spacemt354
Chili's
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Disney's Great British Adventure, a new resort outside London - updated with Narnia (6/6)
- Thread starter Justinate
- Start date
Kensington Park Gardens:
Accessed by turning left at the crossroads halfway up High Street, Kensington Park Gardens is not officially a land but rather an off-shoot of High Street, in the style of Edison Square or Liberty Street that were once planned to be built off Main Street in Disneyland. It is the smaller of the two "side squares" (the other being Cherry Tree Lane, on the right of High Street). The square is modeled after Kensington Park Gardens, London, one of the possible locations where the Darling children lived. The street is not mentioned by name in the book, only the house number 14, and J.M. Barrie located it in a different neighbourhood (Bloomsbury) in his earlier play. However, Kensington Park Gardens is where the children who are supposed to have inspired the books lived, and Kensington Gardens is where the statue of Peter Pan (depicted above) can be found.
The middle of the square is dominated by a garden, similar in style to Mouseton Square at the front of the park, with flowering shrubs, benches and a hedge railing, except this one is dominated by a pond with a replica of the Peter Pan statue at its centre. Coins thrown into the pond are collected and donated to the Great Ormond Street Hospital (to which Barrie bequeathed the rights to Pan).
Directly behind the statue, and opposite the side street that led to the square from High Street, is this area's only attraction: a refreshed version of Peter Pan's Flight. This is entered through the facade of the house marked No. 14 on the west side of the square.
The other sides of the square are the exits from the Windsor Theatre (south side), secondary entrances to the High Street shops (east side) and Walt's table service restaurant (north side). In the northeast corner of the square, an arch (like the one in the picture) leads into a tunnel that turns into a cave before entering the neighbouring land of Pixie Hollow. Peter Pan's Flight, which concludes in Neverland, also exits to Pixie Hollow.
Attraction:
Peter Pan's Flight - a refreshed version of the classic dark ride, guests enter the Darling home at 14 Kensington Park Gardens and follow the queue through various Edwardian period-appropriate rooms before boarding a suspended pirate ship to journey to Neverland. The enhanced ride vehicles now have a wider range of motion (including full rotation to face show scenes, speeding up as they travel through the stars, a rocking motion when they're above the sea). There are also special effects like fog to mimic cloud, ocean breeze scent as guest vehicles approach Neverland, a sprinkling of water as they pass by a waterfall, etc. Upon disembarking from the ride, guests find themselves in an enchanted glade of Neverland: Pixie Hollow.
Retail:
Secondary entrances to the High Street Emporium and Lillie Belle Boutique.
Dining:
Walt's - an American table service restaurant described earlier
Coming next: Cherry Tree Lane.
Accessed by turning left at the crossroads halfway up High Street, Kensington Park Gardens is not officially a land but rather an off-shoot of High Street, in the style of Edison Square or Liberty Street that were once planned to be built off Main Street in Disneyland. It is the smaller of the two "side squares" (the other being Cherry Tree Lane, on the right of High Street). The square is modeled after Kensington Park Gardens, London, one of the possible locations where the Darling children lived. The street is not mentioned by name in the book, only the house number 14, and J.M. Barrie located it in a different neighbourhood (Bloomsbury) in his earlier play. However, Kensington Park Gardens is where the children who are supposed to have inspired the books lived, and Kensington Gardens is where the statue of Peter Pan (depicted above) can be found.
The middle of the square is dominated by a garden, similar in style to Mouseton Square at the front of the park, with flowering shrubs, benches and a hedge railing, except this one is dominated by a pond with a replica of the Peter Pan statue at its centre. Coins thrown into the pond are collected and donated to the Great Ormond Street Hospital (to which Barrie bequeathed the rights to Pan).
Directly behind the statue, and opposite the side street that led to the square from High Street, is this area's only attraction: a refreshed version of Peter Pan's Flight. This is entered through the facade of the house marked No. 14 on the west side of the square.
The other sides of the square are the exits from the Windsor Theatre (south side), secondary entrances to the High Street shops (east side) and Walt's table service restaurant (north side). In the northeast corner of the square, an arch (like the one in the picture) leads into a tunnel that turns into a cave before entering the neighbouring land of Pixie Hollow. Peter Pan's Flight, which concludes in Neverland, also exits to Pixie Hollow.
Attraction:
Peter Pan's Flight - a refreshed version of the classic dark ride, guests enter the Darling home at 14 Kensington Park Gardens and follow the queue through various Edwardian period-appropriate rooms before boarding a suspended pirate ship to journey to Neverland. The enhanced ride vehicles now have a wider range of motion (including full rotation to face show scenes, speeding up as they travel through the stars, a rocking motion when they're above the sea). There are also special effects like fog to mimic cloud, ocean breeze scent as guest vehicles approach Neverland, a sprinkling of water as they pass by a waterfall, etc. Upon disembarking from the ride, guests find themselves in an enchanted glade of Neverland: Pixie Hollow.
Retail:
Secondary entrances to the High Street Emporium and Lillie Belle Boutique.
Dining:
Walt's - an American table service restaurant described earlier
Coming next: Cherry Tree Lane.
spacemt354
Chili's
Excellent work so far - really enjoying this!
Twilight_Roxas
Well-Known Member
What about a attraction that is a original version of the Tower of Terror in the park with a original story?
