Fantasyland Expansion Rumor

[kathleena]

So I was poking around WDWMagic last night and found a thread on a rumored Fantasyland Expansion that has supposedly been approved.

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=464838

With the following listed as new items
-Cinderella's Chateau
-Triton's Treasure
-Ariel's Undersea Adventure
-Ariel's Meet & Greet
-Gaston's Village
-Lefou's Creperie
-Scuttles Scavenger Hunt
-The Village Book Shop
-Be Our Guest Restaurant
-Enchanted Tales with Belle
-Enchanted Mirror Room
-Sleeping Beauty's Birthday Surprise

There have been plans posted in that thread and the links removed and there is all kinds of interesting talk going on. The person starting it is from France.

I googled a bit and found some other rumors about it but nothing substantial being talked about anywhere else.

Thought it was interesting to discuss anyway, just not sure how far over I am on it being reality.

[kathleena]

Just found the supposed (or alleged?) plan

http://i31.tinypic.com/r2q9dt.jpg

[Tagrel]

Always cool to talk about expansion rumors. :yes: I'd love to see this done in Fantasyland. With the removal of 20,000 Leagues there should be plenty of space. That Pooh Playground was a BIG disappointment! :?

[kathleena]

Totally agree on that Pooh playground. Not even really interesting to go in there as with the Boneyard or HISTK.

Very interesting looking at this diagram! I didn't really scope it out until after I posted it. Two Dumbos and an interactive queue (?like Soarin?). New attractions everywhere. Looks super!

[Robin]

This is a good rumor to sink one's teeth into. Even if it's not 100% correct there's give the old gray matter a little fun.

First thoughts. Too much princess.

BATB might have appear to both boys and girls but Cinderella, Little Mermaid, Sleeping Beauty and Pixie Hollow have little appeal as a theme beyond those who love pink.

They need to mix it up more to appeal to a broader audience. If not, Fantasyland will appear to babies and little girls, while the boys will be looking to go to any other land.

Instead of more Cinderella, how why not bring in a Wonderland attraction? It doesn't have to be the same ride as DL or the maze that DLP has.

Or how about like the much mourned Mr Toad, pull the story out of one of the shorts.

Two Dumbo's side by side? Seems well, redundant.

With the popularity of the Dumbo and Peter Pan rides, how about another

The restaurant in BATB area looks much larger than the Pinocchio house, and with such a large kitchen it makes me think it's a sit down. Being in a 'princess land' makes me wonder if the princess meals would be moved from the Castle to a larger venue. The added bonus there, is that maybe the castle restaurant would opened back to those who don't want a character meet.

As for Gaston's Tavern...I'm sure it's 'Tavern' in theme only. :lol:

One thing I want to do is compare the map to an existing one to see what's getting gutted. Pixie Hollow appears to have moved into (or be up against) Toontown. Personally, I'd rather it be Neverland with a little area of Pixies.

I did read somewhere they want to redo the theme of Toontown and get rid of the county fair (blah!) theme and make it more like Toontown in Disneyland (yeah!).

[JJ]

I agree that Fantasyland is totally targeted toward a combo of little ones and girls.....I don't mind as it was always the first "land" we hit when the boys were small.
We've pretty much bypassed the combo on Fantasyland and Toontown our last few trips although I usually beg them for a ride on Winne the Pooh and Peter Pan if we can score a FP.

[Simba's Mom]

I'm concerned about Cinderella's Carousel. I can't see that in the new plans. Any idea what they plan to do? I hope they're not going to move that! I remember reading that the original idea was to have the Carousel centered in the doorway of CInderella's Castle so that it could be seen clearly as you walked down Main Street. It would be a shame to deviate from that classic plan. Rumor is that the Carousel even had to be moved because it was slightly off-center at first. I love that ride and would hate to see any changes to it.

[James]

Love the "blue print"! Looked at it closer....it should be Mad Tea Party,Tomorrowland Speedway and Cinderella's Golden Carrousel . I don't think Disney would label these attractions any different.

Two Dumbo!!! Yes!!! Parents will love this. Cut the wait time down!

[Robin]

I think Fantasyland should appeal to kids, but little kids of both genders.

Looking over the map again, it totally guts Toontown except for Goofy's Barnstromer, which as James would note, is not the correct Disney name.

I don't think they would get rid of Mickey and Minnie's houses as they are popular everyone and probably fairly cheap to run.

I also noticed comparing the map to aerial shots of the MK, that Dumbo would be torn down and rebuilt in Toontown, which I can't imagine Disney planning, particularly since they only recently improves the queue with awnings and fans.

The plan also loses the limited backstage area behind the Magic Kingdom and backs the buildings up to the access road that runs behind the park.

I think this is someone's idea for a upgrade to Fantasyland, but not Disney's actually plans.

So, what does everyone like and dislike?

I don't see any need for a large Pixie Hollow area, and would much rather see a richer Toontown like Disneyland has.

