Why No NEW Toontown in FLE?

[David S.]

Did I miss something or is toontown getting removed???? Granted the only time I went in there was to see the fairies and get Tinkerbell's auto for my DD but I didn't think it was HORRIBLE.

It is slated to be closed as part of the upcoming Fantasyland expansion. Disney has not announced a closing date yet. The rumored closing dates keep getting pushed back. From what I've been told, it may have a chance of surviving at least through Christmas Season 2010, but no one knows for sure.

Granted it wasn't designed up to par like the other areas of MK but it has it's place. I didn't even get to check out Mickey's house yet!

By the way did anyone besides myself hate that you can't really look at Minnie's or other people's experience Mickey's house with all the details inside? I felt the whole time in Minnie's house that I was being rushed. I would try to look at something and the line of people behind me were trying to push me through.

This was in October nevertheless! When the parks are less busy and I hear that Mickey's house is even worst. Maybe it's just me but I could spend 5 to 10 mins just checking everything out and it seems you can't because your being rushed out by the wave of people.

Can I assume it's even worst in the summer?

Probably. But more than time of year, the BIGGEST factor in having an enjoyable crowd-free experience in Mickey's Toontown Fair is TIME OF DAY. Late in the evening on the most crowded day of the year, Toontown will be significantly less crowded than it is in the middle of the afternoon peak on the least crowded days of the year!

After all the young stroller-set has met Mickey, left the park, and is fast asleep, the area really empties out! You basically have the houses nearly all to yourself, and Barnstormer is often such a complete walk-on that you may return to the station with no one in line, and the CMs often let you stay seated for a quick re-ride when this happens!

I am not sure exactly what time of the night this near-emptiness begins, but whenever I've visited Toontown with less than two hours to go before closing - especially when the park closes one hour or two hours AFTER the fireworks - it's been like this.

If it's still open on your next visit, I highly recommend trying to visit Toontown in the evening to experience the area in it's best possible, crowd-free light. You can really savor all the details in the houses and in the land itself, plus like everything in the MK, it's really pretty at night and takes on a different atmosphere than it does during the day.

If meeting Mickey is important, just make sure to check the Times Guide for when the Meet Mickey in the Judges Tent will be closing for the night. It's usually open until at least 1/2 hour before Park Closing.

An alternate plan may be to hit it first thing in the morning, but since it always opens one hour later than official Park Opening (they actually usually drop the Toontown rope about 15 minutes before the posted opening time, at 45 minutes after Park Opening) it can get filled up pretty quick. The early mornings in Toontown Fair won't be as empty as the typical late evening crowd, but they shouldn't be as bad as the peak of the day.

PS. Another "land" that usually really empties out at night, beginning with the the first parade all the way until Park Closing, is Adventureland, with Jungle Cruise and Pirates often walk-ons during this time.

 

[wizards8507]

I felt like I was constantly on the verge of accidentally stepping on someone's child.

Dooooo iiiiiiit.

 

[Mr. Morrow]

I, most sincerely, would boycott DHS if this were ever to happen. One Man's Dream (the film and tour) is the entire reason I go to DHS in the first place (okay, ToT isn't bad either). Of course, this drives everyone in my party nuts but to me there's something very haunting about that place.

This doesn't belong in DHS imo it should be in MK on Main Street.

It seems to work fine at Disneyland and Tokyo Disneyland. Placing it at the studios would have to rely more on the Roger Rabbit mythology.


Mickey's Toon Town at Disneyland and Tokyo Disneyland, while not done in name, was about exploiting Roger Rabbit. He is still gone for the time being, so a new Toon Town lacks the proper synergy.

Yes Toon Town works fine in DL but WDW never had Toon Town they had Mickeys Starland with a name change.

 

[BrerFrog]

This doesn't belong in DHS imo it should be in MK on Main Street.

That is certainly the best fit, but I will be happy as long as that show exists somewhere on property.

 

[David S.]

I agree! And since the Expo Hall where the Walt Disney Story used to take place is about to become the new home of "Meet Mickey" since Toontown is closing, the best bet is to keep One Man's Dream right where it is, in the Studios!

Plus I think it does fit in at the Studios. More than any of the parks, the Studios acknowledges that the characters you see and the worlds you visit in the movies you love are CREATED by someone. The Studios has always gone "behind the scenes" to show some of this creative process. So I think it is a good place to pay tribute to the man who started the "magic" by starting Walt Disney Productions - Walt Disney!

On the bright side, One Man's Dream will be sticking around for awhile, as it's due to get some upgrades in a rehab this fall.

 

[stlbobby]

This doesn't belong in DHS imo it should be in MK on Main Street.

How does a walk-thru display telling the life story of one of the most influential filmmakers in history and all his technical advancements not fit in DHS?

