Did Disney miss something in New Fantasyland

[lunchbox1175]

I think it is pretty but I don't think think it lived up to all the hype

I couldn't agree more here....I was so excited for something new and honestly to me, it is underwhelming. It is an absolutely gorgeous area, and I am sure once all of the construction is finally done, it will be even more appealing to the eye. I say all of this as a parent with older children who just aren't excited about Story Time with Belle another slow moving dark ride when there are already so many of them in the park. I feel like a lot of the success of the expansion is going to depend on the 7DMTR, at least for me, I know I don't speak for everyone, and please don't take this as I am bashing it, as I really do applaud the effort that they put in, I just don't think it has lived up to the hype.

 

[Goofyernmost]

This is part of the problem and unfairness that I see with the way people expect or react to things that WDI does in the various parks. As I stated earlier I think that they have made NFL exactly what they intended. It was exciting in it's own way and was really a throw back to the early days of Disney (check out what kind of things were in the original Disneyland). There was never a promise of a 18 story high coaster. It was a much better offering then they have produced in a decade, yet it's never enough.

 

[tare]

I couldn't agree more here....I was so excited for something new and honestly to me, it is underwhelming. It is an absolutely gorgeous area, and I am sure once all of the construction is finally done, it will be even more appealing to the eye. I say all of this as a parent with older children who just aren't excited about Story Time with Belle another slow moving dark ride when there are already so many of them in the park. I feel like a lot of the success of the expansion is going to depend on the 7DMTR, at least for me, I know I don't speak for everyone, and please don't take this as I am bashing it, as I really do applaud the effort that they put in, I just don't think it has lived up to the hype.

And I agree with you also!!! I just didnt think there needed to be more places to eat added. I also wish they hadn't taken Snow White out. Another meet n greet. Ughhhh. But so looking forward to the mine train!!!!

 

[JIMINYCR]

I think it is pretty but I don't think think it lived up to all the hype

I always used to do a quick walk through the old area because there was nothing there that interested me, mostly just to check out the merchandise in the area... At least now there will be some reason for me to spend some time there. But like you, I was expecting a lot more.....

 

[SyracuseDisneyFan]

I personally can't wait to check out the new Fantasyland for myself next May.

 

[Poofiesdream]

I also was disappointed. Not a lot there. They could of done so much more.

 

[Magenta Panther]

Right now, as it stands, New Fantasyland is pretty, but kind of dull.
We have on ride (Under the Sea)
One ride coming (Dwarves Mine Cart)
One show (Storytime with Belle)
and THREE places to eat (Be Our Guest Restaurant, Gaston's Tavern, and the New Prince Eric's)

And I don't count the Circus because you basically leave New Fantasyland when you go there.

So did Disney miss something? I think so.
There is a GIANT ravine off of Gaston's village. Wouldn't it have been great if that ravine could have been something?
Would a darker, semi-spooky woods be neat? Imagine Big trees, Big black thorn vines, a spooky path, and a heavy tree canopy. And as you walk into that area you pass by dark flashing eyes in the shadows of the woods, some talking trees, and maybe an illusion where it becomes perpetual night in the woods and as you peer through the canopy you see the moon shrouded in eerie clouds. Then you happen upon maybe the wicked witch's hut, or Maleficent, or some other villains who lurk down there amidst boiling cauldrons like Dr. Facilier from Princess and the Frog at his voodoo camp site with frogs croaking and fake gators, magic.....and you can even add The Witch from "Brave". And the characters could rotate out.

Sure the little ones may get a little spooked, but that's the point, just to make it fun and add a little bit of the villains. And if the kids don't want to go into the dark, scary woods....then they don't have to....
but it would be awesome.What do you all think......and I appreciate it if you don't flame me because I am just having some fun making a suggestion.

Your suggestions ROCK! We've all been discussing the idea of a Villain's area in New Fantasyland. I think, that if a Potter Swatter exists, a Disney Villain attraction or ride might be it. I like the atmospherics you came up with. From your keyboard to the Imagineer's ears. Perhaps I'll write a letter - a REAL letter, snail mail - to TDO, asking for a terrific Villain's area in NF. Maybe if we ALL would, TDO would listen. Stranger things have happened...

 

[Magenta Panther]

I originally thought the same thing, but a Giant Ursula may have been too scary for certain children. I know some children are fearful of the one time Ursula appears in the attraction already, to add another giant version of her in the attraction may have made the ride too scary for its target audience.

Why did the ride have to have a "target audience"? Why dumb down a ride based on a movie that had some very scary parts, that children certainly saw, and probably weren't scarred for life, but were entranced and entertained?

 

[Magenta Panther]

Oh, for heavens sake, give the kids a little room to experience new things. Life itself isn't just happy, happy things. We all, at least us geriatric set people, grew up seeing scary things and also with the help of people like Walt Disney, we found that those things can be overcome and have a happy ending. Over-protection ends up amounting to no protection at all in some cases.

