As promised, here is the first update for Fantasyland.
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Fantasyland, Part One
“Here is the world of imagination, hopes and dreams. In this timeless land of enchantment, the age of chivalry, magic and make believe are reborn - and fairy tales come true. Fantasyland is dedicated to the young and the young-at-heart - to those who believe that when you wish upon a star, your dreams do come true.” - Walt Disney
Everywhere you look, the stories of fantasy and make-believe are made real.
Fantasyland has often been portrayed as “Walt’s favorite,” the timeless realm of his most-beloved canon and characters, a land that Snow White, Cinderella and Mary Poppins might call home. “When we were planning Fantasyland,” Walt said, “we recalled the lyrics of the song 'When You Wish Upon a Star.' The words of the melody, from our picture 'Pinocchio,' inspired us to create this land. What youngster, listening to parents or grandparents read aloud, has not dreamed of flying with Peter Pan over moonlit London, or tumbling into Alice's nonsensical Wonderland? In Fantasyland, these classic stories of everyone's youth have become realities for youngsters - of all ages - to participate in."
Castle Disney recalls the magic and romance of a “fairy tale Renaissance,” a stylized collage of Gothic, Renaissance and French Baroque architecture. The tallest Disney Castle in the world, the crowning jewel of our Magic Kingdom celebrates all the Disney Princesses. Their stories unfold throughout the castle, inside and out. Magnificent mosaics depict scenes of romance and adventure, illuminated only by the light of an ornate chandelier hung high above the foyer. Magic is infused into every last architectural detail, from the stone-cut chipmunks and rabbits in the pillars, to the gargoyles along the spiral staircase - which bear a striking resemblance to Victor, Hugo, and Laverne of The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. The staircase climbs for what seems like an eternity, beckoning for us to follow.
Soaring archways and cathedral ceilings create a dramatic atmosphere for the Royal Banquet Hall, a fantastical feast for the eyes and taste buds. Her Highness, Queen Minnie is holding a banquet in honor of the world’s best-loved Disney Princesses. Located on the second-floor of Castle Disney, we dine in splendor as Disney Princesses and Friends mingle, give autographs and pose for pictures. Snow White, Belle, Cinderella, Aurora, and Ariel are just a few of the familiar guests in attendance. Authentic medieval tapestries and acquired artifacts adorn the lavish dining room, a perfect complement to the hall’s fantastic view of Fantasyland. In the adjoining chamber, the Disney Princess Royal Gathering gives lords and ladies of all ages the chance to rub elbows with royalty in a lavish labyrinth of boudoirs, libraries and converted-dungeons. The Hall of Legends, though not a true attraction, is a place for reflection and discovery. Spectacular stained glass depicts the heroes and heroines of Disney lore: Hercules, Tarzan, Mulan, Quasimodo, Aladdin, and more, each illuminated and - briefly - animated in a designated spotlight of music, magic, and narration.
Having since returned to the foyer, the Castle Heraldry Shoppe, noted for its prominent display of medieval weaponry and armor, allows patrons to trace their family tree for generations into the past. Replica swords, daggers and shields are also for sale, in addition to family crests, tapestries and medieval paraphernalia. The Wishing Well, a charming boutique with an interior garden, wishing well and water wheel acts in lieu of your typical gift shop, complete with Olaf dolls, princess gowns, tiaras, playsets, and postcards.
One dark corridor leads into a previously unexplored section of the castle’s foyer, where stone griffins appear to follow our every move, their eyes aglow from flickering torchlight. We hear the howl of a ghostly wind, the call of an unseen raven, the familiar cackle of the Evil Queen-turned-Wicked Witch…
A guided tour of Castle Disney goes awry when the Magic Mirror appears, transporting us deep beneath the castle and into the dark and mysterious catacombs that crawl beneath Fantasyland. The underground domain of the Disney Villains hosts the Castle Disney Mystery Tour, an unforgettable trip through an unnatural wonderland, where the vilest of the vile lurk in wait of such good-doers as ourselves…
Led by a fearless servant of Castle Disney - and their co-host, the Magic Mirror - we encounter Mad Madam Mim who transforms into various creatures before our eyes… The Horned King conjures spells from his Black Cauldron… Oogie Boogie patiently awaits his next victim in his subterranean casino… Maleficent, having transformed into a dragon, sleeps in her volcanic grotto, quietly awaiting her next meal… Such other frightful “friends” encountered include Jafar, Hades, and the Evil Queen of Snow White in her iconic transformation.
One of Fantasyland’s most popular shops, Villain’s Lair sits at the exit of the Mystery Tour, a macabre tribute to the bad-guys of Disney canon, marked by a collection of decor and “souvenirs” pertaining to the occult. An old hag, one and the same with Snow White’s stepmother, sits locked in a tiny birdcage, bartering with patrons for her freedom. Diablo, Maleficent’s trusted raven keeps an eye on the cash registers, often dozing from boredom. A crude warning sign indicates that an agitated Shere Khan is locked in the shop’s cellar, often growling and ramming against the rickety cellar door.
