Fantasyland Expansion Photos 3-22-12

[Scuttle]

Thanks for the pics Scuttle!

There's a picture of a circle area on the ground that they're working on, is this the water play area?

Do we have anymore info on the rest of Storybook Circus... do we know when the water play area, tents, other Dumbo, etc. will open?

Yes that's the Casey jr. splash n soak station you see.

 

[Timothy_Q]

Agreed. The building is too hidden.

That just adds to the mood and atmosphere of the mansion in my opinion.

 

[JenniferS]

I'm with you. A haunted mansion needs to be overgrown and dark; it adds to the atmosphere.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

I'm for a middle ground. One thing the older look really has going for it is the house appears to be on a hill, looming over the river. The ugly tarp not only blocks the views from the queue, it also diminishes the view of the house from afar. Couldn't they at least lower it and shorten it? The trees in front of the house should also be taken out. I'm surprised they've even lasted in the Magic Kingdom. The weathered and more maintained look of the house are BOTH cool. So what are we to do...

 

[jjharvpro]

I see what you all are saying, but I'm just giving it time. Right now, during construction, we're able to see backstage areas and show buildings. But when the FL/LS pathway and FLE are finished, I don't think these issues will still be here.

 

[AylaRanzz]

Awesome pictures!! Thanks so much for sharing them with us.

 

[WDW1974]

I worry about this new pathway. It's going to be very difficult to hide the view of the Haunted Mansion from Fantasyland given all that they have removed. I'm sure I should wait until the project is done, but sightlines in general in recent Fantasyland work have left something to be desired.

Agreed.

But my opinion is the whole project leaves a lot to be desired ... namely top-notch attractions that add capacity (not simply replace it).

 

[dman1373]

it looks like on the one side of the mice cart ride there will be a nice little valley.
because of how big that one wall by beasts castle looks.

 

[mitchk]

It is? I thought the HM Show building was to the left of it.

nope, to the right of it, right next to the it's a small world building:wave:

 

[erasure fan1]

Agreed.

But my opinion is the whole project leaves a lot to be desired ... namely top-notch attractions that add capacity (not simply replace it).

Yea I agree. While I think the expansion of fantasyland was a good idea, they only addressed a few small needs. They took a good idea and said "whats the least we can get away with." And to me this is most evident in the replacing of snow white with a meet and greet. They could have made a nice small dark ride with so many deserving IPs but we get a major cop-out. Im sure when done, this will look nice and be a good addition. But there will always be that, "imagine what they could have done", in the back of my head.

 

[Magic Lamp]

Yea I agree. While I think the expansion of fantasyland was a good idea, they only addressed a few small needs. They took a good idea and said "whats the least we can get away with." And to me this is most evident in the replacing of snow white with a meet and greet. They could have made a nice small dark ride with so many deserving IPs but we get a major cop-out. Im sure when done, this will look nice and be a good addition. But there will always be that, "imagine what they could have done", in the back of my head.

I'm not happy with the new meet-n-greet plans either (blimmin' princesses...) but think of it like this: Fantasyland will be doubled in size and a mediocre left-over sub-land receives an exquisite make-over; two completely new, original rides , a new originally themed clone, a classic gets doubled and three attractions receive a complete upgrade.

All the other DLs only get a couple of refurbs so far.

 

[erasure fan1]

I'm not happy with the new meet-n-greet plans either (blimmin' princesses...) but think of it like this: Fantasyland will be doubled in size and a mediocre left-over sub-land receives an exquisite make-over; two completely new, original rides , a new originally themed clone, a classic gets doubled and three attractions receive a complete upgrade.

All the other DLs only get a couple of refurbs so far.

I agree that this is an improvement. Here is my issue. You say they doubled the size, but yet we are (as far as ride count goes) equaling what we had before 20K closed. In my eyes, if you expand the land as much as this project is, you should have more than whats being offered. I get that Mermaid and the mine cars are new but they are basically replacing closed attractions.

 

[Magic Lamp]

I agree that this is an improvement. Here is my issue. You say they doubled the size, but yet we are (as far as ride count goes) equaling what we had before 20K closed. In my eyes, if you expand the land as much as this project is, you should have more than whats being offered. I get that Mermaid and the mine cars are new but they are basically replacing closed attractions.

Yes, they do replace a closed attraction but they are maximizing the available space and that includes former Toontown Fair.

 

[unkadug]

I agree that this is an improvement. Here is my issue. You say they doubled the size, but yet we are (as far as ride count goes) equaling what we had before 20K closed. In my eyes, if you expand the land as much as this project is, you should have more than whats being offered. I get that Mermaid and the mine cars are new but they are basically replacing closed attractions.

closed attractions that could not handle many people per hour.

 

[rioriz]

Yeah I am tired of everyone using the"well they are only reclaiming land" issue. 20K has been closed for decades, with grotto and Pooh taking up it's space afterwards. Those under 20 yrs have no probably what was even there. It is an EXPANSION significantly over what it housed recently. Capacity wise it is definitely an expansion

 

[El-Fuego]

Dumbo Delay

Just me? Or does the 2nd Dumbo look like it has a lot of work left? I dont get how its that far behind the other one. I would hope they would try to make sure it's complete by June to help summer crowds. Being in construction and knowing how phases like that can go, i just find that a bit odd.

I agree. What's taking so long to resite a ride which was working perfectly fine before it was dismantled. Let's face it, it's not a complex structure and what amazes me is why they weren't constructed in sync so that they opened together. Disney has dropped the ball on this opening in my opinion as the surrounding area is a construction site mess. A rush job to cram more folks into the park.

 

[El-Fuego]

Can't See The Wood

I worry about this new pathway. It's going to be very difficult to hide the view of the Haunted Mansion from Fantasyland given all that they have removed. I'm sure I should wait until the project is done, but sightlines in general in recent Fantasyland work have left something to be desired.

One word "Trees". After all they're calling it FantasyLand Forest aren't they?

 

[Devin36]

I wouldn't worry about the seeing the mansion show building...there will probably be a high berm with new trees...all of the new trees are going to grow significantly taller in the next couple of years..

 

[MSEP Fanatic]

This might sound weird but why are they making the new pathway again?

 

[Tom]

This might sound weird but why are they making the new pathway again?

Have you ever walked under the Columbia Harbor House overpass (where I sit as I type this) from Lib Sq to FL (or reverse) with 40,000 other people? Thats why. To ease congestion in that area.