I don't know how original the story will be, but my preliminary plans for the second park (not this one) will feature a drop-tower with a tie to S.E.A. - in fact, it will be a recurring motif for the entire second park. I've not yet decided whether it will be the version used at ToT in TDS.
Cherry Tree Lane:
Turning right instead of left at the crossroads, visitors enter the Cherry Tree Lane sub-land, home to Disney's first Mary Poppins attraction. I wanted to revive the indefinitely-postponed (cancelled?) Cherry Tree Lane area and Mary Poppins attraction at the UK Pavilion in Epcot, which is depicted in the artwork above.
This square is larger than its opposite number (Kensington Park Gardens) and brings to life some of the iconic facades from the films, namely the Banks house and Admiral Boom's. The latter has a "working" cannon that sounds/spews smoke every hour on the hour.
Cherry Tree Lane is also where guests staying at Disney's Grand Albion Hotel have an exclusive entrance to the park; they emerge from one of the house facades on the south side of the square (which abuts the hotel's central Victorian Wing behind it). There is also a path leading to Wonderland, located to the north (above) Cherry Tree Lane. Much like the transition from Kensington Park Gardens to Pixie Hollow, guests pass under an arch into a tunnel that emerges in Wonderland. The main ride in Cherry Tree Lane exits here, too.
This land is home to two attractions, dining, as well as retail spillover from High Street.
Attractions:
A Spoonful of Sugar - a two-story counter service establishment housed across two levels of the houses on the north side of the square, serving up scones, sandwiches, cakes, pastries (sweet and savory) as well as tea, coffee, hot chocolate and milkshakes. Customers place their orders at the counter but the dishes will be served tableside in proper crockery (albeit something more hardy than fine china!). It will share a kitchen with the bakery on High Street.
Retail:
Although there are no dedicated gift shops in Cherry Tree Lane, the Disney Brothers' Department Store essentially backs onto the square and has secondary entrances through the shopfronts on the west side - masquerading as a branch of the Fidelity Fiduciary Bank and Boom & Binnacle, a retailer of nautical equipment.
Entertainment:
Lamplighters, led by Jack, make a show of lighting the gas streetlamps at dusk. There is also a meet-and-greet facility housed on the south side of the square (between the hotel's private entrance and the "bank") where guests can interact with Mary, Bert and Jack.
Coming next: The Castle and hub
Turning right instead of left at the crossroads, visitors enter the Cherry Tree Lane sub-land, home to Disney's first Mary Poppins attraction. I wanted to revive the indefinitely-postponed (cancelled?) Cherry Tree Lane area and Mary Poppins attraction at the UK Pavilion in Epcot, which is depicted in the artwork above.
This square is larger than its opposite number (Kensington Park Gardens) and brings to life some of the iconic facades from the films, namely the Banks house and Admiral Boom's. The latter has a "working" cannon that sounds/spews smoke every hour on the hour.
Cherry Tree Lane is also where guests staying at Disney's Grand Albion Hotel have an exclusive entrance to the park; they emerge from one of the house facades on the south side of the square (which abuts the hotel's central Victorian Wing behind it). There is also a path leading to Wonderland, located to the north (above) Cherry Tree Lane. Much like the transition from Kensington Park Gardens to Pixie Hollow, guests pass under an arch into a tunnel that emerges in Wonderland. The main ride in Cherry Tree Lane exits here, too.
This land is home to two attractions, dining, as well as retail spillover from High Street.
Attractions:
- Mary Poppins' Jolly Holiday - while many (fantastic!) suggestions over the years for a Poppins ride have taken the form of dark rides with inventive ride systems, I've decided to go with something slightly different because the park is already home to a large number of dark rides. Guests enter through the front door of the Banks home at 17, Cherry Tree Lane (on the east side of the square) and queue through various rooms of the family home. They then enter one of three simulator chambers where their seat takes the form of a carousel horse (there are also options for those who are physically constrained from climbing onto a horse). These horses are "enchanted" - featuring an advancement of the technology underlying the banshee chairs in Avatar's Flight of Passage. Riders feel the horse's cantering, galloping and breathing as they chase the Banks children's kite through a fantasy world brought to life by a 3D film and physical effects such as fog, water, and fragrances.
- Banks Family Carousel - The garden in the middle of the square hosts a quaint, old-fashioned carousel, essentially acting as a teaser of the main attraction in the area. The music will be from both Poppins films.
A Spoonful of Sugar - a two-story counter service establishment housed across two levels of the houses on the north side of the square, serving up scones, sandwiches, cakes, pastries (sweet and savory) as well as tea, coffee, hot chocolate and milkshakes. Customers place their orders at the counter but the dishes will be served tableside in proper crockery (albeit something more hardy than fine china!). It will share a kitchen with the bakery on High Street.
Retail:
Although there are no dedicated gift shops in Cherry Tree Lane, the Disney Brothers' Department Store essentially backs onto the square and has secondary entrances through the shopfronts on the west side - masquerading as a branch of the Fidelity Fiduciary Bank and Boom & Binnacle, a retailer of nautical equipment.
Entertainment:
Lamplighters, led by Jack, make a show of lighting the gas streetlamps at dusk. There is also a meet-and-greet facility housed on the south side of the square (between the hotel's private entrance and the "bank") where guests can interact with Mary, Bert and Jack.
