Photos - Storybook Circus soft opening

[RSoxNo1]

What were the crowds like that they had to rope off an extended queue on the first day of soft openings? Were the entire standby queues used for both Dumbo and Barnstormer?

 

[wdwmagic]

What were the crowds like that they had to rope off an extended queue on the first day of soft openings? Were the entire standby queues used for both Dumbo and Barnstormer?

Only one side of Dumbo is running, and none of the internal queue space. Barnstormer was using all of it's queue.

 

[wdwmagic]

Photos and video of Storybook Circus at night

http://www.wdwmagic.com/Attractions...DEO---Storybook-Circus-nighttime-lighting.htm

 

[JustInTime]

Just to add, here is some 'proof' that not all has been revealed with respect to the train station.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCoQCxsbc9o&feature=related


Note the large doors on the north side of the building, the set of double doors facing the train, and especially the turnstyles that are there for some reason.

If I was guessing I would say this is going to be retail for those boarding the train back to MSUSA. I was hoping for a lobby to accept those arriving from MSUSA but that seems unlikely at this point.

As much as I want there to be more to the bathroom area, I just don't think the doors lead anywhere. I think they were added for theming to make it feel more like a carriage house/luggage house at an old train station. Also, notice the attention to detail to the luggage carts and suitcases on either side of the doors. If the doors open, those details would be lost and the theming would be wasted. Pretty sure what we are seeing is just a facade and the turnstiles are there for just the riders. Overall, I am loving the new area.

 

[fractal]

Photos and video of Storybook Circus at night

http://www.wdwmagic.com/Attractions...DEO---Storybook-Circus-nighttime-lighting.htm

Those look awesome

 

[wdwmagic]

As much as I want there to be more to the bathroom area, I just don't think the doors lead anywhere. I think they were added for theming to make it feel more like a carriage house/luggage house at an old train station. Also, notice the attention to detail to the luggage carts and suitcases on either side of the doors. If the doors open, those details would be lost and the theming would be wasted. Pretty sure what we are seeing is just a facade and the turnstiles are there for just the riders. Overall, I am loving the new area.

I think you are right. THe depth of the building is basically the restrooms.

 

[wdwmagic]

I just assumed the trees weren't in yet. They've been putting some rather massive old trees into DCA in both Buena Vista Street and Cars Land, so Disney can work wonders with big mature trees in new areas. The lack of trees in Storybook Circus was noticeable in these pics, so I'm thinking they just need to get this area open for spring break crowds and more work with landscaping is yet to come. The crowds that moved into this area within an hour of soft opening were impressive!

And I just love the air blades! The air blades have replaced paper towels in the restrooms in Disneyland/DCA now, and it's a big leap into the 21st century. Is there not just a paper towel option in the Casey Jr. restrooms, and they also have air blades? Or only just paper towels?

I love Dyson products, but the problem with Air Blades is that people just cant sam to operate them. rather than slowing drawing their hands through them, they wave them around like a conventional dryer and then get frustrated that it didn't work. They also tend to drip a heck of a lot of water on the floor. AMC at DTD has had to install rubber mats underneath theirs.

Paper towels, particularly in an area that is going to have a splash zone are going to be handy!

 

[whylightbulb]

I don't want to say much until I see the area in a couple of days ... and, more importantly, until the entire project is done.

I see lots of enthusiasm here and I sure don't want to urinate on anyone's 1972-era parade.

It sure looks better than what it replaced, so if that's the metric you are going by, then you'll likely be quite happy.

But you're also likely giving Disney credit for basics ... things like detailing ... stuff they've spent a decade plus of taking out of the MK, while they still have it in every other MK-style park in the world.

And nothing here is really added. We have a gussied up Dumbo, next to a gussied up Barnstormer, next to a gussied up restroom complex and a gussied up train station. Does it all look better than Toontown Fair looked? Absolutely. But that isn't a standard that should be used as comparison.

This type of detailing is very basic for every OTHER MK on the planet.

So, my opinion is really no opinion other than ... it looks nice.

Two complaints that come to mind would be I don't see much in the way of shade trees in the area (what does Phil and Co have against shade in FLORIDA??!?!) and I saw paper towel dispensers in the new restrooms and not air blade dryers.

I'll discuss more after I see it in person but ...

~WWoHP it ain't ... and it ain't ever gonna be~

Mostly my thoughts also. I did go to see it in person last night and I found myself shrugging my shoulders questioning what all the fuss was about. Aesthetically it was passible by Orlando standards but that is about all I can say in its favor. It certainly would be considered a failure, or at best minimal, by DisneySea standards and, unfortunately for me, is the standard I usually go by.

Reading the gushing positive responses reminds me of a destitute tribe in Africa. They go days without food and when someone comes out there to feed them some rice or something very basic they tear up with desparate gratitude and have no idea that a world exists where all kinds of food (real Disney quality themeing and rich entertainment experiences) is available in abudance and that their government (TDO/Disney corporate) is keeping them poor and needy.

