Disney has leaked what appears to be very real blueprints laying out all the new ‘attractions’ planned for an expanded Fantasyland at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. This plan matches information from other sources. This suggests it’s not something fan created and is actually from the halls of WDI in Glendale. Now the question is, has all this been approved for construction? If so we should start seeing bulldozers pushing dirt as soon as October. Don't believe that any of this is true until we do.
So what will the expanded area consist of? It remakes everything from where the current Little Mermaid meet and greet is, moves Dumbo, and goes back to the service road all the way across to the existing Toon Town Fair tents. The only attraction that will remain from the existing Toon Town is Goofy’s Barnstormer. Dumbo will now be located across from the Barnstormer and will be expanded to two spinners doubling the capacity of that popular attraction.
The rest of the expansion is dedicated almost entirely to the Pixie’s and Princesses that has become the marketing and merchandising focus of the Walt Disney Company the last few years. There are three new meet and greets in the making - Pixie Hollow is expanded, Cinderella gets a larger meet and greet, Princess Aurora (a.k.a Sleeping Beauty) also gets a spot. There is some debate as to whether calling a meet and greet an attraction is a bit of a stretch, but there are ways to expand the experience and elevate it to attraction level. Let’s hope that’s in the budget.
Ariel, the Little Mermaid has a meet and greet planned too, but she will also get a whole new attraction (essentially a clone of what is now under construction in California). It looks like Belle will be getting a meet and greet and a new “Be Our Guest” restaurant. At one time there was a Dinner Theatre restaurant by that name planned for Disneyland Paris, it is possible they are reviving that concept. That’s certainly something the Magic Kingdom has been lacking and long lines forming for reservations would clearly be expected.
What’s missing from the earlier rumours? One more roller coaster for the area. There was supposed to be a Snow White Mine Ride. Although building that would mean the removal of the existing Snow White attraction. Perhaps Goofy’s Barnstormer will get re-themed to the Mine Ride.
This is exactly what would be expected - Disney World had to come up with an answer to Universal’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Disney is essentially writing off the tween boys and focusing all their attention on the girls with the idea that mums and their daughters control the vacation purse strings
There’s only so much you can tell from a blueprint (assuming this is the final version). There is also some speculation that Fantasyland will get a re-theming as well.
Wow....how exciting!!! Glad Goofy is staying,,,,,My son would not be a happy bunny if it were to go! Thanks for the info x
__________________ Sophie x
Best Western Lake Buena Vista 1997,
Wyndom Orlando 2002,
Cypress Point 2003,
Royal Pacific Resort 2004,
Cypress point 2005,
Cypress Point 2007,
Windsor Hills Resort Oct 2009
Sounds fab if it's true.......I think they will need to do something to rival Universal's RRR and Harry potter and Seaworlds Manta...........Disney need to catch up,they need a few new rides as well, they always feel very dated to us............. it's one of the main reasons we don't visit as much anymore! X.X
__________________ Sarah!
Shanice & Kirsha's first Florida holiday September 2001, age 3 & 5!
We're all Orlando mad in our house, we just love visiting the land of the mouse!
Next adventure - August 2010!
October 2010 - a cheeky week, child free!
My first observation on this is that I don't see it competing with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter over at Universal's Isles of Adventure. Disney may feel that Moms and daughters control purse strings but I think that's maybe a misguided view. There's little new that's been offered for boys. I've banged on endlessly about there being a Jack Sparrow character breakfast but it's never been forthcoming. Furthermore, they've left it a little late, haven't they, to start this expansion if it's meant to be the counter to Potter and his gang? Another restaurant is a great idea - that is sorely needed in MK but more "Meet & Greets" aren't the answer in my opinion. At least we'll get the Little Mermaid ride - that's something!
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I agree with geoffa - we need something new - we already have the meet and greets so why change it? I think the exansion of Dumbo is a good idea though. They definately need to devote more to boys - a pirate breakfast is a great idea!!!!!!!!! I think the "mums and daughters" thing is a very stereotypical view of things - not like disney at all - although i can see that they want to make as much money as possible!
I agree, not everyone wants meet and greets, My son would not be interested in Princess's and fairies but he does love Disney.....but how long for?? I'm not sure. He is 4 so at the minute it's great.... but even in a couple of years time when he's not old enough for Harry Potter, Disney may not be catering for him anymore!
He will just love standing in line with his little sister waiting to meet Ariel when he's 7!!!