Well said! Walt himself didn't shy away from the death of Bambi's mother, or the death of Old Yeller, and you can bet he was pressured to. But he had more respect for children than that. I think that if a child is presented, in the right way, with something scary, and is reassured by her parents, she becomes stronger for it.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

This is part of the problem and unfairness that I see with the way people expect or react to things that WDI does in the various parks. As I stated earlier I think that they have made NFL exactly what they intended. It was exciting in it's own way and was really a throw back to the early days of Disney (check out what kind of things were in the original Disneyland). There was never a promise of a 18 story high coaster.

Have you even read what others have posted? Nobody is complaining that there isn't a mega thrill ride. People are judging what has been shown on their own merits. The mermaid ride suffers from cheap effects and an incoherent story, there's only one new ride as of now, half the circus section is tents for characters, merch and Fastpass distribution, the Belle show is just another meet and greet. etc. What people wanted (and frankly deserved from the exspense and hype) was something impressive. As other attractions have proven, you don't need to be a thrill ride to do that.

I'm well aware of what was in the original Disneyland. Not sure what that has to do with anything.

It was a much better offering then they have produced in a decade, yet it's never enough.

Everest? Pretty sure that was more substantial and impressive.

 

[lazyboy97o]

What New Fantasyland lacks is the ability to explore. What little is there is just there.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

NFL is an improvement over what was there before, and it is nice, but it's not "great". It follows the trend over that last several years of WDW making "nice" things, while other theme park resorts (Disney or not) make things that "wow" you. Unfortunately, WDW charges for a top tier experience and new offerings exist in the shadow of their older, but better siblings, which only underscores their weaknesses.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

It is a pretty area, and I'm looking forward to the mine train. But the amount of attractions we gained is dismal, but there are more places for us to buy merchandise and food!

 

[afar28]

I like new fantasyland, and I really liked the Mermaid ride, but as said before I was expecting much more. They hyped it to be more then it actually is. And Snow Whites scary adventures closed..for a meet n greet.

 

[Genie of the Lamp]

Just by reading the majority of the posts here, you can tell where the majority of the $425 million was spent on (aesthetics) and the others where WDI cut corners/half a$$ed it ( examples include Mermaid ride, Dumbo queue). I also like lazyboy's response in terms of not being able to explore being that if you've been there, you experience seeing construction zone(s). Which is why I think they should've opened it all at once rather than the phased openings. Would've, should've, could've is my way of evaluating New Fantasyland.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I also like lazyboy's response in terms of not being able to explore being that if you've been there, you experience seeing construction zone(s). Which is why I think they should've opened it all at once rather than the phased openings.

My comment had nothing to do with the phased opening. The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is not a magic elixir.

 

[TyrantBoss]

I have posted something similar to this next point in another board, but it works here now as well.

On the subject of missed opportunities for New Fantasyland....
Am I the only one that would have liked to be able to walk into Beast's Castle without having a dining reservation?

Imagine if they had actually created a grand entry hall in Beast's Castle. Guests could just go in and marvel at the awesome architecture, look at statues and take pictures. If you have a reservation you can walk around with your pager waiting to be alerted.
Meanwhile you, and random guests, could happen upon furniture that comes alive and talks to you, some of it talking to you about that part of the castle.
You can even walk into Belle's giant library. And THERE is where storytime with Belle should have been.
Imagine seeing that huge, force perspective, gigantic library. If you want the magic mirror to take you into the actual storytime you can still have it....but being IN the library would have been much better.

But if you have this huge and beautiful area that can be explored, and have some meet and greets, that would add a new dimension to the Be Our Guest Restaurant....allow people to stay a bit longer, and cut down on the incredibly long line that people have to wait in outside of the castle for lunch.

Just another thing missed opportunity....and yes I know I just added another non-ride area...but it would at least have added some great atmosphere.

 

[luv]

I originally thought the same thing, but a Giant Ursula may have been too scary for certain children. I know some children are fearful of the one time Ursula appears in the attraction already, to add another giant version of her in the attraction may have made the ride too scary for its target audience.

Who is the target audience? Families? Easily-frightened small children?

I fear that WDW has spent far too much time catering to easily-frightened small children. It's supposed to be a place where the whole family can have fun, not just easily-frightened preschoolers. Well, it was supposed to be that. I don't know WHAT they're doing now.

 

[aladdin2007]

Who is the target audience? Families? Easily-frightened small children?

I fear that WDW has spent far too much time catering to easily-frightened small children. It's supposed to be a place where the whole family can have fun, not just easily-frightened preschoolers. Well, it was supposed to be that. I don't know WHAT they're doing now.

turning it into princess and preschool land, which was not how it was meant to be.