LOL okay I know that was a bit dramatic but I feel like I need to get the point across that we have yet to see a really exciting Disney attraction open in Orlando since Tower Of Terror! We have seen some decent ones like Tough to Be A Bug or Safari but nothing that stands out - Disney is way behind and this new land is another reminder of that.

The "new" Barnstormer is less than the old. They removed what little 3D elements there were and replaced with fewer, less impressive, elements. The old Barnstormer had AA chickens and more props. This new version is definitely lighter in the detail and story department. Now I'm not saying the old Barnstormer was a masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination but at least you had the crash through the barn and some actual props. This has a cannon and crashed rocket. As far as the ride itself, the crash through the barn was replaced with a crash through the billboard. I will say that the spark effect for the cannon is nicely done. As a whole however I can't say this is more - if anything, in terms of quantity of show elements, it's less.

As far as Dumbo...well it's a spinner. I wasn't expecting much and I wasn't disappointed. The other Disney parks have had the water features and yes, even multicolored LED lighting!

I'm glad the train station looks nice. So does the Frontierland and Main Street. It's a train station.

Maybe Pet's Sidewhow and Dumbo's interactive queue will impress but so far...yawn.

 

[danlb_2000]

As much as I want there to be more to the bathroom area, I just don't think the doors lead anywhere. I think they were added for theming to make it feel more like a carriage house/luggage house at an old train station. Also, notice the attention to detail to the luggage carts and suitcases on either side of the doors. If the doors open, those details would be lost and the theming would be wasted. Pretty sure what we are seeing is just a facade and the turnstiles are there for just the riders. Overall, I am loving the new area.

In one of the videos from just after the walls came you can see the north side door and one of the platform side doors open, and although it's hard to tell for sure the space beyond the door looked pretty utiliterian. I agree that thier likely isn't anything else in the building but restrooms. There are four restrooms which would take up most of the footprint of the building. The area behind the doors is probably just utility access and storage.

Dan

 

[COProgressFan]

I dislike:

• The new CM uniforms. As I suspected, these uniforms look much better in the WDI sketches using girls with figures like fashion models and boys with physiques like track stars. The reality of these uniforms in real life, on 21st century CM's, is not attractive. Some of the CM's are wearing sweat socks, some are not wearing socks at all, and some have modern undershirts on under their open collar circus shirts. The casually dressed "management" that came out with them to open the land should have spent 10 minutes making sure everyone looked ship-shape for opening day. The not-capris-but-not-shorts style of the bottoms is very odd looking. And what do these kids wear next winter? Flesh-colored long johns? I hope the other New Fantasyland uniforms turn out better than these circus getups.

Completely agree about the costumes. While they look great (of course) in the concept drawings, they look pretty sloppy on many of the CMs in photos. I agree, you would think the managers opening up the land would make sure everyone looked put together, but CM appearance is usually not addressed much anymore. From what I could tell, many of the sunglasses the CMs were wearing certainly didn't not conform to "the Disney look", but clearly no one seemed to care.

 

[COProgressFan]

I love Dyson products, but the problem with Air Blades is that people just cant sam to operate them. rather than slowing drawing their hands through them, they wave them around like a conventional dryer and then get frustrated that it didn't work. They also tend to drip a heck of a lot of water on the floor. AMC at DTD has had to install rubber mats underneath theirs.

Paper towels, particularly in an area that is going to have a splash zone are going to be handy!

As nice as those fancy hand dryers are, I really hope they don't abandon paper towels completely (as is done in some restaurants, etc.). Hand dryers just will not work for young children, wiping ice cream (or ketchup, or what have you) off your shirt, or a countless amount of other times you just need a couple of paper towels. No matter what the environment benefit, it would be a mistake to get ride of the towels.

Not to mention that the dryers are really noisy!

 

[trr1]

Are they using the Queless que at Dumbo yet? and if so does anyone have any pictures

 

[danlb_2000]

Are they using the Queless que at Dumbo yet? and if so does anyone have any pictures

No they aren't.

 

[nepalostparks]

Are they using the Queless que at Dumbo yet? and if so does anyone have any pictures

No, the interactive elements were not operating as of yesterday. The cast members I spoke to did not have a timetable as to when they would be used.

 

[gustaftp]

I love Dyson products, but the problem with Air Blades is that people just cant sam to operate them. rather than slowing drawing their hands through them, they wave them around like a conventional dryer and then get frustrated that it didn't work. They also tend to drip a heck of a lot of water on the floor. AMC at DTD has had to install rubber mats underneath theirs.

Paper towels, particularly in an area that is going to have a splash zone are going to be handy!

I admire Dyson products too, but a brand new Dyson Ball still can't win against my 20-year-old Kirby vacuum cleaner!

