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(3/7/11) As you can see in the pictures at the bottom of the latest MouseSteps update, the old El Pirata Y El Perico eatery outside the Pirates ride has now been renamed the Tortuga Tavern, complete with a large new fancy sign. I suppose this also puts an end to the old proposal for a new Tortuga pirates themed eatery planned as a replacement for the closed restaurant at the entry to Adventureland.
(2/24/11) In a somewhat surprising move that I feel is somewhat of a sad reflection of the more clueless nature of the Walt Disney World management team, they have now decided that the new Mickey Mouse Meet ‘n Greet area going into Main Street’s Town Square Theater will need to be put onto the FastPass system. Yep… if you want to avoid an extreme and painfully long wait in the stand-by line, you’ll need a Fastpass ticket from now on just to see the main Mouse without standing in a long long line.
Getting to see the main characters anymore is getting to be as difficult as getting a doctor appointment at a time that is convenient for you. So now we have a reservation system for Mickey… so what’s next? Tipping the bouncer to get into Mickey’s VIP Lounge?
2011 - Splash Mountain Lapbars - (1/27/11) Orlando Parks News has a huge update from the Magic Kingdom this week, with a look at all the projects around Fantasyland and rehabs in Adventureland and beyond. They have also posted a closer look at the new Lap Bars on Splash Mountain as well, so check it out.
(1/22/11) If you subscribe to the official Screamscape Twitter, you already know this (and if not... what’s a matter with you?). The rumors are 100% true... Splash Mountain is currently adding a large single lap bar to each and every row on the logs. As outraged as I am about the very concept of this, unfortunately we as guests, have only ourselves to blame. Apparently there are a large number of morons out there who think it’s funny / cool / xtreme to either stand-up during portions of the ride, combined with an equal number of stupid tourists who think that at the first time of a ride stoppage, they are free to jump out of the log and go wandering about inside the mountain. Then the real fun begins as CMs are sent out to search every nook and cranny inside the gigantic structure for these lost guests before they can turn the ride back on. (So maybe we should all agree, as a theme park loving community, that if we’ve in a park and see someone doing something stupid... say something and stop them.)
Adding insult to injury, this will cut down on the capacity of the ride as well in two ways. Previous policy allowed for groups of three that could fit (3 kids, 2 adult & 1 small child) to sit in one row, for a maximum of 12 riders per log. Now I know this didn’t happen all the time, but with the new lap bars two riders per row is all that will be allowed. Secondly, the ride’s capacity will be cut again as the dispatch time between logs has been raised from 12.5 seconds to an estimated 15-20 seconds per log to allow for increased loading time to deal with guests loading more slowly due to the lap bars and time for the ride crew to give each bar a quick tug.
Now for the good news... the lap bars are nothing like what Universal put on Ripsaw Falls. Instead they are very similar in style to what is used on Big Thunder Mountain. I’ve also been sent a pictures showing off the new restraints. Thanks to everyone who responded about this... I must have had between 20-25 different people contact me today to confirm this unfortunate news.
2011 - Haunted Mansion Queue Rehab - (4/5/11) Inside the Magic has posted a great first look at the newly revised finale running at the Haunted Mansion. While they have some still pictures to view, you really need to see the video they’ve posted, which I’ve embedded below as well.
The hitchhiking ghost trio is now more active than ever, as they take fun in pulling off various new special effects pranks with your head in those final moments. You’ve just got to see the video to understand… enjoy!
(3/24/11) A new updated version of the Hitchhiking Ghost animatronic figure trio has appeared today in the Haunted Mansion. Check out the latest video of them posted to Inside The Magic.
(3/16/11) The latest word on the Haunted Mansion queue from Disney insiders claims that the all new queue area will opened for limited preview runs over the next few weeks in an effort to judge guest reactions and gather feedback on the experience. From there, final final adjustments will be made as needed. According to the official description, guest will enter the Mansion’s new “courtyard” where they “will be able to see, touch, hear and play with several new, interactive elements”.
It also seems that the park has already opened it at least once already to a few guests. You can see a ton of pictures and video clips from the new queue area over at InsideTheMagic. There is also an official Disney preview video of the queue, embedded below.
(3/11/11) A few new pictures of the ongoing Haunted Mansion queue transformation have been posted to MouseSteps this week.
(3/7/11) A few new pictures of the Haunted Mansion graveyard expansion can be found here, which includes a good look at the new pipe organ themed mausoleum now installed.
(2/28/11) MouseSteps drops into the Magic Kingdom to check out the latest progress at the Haunted Mansion, where they discover that some of the classic tombstones are starting to re-appear in the new graveyard expansion. A more detailed look over the tombstones and new crypts going into place can be found at InsideTheMagic this week as well, where they have a good idea as to which of the spirits inside the mansion are going to be part of this new graveyard “Scene One” area that has been created. I’m also hearing that the expansion could be ready to open within the next 3-4 weeks.