Coming next: The Castle and hub
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Village Green (Central Hub):
At the far end of High Street, guests arrive at the central hub of the park, "Village Green". Looming over it is the Castle of Cair Paravel from The Chronicles of Narnia. The top image is from the most recent films, although I imagine the version built at this park will be a shorter, single building rather than the complex shown above.
To reach the castle, guests must traverse the large green space, elliptical rather than circular (with the sides being longer than the top or bottom) in front of it. The green has minimal plantings or any other obstructions - it is intentionally kept clear to provide a viewing space for the night-time spectacular as well as parades. But it does feature, at the very centre, a wishing well. (Coins thrown in will be collected and distributed to a charity.) There are also benches around the periphery and one of them (ideally situated for a joint photo op with the castle in the background) already has two occupants: Roy Disney and Minnie Mouse, a replica of the sculpture at WDW's Magic Kingdom. (I always feel that poor Roy gets a raw deal.)
Encircling the entire green is a canal, part of which forms the "moat" in front of the castle, but also has two more bridges leading to the mini-lands on either side of the green: Hell Hall (left) and Toad Hall (right). This canal boasts the only attraction on the green, another replica from Magic Kingdom - albeit this one is defunct in its original park. The Castle is fully explorable, but it's technically in Narnia and will be elaborated in that section.
Attractions:
Swan Boats - Since this park does not have a large lake and the transportation options found there in most of the other castle parks, I have plumped for a revival of the Swan Boats instead to provide a water transport instead. Guests board in front of Toad Hall to experience a leisurely round trip around the Green and the two Halls, passing by themed show buildings, scenic landscaping and specially built scenes that can only be experienced from the boats. For example, passing under the castle drawbridge, they will catch a glimpse of its treasure chamber, with Aslan's gifts to the Pevensie children prominently displayed. When the canal passes by Toad Hall, a conservatory with large glass windows offers a view of the "action" inside. These scenes are narrated by a prominent British celebrity, like Dame Judi Dench, over the boat's speakers - in a nod to Spaceship Earth across the Atlantic.
Entertainment:
Night-time Spectacular - I haven't decided what it will be, beyond a celebration of Disney's British adventures and some non-British classics, but the castle facade and moat will be built with projection mapping and fountain effects in mind. The best viewing for the show will be on the green itself, where space is on an egalitarian "first come, first served" basis. But diners at Walt's and Crystal Palace will also be able to experience the fireworks from the comfort of their seats, with the show's audio track piped into the dining venues, but the trade-off is a distant view of the projection mapping and fountains.
Coming next: Hell Hall.
At the far end of High Street, guests arrive at the central hub of the park, "Village Green". Looming over it is the Castle of Cair Paravel from The Chronicles of Narnia. The top image is from the most recent films, although I imagine the version built at this park will be a shorter, single building rather than the complex shown above.
To reach the castle, guests must traverse the large green space, elliptical rather than circular (with the sides being longer than the top or bottom) in front of it. The green has minimal plantings or any other obstructions - it is intentionally kept clear to provide a viewing space for the night-time spectacular as well as parades. But it does feature, at the very centre, a wishing well. (Coins thrown in will be collected and distributed to a charity.) There are also benches around the periphery and one of them (ideally situated for a joint photo op with the castle in the background) already has two occupants: Roy Disney and Minnie Mouse, a replica of the sculpture at WDW's Magic Kingdom. (I always feel that poor Roy gets a raw deal.)
Encircling the entire green is a canal, part of which forms the "moat" in front of the castle, but also has two more bridges leading to the mini-lands on either side of the green: Hell Hall (left) and Toad Hall (right). This canal boasts the only attraction on the green, another replica from Magic Kingdom - albeit this one is defunct in its original park. The Castle is fully explorable, but it's technically in Narnia and will be elaborated in that section.
Attractions:
Swan Boats - Since this park does not have a large lake and the transportation options found there in most of the other castle parks, I have plumped for a revival of the Swan Boats instead to provide a water transport instead. Guests board in front of Toad Hall to experience a leisurely round trip around the Green and the two Halls, passing by themed show buildings, scenic landscaping and specially built scenes that can only be experienced from the boats. For example, passing under the castle drawbridge, they will catch a glimpse of its treasure chamber, with Aslan's gifts to the Pevensie children prominently displayed. When the canal passes by Toad Hall, a conservatory with large glass windows offers a view of the "action" inside. These scenes are narrated by a prominent British celebrity, like Dame Judi Dench, over the boat's speakers - in a nod to Spaceship Earth across the Atlantic.
Entertainment:
Night-time Spectacular - I haven't decided what it will be, beyond a celebration of Disney's British adventures and some non-British classics, but the castle facade and moat will be built with projection mapping and fountain effects in mind. The best viewing for the show will be on the green itself, where space is on an egalitarian "first come, first served" basis. But diners at Walt's and Crystal Palace will also be able to experience the fireworks from the comfort of their seats, with the show's audio track piped into the dining venues, but the trade-off is a distant view of the projection mapping and fountains.
Coming next: Hell Hall.
Twilight_Roxas
Well-Known Member
Well the closest would be Disney Dreams since it involves Peter Pan will mostly his shadow.
