I think the difference is Fantasyland fits perfectly within the context of Disneyland. Fantasy Springs at TDS not so much
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The Miscellaneous Thought Thread
- Thread starter mickEblu
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I think the difference is Fantasyland fits perfectly within the context of Disneyland. Fantasy Springs at TDS not so much
Disney Irish
Premium Member
Because just like DL they don't have enough room to expand FL
If we're being honest, probably not much. But I don't see that as a problem given that they aren't duplicating anything here other than theme into a different park.
Disney Irish
Premium Member
My honest opinion the only reason why we're ok with FL in any castle park is because its tradition, and has a huge nostalgia factor. But if it was being done today I honestly believe many would have an issue with it, especially about the IP.
Anyways I don't see how it doesn't work, especially since all the properties being used have a connection to the water or sea in one way or another. Making it fit within the context of the park.
While I agree that can certainly be a factor when it comes to certain subjects I disagree it has anything to do with this. The original lands at Disneyland consisted of portals to lands that contained broad themes. As far as aesthetics, the land went from medieval to a Bavarian village theme but it’s always been mostly consistent with a few exceptions that get a pass for being in a land called “Fantasy” Land.
Anyway, don’t get me wrong Fantasy Springs coming to DL Forward would almost be a best case scenario IMO when you consider what other likely candidates are out there.
Disney Irish
Premium Member
I've never been, but I just don't see how this is really any different. As Fantasy Springs is a portal into a land with this broad theme of "Fantasy" with mini-lands that take guests further into those stories. All within the context of the Park's overarching theme of water/nautical/etc. Anyways just my opinion.
I would hope if they bring this here it would be with variations in IP and look/feel, though Frozen is probably a given.
Consumer
Well-Known Member
Peter Pan I can accept easily, and maybe Arendelle as it sits on a fjord, but I have a harder time accepting Tangled, even though the kingdom sits on an island.
Reading the Disney Parks Blog post, the impression I'm getting is that this a magical spring that serves as a portal to other worlds, similar to the Wood Between the Worlds in Narnia. If that's right, that definitely makes a lot more sense and is far easier to understand, even if it is a little contrived.
Rich T
Well-Known Member
I would say DL’s Fantasyland fits perfectly to us because that’s what DL’s Fsntasyland IS. We’ve always known it like this (except for those of us who also knew the original Medieval Tournament version), and so it feels comfortable and wonderful.
If you just think of the Mt. Prometheus lagoon main body of TDS, Fantasy Springs is a jarring contrast… BUT, the park is also the hyper-cartoony Mermaid Lagoon and Mysterious Isand’s steampunk hideaway. FS definitely pushes at the boundaries of what DisneySea, as a whole, is. But it is playing by the park’s theme-rules, and I have a feeling the new addition will thrive and soon feel like it’s always been there.
Or not.
But I like what I’m seeing (truth be told, I’d gladly have omitted Tangled and replaced it with Moana).
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This take brings up an interesting conversation because there are a few factors at play. When Fantasyland opened in 1955 it was an original and had been never been done before. If an exact copy of DL’s Fantasyland were to open at another park today it would be viewed with a different lens obviously but people wouldn’t have an issue with the fact that there was multiple IP as long as the land was called Fantasyland at a castle park. Or in other words a land with a broad theme and unifying aesthetic that fit within the context of the park it’s in.
If an exact copy of DL’s Fantasyland were to open at a castle at a park today (assuming it’s even possible) with modern IP replacing the dark and flat rides I think it would be huge hit. Maybe not right out the gate as people would be expecting at least one huge E ticket but once the dust settles I have no doubt it would be one of the most packed places in the park. A 1983 Fantasyland with modern IP would be the best land the company has built in years. Adding one E ticket would take it over the top.
Disney Irish
Premium Member
I have no doubt it would be a hit with the general public. But I'm talking about the Parks fans on sites like this who complain at the drop of a hat about nothing original anytime anything new involving IP being added to the Parks is brought up.
I disagree as long as it’s part of Fantasyland at a castle park. It’s part of the brand and expectation. Did we expect a single IP Fantasyland when it opened at Shanghai 8 years ago?
Disney Irish
Premium Member
Sure no fans would complain....
