Rapunzel's tower has arrived.

[Timothy_Q]

Between Dumbo's Circus tent, Beast's Castle, Eric's Castle, Rapunzel's Tower, and the Dwarf's Cottage, is anyone else thinking WDW's Fantasyland is starting to look like an oversized version of the Storybookland Canal Boats?

Indeed.
I only wish there was more. Aurora's cottage, the White Rabbit's house, Cinderella's chateau, Captain Hook's ship. So many to choose from.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Indeed.
I only wish there was more. Aurora's cottage, the White Rabbit's house, Cinderella's chateau, Captain Hook's ship. So many to choose from.

Don't forget Toad Hall!

And if we're going the DLP route, The Cave of Wonders and The Emerald City.

 

[Patricia Melton]

They could always move the Speedway to Epcot as Test Track Jr.

I like that idea...and the Speedway could also be themed to Cars 2 and installed in EPCOT as an around the world Grand Prix race.

Or it could be added to DHS as part of its Carsland that's going to be built...it would be a nice companion next to Radiator Springs Racers and the story could be that the baby cars learn to race on that track before they grow up to be real race cars. That would be the perfect place for the Speedway...as part of an attraction dedicated to Cars.

The Speedway just makes no sense as part of "Tomorrowland" since there's nothing "tomorrow" about driving around in gas-powered cars that make a lot of fumes.

 

[Patricia Melton]

Indeed.
I only wish there was more. Aurora's cottage, the White Rabbit's house, Cinderella's chateau, Captain Hook's ship. So many to choose from.

Maybe if we live long enough we will see more of this someday....or maybe in the future Fantasyland at Disneyland will get an upgrade/expansion and this stuff will be built there.

Hopefully it will happen.

 

[bubbles1812]

Same exact thing about the Castle...

Though I know you were just trying to be contrary as per usual, yes, I am sure that sometimes happens with the castle too.

 

[donaldtoo]

I disagree. I'm really glad that Disney went the quality route with this area, yeah they are "just" bathrooms, but the outside facade needs to match with Fantasyland, which this accomplishes *and* it is a big plus for the aesthetics of the whole area, which I think was sorely lacking.

This is what makes Disney special, plussing things that don't really need to be plussed just to perform a basic service. Same thing as all of the plusses in BoG.

Wonder if they continued the theming right on into the toities with period-correct facilities...?

 

[jdmdisney99]

I like that idea...and the Speedway could also be themed to Cars 2 and installed in EPCOT as an around the world Grand Prix race.

Or it could be added to DHS as part of its Carsland that's going to be built...it would be a nice companion next to Radiator Springs Racers and the story could be that the baby cars learn to race on that track before they grow up to be real race cars. That would be the perfect place for the Speedway...as part of an attraction dedicated to Cars.

The Speedway just makes no sense as part of "Tomorrowland" since there's nothing "tomorrow" about driving around in gas-powered cars that make a lot of fumes.

Ya know, the idea is growing on me...

 

[FigmentJedi]

Or it could be added to DHS as part of its Carsland that's going to be built...it would be a nice companion next to Radiator Springs Racers and the story could be that the baby cars learn to race on that track before they grow up to be real race cars.

You think a theme park attraction is the ideal place to address one of the major elephants in the room for that franchise?

 

[Skipper Dan]

But what specifically is being balanced

Aesthetic details.

I was just explaining this to my girlfriend, and it's why I love the Tower so much - even though I too, am disappointed with it being 'just a bathroom'.

Every era of Imagineering architectural design, is obvious, if you pay attention. In other words, there is noticeable contrast between what was built in the 70's, 80's, and 90's. Techniques and technologies developed, and of course, with our technology today, and everything we've learned, today's designing... tops every era all.

I am a little OCD, and a big believer in feng shui - I believe it's a law, not a theory - and adding a section built with modern-day architectural and designing techniques among that of a - ridiculously corny - 70's section... 'feels' good to me, instead of it all being crammed and compiled up into the 20,000 Leagues plot.

 

[Clyde]

But what specifically is being balanced besides some new stuff here and new stuff there? Is this bathroom complex equivalent to the other work that has been done in Fantasyland? Does it counter-point another visual element? Is it supposed to be a start of adding more of that visual style? This is what perplexes me about the tower. I see a strong visual language with nothing behind it.


