What can the FLE area hold?

[tirian]

I know plenty of diagrams already exist for the FLE, but I haven't found one that shows actual photographs of attractions placed inside the area. Because some have found it difficult to understand how large the plot of land truly is, I've created a few images that layer existing attractions inside the space.

 

[_Scar]

WOW Space Mountain is huge.

Thanks Tirian!

 

[tirian]

You're welcome.

 

[Disney Rocks]

Wow, just wow. Great post tirian. I wish they would give WDI a much larger budget to spend on such a huge piece of land. Wow, had no idea.

 

[jt04]

Very cool. But I worry this might start a rumor that Space Mountain is being moved over a bit.

Anyway, I think this puts to rest the idea that the FLE is only a "refurb".:lol:

Great job.

 

[Ignohippo]

Geez, include the entire FLE (with Toon Town Fair) and the area really is massive...

 

[tirian]

Very cool. But I worry this might start a rumor that Space Mountain is being moved over a bit.

Anyway, I think this puts to rest the idea that the FLE is only a "refurb".:lol:

Great job.

It's more than a refurb, but it isn't adding any attendance capacity to the MK. This is basically taking care of existing crowds by restoring the ride capacity lost with 20K, and the dining capacity lost with TL Terrace and the Diamond Horseshoe.

Of course, I'm still looking forward to it.

 

[Lee]

Geez, include the entire FLE (with Toon Town Fair) and the area really is massive...

Yep. It's big.
And keep in mind, the vast majority of all that space was once occupied by just one ride. Most of the "expansion" will occupy the former 20k area.

 

[Horizonsfan]

It's more than a refurb, but it isn't adding any attendance capacity to the MK. This is basically taking care of existing crowds by restoring the ride capacity lost with 20K, and the dining capacity lost with TL Terrace and the Diamond Horseshoe.

Of course, I'm still looking forward to it.

This has really confused me. Why if they are trying to make up for lost capacity at Diamond Horseshoe, TL Terrace, AL Veranda, etc, don't they just reconfigure/re-open those facilities?

 

[inluvwithbeast]

This has really confused me. Why if they are trying to make up for lost capacity at Diamond Horseshoe, TL Terrace, AL Veranda, etc, don't they just reconfigure/re-open those facilities?

That would make too much sense, of course.

Honestly, though, they are spreading the dining options around this way. Maybe that was a part of their logic. It pulls people to the back of the park.

 

[djkidkaz]

My assumption is that Disney sees how popular Cinderellas Royal Table is and knew it needed to add another experience similar to this to fit the demand. Rolling the princesses out in the Diamond Horseshoe just isn't the same as having them in a castle experience like Beasts castle.

 

[tirian]

My assumption is that Disney sees how popular Cinderellas Royal Table is and knew it needed to add another experience similar to this to fit the demand. Rolling the princesses out in the Diamond Horseshoe just isn't the same as having them in a castle experience like Beasts castle.

Actually, the castle is popular because it's the castle. The princesses simply add to the chaos. Reservations were difficult to get even when the restaurant was titled "King Stefan's Hall."

On the other hand, Akershus is popular specifically because of the princesses, and the BATB restaurant will be the same way.

The Diamond Horseshoe was closed because its performers were Equity, meaning they were professional performers who made a decent salary. At the Hoop-Dee-Doo and Luau, the higher pay is built into the cost of each meal; but the DH's free shows depended on quick service food.

Could Disney afford to do it anyway? Sure; the castle shows are also Equity, and I think many guests would rather see a western saloon revue than six performances of "Dream Along with Mickey" that clog the castle's entrance. But don't tell the MK team that a substantial number of guests don't care about the castle shows. They're too busy focusing on Magical Memories of Magic in Magical places with Magical experiences.

Princess meals are great financially, because Disney can throw any Entertainment CM into the role and not have to pay any extra.

 

[Neverland]

My assumption is that Disney sees how popular Cinderellas Royal Table is and knew it needed to add another experience similar to this to fit the demand. Rolling the princesses out in the Diamond Horseshoe just isn't the same as having them in a castle experience like Beasts castle.

Do we know that the princesses will be there? I was under the assumption that it would be BatB characters.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

It's more than a refurb, but it isn't adding any attendance capacity to the MK. This is basically taking care of existing crowds by restoring the ride capacity lost with 20K, and the dining capacity lost with TL Terrace and the Diamond Horseshoe.

Of course, I'm still looking forward to it.

I'm confused on what you mean by "attendance capacity." I've read that with all ships running, 20K could handle at most about 1800 guests per hour. The best guess estimates posted here for the new Little Mermaid attraction is around 2328 per hour. Dueling Dumbo would theoretically (though not practically) add about 600 more per hour. Then there's the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, which will add additional capacity. How is this not adding attendance capacity to MK?

 

[tirian]

The MK lost ride capacity by shutting down 20K and the Skyway, and it lost dining capacity when it closed TL Terrace and the Diamond Horseshoe. However, the park's attendance never fell; it actually increased over the years. More guests + fewer things to do = longer waits and crowded walkways.

FLE is Disney's response to the MK's current crowds; it is not being built to absorb future ones. Of course attendance will continue to climb and the FLE will help, but the expansion is essentially restoring the ride capacity the MK already had years ago. Sure, it will accommodate more riders than the old attractions, but those guests are already inside the park now, waiting in unnecessarily long lines for rides and food.

This isn't just my opinion; if you read between the lines from the first few PR announcements, Disney said this. People like Lee also know this directly from sources within WDI, but at that point you have to take his word for it.

 

[Disney Rocks]

Isn't BOG going to be using Living Characters such as Remy at Les Chefs de France? I would expect Belle and Beast to make the rounds atleast.

 

[_Scar]

We see the size question answered, but the real question is: will it blend?

 

[marni1971]

I knew I`d done something similar waaaay back... in 2005!

Space and Splash Mountains

Epcots largest pavilion

 

[Aragorn]

We see the size question answered, but the real question is: will it blend?

This receives my nomination for post of the day.:ROFLOL:

 

[tirian]

I knew I`d done something similar waaaay back... in 2005!

Space and Splash Mountains

Epcots largest pavilion

Oh cool, I couldn't find those.

Mine are prettier. :animwink: :wave: