Back in the 1975 Disney Productions year end report, it was reported that Disneyland was contemplating an area called "Circusland" (to go where the Fantasyland Theatre currently sits). It would have connected Fantasyland with the infamous Discovery Bay. The '75 report quotes "Circusland", an entirely new "land" to be located on approximately five hitherto undeveloped acres both inside and outside the berm adjacent to "It's A Small World". Here circus banners will herald a wide varity of attractions, including a relocated and elevated Dumbo elephant sky ride: a new Pinocchio dark ride with Stromboli's Little Puppet Theatre gracing its queue line; a whimsical Clown Restaurant, and Mickey's Mad House, a thrilling ride-through themed to the 1930's and the days of glorious black-and-white Mickey Mouse cartoons and ragtime music. However, the highlight of this all-Disney themed area will be "Circus Disney", a major ride-through attraction featuring a myriad of favorite Disney characters, all brought to life throught the "Audio-Animatronics" process. Guests will travel through the wild animal menagerie (featuring King Louie and Shere Khan from "The Jungle Book"); down the midway where familiar Disney stars may be seen in the sideshow, like "The Amazing Flying Dumbo-Ninth Wonder of the World"; through clown alley and finally into the Big Top where they will actually be "on-stage" as part of the three-ring show, featuring such daredevil acts as "The Flying Goofys".
With Dumbo getting moved to its new location (not far from all that land right across the WDWRR tracks), maybe this circus themed area could be the start of something much bigger. While the 1975 project seems ambitious, there are parts of it that could be substituted with other attraction idea's like Casey Jr. (replacing one of the more expensive dark ride concepts) or maybe just built in phases, like the new Fantasyland additions. I would love to see the "Circus Disney" attraction built with the trackless vehicle system that Poohs Huney Hunt in Tokyo uses. It seems that this storyline would be a natural fit for this type of ride system. This whole "Circusland" concept sounds like it would be a clear winner for the MK as it attracts both genders as well as adults, and it could certainly fatten up the attraction roster at the park. What are your thoughts?
With Dumbo getting moved to its new location (not far from all that land right across the WDWRR tracks), maybe this circus themed area could be the start of something much bigger. While the 1975 project seems ambitious, there are parts of it that could be substituted with other attraction idea's like Casey Jr. (replacing one of the more expensive dark ride concepts) or maybe just built in phases, like the new Fantasyland additions. I would love to see the "Circus Disney" attraction built with the trackless vehicle system that Poohs Huney Hunt in Tokyo uses. It seems that this storyline would be a natural fit for this type of ride system. This whole "Circusland" concept sounds like it would be a clear winner for the MK as it attracts both genders as well as adults, and it could certainly fatten up the attraction roster at the park. What are your thoughts?
