As things develop for WDW's Fantasyland expansion, I can't help but wonder how it stacks up in comparison to Disneyland's Fantasyland overhaul of 1983. That's what this discussion is all about.
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WDW's Fantasyland expansion of '12/'13 and DL's Fantasyland overhaul of '83
- Thread starter mharrington
- Start date
steve2wdw
WDW Fan Since 1973
Disneyland's overhaul of Fantasyland in '83 (while adding a Pinocchio dark ride), completely refreshed all their classics. There was no real acreage added to the park, but the ditching of all the old tournament tents to a European style village drastically improved the whole land. The MK's Fantasyland makeover is taking a different approach, almost doubling the size of the current land, providing a little elbow room for the massive FL crowds. What's really missing (as opposed to the DL re-do) is refreshing of the classic dark rides....although with Snow being removed, that really only leaves Peter Pan (and it really needs a refresh). Sure, it's getting a new queue, but seriously, we need some actual internal ride work done.
The forest area of the new FL promises to be beautiful, but I worry about the courtyard area, behind the castle. While it was never a very green area (lack of trees due to the utilidoor system), there were some planters with trees....now those are gone. Yes, it frees up some room for guests, but is it going to seem even hotter without any trees at all? Until I see the expansion finished, I won't comment on the courtyard area yet.
Note the trees in the planters in this old Dumbo picture....
My biggest disappointment is not taking advantage of adding another dark ride to the mix. The Mad Tea Party area has plenty of room for a two story Alice ride (in place of the Cheshire Cafe), or a Pinocchio ride tucked-in adjacent and behind the Village Haus. (How much can a classic two minute dark ride cost anyway?) After all is said and done, all we seem to end up is with one net ride, that being the 2nd Dumbo unit.
In conclussion, in my opinion, the only thing that the DL and MK Fantasyland makeovers have in common, is that they're happening in Fantasyland. I'll save my final judgement until the final product is finished. I will say that I am happy that Dumbo will finally be flying over water as he does elsewhere. The new centerpieces of the attraction look great!
The forest area of the new FL promises to be beautiful, but I worry about the courtyard area, behind the castle. While it was never a very green area (lack of trees due to the utilidoor system), there were some planters with trees....now those are gone. Yes, it frees up some room for guests, but is it going to seem even hotter without any trees at all? Until I see the expansion finished, I won't comment on the courtyard area yet.
Note the trees in the planters in this old Dumbo picture....
My biggest disappointment is not taking advantage of adding another dark ride to the mix. The Mad Tea Party area has plenty of room for a two story Alice ride (in place of the Cheshire Cafe), or a Pinocchio ride tucked-in adjacent and behind the Village Haus. (How much can a classic two minute dark ride cost anyway?) After all is said and done, all we seem to end up is with one net ride, that being the 2nd Dumbo unit.
In conclussion, in my opinion, the only thing that the DL and MK Fantasyland makeovers have in common, is that they're happening in Fantasyland. I'll save my final judgement until the final product is finished. I will say that I am happy that Dumbo will finally be flying over water as he does elsewhere. The new centerpieces of the attraction look great!
Speaking of Dumbo, one thing that the two Fantasyland redos have in common is the relocation of Dumbo. It happened in California and it's happening in Florida.
steve2wdw
WDW Fan Since 1973
Yes...so true. Forgot about that, so the redos do have something in common!
sponono88
Well-Known Member
Here's a thread that shows many construction photos of Disneyland's new Fantasyland in 1982. It was a pretty extensive remodel that overtook most of Fantasyland
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=560319
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=560319
Keep in mind that the original FL in DL was quite primative, especially the dark rides. We're talking traveling carnival funhouse quality. When WDW was built, that version of FL was a VAST improvement. The '83 DL makeover got the land up to WDW standards, and then using EPCOT-era technology, leapfrogged over it.
DL only received one "new" attraction, Pinnochio, and that was actually a replacement for the old Mouseketeer Theater. There was no net gain.
WDW is gaining one new attraction, Mermaid. (And for this comparison, let's not drag 20K Leauges into the discussion since you would then have to account for the loss of DL's Chicken of the Sea pirate ship, the annexation of Goofini, etc.)
Just looking at the overall makeover plans, DL's '83 update turned FL into a "place", with detailed facades for buildings, landscaping, and attractions.
Likewise, WDW's makeover is also giving FL a sense of "place". But even though WDW is keeping the medeval tents that were replaced at DL, I think they are actually taking it a step beyond DL '83 by also creating a "story". I am hopeful the concept of "castle courtyard"/"fantasy forest"/"storybook circus" will work as it has been designed.
Despite the beauty of DL's buildings, there is absolutely no thematic flow. A carousel, elephants, a giant whale, a bizarre IASW facade, and European buildings are haphazardly plopped next to each other. The only attempt at creating a coherent theme in '83 was to move the teacups next to Alice.
At WDW, the carousel and princesses will appropriately be in a castle courtyard with odd attractions like Peter Pan and IASW hidden in medeval tents. Pooh, Dwarves, Beast, and Mermaid will all exist in the woods or beyond the castle walls. A circus theme (which seems odd but must surely transition better than teacups to Tomorrowland) gives Dumbo, the railroad, and off-the-shelf coaster a better home.
DL only received one "new" attraction, Pinnochio, and that was actually a replacement for the old Mouseketeer Theater. There was no net gain.
WDW is gaining one new attraction, Mermaid. (And for this comparison, let's not drag 20K Leauges into the discussion since you would then have to account for the loss of DL's Chicken of the Sea pirate ship, the annexation of Goofini, etc.)
Just looking at the overall makeover plans, DL's '83 update turned FL into a "place", with detailed facades for buildings, landscaping, and attractions.
Likewise, WDW's makeover is also giving FL a sense of "place". But even though WDW is keeping the medeval tents that were replaced at DL, I think they are actually taking it a step beyond DL '83 by also creating a "story". I am hopeful the concept of "castle courtyard"/"fantasy forest"/"storybook circus" will work as it has been designed.
Despite the beauty of DL's buildings, there is absolutely no thematic flow. A carousel, elephants, a giant whale, a bizarre IASW facade, and European buildings are haphazardly plopped next to each other. The only attempt at creating a coherent theme in '83 was to move the teacups next to Alice.
At WDW, the carousel and princesses will appropriately be in a castle courtyard with odd attractions like Peter Pan and IASW hidden in medeval tents. Pooh, Dwarves, Beast, and Mermaid will all exist in the woods or beyond the castle walls. A circus theme (which seems odd but must surely transition better than teacups to Tomorrowland) gives Dumbo, the railroad, and off-the-shelf coaster a better home.
You mean the Barnstormer was out of place in Toontown Fair?