(2/23/11) The big news from the Magic Kingdom today was all about a big change in place at the very end of the ride. I’ve been sent several reports about how the final hallway of mirrors where “The ghosts will follow you home” has been changed. From the description, the normal effect has been replaced with a series of visible projectors shooting images of ghosts onto screens. (In fact, you can see yourself in the video clip embedded below posted by Inside the Magic. Click here to see their own update about the new ghost projections.)
Now before everyone grabs the pitchforks and torches, I’m heard several times that this is just a new temporary effect while they work to install something much better for the ride’s finale. More when we find out…
(2/14/11) Some all new pictures of the new Haunted Mansion queue section have been posted to MyTravelingMouse this week. You can see a metal frame going around the other edge that I imagine may be for a new covered pathway perhaps.
(2/10/11) Want to see what’s new in the Haunted Mansion queue area this week? Make the jump over to JeffLangeDvd.com and scroll down past the football player nonsense to see the latest pictures and even a video.
From the look of things, they are creating a nice little addition into the graveyard area soon to be full of new tombstones, columbarium and crypts… of the interactive nature. There is also a staircase up that goes up into a turnaround that perhaps will head back towards the old entrance doorway into the Mansion’s foyer.
If we take ideas that Disney has been playing with for their test queue events into consideration here (like the one at Rock ‘n Roller Coaster) I have to wonder if groups of guests will be released into this new graveyard area for some free roaming playtime for 5-10 minutes before their groups are called up the steps and into the mansion proper.
(1/27/11) One of our readers sent in a small batch of new pictures showing off the latest changes to
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(1/11/11) Orlando United has posted some new pictures of the former Haunted Mansion queue-side graveyard area. While we don’t have much in the way of new themeing in yet, there is a ton of conduit sticking up out of the ground, which means there may be lots of fun new interactive items coming our way very soon.
(10/20/10) Orlando United has posted a few new pictures showing off the hillside outside the Haunted Mansion where the tombstones used to be. Yes… used to be. Currently it looks like they have all been removed.
(10/16/10) Disney seems to have begun the rumored upgrade work to the Haunted Mansion queue graveyard at the Magic Kingdom. The view of the graveyard is now blocked off by a construction barrier.
(10/8/10) A posting over at Orlando United claims that the queue area for the Haunted Mansion will soon be replaced with a “Next Gen” style interactive queue, which will include the replacement of the tomb stones in the graveyard with new “interactive” tombstones. I’m not so hot on the idea of removing the old tombstones myself, but I wouldn’t mind seeing some fun new ones added, much like the one added a few years ago that has the eyes that look around.
2011 - Enchanted Tiki Room - (5/17/11) The official Disney Parks Blog has confirmed that when the Tiki Room reopens “later this summer”, the attraction will be changed into a new show that will be “reminiscent of the original show”. The attraction will simply be called Enchanted Tiki Room. (3/29/11) Stitch Kingdom reports that when the Tiki Room reopens later this summer, the previous “Under New Management” show will be no more, and that we may see the return of the original show once again. Personally, I’m not sure if I would like that any more than the Under New Management show either. Maybe there could be a third choice? I know there is a Stitch version in Tokyo, but I’m not sure how good that show is either.
(3/1/11) According to this post at WDW Magic, the reopeneing date for The Tiki Room has been pushed back from March 26th to June 1st.
(2/7/11) I’m told that the Tiki Room will reopen on March 27th, once they’ve had time to repair all the damage from the fire back on January 12th.
(1/17/11) The Tiki Room is still closed while they work to repair the fire damage. According to a Screamscape source, it could be closed for awhile as the fire is rumored to have caused severe damaged the Iago animatronic figure that comes down from the ceiling. With no replacement figure on hand, the show could be closed until a replacement is made.
(1/13/11) According to the local news, a small fire started in the attic of the Tiki Room at the Magic Kingdom earlier today, but was quickly put out by the automated sprinkler system. No injuries were reported.
2012-2014 - New Fantasyland & Little Mermaid - (4/25/11) A new construction update from the Fantasyland expansion site can be found at Orlando United this week.
(4/20/11) ParkSleuth has posted a few new pictures from the Fantasyland construction site this week.
(4/12/11) A few new pictures of the latest changes to Fantasyland and Toontown can be seen over at Orlando United this week. Also worth nothing, Disneyland has posted a video showing off the recording of the new soundtrack for the new The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure ride, a new recording and arrangement of the Alan Menkin score made just for the ride.
(4/8/11) Orlando Parks News has posted a few pictures of what they claim to be “Beast’s Castle” now visible from within the Fantasyland construction site.