Twilight_Roxas
Well-Known Member
Btw did you know that Disney almost bought Doctor Who in the 90s?
I did not know that! Well, that certainly would've opened up a whole new land - perhaps even an entire park.
Hell Hall:
On the left of the hub is a mini-land dedicated to the 101 Dalmatians franchise and themed to Cruella's country estate. Passing under the foreboding gates, up ahead is a slightly creepy mansion that's a cross between the Victorian conservatory aesthetic of the Crystal Palace (immediately to the left of the land's entrance) and Gothic castellation of Cair Paravel (immediately to the right).
The Dearly farmhouse is also located to one side - this was originally intended to house a petting zoo but the potential logistical and ethical issues that might arise with that concept led me to abandon it. Instead it will be a counter service establishment. Both the farmhouse and the takeaway window at the gate lodge will serve up the land's signature dessert: a bone shaped eclair dipped in white and dark chocolate and filled with a spiced chocolate mousse.
To the other side of Cruella's mansion will be a gazebo where she meets guests, with her iconic automobile parked in front for photo ops.
Attraction:
Rescue 101 - Guests queue through Cruella's mansion (filled with mementoes of De Vil family history and her obsession with fur) as they wait to board an automobile race through the streets of London. The premise is that guests are being recruited by Cruella to round up the escaped puppies because she believes her hired help, Horace and Jasper, who allowed the pups to escape in the first place, aren't up to the task. You're now effectively competing against Horace and Jasper who are intent on proving themselves. Of course, you are actually on the Dalmatians' side, hoping to collar them and lead them to safety before Horace or Jasper catch them. The ride would use hand gestures (like the upcoming Spiderman ride in DCA, Web Slingers) to toss a collar around the dogs. In-vehicle narration commends guests on their successes, referencing the number of Dalmatians they've collared, while also warning guests about Horace and Jasper who are hot on your trail.
Dining:
Dearly Farm Kitchen - here in a model farmhouse (with signs of the Dalmatian multitude in every room) you can order English staples like roast beef, shepherd's pie, and more from a counter and dine in one of the many rooms. The food is presented with nods to the dogs, e.g. the roast beef comes with white gravy with brown gravy "spots" and the shepherd's pie has "pawprints" on the crust.
Spotted Treats - a takeaway window located in the gatehouse serving up the signature eclair, white hot chocolate with dark chocolate spots (you have to stir it) and a couple of Cookies & Cream flavoured items like a milkshake and popcorn (white chocolate-coated popcorn with Oreo cookie crumbles).
Coming next: Toad Hall.
On the left of the hub is a mini-land dedicated to the 101 Dalmatians franchise and themed to Cruella's country estate. Passing under the foreboding gates, up ahead is a slightly creepy mansion that's a cross between the Victorian conservatory aesthetic of the Crystal Palace (immediately to the left of the land's entrance) and Gothic castellation of Cair Paravel (immediately to the right).
The Dearly farmhouse is also located to one side - this was originally intended to house a petting zoo but the potential logistical and ethical issues that might arise with that concept led me to abandon it. Instead it will be a counter service establishment. Both the farmhouse and the takeaway window at the gate lodge will serve up the land's signature dessert: a bone shaped eclair dipped in white and dark chocolate and filled with a spiced chocolate mousse.
To the other side of Cruella's mansion will be a gazebo where she meets guests, with her iconic automobile parked in front for photo ops.
Attraction:
Rescue 101 - Guests queue through Cruella's mansion (filled with mementoes of De Vil family history and her obsession with fur) as they wait to board an automobile race through the streets of London. The premise is that guests are being recruited by Cruella to round up the escaped puppies because she believes her hired help, Horace and Jasper, who allowed the pups to escape in the first place, aren't up to the task. You're now effectively competing against Horace and Jasper who are intent on proving themselves. Of course, you are actually on the Dalmatians' side, hoping to collar them and lead them to safety before Horace or Jasper catch them. The ride would use hand gestures (like the upcoming Spiderman ride in DCA, Web Slingers) to toss a collar around the dogs. In-vehicle narration commends guests on their successes, referencing the number of Dalmatians they've collared, while also warning guests about Horace and Jasper who are hot on your trail.
Dining:
Dearly Farm Kitchen - here in a model farmhouse (with signs of the Dalmatian multitude in every room) you can order English staples like roast beef, shepherd's pie, and more from a counter and dine in one of the many rooms. The food is presented with nods to the dogs, e.g. the roast beef comes with white gravy with brown gravy "spots" and the shepherd's pie has "pawprints" on the crust.
Spotted Treats - a takeaway window located in the gatehouse serving up the signature eclair, white hot chocolate with dark chocolate spots (you have to stir it) and a couple of Cookies & Cream flavoured items like a milkshake and popcorn (white chocolate-coated popcorn with Oreo cookie crumbles).
Coming next: Toad Hall.
Twilight_Roxas
Well-Known Member
Because while there’s no Tomorrowland/Discoveryland in the Disney Great British Adventure it could fit well with Doctor Who even a E ticket trackless dark ride with animatronic Daleks and Cybermen.