__________________ Sophie x
Best Western Lake Buena Vista 1997,
Wyndom Orlando 2002,
Cypress Point 2003,
Royal Pacific Resort 2004,
Cypress point 2005,
Cypress Point 2007,
Windsor Hills Resort Oct 2009
I like the fact they are striving to develop new areas but as Geoffa and Imagineer have said Disney need to knock the endless Princess/Fairie stuff on the head.....boys are desperate for something they can get excited about. In Pirates and Toy Story they have a lot of strong male characters, since most male characters are actually villians at present, so they need to do more than just have rides based around them......just imagine a pirate environment
Does this mean they would demolish Mickey and Minnie's houses?
From what i can understand, i think they will be demolishing their houses. I think thats a BIG mistake -it will be like there is a part missing if they remove mickey and minnies houses!!!! That is also something i am not pleased about! Also......almost the entirety of Fantasyland (bar its a small world and peter pan) and Toontown (bar goofys barnstormer) would have to be closed at the same time surley - and thats a huge chunk of MK to be closed.....
As I understand it there is a large area of unused property to the rear of Fantasyland. There may be potential to build unseen and then redirect into the new environment and features whilst re-tooling the existing attractions. Its a very popular area so Disney cannot afford to have it all sealed off for a significant period.
Looking at this I'm of the opinion some of the attractions at DHS (and possibly Epcot) will be changing in line with these changes. Squinting at the plan (would have like a more detailed jpg, which is very very good if its a hoax):
- The Mermaid area is a Titled Attraction competing with the show at DHS. Its large enough to be a stage show (getting scale is a bit hard) and definatey has a queuing area which is very large. Its very ampitheatre in shape (internally).
- Dumbo, as the OP state, is now two rides with an "next gen interactive" queue area. Got to like the sound of that, no more nothing to do in the queues.
- Again squinting, but it doesn't say Goofeys Coaster, it says something like Cheesey Coaster on the Barnstormer plans. Maybe the Cinderella mice?
- The Cinderella Attraction looks like two small stages in design
- The Belle restaurant is huge. Really interesting shape, again like a theatre with deliberately larged sized rooms in the wings. Perhaps a Show and Dine? Or perhaps different themed areas to eat in, the left hand wing looks like in might have a large fireplace.
- The downside is everything looks like walk in and around attractions. Disneys stated aim is to make more use of space and moving/automatic attractions use a lot of space. Again having the princesses in one place might signal the end for them in the other parks?
So Mermaid and Belle out of DHS, possibly the Belle stage show becoming High School Musical? Bringing some clarity to DHS as the TV/Pixar Film park?
Surprised they haven't published a 2009 forward plan yet, I wonder if this is part of it.
I must admit I had the Indys Cars to become a full Cars attraction when Cars 2 is released.
__________________
The Two Reasons we go to Disney.
Its MISTER Scopeman
As Uni Student: '89 A downtown motel on 50 | '91 Holiday Inn (Airport)
With Own Brood: '07 POFQ | '08 POFQ | '09 SSR
I have been waiting for years for MK to do something with the space of water that used to be the old 'submarine ride' (cant remember what is was called). I hope they don't bring in to many big rides at MK though - It was supposed to be a family park where everyone can ride together. If it changes to much it will end up being another theme park where families are split up with 'riders and non-riders' etc. When we are at Islands of Adventure, our family always split up and it's a bit of a shame.
I have been waiting for years for MK to do something with the space of water that used to be the old 'submarine ride' (cant remember what is was called). I hope they don't bring in to many big rides at MK though - It was supposed to be a family park where everyone can ride together. If it changes to much it will end up being another theme park where families are split up with 'riders and non-riders' etc. When we are at Islands of Adventure, our family always split up and it's a bit of a shame.
I know some won't like it, but if they start to bring clarity to the parks, what they are, whats there, the kind of target audience (in market jargon speech), they'll probably do better business ultimately.
However there are some hurdles in that and some of it would be painful. But unless they start from scratch I can't see what else they could do.
__________________
The Two Reasons we go to Disney.
Its MISTER Scopeman
As Uni Student: '89 A downtown motel on 50 | '91 Holiday Inn (Airport)
With Own Brood: '07 POFQ | '08 POFQ | '09 SSR
Sarah!
Diane (Ms Finkelstein) - Ben & Heather
I have been waiting for years for MK to do something with the space of water that used to be the old 'submarine ride' (cant remember what is was called). I hope they don't bring in to many big rides at MK though - It was supposed to be a family park where everyone can ride together. If it changes to much it will end up being another theme park where families are split up with 'riders and non-riders' etc. When we are at Islands of Adventure, our family always split up and it's a bit of a shame. 
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