The MK now:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Cinderella's+Castle,+Magic+Kingdom&sll=28.420474,-81.580361&sspn=0.001007,0.002747&ie=UTF8&radius=0.08&filter=0&rq=1&ll=28.420405,-81.580205&spn=0.001007,0.002747&t=h&z=19

[Robb]

With most of the new attractions being created for big visitors, this will be a welcome addition. Two Dumbos make SO MUCH SENSE! Pixies are a new marketing push. I welcome our new Princess overlords.

[kathleena]

why not bring in a Wonderland attraction? I did read somewhere they want to redo the theme of Toontown and get rid of the county fair (blah!) theme and make it more like Toontown in Disneyland (yeah!).

I agree! Wonderland is much better

I'm concerned about Cinderella's Carousel.

It's there, is just says "carousel"

it should be Mad Tea Party,Tomorrowland Speedway and Cinderella's Golden Carrousel . I don't think Disney would label these attractions any different.

Two Dumbo!!! Yes!!! Parents will love this. Cut the wait time down!

Good on both points!


Yes, it does seem like someone took great pains to to this, either as a joke, a suggestion or for real. I could buy into preliminary Disney plans not having full names on them in the interest of time and space. And the restrooms on this make me think that it is more on the official side and less on the joke side.

And BTW someone did overlay this on Google maps in the other thread and it was a perfect match.

Plus, as I said - this drawing AND the google overlay were both removed from the WDWMagic thread. That site is pretty open, I can't imagine too many reasons why it got taken down (THINK - Bay Lake Towers when the plans first appeared long before it was even started and they were taken down within hours......) I got this from Mice Chat (everyone one was saying look at Rice Hat LOL)

Ah who knows, just fun to dream.....

I think there is to much princess and not enough prince - but are they not making Adventureland into kind of a boys area?

[James]

I
Plus, as I said - this drawing AND the google overlay were both removed from the WDWMagic thread. That site is pretty open, I can't imagine too many reasons why it got taken down (THINK - Bay Lake Towers when the plans first appeared long before it was even started and they were taken down within hours......) I got this from Mice Chat (everyone one was saying look at Rice Hat LOL)

Ah who knows, just fun to dream.....

I think there is to much princess and not enough prince - but are they not making Adventureland into kind of a boys area?

I wish I could have seen the overlay before it was taken down!!:mad:
Dreaming IS always fun!!

[Robin]

I compared the drawing and Google and the original drawing it correct. The main question is who drew it?

Even if it was a fan, Disney might have had it pulled because they own the copyright on the original blueprint.

The only really new (as in wouldn't have been there two years ago) is Pixie Hollow and possibly the technology for the Dumbo queue.

I notice parts of the rumor, such as the Little Mermaid attraction go back as far as two years on Screamscape. Scroll toward the bottom of the page

http://www.screamscape.com/html/wdw_-_magic_kingdom.htm

With 'Potterland' in construction at Universal, Disney might be feeling the pinch to do something big to keep up. The real difference is they'll be going after different demographics. The toddler and pre-tween girls.

It seems to me the two most popular attractions in Fantasyland (based on how long people are willing to queue to ride) are Peter Pan and Dumbo. Neither of which are gender specific in their appeal.

I would have loved to see ToonTown upgraded to be the home of the Fab Five. With the loss of Mickey and Minnie's houses, won't Mickey and friend's be reduced to one attraction? (I don't count parades, meet and greets and shows in front of the Castle)

[OhMickeyYoureSoFine]

I think they should build a water slide that starts from the top of BLT and ends in Fantasyland. Well it's called fantasyland i'm allowed to come up with crazy ideas. :)

[tdelaney]

Wow--very interesting. I'm ok with the princesses. Most of Adventureland is boy-geared. If they are careful in their themes, they can incorporate some testosterone into the attractions.

I, for one, hope this rumor is a-go. There's tons of space north of the current Fantasyland, right?

[Tagrel]

With the quick removal of the plans from WDWMagic this one sure reminds me of the BLT plans leaking as well. But its viral now! :lol: Google "fantasyland expansion plans" and no small number of sites have the picture and lots of speculation to go along with them.

But, Disney plans lots of things... So, until its announced and/or construction starts (and this will take YEARS) its fun to discuss it. :yes: If true, I certainly think this is Disney's response to the new Universal Harry Potter Expansion. Greatly expanding the Fantasyland theming and area would provide a similar WDW experience. And they have the room to do it there.

This will be an interesting one to watch! :yes:

[James]

Here is the link to a blog that has the overlay on it.

http://etckt.com/2009/07/16/fantasyland-rumor/


Maybe they could move Mickey and Minnie's house? Perhaps to DHS? They could blend in over there.:confused: Could be part of the queue for Backlot Sudio Tours.:)

[Jellyrolls]

Interesting, but they should bring back Mr. Toad ;)