The problem with these examples is that it assumes there is little choice between the run down Rest Stop facilities off of an old highway and what Disney is building. It's an attempted trap based on the ridiculous idea that there is some sort of dichotomy of Disney-'s way and a really poorly done way, when it actuality there is any number of possibilities.


So now the Tower is a gateway? How so?

Oh come on. I used quotes on the word Gateway. "Now you're just being mean" (flynn ryder). You're a semantics person eh? I see. I'll explain my point further. Let's use the word marker or landmark instead of gateway. The tower is a beautiful Landmark letting people know that they are about to enter into different realm. LEtting people see from far and wide, from colonial america and the wild frontier, that there is a land of fantasy awaiting them and it all begins at the tower.
Especially with all of the new landscaping in the FLE. This goes right along with the new attention to detail instead of the overdressed store fronts of the older FL attractions. This tower is indicative of the new standard for attractions to the park. Even the bathrooms are going to be beautiful. It amazes me that this conversation even exists. We should be happy with the way they are building these sites and additions.
I can't wait to see what they do to TL if they ever get there.

 

[Next Big Thing]

There won't be a M&G...However, there will be one of the "D-zones" in the area from what i've heard.

 

[Clyde]

Not everyone else has a problem with seeing the tower. That's one of the jokes about this great website. The complainers can sound at times like they represent Joe and Jane Everyman when they don't.

Have you actually been to the Magic Kingdom and seen this with your own eyes yet? I haven't. This isn't directed to you, but generally to people who may come across this post or this thread: Don't be afraid to withhold judgment until you actually see what it is like. And don't go with the mindset of "I'm going to find that burned out bulb to validate my already written opinion that the park is going downhill," but just go and experience the park and let the experiences come to you. Chances are that you may realize on the tram back to the parking lot, "I forgot to look for that chip of paint or collection of bird p00p on the second floor of the Pinocchio Restaurant that I had read about on the interwebz!"

I like this post and think it holds true. When I am there on dec 14th, I doubt I will pay attention to some of the things I do while I'm on the computer, and I;m thankful for that. =)

 

[Clyde]

I don't think the Speedway is going to be there much longer.

Hence, they didn't worry too much about how things look from the Speedway.

When Tomorrowland gets its re-do in a few years, the Speedway will be history and something else will be built there so the Dumbo show building will not be seen.

That makes me sad. Although I do wish they would cut out the gas engines already

 

[Clyde]

There won't be a M&G...However, there will be one of the "D-zones" in the area from what i've heard.

What's a D-zone?

 

[danlb_2000]

What's a D-zone?

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...2012-new-fantasyland-to-feature-'d-zones'.htm

"It seems though that Disney is not quite done yet, and have another trick up their sleeve. The third Big Top in Storybook Circus (the yellow one), along with the new restroom area being built in the former skyway station area, is expected to feature something known as a 'D-Zone'. These areas are designed to allow people to relax, take a seat, and to have access to things like phone and ECV charging stations."

Although I haven't seen any mention of charging station in the Storybook Circus tent yet.

 

[Clyde]

Cool. Thanks

 

[lebeau]

Great execution of a really unambitious concept. So, basically what I expect from Disney World these days.

 

[Timothy_Q]

Great execution of a really unambitious concept. So, basically what I expect from Disney World these days.

aka: Imagineers doing a great job out of the executives' poor decisions.

 

[JustInTime]

Oh you'd be surprised by how many people know what weenies are. Even if they don't refer to them as weenies per se, they know what they are and how they work. People love them, they are drawn to them.

I'm sensing a hint of sexual undertones to this comment that I don't think she is picking up on. LOL

 

[JustInTime]

This argument, with little modification, could be used against DHS's hat...

But the problem with the hat isn't isn't it's size or shape or even the fact that it's JUST a pin shop...the problem is that it's setting right in front of the parks main attraction. The majority of fans are OKAY with the mat simply moving elsewhere. So, I disagree. We could use the same argument if they decided to put it directly in front of Space Mountain or something but since that hasn't happened, there would be no need.