts of Fantasyland.

it's a small world or snow white ..... :shrug:

 

[dX927]

I saw a newer version of the blueprints, it might help answer a few questions

 

[trr1]

I saw a newer version of the blueprints, it might help answer a few questions

at this time all i see is a box with a red X in it

 

[BrerFrog]

That seems to be in line with what we have been discussing here. I don't think he meant that Song of the South would be the inspiration for a new ride, but maybe the SM's ride system itself as SotS is not exactly popular enough to receive another attraction.