(3/23/11) Despite the concept artwork released to date, Screamscape has heard it said before, and once again now, that the Seven Dwarves coaster will mostly be an outdoor ride. I’ve also heard that it may not be ready to open until 2014 right now, though these kind of things are subject to change.
(2/9/11) A small look at the status of things in Fantasyland can be found over at Florida Thrills this week.
(2/3/11) Theme Park Tourist has written up a nice little piece on the Seven Dwarves coaster, which looks at all the various rumors about the ride and tries to narrow down the facts.
(1/29/11) Everyone has been wondering just what we can expect from the Seven Dwarves coaster and according to this interview with Disney Imagineer Eric Jacobson, the experience will be somewhere in between Big Thunder Mountain and Goofy’s Barnstormer. By the end of the ride, the cars your in are supposed to be so full of jewels from the mine, they’ll tip side to side to “unload their cargo”.
(1/26/11) New concept artwork showing off an indoor scene within the new Seven Dwarves coaster has been posted onto one of the construction walls within the park. You can see it over at Inside The Magic.
(1/19/11) Disney World held a special media event on Tuesday to talk about all kinds of exciting new things. A big part of this was to unveil the revised plans for the New Fantasyland project, which will nearly double the size of Fantasyland.
The new timeline has the early phases ready to open in late 2012, which should start with the attractions we already know about which have been under construction for months now. T
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It is true that the concepts for individual attraction environments for several other princess characters has been cut, they will now be merged into the Princess Fairytale Hall where guests can meet Aurora, Cinderella, Tiana, Rapunzel and more. The new Princess Fairytale Hall will be located where the Snow White’s Scary Adventures dark ride stands today, so it is sad that we will lose a classic dark ride in the process. In an attempt to make up for this however, Disney has confirmed that The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride is real and on the way to New Fantasyland. According to the description the mine train will, “take guests on a rollicking, musical ride into the mine “where a million diamonds shine.” The coaster will feature a first-of-its kind ride system with a train of ride vehicles that swing back and forth, responding to every twist and turn of the track. The journey will be accompanied by music from the classic Disney film and animated figures of Snow White and the Dwarfs.” Interesting bit about the coaster cars and how they moved with the turns. I’m wondering if they really “swing” side to side, or sway or perhaps more of a fishtail. There have been a few concepts thrown out at IAAPA to perform a few moves like this from companies like Mack and Premier Rides.
And finally we hear on over to what will replace Toontown Fair, starting with the new Storybook Circus featuring two side by side Dumo the Flying Elephant rides. (aka: Nicknamed by the fans: Dueling Dumbos). Before you ride, you’ll enter the Big Top which has been filled with tons of “family games and interactive wonders for kids of all ages”. Next door you’ll find the coaster formerly known as Goofy’s Barnstormer, which will get an all new and be rethemed to The Great Goofini, the famous stunt pilot. I believe the plan is to try and finish up the final phases of the New Fantasyland by late 2013 or early 2014. Now if you get a chance, take a look at our new artwork pictures. I’ve included both the newly released overall artwork of the land as well as a the previous version of this same painting that was released way back at the D23 Expo. You can see how things have changed a bit here and there... especially with the addition of the Seven Dwarves Mine Train as well as whatever all those circus tents in the upper right corner are going to be used for in the New Fantasyland. Originally this area was to be used for Pixie Hollow, then as a home for Dueling Dumbos for a time... and now it’s kind of a mystery.
(12/20/10) A new posting at TheDisneyBlog has shined a light on the latest timetable for the Fantasyland overhaul. We know Toontown Fair is closing for good on Feb. 12th to begin work on Phase 2 of the expansion, but apparently this is a new Phase 1.5 in the works as well, as part of a plan to get one section up and running more quickly.
We can expect to see Dumbo close sometime in the second half of 2011, but exactly when has not been determined, but the plan is to find a way to get the new version of Dumbo up and running by Summer 2012. What I’m a little fuzzy on is the report that the work on Dumbo’s new home would require shutting down the Tomorrowland Speedway, but I was under the impression that the Dueling Dumbos project had been moved away from the Speedway and Barnstormer, up to a new home just past the Toontown Train Station, which itself may be given a Casey Jr. theme as well, creating a mini Dumbo Circus themed land. Anyone know for sure the ride’s final location? It’s been seen in layouts and artwork in both locations, so it’s hard to pinpoint where it ended up.
(12/15/10) The latest rumor from the Magic Kingdom claims that WDI staff have been poking around the Snow White attraction area taking pictures of the infrastructure in preparation for the attraction’s rumored future removal.
Meanwhile the Orlando Sentinel has confirmed that Mickey’s Toontown Fair will close for good after February 11th to begin it’s transformation into the Fantasyland expansion.