Statues of King Mickey and Queen Minnie, the Lord and Lady of Castle Disney, bid us adieu from the north-facing portico, a thematic “farewell” as we depart the castle interior and step into the medieval village of Castle Town. Architecture of Bavarian, Dutch, Swiss, and Tudor origin craft the childlike enchantment of Castle Town, a decided glimpse at what life in the Dark Ages might have been like were it to clash with the color and whimsy of Toontown. ‘
Music of the Renaissance and Dark Ages - ahem - that is, familiar Disney songs orchestrated to sound like music of the Renaissance and Dark Ages fills the cobblestone courtyard as children scurry past and travelers browse the merchant stalls. Iconic characters of the Brothers Grimm and Mother Goose inhabit this wonderful town, filling every nook and cranny with fairy tale magic: Humpty Dumpty sits on a wall, already scarred from a previous fall; a steadfast tin soldier kneels before a beautiful ballerina; the Tortoise bypasses the Hare across the finish line; a Nutcracker locks in fire with the vile Mouse King; Rumpelstiltskin spins straw into gold. These static vignettes and more set the stage of fantasy before us…
The stately Tudor home of the Banks Children at No. 17, Cherry Tree Lane intertwines with a soaring clock tower and the iconic “rooftops of London.” In this Jolly Holiday with Mary Poppins, we climb aboard a miniature carousel before entering a chalk painting and into the colorful, albeit bizarre world inside. Our horse magically departs from the carousel, casting us into a wild horse race, past barnyard animals, dancing penguins, and, naturally, the Pearly Band with their rendition of “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.” As we pass through a thunderstorm, we emerge above the rooftops of London (“Step in Time”) and conclude our ride in a flock of soaring kites (“Let’s Go Fly a Kite”). Inspired by the unbuilt concept of Disney Legend Tony Baxter, Jolly Holiday with Mary Poppins is the world’s first attraction based on Walt Disney’s Mary Poppins, and the first of several “dark rides” found in Fantasyland.
One might indulge in a yard of ale at Admiral Boom’s Pub, named for the eccentric neighbor of the Banks Family. Sea chanteys, displayed artifacts and dramatic murals portray life on the seven seas, where great naval battles, monstrous beasts, and violent storms pepper an unpredictable voyage. Other than fine English beers, fish and chips, bangers and mash, and black pudding are also available for patrons.
The timbered cottage of Christopher Robin is our next stop, the all-too-appropriate home of Pooh’s Most Grand Adventure. Having meandered through a bramble of oversized pages and letters from a Pooh storybook, we come upon a large, animated map of the 100 Acre Wood. From aboard a “Heffalump-Bee,” we buzz thru the warm and friendly world of Winnie the Pooh, flying past a blustery day in the 100 Acre Wood, a chance encounter with a bouncing Tigger, and into a Heffalump and Woozle-induced nightmare. A freak rainstorm sends our Heffalump-Bee to the floodwaters below, sailing past Pooh and Friends as they salvage their homes. Our journey ends in a rather sticky happily ever after for Winnie the Pooh in a honey-filled hideaway. Pooh Corner is our one-stop shop for all things Pooh, with candy, confections and souvenirs. The only “bother” here is settling on a purchase!
In the heart of Castle Town, a lush fountain sets an impressive backdrop for the final resting place of Excalibur, the legendary blade of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. In its base reads: “WHOSO PULLETH OUT THIS SWORD OF THIS STONE AND ANVIL IS RIGHTWISE RULER BORN OF ENGLAND.” The wise Merlin and his Make-Believe Brass, a madcap band of medieval minstrels, host the daily Sword in the Stone Ceremony, where a would-be King or Queen of England is chosen in the absence of King Arthur (reportedly visiting the Bermuda) to draw Excalibur from its sheath. Only one true hero will prevail in an often humorous celebration of magic and royalty.
“‘Twas a long time ago, longer now than it seems…”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpvdAJYvofI
An imposing Gothic tower stands before us, its weather-beaten walls and ornamental bats offering a hint at the macabre adventure that lies within… A single window looks into the private study of Jack Skellington high above, his silhouette seen pacing past the curtains as he contemplates Christmas. Inside, the quaint, personal residence of Jack empties into an endless forest of tall, dead trees. Once aboard a coffin-sleigh, we soar thru an open-door in the image of a jack-o-lantern, and into the bizarre world of Halloween Town. Jack’s Midnight Ride whisks us thru Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas in a frightfully festive musical adventure. After Jack’s disastrous Christmas Eve and a climactic clash with Oogie Boogie, our tour concludes in a snow-capped graveyard where Jack and Sally find true love’s kiss.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HroIRQrrr3A
Beneath towering steeples and chimneys, wrought-iron weathervanes and swaying roofs, we find the charming abode of the toymaker Geppetto. The Adventures of Pinocchio takes us aboard an enchanted woodcarver’s cart and into the celebrated world of Walt Disney’s Pinocchio. Through the cobblestone streets of a Swiss-Italian village, we follow Pinocchio into Stromboli’s Puppet Theatre and off to Pleasure Island, against the wise warnings of Jiminy Cricket. The frantic carnival turns into a narrow escape from the Coachman, ending in a daring escape from the belly of Monstro the Whale. The exhilarating adventure ends with the magic of the Blue Fairy, transforming Pinocchio into a real boy before our very eyes.