This seems like the exact kind of insider, behind the scenes experience DHS is supposed to be all about.

 

[Mr. Morrow]

How does a walk-thru display telling the life story of one of the most influential filmmakers in history and all his technical advancements not fit in DHS?

This seems like the exact kind of insider, behind the scenes experience DHS is supposed to be all about.

Used to be about 10 years ago I would agree with you.

 

[stlbobby]

Used to be about 10 years ago I would agree with you.

The three overriding themes of DHS are:

1. A glimpse behind the scenes.
2. Celebrating the majesty and history of movies.
3. Immersing the guest in the story of the movie or show.

One Man's Dream fits two of these themes perfectly. It celebrates one of the titans of the industry and shows how he achieved some of his magic.

I think One Man's Dream achieves the DHS vision more than anything else in the park.

 

[Mr. Morrow]

The three overriding themes of DHS are:

1. A glimpse behind the scenes.
2. Celebrating the majesty and history of movies.
3. Immersing the guest in the story of the movie or show.

One Man's Dream fits two of these themes perfectly. It celebrates one of the titans of the industry and shows how he achieved some of his magic.

I think One Man's Dream achieves the DHS vision more than anything else in the park.

1. The only thing that does this is BLT and that is a disgrace in its current form.

2. The onlything that does thid is GMR.

 

[stlbobby]

The three overriding themes of DHS are:

1. A glimpse behind the scenes.
2. Celebrating the majesty and history of movies.
3. Immersing the guest in the story of the movie or show.

One Man's Dream fits two of these themes perfectly. It celebrates one of the titans of the industry and shows how he achieved some of his magic.

I think One Man's Dream achieves the DHS vision more than anything else in the park.

1. The only thing that does this is BLT and that is a disgrace in its current form.

2. The onlything that does thid is GMR.

1. Backlot Tour, Magic of Disney Animation, Lights, Action, Motorcars, Indian Jones Stunt Spectacular, ABC Commissary, Backlot Express, Studios Catering Company, RnR takes you into the world of music, and even MuppetVision is a behind the scenes glimpse into that world.

2. Great Movie Ride, Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame Plaza, The American Film Institute Showcase, The Brown Derby, Sci-Fi Din-in Theater, Fantasmic!, Animation Gallery, Golden Age Souvenirs, Movieland Memorabilia.

And the argument that DHS isn't living up to it's intended mission, so remove the one attraction that most perfectly embodies the themes, makes no sense at all.

 

[imagineer boy]

I really really wish WDW would get a version of DL's toon town. And it would not be a waste of money, Toon Town at DL is one of the most amazingly themed things Disney has ever done. There is detail all over the place. and almost everything is interactive. Perfect for both kids and adults.

But no, we get a stupid fairy land. :brick:

 

[Mr. Morrow]

1. Backlot Tour, Magic of Disney Animation, Lights, Action, Motorcars, Indian Jones Stunt Spectacular, ABC Commissary, Backlot Express, Studios Catering Company, RnR takes you into the world of music, and even MuppetVision is a behind the scenes glimpse into that world.

2. Great Movie Ride, Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame Plaza, The American Film Institute Showcase, The Brown Derby, Sci-Fi Din-in Theater, Fantasmic!, Animation Gallery, Golden Age Souvenirs, Movieland Memorabilia.

And the argument that DHS isn't living up to it's intended mission, so remove the one attraction that most perfectly embodies the themes, makes no sense at all.

Why because its happens to be called ABC?

 

[Mr. Morrow]

stlbobby

DHS is slowly losing the theme you are talking about. Pixar STudios in no way represents the theme of MGM studios ans PS is only going to expand. Universal went throught the same changes after if first opened. Im not saying it is a bad thing :shrug:

 

[stlbobby]

stlbobby

DHS is slowly losing the theme you are talking about. Pixar STudios in no way represents the theme of MGM studios ans PS is only going to expand. Universal went throught the same changes after if first opened. Im not saying it is a bad thing :shrug:

You are right that the theme has drifted a bit, but that is in large part due to the working studio being removed and people just aren't as interested in the museum type stuff as Disney thought they would be, but it is still a vibrant part of the park, one One Man's Dream fits perfectly. If you remove it that theme will suffer even more.

I think the Pixar area fulfills the third theme--putting the guest into the movie/show, and the proposed expansion will do an even better job.

And while I admit this third theme seems to be the future of the park, because it is a crowd pleaser, that is no reason to completely abandon the first tow themes.

And the ABC Commissary has more theming than just the name. It is a spacious utilitarian California corporate space, it has the current ABC show posters and inedible food just like the real thing. In fact Johnny Carson made bad food at the commissary--I know it was NBC not ABC--a 30 year running gag and they have replicated that perfectly.