But by that extension modern guests really have the same expectation for any land in any Disney Park. They expect to see Disney IP within every land, not just FL. But I digress as we've moved beyond what we were talking about.
Consumer
Well-Known Member
Probably. But my complaint isn’t “does it fit the theme?” and more just “what is the theme?” Yes, they’re all fantasy IPs, but is that the only tying thread?
I would say DL’s Fantasyland fits perfectly to us because that’s what DL’s Fsntasyland IS. We’ve always known it like this (except for those of us who also knew the original Medieval Tournament version), and so it feels comfortable and wonderful.
If you just think of the Mt. Prometheus lagoon main body of TDS, Fantasy Springs is a jarring contrast… BUT, the park is also the hyper-cartoony Mermaid Lagoon and Mysterious Isand’s steampunk hideaway. FS definitely pushes at the boundaries of what DisneySea, as a whole, is. But it is playing by the park’s theme-rules, and I have a feeling the new addition will thrive and soon feel like it’s always been there.
Or not.
So nothing to do with the fact that the original and majority of lands at Disneyland are basically portals to lands that are broadly themed and "Fantasy" is a broad theme where the chosen IP work perfectly fine? The fact that that it has a unifying Bavarian Village aesthetic is just icing on the cake.
So you disagree that Fantasyland works much better in the context of Disneyland than Fantasy Springs does at TDS? That's the point I was making. I wasn't saying TDS pre- FantasySprings is perfect in that regard. When I read Consumers original post the first two things I thought of was Mermaid Lagoon (which I believe opened with the park) and the big Woody Face. To @Consumer s point, Fantasy Springs is the biggest departure yet. Woody Face is part of an attraction that makes sense on American waterfront even if it was placed for the same reasons as the Fantasy Springs IP. Can we start saying FS yet? Im tired of typing it out. And Mermaid Lagoon, as cartoony as it is, is at least one clear theme. A Fantasyland with the three different aesthetics just comes across very clearly as a way to get more IP into the park without much thought about what the theme is or how it ties into the rest of the park.
Anyway, I don't think it's big deal as I prioritize fun, whimsy and aesthetics over hyperrealism or ironclad thematic integrity 10 times out of 10. It helps that I like all three of the IP they chose too.
Rich T
Well-Known Member
The Theme: Animated films that are associated with ships and harbors (Tangled is a stretch there, for sure).
Not sure that says more about me or the choice they made but I didn't even make that connection. “These” movies have boats" is a pretty weak unifying theme. lol.
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Consumer
Well-Known Member
I guess. Maybe it should’ve been Fantasy Harbor then. That’d be a lot easier to understand.
Rich T
Well-Known Member
I’m looking at this from the other end: Can you imagine the reaction of park fans if Disney opened DLFL today, for the first time, as this crazy hodgepodge of elements that objectively barely fit together at all? We love it because it’s *Disneyland* to us and always has been. We accept the Monorail rumbling past Alice in Wonderland because that’s part of what Disneyland IS. Immersion Schmimersion—We’re in DL.
And remember that Fantasyland opened in 1955 featuring the Mickey Mouse Club. Because it was important to Walt to promote the tv show.
No, I think DL’s Fantasyland works spectacularly well: It’s a big, crazy, wonderful kaleidoscope of so many fun experiences, sights and sounds from Disney animated classics—and guest appearances by a Swiss mountain and the 1964 World’s Fair—that, like Pinocchio becoming real, has become it’s Own Thing. There is no place on Earth like DLFL.
MK’s FL, by comparison, is dull as dirt (with some very nice individual elements).
I do think Fantasy Springs will be a huge plus for TDS, and ten years out people won’t be able to imagine the park without it, and the question of “does it fit” won’t matter, because it will have become a part of TDS’s identity.
Rich T
Well-Known Member
Eh, better than nothin’. But, seriously, When I think of Frozen and Peter Pan, the anchored ships are perhaps the most beautiful images I remember from the films.
And, excuse me: Journey to the Center of the Earth. It’s there because it’s written by the same author as 20,000 Leagues. It has nothing to do with seas or harbors, and is possibly the park’s most popular and most iconic ride.
Rich T
Well-Known Member
Agreed!