I originally toyed with a futuristic land based on Treasure Planet, but its reimagining made it a questionable fit for a British-themed park, and I wasn't sure it had enough going for it to sustain an entire land, nor were there any obvious candidates among other Disney properties with which it could co-exist. The park does have a couple of mini-lands that feature just one attraction (Kensington Park Gardens, Hell Hall, Toad Hall) but the styling of those lands makes them blend in more seamlessly with the major lands they adjoin.
Still, there are expansion pads for future use: I have some ideas for a couple of them, but there are another two which are up for grabs - so a futuristic/outer-space land may yet make it into this park down the line. If Disney manages to build out a new franchise, or acquire an existing one, who's to say we won't see a Tomorrowland-style land in DGBA?
Twilight_Roxas
Well-Known Member
True oh and for the nighttime show there’s Disney Dreams since it’s theme to Peter Pan.
Toad Hall:
A second mini-land can be accessed from the park's hub, this time to the right. Crossing a footbridge over the canal that encircles the hub, guests arrive in a quaint English village whose small square is dominated by a fountain featuring a statue of its most famous resident, J. Thaddeus Toad. His ancestral mansion is located at the top of the square and follows closely its models in Anaheim and Paris, with the same architectural style carried over to the village buildings on either side.
The row of buildings to the right are taken up by the pub, which is only one of the multiple facades, but its seating areas spill over into the adjoining "shops" plus riverside outdoor seating. A shorter row of buildings on the left incorporate an ice-cream parlour with limited indoor seating.
Of course, the principal ride of this park is housed within Toad Hall itself. The land is effectively an island, entirely surrounded by canals that are lined with - what else - willow trees. The Swan Boats leave the hub and go round this land before rejoining the main canal that loops around the hub proper.
Attractions:
A second mini-land can be accessed from the park's hub, this time to the right. Crossing a footbridge over the canal that encircles the hub, guests arrive in a quaint English village whose small square is dominated by a fountain featuring a statue of its most famous resident, J. Thaddeus Toad. His ancestral mansion is located at the top of the square and follows closely its models in Anaheim and Paris, with the same architectural style carried over to the village buildings on either side.
The row of buildings to the right are taken up by the pub, which is only one of the multiple facades, but its seating areas spill over into the adjoining "shops" plus riverside outdoor seating. A shorter row of buildings on the left incorporate an ice-cream parlour with limited indoor seating.
Of course, the principal ride of this park is housed within Toad Hall itself. The land is effectively an island, entirely surrounded by canals that are lined with - what else - willow trees. The Swan Boats leave the hub and go round this land before rejoining the main canal that loops around the hub proper.
Attractions:
- Mr. Toad's Wild Ride - an upgraded and expanded version of the Disneyland original, although it follows more closely the structure of the extinct Magic Kingdom version. Depending on which of two tracks they board, riders would get a slightly different storyline. The 2D characters in the ride are replaced by Audio Animatronics, and the show building is expanded to include a large Victorian conservatory where riders pass close to the windows overlooking the Swan Boats' sailing path.
- Wild Wood Whirl - a planned trackless ride in the vein of Luigi's Rollicking Roadsters from DCA. This would not be an opening-day attraction, but rather one that would be built further down the line, replacing the cottage garden. Maybe by then I can figure out a more creative idea too - it feels a bit too similar to Toad's Wild Ride at the moment!
- The Wind in the Willows - it's such a great name for a pub (I did also consider the Red Lion Inn at which Toad dines). Guests place their order at the counters behind the traditional pub facade, then sit down in one of the multiple dining rooms (themed to typical village shops with the infusion of Toad characters) for servers to bring their food to them. The signature dish here can only be Toad in the Hole.
- Dulce Domum - named for a chapter from the book, this eatery serves rich English clotted cream ice-cream, Knickerbocker Glories and the like. Both establishments have outdoor seating by the riverside where they can watch the Swan Boats sail past.
Pixie Hollow:
Located in the southwest (bottom left) corner of the park, this land draws inspiration from the Disney Fairies franchise. It is accessed from three points: a tunnel/cave from Kensington Park Gardens, and wooded paths from Hell Hall and the Hundred Acre Wood. It is one of two lands (Wonderland being the other) which is not directly accessible from the central hub.
The icon of this land is the Pixie Dust Tree (top image). This is the centre of the night-time lighting package, not unlike Pandora: World of Avatar at Animal Kingdom or Tokyo DisneySea's upcoming Fantasy Springs. The land's giftshop is located inside the tree, and next to its entrance is the Pixie Dust Mill, where guests can glimpse an Audio Animatronic of Gary at work.
The land is planted with many trees and flowering shrubs, which can be rotated according to the season. The infrastructure of the land is seemingly made from natural materials: wood, stone, leaves etc. There will be two attractions on opening day, in addition to a large play area, but there is also a substantial expansion pad that will be themed to Skull Rock and host a further two attractions. Moreover, the land houses one of the park's major meet-and-greet facilities, where Tinker Bell and her fairy friends rotate with Peter Pan, Wendy, Hook and Smee.
Attractions:
Located in the southwest (bottom left) corner of the park, this land draws inspiration from the Disney Fairies franchise. It is accessed from three points: a tunnel/cave from Kensington Park Gardens, and wooded paths from Hell Hall and the Hundred Acre Wood. It is one of two lands (Wonderland being the other) which is not directly accessible from the central hub.
