I was listening to John Lasseter's D23 press conference on the "Inside the Magic" podcast, and was quite impressed with his philosophy about MK's Fantasyland expansion. He acknowledges the expansion is designed to correct a big problem:
"The smallest visitors wait in the longest lines for the shortest rides."
Most of all, I was impressed that a Disney official would publicly admit such a fault, and a serious one at that.
I was also impressed that Disney decided to take drastic (and expensive) steps to correct that problem. While cynics would argue that the new Fantasyland is designed to drive Princess merchandise, there are many other (and cheaper) ways they could have achieved that goal without improving the guest experience.
And the guest they are specifically aiming to please is a small child (and their frustration-prone parents).
Everyone throws around the Walt quote "a place where parents and children can have fun together". But even with the MK being the most family-friendly Disney theme park, it really neglects children between the ages of about 1-6.
An adult can find enjoyment from POTC or Hall of Presidents. Teens love Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain. Grade school kids can appreciate Big Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain.
But there really is only a small handful of attractions young children can visit--- and even fewer of those that a child would CHOOSE to ride.
Other than the Fantasyland rides (which Lasseter correctly acknowledges are short with long lines), most toddlers are really limited to TSI, Riverboat, CBJ, JC, Flying Carpets and AstroOrbiter (also slow-loaders), TTA, Buzz, and the Railroad.
That means parents with small children are also limited to those handful of attractions (baby swaps or unusually brave children aside).
Some have argued that the New Fantasyland really doesn't appeal to anyone over the age of 6. Based on Lasseter's comments, that's the audience they intentionally targeted.
As a parent of toddlers, the queues for Dumbo, Pan, and Pooh are nothing short of sheer hell. And yet we must endure the 30-60 minute waits in the blazing heat, while standing still for minutes at a time trying to prevent fights and kicking other guests' ankles, for a ride that lasts one or two minutes, because our options are limited.
Other than TLM (which will be a wonderfully high-capacity people-eater in a fast-moving, air-conditioned queue), most teens and adults will probably bypass the New Fantasyland in order to visit the other attractions they can ride.
But I think parents with small kids will have a great time *together* wandering at their own slow pace through the princess cottages and walkways. Hopefully the water and shade trees will keep happiness up and temper-tantrums down. Instead of World War III breaking out during their one trip on Dumbo, kids may get to ride the elephant multiple times during a visit with an enjoyable wait. If the new area adds only 45 minutes of new activities for toddlers, that's 45 minutes they don't get right now.
Some have suggested adding some Disneyland clones, like Alice in Wonderland or Pinnochio. But those, along with Storybook Land and Casey Jr are also "for the smallest people with the longest lines for the shortest rides."
Although the New Fantasyland may not contain mind-twisting thrill rides, or even attractions that appeal to most MK visitors, it appears that the tranquil atmosphere will put the "park" back in "theme park".
"The smallest visitors wait in the longest lines for the shortest rides."
Most of all, I was impressed that a Disney official would publicly admit such a fault, and a serious one at that.
I was also impressed that Disney decided to take drastic (and expensive) steps to correct that problem. While cynics would argue that the new Fantasyland is designed to drive Princess merchandise, there are many other (and cheaper) ways they could have achieved that goal without improving the guest experience.
And the guest they are specifically aiming to please is a small child (and their frustration-prone parents).
Everyone throws around the Walt quote "a place where parents and children can have fun together". But even with the MK being the most family-friendly Disney theme park, it really neglects children between the ages of about 1-6.
An adult can find enjoyment from POTC or Hall of Presidents. Teens love Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain. Grade school kids can appreciate Big Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain.
But there really is only a small handful of attractions young children can visit--- and even fewer of those that a child would CHOOSE to ride.
Other than the Fantasyland rides (which Lasseter correctly acknowledges are short with long lines), most toddlers are really limited to TSI, Riverboat, CBJ, JC, Flying Carpets and AstroOrbiter (also slow-loaders), TTA, Buzz, and the Railroad.
That means parents with small children are also limited to those handful of attractions (baby swaps or unusually brave children aside).
Some have argued that the New Fantasyland really doesn't appeal to anyone over the age of 6. Based on Lasseter's comments, that's the audience they intentionally targeted.
As a parent of toddlers, the queues for Dumbo, Pan, and Pooh are nothing short of sheer hell. And yet we must endure the 30-60 minute waits in the blazing heat, while standing still for minutes at a time trying to prevent fights and kicking other guests' ankles, for a ride that lasts one or two minutes, because our options are limited.
Other than TLM (which will be a wonderfully high-capacity people-eater in a fast-moving, air-conditioned queue), most teens and adults will probably bypass the New Fantasyland in order to visit the other attractions they can ride.
But I think parents with small kids will have a great time *together* wandering at their own slow pace through the princess cottages and walkways. Hopefully the water and shade trees will keep happiness up and temper-tantrums down. Instead of World War III breaking out during their one trip on Dumbo, kids may get to ride the elephant multiple times during a visit with an enjoyable wait. If the new area adds only 45 minutes of new activities for toddlers, that's 45 minutes they don't get right now.
Some have suggested adding some Disneyland clones, like Alice in Wonderland or Pinnochio. But those, along with Storybook Land and Casey Jr are also "for the smallest people with the longest lines for the shortest rides."
Although the New Fantasyland may not contain mind-twisting thrill rides, or even attractions that appeal to most MK visitors, it appears that the tranquil atmosphere will put the "park" back in "theme park".