 

[Skibum1970]

While I love the theming of everything, I actually have the same thought of Barnstormer/Great Goofini that I did for DCA's Mulholland Madness/Goofy's Flight School. With basic off-the-shelf versions of two coasters, why not enclose and theme the interior with lighting and special effects? Sure, Goofini would be so quick as to lose some of the chances for the effects but it would be interesting. Maybe as a themed barn or something. It's just a thought.

 

[fractal]

I don't want to say much until I see the area in a couple of days ... and, more importantly, until the entire project is done.

I see lots of enthusiasm here and I sure don't want to urinate on anyone's 1972-era parade.

It sure looks better than what it replaced, so if that's the metric you are going by, then you'll likely be quite happy.

But you're also likely giving Disney credit for basics ... things like detailing ... stuff they've spent a decade plus of taking out of the MK, while they still have it in every other MK-style park in the world.

And nothing here is really added. We have a gussied up Dumbo, next to a gussied up Barnstormer, next to a gussied up restroom complex and a gussied up train station. Does it all look better than Toontown Fair looked? Absolutely. But that isn't a standard that should be used as comparison.

This type of detailing is very basic for every OTHER MK on the planet.

So, my opinion is really no opinion other than ... it looks nice.

Two complaints that come to mind would be I don't see much in the way of shade trees in the area (what does Phil and Co have against shade in FLORIDA??!?!) and I saw paper towel dispensers in the new restrooms and not air blade dryers.

I'll discuss more after I see it in person but ...

~WWoHP it ain't ... and it ain't ever gonna be~

Mostly my thoughts also. I did go to see it in person last night and I found myself shrugging my shoulders questioning what all the fuss was about. Aesthetically it was passible by Orlando standards but that is about all I can say in its favor. It certainly would be considered a failure, or at best minimal, by DisneySea standards and, unfortunately for me, is the standard I usually go by.

Reading the gushing positive responses reminds me of a destitute tribe in Africa. They go days without food and when someone comes out there to feed them some rice or something very basic they tear up with desparate gratitude and have no idea that a world exists where all kinds of food (real Disney quality themeing and rich entertainment experiences) is available in abudance and that their government (TDO/Disney corporate) is keeping them poor and needy.

LOL okay I know that was a bit dramatic but I feel like I need to get the point across that we have yet to see a really exciting Disney attraction open in Orlando since Tower Of Terror! We have seen some decent ones like Tough to Be A Bug or Safari but nothing that stands out - Disney is way behind and this new land is another reminder of that.

The "new" Barnstormer is less than the old. They removed what little 3D elements there were and replaced with fewer, less impressive, elements. The old Barnstormer had AA chickens and more props. This new version is definitely lighter in the detail and story department. Now I'm not saying the old Barnstormer was a masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination but at least you had the crash through the barn and some actual props. This has a cannon and crashed rocket. As far as the ride itself, the crash through the barn was replaced with a crash through the billboard. I will say that the spark effect for the cannon is nicely done. As a whole however I can't say this is more - if anything, in terms of quantity of show elements, it's less.

As far as Dumbo...well it's a spinner. I wasn't expecting much and I wasn't disappointed. The other Disney parks have had the water features and yes, even multicolored LED lighting!

I'm glad the train station looks nice. So does the Frontierland and Main Street. It's a train station.

Maybe Pet's Sidewhow and Dumbo's interactive queue will impress but so far...yawn.

Wow. The amount of negativity here is amazing sometimes. Do you guys own stock in Comcast or something? So far we have one NEW dumbo opened and the Barnstormer. The overall theming of the area is much better IMO and we haven't even gotten close to the real juicy parts of FLE.

 

[sublimesting]

Have a few comments.

1. Dumbo is going in the opposite direction.
2. What aspect of "fantasy" is goofie's barnstormer supposed to represent? Is it supposed to be from an old fashioned 20a-30s era middle America where a circus might visit?
3. I thought the Dumbos were going to be inside?

 

[RSoxNo1]

Wow. The amount of negativity here is amazing sometimes. Do you guys own stock in Comcast or something? So far we have one NEW dumbo opened and the Barnstormer. The overall theming of the area is much better IMO and we haven't even gotten close to the real juicy parts of FLE.

You're not far off... whylightbulb is a trusted Universal Studios insider.

I look at the photos of this area and I see an improvement over what was there previously, but so far my expectations have not been exceeded. I'm optimistic that the completed visuals in the other areas of New Fantasyland will be spectacular - The Storybook Circus area was never meant to be the focus of the expansion.

 

[mets7]

HOLY COW!!!!

Would someone please remind me who the (Kiddie Coaster) Barnstormer and (Kiddie) Dumbo ride are geared for? Is it the kids or the adults? I don't think my 8 year old is going to be riding Goofini and complaining because you can see the dumbo ride.

You know I do have to say I find it really tacky that when I ride the teacups I can see the speedway and space mountain.....just completely ruins the magic of riding the tea cups.

You know I was riding the people mover and I saw a wall.....A WALL!!!! Can you believe it???

That is how crazy some of you sound.

I think what has opened so far looks AMAZING!!!! Can't wait to see it in person.