The icon of this land is the Pixie Dust Tree (top image). This is the centre of the night-time lighting package, not unlike Pandora: World of Avatar at Animal Kingdom or Tokyo DisneySea's upcoming Fantasy Springs. The land's giftshop is located inside the tree, and next to its entrance is the Pixie Dust Mill, where guests can glimpse an Audio Animatronic of Gary at work.
The land is planted with many trees and flowering shrubs, which can be rotated according to the season. The infrastructure of the land is seemingly made from natural materials: wood, stone, leaves etc. There will be two attractions on opening day, in addition to a large play area, but there is also a substantial expansion pad that will be themed to Skull Rock and host a further two attractions. Moreover, the land houses one of the park's major meet-and-greet facilities, where Tinker Bell and her fairy friends rotate with Peter Pan, Wendy, Hook and Smee.
Attractions:
- Fairy Flight - a suspended junior coaster, similar to Pteranodon Flyers from Universal's Jurassic Parks. (Unlike that ride, this one is designed to accommodate childless adults as well.) Guests soar above the land amid the tree canopy - the overview of the land itself is supposed to be the primary draw, but guests will also witness a handful of static and Audio Animatronic fairies perched in the trees and catch a glimpse inside Queen Clarion's palace (and the queen herself) as they pass by the upper level of the Pixie Dust Tree.
- Tinker Bell's Twirl - this is a spinner similar to Flik's Flyers at the now defunct Bug's Land at DCA. The premise is that it is one of Tinker Bell's inventions created from the lost things that she has encountered. It is a fairly basic flat ride.
- Spring Valley - this is a large garden-themed play area for young children, with plentiful seating for parents/caregivers to keep an eye on their kids. There are water effects that will be turned off during the colder months.
- Evergreen Spin - this is a future ride, similar to Aquatopia from TDS. Themed to the magical spring in Pixie Hollow, it will be narrated by Silvermist (the water fairy).
- Skull Rock Rapids - this is the major E-ticket expansion, a flume ride around and through Skull Rock which finishes with a plunge from the skull's mouth into the lagoon. The water level and effects can be adjusted according to the season to allow it to operate year-round; riders will not get wet during the colder months.
- Spring Valley Bounty - a large counter service restaurant whose outdoor seating is incorporated into the play area of the same name (there will also more seating indoors). The menu has a heavy emphasis on plant-based food, fresh produce and edible flowers, but also includes some regular fast food options (mainly aimed at kids). The desserts will feature "pixie dust" (i.e., edible luster).
- Blue Lagoon - a table service establishment serving Caribbean cuisine that will open as part of the expansion, to be located inside the caves of Skull Rock and overlooking the ride path.
- Food carts - with the second eatery only due to open as part of the expansion, the dining offerings in the land will be bulked up by food carts offering fast food.
Hundred Acre Wood:
This land themed to Winnie the Pooh and his friends occupies the northwest (top left) corner of the park. The woodland theming is relatively straightforward; the inspiration for the Hundred Acre Wood was the Ashdown Forest in East Sussex. The wood is accessible from the hub (over a bridge between Hell Hall and the Castle of Cair Paravel), as well as from Pixie Hollow and Narnia via wooded paths that provide a seamless transition.
This is a fairly large land, befitting one of the most popular children's franchises to come out of this part of England. Throughout the land, guests will encounter the homes of Piglet, Rabbit, Kanga, and Owl (all of which border or form part of Roo's Sandpit play area). There is also a river that winds its way through the land, playing host to the E-ticket flume ride. There is also a clone of Pooh's Hunny Hunt from Tokyo Disneyland. Rounding out the slate of attractions are a teacups ride (Hunny Pot Spin) and parachute-jump ride (Tigger-themed). The land also features two dining outlets, which both feature the land's signature honey-infused treats and Tigger Tails. Last but not least, the land is one of the stops (the Hundred Acre Wood Halt) on the Great British Railway line that encircles that park.
Attractions:
This land themed to Winnie the Pooh and his friends occupies the northwest (top left) corner of the park. The woodland theming is relatively straightforward; the inspiration for the Hundred Acre Wood was the Ashdown Forest in East Sussex. The wood is accessible from the hub (over a bridge between Hell Hall and the Castle of Cair Paravel), as well as from Pixie Hollow and Narnia via wooded paths that provide a seamless transition.
This is a fairly large land, befitting one of the most popular children's franchises to come out of this part of England. Throughout the land, guests will encounter the homes of Piglet, Rabbit, Kanga, and Owl (all of which border or form part of Roo's Sandpit play area). There is also a river that winds its way through the land, playing host to the E-ticket flume ride. There is also a clone of Pooh's Hunny Hunt from Tokyo Disneyland. Rounding out the slate of attractions are a teacups ride (Hunny Pot Spin) and parachute-jump ride (Tigger-themed). The land also features two dining outlets, which both feature the land's signature honey-infused treats and Tigger Tails. Last but not least, the land is one of the stops (the Hundred Acre Wood Halt) on the Great British Railway line that encircles that park.
