Fantasyland Is Expanding

[WDW4Ever]

I'm going to miss Toontown actually. I always thought that Toontown could've used a little sprucing up.

[Winnie]

I wonder what this looks like on top of the current layout?

This should be really nice when it is finished but it is going to break a lot of kids and adults hearts as their favorite fantasyland attractions are closed for refurbishments. I can't tell, are they losing Snow White, Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan, and Phillharmagic? Or does this change from Dumbo back to the Tea Cups and Toontown only? I wonder if they will move Mickey and Minnies Houses to somewhere else like DHS...oh the mind is a whirling!

[wdwtristan]

Hooray new Fantasyland!!

[WDW4Ever]

I always liked Disneyland's Toontown better, too

[jbgoldengun]

I'm really sad that this is happening.... I've had so many good memories in Fantasyland and Toontown. I can even remember back when i was about 4 or 5 years old getting my picture taken with Mickey in front of a then-unused skyway pole. My dad will be crushed to hear them "getting rid of" the old Dumbo, because that's one of the few memories he had of his dad that died when he was 11. I will miss it terribly.... might have to undo this if i become an imagineer.....

[DopeyDancer87]

Im scared that these plans will end up like AK's Phase 3. I am really hoping that Im wrong though.

That was also my first thought! So much was promised with AK, let's hope they don't drop the ball on this one!

[WDW4Ever]

I'd venture to guess that Disney will do just fine with all these things they're announcing

[bigyanks]

Maybe I should postpone my wedding for 2012

[Disney's Folly]

I wonder what this looks like on top of the current layout?

This should be really nice when it is finished but it is going to break a lot of kids and adults hearts as their favorite fantasyland attractions are closed for refurbishments. I can't tell, are they losing Snow White, Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan, and Phillharmagic? Or does this change from Dumbo back to the Tea Cups and Toontown only? I wonder if they will move Mickey and Minnies Houses to somewhere else like DHS...oh the mind is a whirling!

I don't think Disney could ever close down so much of Fantasyland during the expansion. It would be terrible for business.

That said, the expansion shouldn't affect pre-existing rides other than Toontown, Dumbo, etc. (based on the blueprints and drawings). Most of the expansion appears to be happening over the old 20,000 Leagues area which is pretty large, plus areas behind it that were previously not used or part of Backstage. Rides to the west of the castle and carousel look totally unaffected. The Castle Wall and other theming look like they could affect Snow White's Scary Adventures and Many Adventures of Pooh. Though Disney could always find a way to filter guests into those attractions while such work was being done. Not sure if there's a precedent for this from other expansions or refurbs. Seems like they could theoretically do all the work north of the tea cups/SW/Pooh/castle, walled off until the 11th hour, and then close those areas for a minimal amount of time to work on walkways or any exterior re-theming those areas might need. It's all conjecture right now but since they're going to have to close Toontown, I can't see how they could also close a large volume of Fantasyland without risking a severe dip in attendance (plus volume issues elsewhere) for a long time.

[jbgoldengun]

After looking at the plans closely,I don't understand why Disney would go to all the trouble and expense of moving Dumbo so far just to put up some decorative walls that don't look thick enough to even hold a shop. Seems impractical to me.

[ohiodisneydad]

I'm not really excited by the Dumbo attraction. It's cool looking but I never really thought of Dumbo as needing a huge refurb. Princesses I understand.

[disneyfun55]

I must respectfully disagree that Dumbo doesn't need a refurb. That is the single most popular ride in FantasyLand with Peter Pan coming in a very close second. I think the second spool and the interactive que area are going to be great.

However, I worry that the placement in the back of the park will lessen the attraction of the kids. I think that one of the reasons it is SO popular is that it is right there for all the kids to see in the center of Fantasyland. Having the Fantasyland train stop close by will help, but I can't see it replacing the high visibility it had where it is currently.

[ohiodisneydad]

I must respectfully disagree that Dumbo doesn't need a refurb. That is the single most popular ride in FantasyLand with Peter Pan coming in a very close second. I think the second spool and the interactive que area are going to be great.

However, I worry that the placement in the back of the park will lessen the attraction of the kids. I think that one of the reasons it is SO popular is that it is right there for all the kids to see in the center of Fantasyland. Having the Fantasyland train stop close by will help, but I can't see it replacing the high visibility it had where it is currently.

I don't argue it's popularity. It's the first ride we are riding next week with my two year old. I just think that there is a lot of work going into Dumbo with this Fantasyland Expansion/refurb. My family and I are incredibly excited about the expanded princess areas but I think there needs to be other attractions. I'd love a Pinocchio or an Alice in Wonderland attraction. How about a new Mr. Toad. Like I said, I'm excited. I just want MORE!!!

[HauntedGabe]

After looking at the plans closely,I don't understand why Disney would go to all the trouble and expense of moving Dumbo so far just to put up some decorative walls that don't look thick enough to even hold a shop. Seems impractical to me.

I'm not really excited by the Dumbo attraction. It's cool looking but I never really thought of Dumbo as needing a huge refurb. Princesses I understand.

Dumbo has had a major rehab (for that style of attraction) in my kids lifetime. I don't remember if they totally replaced Dumbo or re-worked it but it had many more little Dumbo's when Disney was done.

Adding 2 Dumbo's, as I understand will help that line move. It is difficult with toddlers/preschoolers to stand that long for a very short ride.
By the sketches it looks like they are moving Dumbo because it would interfere with the master plan. Dumbo is just kinda plopped out in the middle of prime real estate.

[Tim]

Dumbo has had a major rehab (for that style of attraction) in my kids lifetime. I don't remember if they totally replaced Dumbo or re-worked it but it had many more little Dumbo's when Disney was done.

Adding 2 Dumbo's, as I understand will help that line move. It is difficult with toddlers/preschoolers to stand that long for a very short ride.
By the sketches it looks like they are moving Dumbo because it would interfere with the master plan. Dumbo is just kinda plopped out in the middle of prime real estate.

Dumbo was revamped but if I remember correctly, the queue was improved to allow for faster access and some additional elephants were added for capacity. That was it. Now it appears they will basically replace it altogether with a new and hopefully improved version. It's been my experience throughout the years that Fantasyland has a "Funnel effect" on foot traffic basically forcing everyone through narrow walkways until it widens up as you approach the Teacups. Add in the placement of Dumbo and the Carousel and it makes for huge clusters of people plugging up the walkways. I hope they will address this.