Geppetto’s Toy Shoppe is a must-see for toy collectors and world-travelers alike, a cozy collection of international trinkets and treasures. Hand-carved marionettes, nutcrackers, cuckoo-clocks, toys, music boxes and dolls stock the shelves, each an import from Central Europe and beyond. Figaro the cat can be seen on the shop’s highest windowsill, fast asleep, often awakening for a quick swipe at a nearby “occupied” birdcage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IfETmOk9T8
Castle Town continues with a part of the village both “strange” and “special.” Amidst the latter half of the 18th Century, we find a quaint set of houses and shops reminiscent of the French countryside. Smoke gently billows from the chimneys and rooftops, various merchant carts and stalls left by their lonesome amid the storybook structures. On the horizon, we catch glimpse of the distant Beast’s Castle perched high on a hill, below it, a spectacular forest of towering trees. Our travels bring us to the foreground of Gaston’s Tavern, where an inspired statue of the manliest of men - Gaston - proudly overlooks the lay of the land, LeFou bumbling at his feet. The rough ‘n’ tumble tavern sells typical bar fare: bratwurst, roast mutton, beer, and apple pie, while the decor entails the spoils of hunting - namely antlers. Gaston himself often frequents the statue built in his likeness, posing for portraits and for his own self-assurance...
The charming country estate - moreso a quaint, little cottage - of Belle and Maurice has since been rebuilt into a glorious manor in the wake of Belle’s coronation. Within Maurice’s collection of inventions, both failed and successful, we climb aboard a familiar wood-chopping machine, complete with a front-facing hatchet. In Belle’s Storybook Journey, we immerse ourselves into this “tale as old as time,” where a pack of wolves give us no choice but to flee within the Beast’s ominous castle, where Lumiere and the enchanted objects perform a rousing production of “Be Our Guest.” As our story progresses, we watch the romance of Belle and the Beast unfold, climaxing in a magical transformation for both the Beast and his servants. Bonjour! Village Gifts is our one-stop shop for all things Beauty and the Beast, owned and operated by the friendly Bookseller of Belle’s Village.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afzmwAKUppU
And speaking of “Be Our Guest,” Be Our Guest looms in the foreground of the distant Beast’s Castle amid a collection of cracked columns and broken statues. Lush streams and miniature waterfalls create an enchanted backdrop to a twisting, twirling, whirling good time. From atop a giant, multi-tiered cake, Lumiere sings “Be Our Guest” while we spin within oversized tea cups, saucers, bowls, and teapots. Inspired by the Mad Tea Party of Disney Parks around the world, this timeless experience has been re-imagined with all the same magic and whimsy of the Disneyland classic.
Tall walls and lookout-turrets line the northern edge of Castle Town, clear protection from the savage beasts and enemy kingdoms beyond. Despite being built for the town’s protection, the massive gates have been left wide-open for travelers, allowing us to step into the second and largest sub-land of Fantasyland: The Enchanted Forest.
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@spacemt354, just to give you a sense of where things are located for the map, everything in the first few paragraphs (ending with Villain's Lair) is found
inside Castle Disney, not on the outside. The castle opens into a courtyard ("Castle Town") that is almost identical to the design and layout of Fantasyland in California, but on a much bigger and grander scale, seen here:
The major differences would be the lack of a carousel in the middle of Castle Town, and of course, the different attractions, shops and restaurants. Mary Poppins, Admiral Boom's Pub, Pooh, and Pooh Corner are all on the eastern side of town, directly where one would find Peter Pan and Mr. Toad in California. Jack's Midnight Ride, Pinocchio, Geppetto's, and the
Beauty and the Beast mini-area are all to the western side of town, where one would find Snow White, Pinocchio and Village Haus in California. This means that Gaston's Tavern and Belle's Storybook Journey are all connected to Pinocchio and Nightmare. The Be Our Guest spinner is a short walk north from Belle's Storybook Journey, so it'd fall in the same location as the old Skyway Cabin would at Disneyland. The Sword in the Stone and fountain are where King Arthur's Carousel would be located in California, directly in the center of the courtyard.
The similarities between Castle Town and Disneyland's Fantasyland end where Dumbo and Storybook Land would be found in California. Instead, stand-alone castle walls and turrets, a la the Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland, open into the Enchanted Forest at the northern edge of town which we will cover in the next update.
Credit for the name "Pooh's Most Grand Adventure" goes to
@DisneyManOne. Credit for the name "The Adventures of Pinocchio" goes to
@mharrington.
As always, feedback is most appreciated!
Thanks haha. 
