New Fantasy Faire Experience coming to Disneyland

TP2000

TP2000

Well-Known Member
This looks really neat! Certainly a more permanent and highly themed environment for the girls, compared to the current location near Small World. And it still allows for swing dancing at night, too!

Plus... this just opened up the giant Fantasyland Theater facility for a new stage show again! :eek:
 
Miceberg

Miceberg

Well-Known Member
Actually a bit disappointed that "another" Princess Fantasy Faire is what DLR's big news turned out to be. Duplicating an area the park already offers is redundant. The current Fantasy Faire doesn't seem to generate a lot of excitement in visitors and is rarely crowded. Perhaps the hope is a smaller venue will appear busier and better justified in a new location? The expansion of DCA is of course, exciting and something to look forward to, but again - seems to be a repeat of many elements already present in a Disney Park (Hollywood Studios).

Really don't want to be negative, however 10 hours standing in line at the expo yesterday did not seem fun at all.
 
KingdomofDreams

KingdomofDreams

Well-Known Member
Fantasy Faire looks like a charming little area for the princesses. It seems there's some concern about the proposed location encroaching on Main Street theming though. Any thoughts about that from our DL regulars?

I looked around a bit but didn't see dates mentioned anywhere. Does anyone have an idea of start/completion dates for this project?
 
Nicole220

Nicole220

Well-Known Member
KingdomofDreams said:
Fantasy Faire looks like a charming little area for the princesses. It seems there's some concern about the proposed location encroaching on Main Street theming though. Any thoughts about that from our DL regulars?

I looked around a bit but didn't see dates mentioned anywhere. Does anyone have an idea of start/completion dates for this project?
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THat was my concern as well. I just can't visualize this thing at all...I'm actually quite confused. It sounds exactly like what's already at the current Fantasy Faire at the Fantasyland theater.
 
flynnibus

flynnibus

Premium Member
belle119821 said:
I'm not very familiar with Disneyland...is there already a Fantasy Faire section?
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Nicole220 said:
THat was my concern as well. I just can't visualize this thing at all...I'm actually quite confused. It sounds exactly like what's already at the current Fantasy Faire at the Fantasyland theater.
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These sections of DL are very different from the MK in WDW.

DL has a huge outdoor theatre off behind what would be the HM/skyway area in the MK.. this theatre used to host entertainment, but in recent times has been empty, or recently has been used to host the princess faire show/M&G. This has always been an odd 'reuse' of the theatre that has annoyed many because it means no solid theatre show.

Plaza Gardens is off the hub (approx 10 oclock position) in the woods off the hub. the MK has no real equivalent to the space. It's been used for decades as a bandstand for performances, and also other lesser options like food/ice cream. However, it stands empty most of the time except for when performances are there.

The announcement is to take the Plaza Gardens, and retheme it and put in this new princess thing.

It's a lot like the existing show... so the existing show can get out of the theater! And that space can either be used to put on a real theater show (go google 'festival of fools' for an example of what used to be there) or long term thinkers know that area represents potential expansion area for DL to add another attraction or move into the event space north of BTMRR
 
TP2000

TP2000

Well-Known Member
KingdomofDreams said:
It seems there's some concern about the proposed location encroaching on Main Street theming though. Any thoughts about that from our DL regulars?
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I think what you're seeing is the typical reaction a lot of people have to any sort of change. Plaza Gardens is not visible from Main Street USA, and is further away from Main Street USA than the highly themed entrance portals to Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland.

discarn1.jpg


Plaza Gardens Entrance Up Close - on north edge of the Hub, near the Castle.

09112821.jpg


It's quite hidden behind trees, and over a bridge on the other side of a thickly landscaped streambed. And when you do get over the bridge and in to Plaza Gardens, it's a pleasant enough area but nothing really special.


DisneyLand Carnation Plaza Gardens by RetroGlider, on Flickr

For about 90% of Disneyland's operating hours, for days at a time, the entire area sits there like the picture above; unused, quiet, abandoned, and lifeless. A few times per week they will set up a Junior High School jazz band or a corny tap-dance troupe of 10 year old girls from the suburbs who perform as part of the "Disneyland Magic Music Days" community outreach program. And the only people who stop to watch these shows in this rather hidden area are the parents of the children doing the tap-dancing or the trombone playing.

