News Fantasyland Project Tracker : Official Thread

[Meettherobinson]

PLEASE SEE UPDATED FANTASYLAND PROJECT TRACKER HERE

THIS THREAD IS NOW CLOSED


Disney World's Fantasyland Project Tracker.

I do live in Phoenix and hope others with the ability to check on the status of the project will help us keep this tracker up to date. Thanks for your help.












Blooloop industry insider Chad Emerson recently visited with Chris Beatty (the Project’s Creative Director) and Jon Georges (the Project’s Show Producer) from Disney’s Imagineering group—the creative lead on most Disney attractions—for an exclusive interview regarding details behind the new Fantasyland project.

Chad Emerson: Share with us how you developed the many different characters and storylines for the addition to Fantasyland.

Chris Beatty and Jon Georges: During the past three years, teams of Imagineers from a variety of disciplines have explored many different options for expanding Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom. As with all new Imagineering projects, the Fantasyland Expansion began in “Blue Sky” which is the up-front conceptual phase of all projects and the place where new ideas are explored for the first time. The team looked at the mix of attractions and experiences in the existing Fantasyland and explored many new stories and characters that would help enrich and broaden the overall Guest experience in the park.

Emerson: What is one of the most innovative features of the Fantasyland addition in terms of attractions?

Beatty & Georges: The entire Fantasyland Expansion is an historic milestone for the Magic Kingdom. It represents the largest single expansion in the park's 40-year history and will almost double the size of the existing Fantasyland. The team is exploring a range of new technologies and environments that will fully immerse Guests in their favorite Disney fairytale stories and bring classic Disney animated worlds to life. The scope and scale of the expansion are unprecedented and we hope that the depth and quality of these new experiences will entertain our next generation of Guests for years to come.

Emerson: What about in terms of dining? It sounds like you are adding new restaurants to the addition - what are some of the innovations included in them?

Beatty & Georges: At the Be Our Guest Restaurant, Guests will dine inside the Beast's Castle in one of three unique dining rooms inspired by the Disney animated classic, Beauty and the Beast. The centerpiece will be the striking Ballroom where Belle and Beast danced together for the first time.

Emerson: When designing a new attraction, Disney often includes a "first." In terms of the Fantasyland addition, what are some things that Disney has done for the first time with this project?

Beatty & Georges: There are three key "firsts" included in the Fantasyland Expansion project:

• Under the Sea-Journey of The Little Mermaid is the first family musical adventure into the world of the Disney animated classic, The Little Mermaid. The attraction features state-of-the-art special effects, Audio-Animatronics characters and a magical and memorable musical score.
• Three new Princess Experiences expand the traditional character meet-and-greet locations and invite Guests of all ages to interact with Disney Princesses. In these immersive new attractions, Guests can take a magical journey from Belle's cottage to the Beast's castle to meet Belle, visit Cinderella's Chateau and help her prepare for the royal ball and celebrate Aurora's 16th birthday inside the forest cottage of the Three Fairies. Each of these Princess Experiences will offer magical moments and create special memories that Guests will be able to share with their families and remember forever!
• The all new Dumbo the Flying Elephant brings the Big Top to Fantasyland! For the first time, Imagineers have expanded the story and created an entire circus filled with fun for Guests who visit this beloved classic attraction. Before boarding their favorite Flying Elephant, Guests are invited inside the Big Top to enjoy the sights and sounds of Dumbo's magical circus. The fun is doubled when even more elephants take flight in this exciting new addition to the Fantasyland skyline.

Emerson: Tell us how you became involved in the Fantasyland addition?

Beatty & Georges: We were both involved in Magic Kingdom expansion projects during the earliest phases of Blue Sky development almost three years ago. We both went on to develop other Imagineering projects and returned in early 2009 to lead the design for the Fantasyland Expansion. It is truly an honor and a dream come true to be part of this spectacular expansion of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World!
Dumbo in Fantasyland : One of the Magic Kingdom's most beloved attractions, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, is completely re-imagined when the circus comes to town. Guests are invited to step into the big top and join the circus before their magical flight over Fantasyland. The attraction will be part of the expanded Fantasyland that was announced at the D23 Expo in Sept. 2009 by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo. (Disney Rendering)

Above Fantasyland : A bird's-eye view of the vastly-expanded Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World which will offer Guests a new land of enchantment in a magical fairy tale forest just beyond the castle walls. The expanded Fantasyland was announced in Sept. 2009 at the D23 Expo by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo. (Disney rendering)



Little Mermaid, Big Fantasyland : Fans of Disney's animated classic "The Little Mermaid" will journey under the sea to meet Ariel and her friends on an exciting new musical adventure. This new attraction will take guests through beautifully rendered scenes featuring classic songs from the popular animated feature. The attraction will be part of the expanded Fantasyland that was announced at the D23 Expo in Sept. 2009 by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo. (Disney Rendering)


Credits: Orlando Sentinel
By Jason Garcia Sentinel Staff Writer
3:28 p.m. EDT, September 12, 2009

Disney Parks Blog
Thomas Smith

Blooloop.com

[aimster]

re: Fantasyland Project Tracker : Official Thread

Thank you! Yes we need an "official" Fantasyland expansion thread... I nominate this one!

