Fantasyland Expansion Officially Begins

[BrerFrog]

I am very excited. I need to see some walls, now!

 

[aladdin2007]

Mermaid will go underground, yes. But there are no tunnels on the 20K plot, so I doubt it will be invasive at all.

But wont we really be entering mermaid on the second level? And then the ride goes down into what would be ground level like pirates?

 

[SirGoofy]

But wont we really be entering mermaid on the second level? And then the ride goes down into what would be ground level like pirates?

Technically you're on the second level the entire time you're in MK. The tunnels are the first level.

But on the plot where Mermaid will be, you're standing on the ground. There are no tunnels. You'll be going underground.

Also, there are no tunnels under Pirates.:wave:

 

[Rob562]

Technically you're on the second level the entire time you're in MK. The tunnels are the first level.

But on the plot where Mermaid will be, you're standing on the ground. There are no tunnels. You'll be going underground.

Also, there are no tunnels under Pirates.:wave:

Yeah. The Mermaid and Be Our Guest buildings will be built as two-story buildings, but will have the ground filled-in on the in-park side so that the walkways have you enter on the upper level. But if you were on the backstage access road, you'd simply be driving past a tall 2-story building, kind of like how the Small World show building looks from backstage. (You enter on the upper level, and then walk DOWN once you're inside the building)

The "tunnel" mentioned in the permits is the access tunnel from the Chateau over to the main utilidor entrance. This particular tunnel is necessary because that building (with the Aurora M&G attached) is totally surrounded by Guest areas, and will need backstage access.

-Rob

 

[Mickey_777]

It's about time...DCA has already got track down for Radiator Springs racers/CarsLand

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Yeah. The Mermaid and Be Our Guest buildings will be built as two-story buildings, but will have the ground filled-in on the in-park side so that the walkways have you enter on the upper level. But if you were on the backstage access road, you'd simply be driving past a tall 2-story building, kind of like how the Small World show building looks from backstage. (You enter on the upper level, and then walk DOWN once you're inside the building)

The "tunnel" mentioned in the permits is the access tunnel from the Chateau over to the main utilidor entrance. This particular tunnel is necessary because that building (with the Aurora M&G attached) is totally surrounded by Guest areas, and will need backstage access.

-Rob

So, infrastructure is being addressed too. Great! I guess it's needed. :lol:

 

[queensara]

Please excuse my ignorace on this subject because you all see to be "in the know". We are planning a trip the end of November, how will this affect what we will see and what we will be able to ride? Will rides be closed? Will things be torn down?

 

[marni1971]

The first Utilidor expansion since 1972. Well I never!

queensara; Toon Town may be partly gone in November, aside from that it shouldn`t bother you too much if at all.

 

[queensara]

Which parts of toon town? I heard that Minnie and Mickeys Houses would be gone, is that true?

 

[redkoala245]

Yayy!! :sohappy:
Any official dates of when this whole construction process will start and when the demolition of Mickey's Toontown Fair will happen?

 

[redkoala245]

Which parts of toon town? I heard that Minnie and Mickeys Houses would be gone, is that true?

That's true. And they will do meet and greets on Main Street USA.
All of Toontown will be gone. Except for the Goofy Wiseacre farm rollercoaster. Toontown will be Pixie Hollow and the rollercoaster will have a different theme.
I hope that answers your question…

 

[Lee]

Which parts of toon town? I heard that Minnie and Mickeys Houses would be gone, is that true?

Yes. Mickey and Minnie's houses should be long gone by then, based on the timetables I have heard.
Arial's Grotto and Scuttle's will be the first to go. Toontown goes next, at least the north side of it.

Toontown will be Pixie Hollow

Not exactly, but kinda close. PH, when and if it ever comes as part of Phase 2, will be a bit southeast of the bulk of Towntown.

 

[Baloo62]

Even though I have been visiting here multiple times a day for over a year, this discussion has prompted my first post.

I'm wondering how the WDW Railroad will be affected by this expansion. Will the track be likewise expanded to still negotiate the outer perimeter of the park? If so, I hope they will enhance what has always been a dull, vacuous section of the train trip; namely, the area between the Frontierland and Toontown stations. Other than the Indian Village, there is virtually nothing of interest to see. It would be cool to see some of the indoor tableaux that exist on the DL version duplicated at MK.

 

[SirGoofy]

Even though I have been visiting here multiple times a day for over a year, this discussion has prompted my first post.

I'm wondering how the WDW Railroad will be affected by this expansion. Will the track be likewise expanded to still negotiate the outer perimeter of the park? If so, I hope they will enhance what has always been a dull, vacuous section of the train trip; namely, the area between the Frontierland and Toontown stations. Other than the Indian Village, there is virtually nothing of interest to see. It would be cool to see some of the indoor tableaux that exist on the DL version duplicated at MK.

There's no need for the railroad to expand. The expansion will be completely within the existing railroad perimeter.:wave:

As for plussing, I don't think anything has been mentioned about it.

 

[Baloo62]

Thanks for the clarification! I was having a difficult time visualizing the amount of available property contained within the track boundaries. I assume, then, that the FL construction would have little to no impact on the continual operation of the railroad. Does this sound reasonable?

 

[Lee]

As for plussing, I don't think anything has been mentioned about it.

Yeah....I don't see anything changing with the railroad.

 

[SirGoofy]

Thanks for the clarification! I was having a difficult time visualizing the amount of available property contained within the track boundaries. I assume, then, that the FL construction would have little to no impact on the continual operation of the railroad. Does this sound reasonable?

I'm gonna guess that at some point operation will be affected due to construction in Toontown. But I have no idea if it's definite.

 

[Lee]

Thanks for the clarification! I was having a difficult time visualizing the amount of available property contained within the track boundaries. I assume, then, that the FL construction would have little to no impact on the continual operation of the railroad. Does this sound reasonable?

Yes. The railroad should not see much interruption of service.

Edit: I feel like an echo.....

 

[wm49rs]

There's no need for the railroad to expand. The expansion will be completely within the existing railroad perimeter.:wave:

As for plussing, I don't think anything has been mentioned about it.

Wasn't there some discussion of a refurb for the RR at one time? Changing around one of the rail stops?

 

[Tom]

Thanks for the clarification! I was having a difficult time visualizing the amount of available property contained within the track boundaries. I assume, then, that the FL construction would have little to no impact on the continual operation of the railroad. Does this sound reasonable?

I believe that the Toontown Station will be demolished and a new one will be built a bit further south, toward Tomorrowland. At least this is what the rendering imply.

There will have to be some RR down time during both demolition and new construction - especially during demolition, for safety reasons.