Attractions:
- Floody Place Whirl - guests board a raft to journey through the Hundred Acre Wood in the aftermath of some serious flooding. To make the ride accessible to most children, the thrills are fairly mild, primarily from the spinning motion of the raft, a whirlpool and a couple of minor drops. Due to the river path winding its way through the land, riders will pass all of the characters' homes and encounters Audio Animatronics. For instance, Owl is perched on a branch outside his treehouse (fully explorable as part of Roo's Sandpit). At the end of the ride, they mount a hill, passing Eeyore in his collapsed home, who moans that the riders' predicament is worse than his, before they plunge down to a grand finish by the queue for Pooh's Hunny Hunt. Those in queue have to chance to spray the riders with water - as with all other water effects in this park, they will be turned off during the colder months, and guests plummeting down the final plunge do not get soaked either.
- The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh - despite the name, it is actually a replica of the fan favourite Pooh's Hunny Hunt from Tokyo Disneyland. I have renamed it to avoid confusion with the Hunny Pot Spin teacup ride below.
- Hunny Pot Spin - this is a clone of the spinning teacup ride of the same name from Shanghai Disneyland. A honey scent is piped into the pavilion.
- Tigger's Bouncy Bounce - this parachute style ride is similar to Toy Soldiers' Parachute Drop in Paris and Hong Kong, except rethemed to Tigger with his signature bouncing motion.
- Roo's Sandpit - A large children's play area incorporating the fully explorable homes of Rabbit, Kanga, Piglet and Owl. Audio Animatronics of the characters stand outside their homes, visible but not accessible from within the homes themselves - they interact with the flume riders instead.
- Disney's Great British Railway - Hundred Acre Wood Halt.
- Pooh & Friends - a buffeteria offering character dining, with an exceptional number of honey-infused foods such as honey glazed ham, honey roast carrots, and the signature dessert: Hunny Pot Cheesecake (a honey-infused light whipped cheesecake with honeycomb pieces in a milk chocolate "hunny pot"). When the characters are not meeting diners, they meet guests in a dedicated space within the same building.
- Critter Kitchen - a counter service offering child-friendly foods and the signature Hunny Pot cheesecake.
- Popcorn Kettle - various popcorn flavours are offered at this kettle cart, all of them themed to various characters: Pooh (honey), Rabbit (salt), Piglet (pink with wild berries), Kanga (Aussie barbeque), with the less popular ones rotated out for seasonal flavours.
- Tigger Tails - a cart serving an orange cream-filled pastry, similar to the Cheshire Cat Tails, except striped in orange and dark chocolate.
Sorry for the long hiatus, but I'm back now, and it's time for the park's most ambitious land.
The Land of Narnia:
Taking its cues from the fantasy world created by C.S. Lewis, this land has a trio of major attractions that all qualify as E- or D-tickets. Even the transportation to this land, the Underground Railway to Narnia from High Street, has been plussed.
The main entry to the land is through the Castle of Cair Paravel, a large edifice (see image in Hub post) that is home to a number of spaces. Entering over the drawbridge, guests find themselves in an indoor forest where it's "always winter and never Christmas", dominated by a single lamp-post in the centre of the room. There is artificial "moonlight" to provide more illumination than is afforded by that lamp, as well as constantly swirling artificial snow. (Not sure whether this effect will be turned on constantly or just provide a flurry every 15-20 minutes.) The castle contains a character fine dining establishment upstairs, in the High King's Banquet Hall. There are also two separate themed walkthroughs, a character meet-and-greet facility, and a couple of retail outlets.
Exiting the back of the castle, guests find themselves in the royal gardens, which carefully transition from well-groomed formal gardens to picturesque ruins which is where passengers on the Underground Railway to Narnia emerge after their journey from High Street station.
The landscape is dominated by a mountain whose peaks can be glimpsed behind the castle from the hub. This is home to the land's mine-cart coaster attraction, Escape from Underland, themed to The Silver Chair.
To the right of the gardens appears to be an inlet harbour where a full scale replica of the royal ship Dawn Treader is permanently docked as a fully explorable children's play area. This is also where guests queue for the simulator attraction themed to (and named after) the book, Voyage of the Dawn Treader. The dockside buildings which house this ride (as well as a counter-service tavern) continue the castle's architectural style and meld into the next land, Castleborough, which is accessed through an arch between the castle and this building.
On the opposite side, but artfully cloaked by "forest", is Professor Kirke's mansion, where guests embark on a classic dark ride using trackless technology through the story of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The mansion is placed in the English countryside and thus blends seamlessly into the neighbouring land of Hundred Acre Wood.
Attractions:
The Land of Narnia:
Taking its cues from the fantasy world created by C.S. Lewis, this land has a trio of major attractions that all qualify as E- or D-tickets. Even the transportation to this land, the Underground Railway to Narnia from High Street, has been plussed.
The main entry to the land is through the Castle of Cair Paravel, a large edifice (see image in Hub post) that is home to a number of spaces. Entering over the drawbridge, guests find themselves in an indoor forest where it's "always winter and never Christmas", dominated by a single lamp-post in the centre of the room. There is artificial "moonlight" to provide more illumination than is afforded by that lamp, as well as constantly swirling artificial snow. (Not sure whether this effect will be turned on constantly or just provide a flurry every 15-20 minutes.) The castle contains a character fine dining establishment upstairs, in the High King's Banquet Hall. There are also two separate themed walkthroughs, a character meet-and-greet facility, and a couple of retail outlets.
Exiting the back of the castle, guests find themselves in the royal gardens, which carefully transition from well-groomed formal gardens to picturesque ruins which is where passengers on the Underground Railway to Narnia emerge after their journey from High Street station.