 

[Mr. Morrow]

You are right that the theme has drifted a bit, but that is in large part due to the working studio being removed and people just aren't as interested in the museum type stuff as Disney thought they would be, but it is still a vibrant part of the park, one One Man's Dream fits perfectly. If you remove it that theme will suffer even more.

I think the Pixar area fulfills the third theme--putting the guest into the movie/show, and the proposed expansion will do an even better job.

And while I admit this third theme seems to be the future of the park, because it is a crowd pleaser, that is no reason to completely abandon the first tow themes.

And the ABC Commissary has more theming than just the name. It is a spacious utilitarian California corporate space, it has the current ABC show posters and inedible food just like the real thing. In fact Johnny Carson made bad food at the commissary--I know it was NBC not ABC--a 30 year running gag and they have replicated that perfectly.

I really thin the park is at a crossroads and I agree its future is most likely #3 but that isn't such a bad thing :shrug:

 

[stlbobby]

I really thin the park is at a crossroads and I agree its future is most likely #3 but that isn't such a bad thing :shrug:

Even if that is the case, they still must keep a few things like GMR and OMD and AIF just to have a taste of those original themes.

I think they should actually expand those themes a bit. It would be easy and cheap. They don't even need rides just displays like OMD.

One that shows artifacts from a series of great directors on a rotating basis.

Another could be more props like at the GMR queue. Just a walk-thru area where people could linger and look at actual props. Kind of like on the BLT but more museum-esque.

Another would a be history of animation show using clips and documentary segments taking guests through the technological advancements.

A final one would be a continuous loop of great scenes from film history, not a montage like at the end of GMR, but a series of 3-5 minute scenes playing continuously. This might work better as a restaurant like Sci-Fi.

I just added four attractions that combined would cost less than a fraction of Carsland. Granted none of them would be feature draws, but they would expand capacity, please filmbuffs, and round out those two first themes I cited.

 

[Mr. Morrow]

]Even if that is the case, they still must keep a few things like GMR and OMD and AIF just to have a taste of those original themes.[/B]

I think they should actually expand those themes a bit. It would be easy and cheap. They don't even need rides just displays like OMD.

One that shows artifacts from a series of great directors on a rotating basis.

Another could be more props like at the GMR queue. Just a walk-thru area where people could linger and look at actual props. Kind of like on the BLT but more museum-esque.

Another would a be history of animation show using clips and documentary segments taking guests through the technological advancements.

A final one would be a continuous loop of great scenes from film history, not a montage like at the end of GMR, but a series of 3-5 minute scenes playing continuously. This might work better as a restaurant like Sci-Fi.

I just added four attractions that combined would cost less than a fraction of Carsland. Granted none of them would be feature draws, but they would expand capacity, please filmbuffs, and round out those two first themes I cited.

Agreed. However I see the park headed to where DCA is after it is redone. The stuff like GMR being confoned to one land :shrug:

 

[Wilt Dasney]

And the ABC Commissary has more theming than just the name. It is a spacious utilitarian California corporate space, it has the current ABC show posters and inedible food just like the real thing. In fact Johnny Carson made bad food at the commissary--I know it was NBC not ABC--a 30 year running gag and they have replicated that perfectly.

*snort*

There's dedication to theming for you! :lol:

 

[clarabelle]

Mickey's Toontown Fair has been one of my sons favorite places to visit in the Magic Kingdom since we began going there when he was just 6. He is now 18 and although he has certainly outgrown the original thrill of seeing Mickey an Minnie's houses he is still very nostalgic about it. I think the FLE is going to be a wonderful thing when it is completed but it truly is more girl oriented, where the fab five are for everyone. Mickey Mouse is THE reason there is a Walt Disney World and he must not take a backseat to anyone or anything. I truly wish there were something we "ordinary people" could do to make a difference in this situation, but it seems quite hopeless.

 

[DisneyNut2007]

Mickey's Toontown Fair has been one of my sons favorite places to visit in the Magic Kingdom since we began going there when he was just 6. He is now 18 and although he has certainly outgrown the original thrill of seeing Mickey an Minnie's houses he is still very nostalgic about it. I think the FLE is going to be a wonderful thing when it is completed but it truly is more girl oriented, where the fab five are for everyone. Mickey Mouse is THE reason there is a Walt Disney World and he must not take a backseat to anyone or anything. I truly wish there were something we "ordinary people" could do to make a difference in this situation, but it seems quite hopeless.

Mickey will NOT be taking a backseat at all whatsoever, so if I were you, I would not worry.

As for all this girl-centric vs. "for everyone" nonsense, enough is enough!

As other posters have stated, all the other MK lands (Adventureland, Frontierland, Tomorrowland) are all pretty boy-centric already.

And the homes of Mickey, et al. in Mickey's Toontown Fair were just their "vacation homes" anyway. Their "official" homes are in Disneyland's Toontown out in California.