(10/18/10) Amusement Insider has posted a rather huge scoop this week (scroll down a little to find it) regarding the second phase of the Fantasyland expansion. From the sound of it, most of Phase 2 may have been tossed in favor of some new additions. First the good news… that long rumored and dropped roller coaster for the Seven Dwarves mine ride is said to be 100% back on track and will involve a layout with both indoor and outdoor coaster sections. In addition Goofy’s Barnstormer may actually get to keep it’s name, and may be given a minor new theme of Goofy’s performing an aerial circus act, which will fit right in with the new Double Dumbo ride going in next door.
Now for the bad news… especially for the Disney Princess fans out there. They claim that the Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella Meet & Greet attractions may have been scrapped entirely along with the entire Pixie Hollow concept. Even worse however is the rumor that Snow White’s Scary Adventure will be closed down entirely as early as February 2011 to allow for the new redesign plans for this area of the park. Want a little more? Be sure to check out the Amusement Insider’s own Fantasyland construction update as well.
(4/26/10) About Theme Parks has posted an interesting rumor about the new Beauty and the Beast themed restaurant coming with the Fantasyland upgrade. The article claims that while the restaurant will function as a typical quick service restaurant during the day, it will transform into a full-service high-end eatery in the evenings for Dinner.
(2/4/10) I’m not sure if the artwork is online anywhere yet or not, but I’m told the new Spring 2010 issue of D23 Magazine has some all new concept artwork of the Fantasyland remodel that looks great. A few items mentioned within… much of the new expansion area, beyond that new back castle wall, is now being called Fantasyland Forest. Since most of this area will be built on solid ground, and not on top of the Utilidor system, they will actually be able to plant real large trees and create real water systems to make it more natural looking, something that couldn’t be done before.
Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid will be built within “a highly detailed rockwork grotto behind a fully rendered version of Prince Eric’s castle”. The new Beauty & The Beast area will have three elements, the first of which is Enchanted Tales with Belle. Guests will enter Maurice’s cottage and step through an enchanted mirror to be transported to The Beast’s library for an interactive storytelling session with Belle. There is also the Be Our Guest Restaurant where you can dine in one of three different rooms from Beast’s castle (one is the Ballroom), and outside will be the Belle’s Village area that will include Gaston’s Tavern.
Dreams Come True with Cinderella will take place within the Tremaine Chateau from the film and the guests arrive to visit Cinderella right when her dress transforms from rags into a ball gown before your eyes. A Birthday Surprise for Sleeping Beauty will be in Briar Rose Cottage just as Flora, Fauna and Merryweather are preparing to celebrate Briar Rose’s birthday.
Dumbo’s Circus is the name of the Dumbo the Flying Elephant’s new home that will include the twin side-by-side Dumbo attractions (aka: Dueling Dumbos) along with an indoor, air-conditioned circus tent themed queue. The indoor queue will be a fully “immersive circus enviroment inside Dumbo’s Big Top”. Guests will play along with sideshow acts and carnival midway games while they wait. The current Goofy’s Barnstormer coaster will be rethemed to the new Dumbo environment and given a new clown theme.
Imagineering is carefully planning everything that will happen here in the new Fantasyland to use as a template of what to do at all the other Fantasylands around the world. Currently everything mentioned above is expected to be ready by Fall 2012, however the 4th mini-land, Pixie-Hollow, is slated to open a year later in 2013 as part of Phase-2.
(9/14/09) Disney confirmed those previously leaked plans to expand and double the size of Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom over the weekend at the D23 Expo. They say the project will be open in two phases, with the first opening in 2012 and the rest finished by 2013. Once completed the new and improved Fantasyland will feature mini-lands to be themed to four key movies where the kids can meet and greet with the princess and associated characters from Beauty & The Beast, Little Mermaid, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. The Beauty & The Beast area will also feature two new eateries: Gaston’s Tavern and a large 552-seat Be Out Guests restaurant. Of course the highlight of the entire expansion will be the new Little Mermaid dark ride which they promise will be an E-Ticket you wont want to miss.
Phase two will involve the revamping of a large section of what is now Toontown to become Pixie Hollow, though they gave no major details here as the design work is still ongoing for this section. As previewed in the leaked plans, Dumbo will be moved over into the Toontown area where it will be doubled in size (two rides) to create what has already been nicknamed Dueling Dumbos. The new version of Dumbo will also have a queue enclosed under a three-ring circus tent that promises to be full of interactive games and fun, so you wont even know your waiting in line while you are in there.
While Toontown Fair will be no more, the plans do seem to indicate that Goofy’s Barnstormer will remain in place and it has been said that Mickey & Minnie’s houses will be moved to a new location somewhere else in Walt Disney World. Check out the video below of the announcement. You can also find even more great screen shots showing off all the new concept artwork shown at the D23 Expo for Fantasyland over at Amusement Insider.
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