The landscape is dominated by a mountain whose peaks can be glimpsed behind the castle from the hub. This is home to the land's mine-cart coaster attraction, Escape from Underland, themed to The Silver Chair.
To the right of the gardens appears to be an inlet harbour where a full scale replica of the royal ship Dawn Treader is permanently docked as a fully explorable children's play area. This is also where guests queue for the simulator attraction themed to (and named after) the book, Voyage of the Dawn Treader. The dockside buildings which house this ride (as well as a counter-service tavern) continue the castle's architectural style and meld into the next land, Castleborough, which is accessed through an arch between the castle and this building.
On the opposite side, but artfully cloaked by "forest", is Professor Kirke's mansion, where guests embark on a classic dark ride using trackless technology through the story of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The mansion is placed in the English countryside and thus blends seamlessly into the neighbouring land of Hundred Acre Wood.
Attractions:
- Journey through the Wardrobe - the classic dark ride housed in Professor Kirke's mansion based on The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. This is a retelling of the book where guests queue through the mansion's rooms, furnished to embody the WW2 era, before boarding sleighs that take them through the wardrobe into Narnia to experience the snow of a land where it's always winter and never Christmas, the comforting scent of hot chocolate in Mr Tumnus' home and the temptation of Turkish delight in the Witch's palace, projection mapping that turns animals into statues, and right into the heart of an epic fight between good and evil.
- Voyage of the Dawn Treader - This simulator attraction will be slightly different in that guests are seated on the deck of a simplified Dawn Treader - not as elaborate as the one outside. This "ship" is just a single flat deck, with a balustrade around the edges and sails billowing above them (hiding their views of the very top of the chamber). The guests' seats and the ship itself are able to convey a range of motion, and the screen is a wrap-around projection dome. The chamber's floor is a shallow pool (made to appear deeper) with a wave machine and the gangway that guests used to embark will retract once they have boarded, giving the impression that they are on the open sea. There are three identical chambers to provide more capacity. At the ship's wheel is an AA King Caspian (resembling, and voiced by, Ben Barnes). During the ride there will be water and smoke effects as the ship fends off an attack from a rebellious governor, an Animatronic dragon that breathes fire, "invisible" creatures that board the ship to cause mischief (conveyed by effects built into the seats) and lastly the sea of lilies at the end of the world (light-up sculptures that emerge from the water).
- Escape from Underland - Similar to the Seven Dwarfs' Mine Train, but a longer and more elaborate version with several AA show scenes - the first where the aged King Caspian bids you to rescue his missing son and heir, then in the Giants' castle, the living gems of Bism, and finally culminating in an encounter with the Lady of the Green Kirtle who transforms into a huge serpent before our very eyes, sparking the last plunge to safety and a closing scene that reunites Prince Rillian with the king.
- The Underground Railway to Narnia - this is the terminus of the transportation from High Street, a Disneyfied version of Universal Orlando's Hogwarts Express. Guests emerge in the sunken ruins of Cair Paravel and can exit either through stairs connecting to the castle gardens above, or at platform level through the Founding of Narnia walkthrough.
- The Founding of Narnia - a series of chambers form a walkthrough experience narrating the founding of Narnia (as told in The Magician's Nephew) through a mix of tapestries, carvings, stained glass windows and animated dioramas. Guests also pass by the treasure chamber of the castle and can see, on the other side, the Swan Boats in the castle moat (who similarly look into the treasure chamber as they sail under the castle drawbridge).
- The Archenland Gallery - Guests can continue on to a second walkthough, this one located on the castle's upper level and retelling the tale of The Horse and His Boy.
- The Royal Galleon - a fully explorable galleon with multi level play areas, slides, water cannons etc.
- High King's Banquet Hall - taking the place of other castles' character dining, this one has a similar premise and decor. Guests can meet face characters including the White Witch (who has her own chamber and props, i.e. sleigh and "frozen" sculptures), while wandering characters include High King Peter and Queen Lucy of Narnia, Merlin (from The Sword and the Stone) and Merida (from Brave). Guests dine on haute cuisine which draw on descriptions in the Narnian books (e.g., Calormene syllabub) and receive Turkish delight truffles to take away after their photo encounter with the White Witch.
- Mr Tumnus' Chocolaterie - the Faun's cosy cave dwelling built into the side of the mountain, offering flavoured hot chocolates (Caramel, mint, Turkish delight, white chocolate, etc.) and other chocolate treats including a signature Chocolate Trifle.
- Emperor of the Lone Islands - a large counter service outlet near the Dawn Treader, themed to a dockside tavern, offering quick service classics with a seafood emphasis (fish & chips, fried shrimp, seafood pie, lobster roll, crayfish salad)
- Lewis Tearoom - a smaller counter service in the Kirke mansion, selling sandwiches, scones and pastries
- Royal Boutique - a British equivalent of the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, located on the ground floor of the castle, offers young princesses and princes the chance to get fitted out like royalty
- Aslan's Treasures - the castle gift shop
- Telmarine Trinkets - the dockside gift shop
- The Magic Wardrobe - the Kirke mansion gift shop (this would double as the park's Christmas shop, in keeping with the book's theme, when Father Christmas's arrival heralds the end of constant winter)
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