On weekends, however, the place comes alive for the famous Swing Dancing. And for the record, the Big Band tunes of the 1940's and 50's performed for Swing Dancing have absolutely nothing to do thematically with Circa 1905 Main Street USA, even if Plaza Gardens was on Main Street, which it isn't. Swing Dancing is what Carnation Plaza Gardens is most famous for, which is why Tom Staggs made a point of mentioning that weekend dancing will continue in this location after the makeover.

dl_jan_19.jpg


The makeover for Plaza Gardens is good news overall. It better utilizes a currently under-utilized area right in the middle of the park, it plays well with the Fantasyland Castle walls that literally butt up against this property (the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique is about 20 yards to the north of the dancefloor, along the path that leads right into the western wing of the Castle), and it opens up the big Fantasyland Theater facility for a near-future stage show to return there.

A brilliant move from the TDA planners! And once the swing dancers and anti-change crowd let the dust settle, they'll come around to the change also.
 
Miceberg

Miceberg

Well-Known Member
Slight correction on the weekday use - Jr. High, High School and College bands, orchestras and chorale groups are invited to perform at the plaza. Some groups travel from other states to play at Disneyland and it's a big deal for them, regardless of the size of the crowd watching them play.
 
FigmentJedi

FigmentJedi

Well-Known Member
Nicole220 said:
THat was my concern as well. I just can't visualize this thing at all...I'm actually quite confused. It sounds exactly like what's already at the current Fantasy Faire at the Fantasyland theater.
Click to expand...

It's so they can free up the old Fantasyland Theater space for something new. Could get a new show in there again, could be used for an expansion pad.
 
KingdomofDreams

KingdomofDreams

Well-Known Member
Thanks for the pics and info! I agree this secluded area next to the castle does appear to be a natural fit for FF. It doesn't look like it will interfere with the integrity of Main Street USA at all, and opening up the theater space for a new show, well that's just icing on the cake!

Has anyone heard any dates mentioned for this project?
 
nemofinder22

nemofinder22

Well-Known Member
Perhaps these tow images can help. Dateline Disneyland had this in there update today it will help figure out the area.

ffp310399LARGE.jpg

Above photo from the Disney Parks Blog
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...y-faire-experience-coming-to-disneyland-park/

IMG9598-L.jpg

Above photo by Dateline Disneyland
http://datelinedisneyland.smugmug.c.../08-21-11/18657481_R3GzXh#1442325550_khVCCqg\


Overall I think this will be an excellent place it otherwise sits there all day long with nothing happening for it. And if we get a new show back in the theater even better. As the current Princess Fantasy Faire is just a waste of a good theater, and the current Carnation Plaza is just a waste of no one there.
 
Mukta

Mukta

Well-Known Member
I'm not a fan of adding more princess stuff, but I know that there is a great market for it. I performed (orchestra) at Carnation Plaza when I was a kid, so I am partial to that spot.

I hope they do something cool with the existing Fantasy Faire near IASW. Having both would be overload.
 
nemofinder22

nemofinder22

Well-Known Member
I've heard that construction will start in late April with an opening in Winter 2013. Weather that's true or not I guess we'll see in a few weeks.
 
nemofinder22

nemofinder22

Well-Known Member
We now have a confirmed closing date for Carnation Plaza Gardens.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...-to-new-fantasy-faire-experience-on-april-30/

This transformation will begin with the closing of Carnation Plaza Gardens at the end of the Disneyland park operating day on April 30. There are three more chances for Disneyland park guests to enjoy the Jump, Jive, Boogie Swing Party at Carnation Plaza Gardens before it closes:
April 14 – featuring Doc Anello & the Swing Machine
April 21 – featuring Stompy Jones
April 28 – featuring Swingtown
And starting May 5, Disneyland Resort guests can keep on dancing each Saturday night when the Jump, Jive, Boogie Swing Party continues at the Westside Stage in the Downtown Disney District.
Click to expand...
 
nemofinder22

nemofinder22

Well-Known Member
Not necessarily Fantasy Faire news but since the princesses will be moving this will also free up theFantasyland Theater

http://miceage.micechat.com/allutz/al022112a.htm
In late summer the Fantasyland “WonderBra” Theater will also be closed as WDI moves in to remake that space into a more formal set-up with upgraded stage facilities that also mesh better with its Fantasyland surroundings.
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While Fantasy Faire and Fantasyland Theater are both under construction the Princesses will be moved to the terrace near small world.

http://www.mouseplanet.com/9961/Grad_Nitemare
As soon as the Fantasyland Theater goes under construction, the other princesses will relocate nearby, to the old Light Magic viewing area along Small World Mall, as they await the opening of the new Princess Fantasy Faire at the old Carnation Plaza Gardens, in February 2013.
Click to expand...
 
nemofinder22

nemofinder22

Well-Known Member
 

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