[SummerInFL]

Re: Fantasyland Project Tracker : Official Thread

Great starter thread, I stickied it and edited the title a little to fit the subject needs.

Enjoy. I'm looking forward to this very much and that plans above make it look amazingly wonderful.

[tasman]

Re: Fantasyland Project Update

I'm quite frustrated that there is no official FPU Thread.

I agree, hope the mods make this thread sticky. This is a very DL-centric forum and there are not as many Micechatters to provide photo updates on WDW as there are for DLR, but this expansion is a sufficiently significant undertaking to warrant a "sticky."

[MatterhornJ]

Re: Fantasyland Project Tracker : Official Thread

So let me get this right, with the current dark rides, they're sticking to the current FL facades opposed to the DL / DLP type facades?

[ryno1986]

Re: Fantasyland Project Tracker : Official Thread

So let me get this right, with the current dark rides, they're sticking to the current FL facades opposed to the DL / DLP type facades?

All evidence points to the answer being "yes". The only exception is the Pooh ride since it's going to be in the new area. Some have even stated that the tree from the playful spot will be moved and be part of the new facade.

[tasman]

Re: Fantasyland Project Tracker : Official Thread

As far as I know, no concrete dates exist for any of the new additions, except that the expansion as a whole will be complete in 2012, aside from the Pixie Hollow area (if that actually materializes).

Matterhorn, the new FL is being divided into halves...the area within the castle perimeter wall, and the forest outside. Everything inside the wall will keep the old "tournamen / village" hybrid look that MK's FL has sported since the beginning. Pooh's exterior will likely be remodeled to a more "enchanted forest" look...but no concept art has been seen, except what we can glean from the model above.

[Exomonia]

Re: Fantasyland Project Tracker : Official Thread

Well, its not definite but apparently the Little Mermaid area was hoping to have been open by Spring 2011. I'm also guessing that from this information, Disney is planning to start from the west side of Fantasyland and move east. So, here's what I think will happen: (and this is only my guess) The Beauty and the Beast castle area will open around Spring 2011, along with the Little Mermaid ride. In Winter 2011, the Beauty and the Beast town as such will be completed, to be followed soon after by Cinderella's Chateau in late Winter or early Fall. Coming up very close to Summer 2011/2012, the Winnie the Pooh meet and greet area should be completed, along with (maybe?) Sleeping Beauty's cottage, and the new Pooh facade if they haven't already done this. The teacups will have a quick makeover, which will be completed early 2012 of not earlier. The entire Dumbo area should be complete around Winter-Fall 2012. This leaves Pixie Hollow for early to mid 2013. And that's all I've got to say.

[SummerInFL]

Re: Fantasyland Project Tracker : Official Thread

As a reminder let's keep the posts on topic and refrain from personal attacks.

This is a good thing for WDW, let's stay focused on that.

[Micoofy Duck]

Re: Fantasyland Project Tracker : Official Thread

Thank you for this! Also, when I go during late summer will the Train be down? I mean are they moving the track further out as they expand Fantasyland? Just wondering if anyone knows about the WDW Train situation.

[Exomonia]

Re: Fantasyland Project Tracker : Official Thread

Thank you for this! Also, when I go during late summer will the Train be down? I mean are they moving the track further out as they expand Fantasyland? Just wondering if anyone knows about the WDW Train situation.

My thoughts are that they might take it offline for just a couple of days at some point, then re-open it and have it stop only at Frontierland and Main Street USA, with the Toontown Station covered up. But Toontown shouldn't be closed when you're there. It's hard to say really. But they won't extend the track as it is a far way from the existing Fantasyland, and the expansion will bring it up to the track.

[k_peek_2000]

Re: Fantasyland Project Tracker : Official Thread

Major construction to start soon. Disney is starting with the princess's side first. Including the Little Mermaid ride,

Disney to start construction of princess sets in Fantasyland expansion | TheDailyDisney.com from OrlandoSentinel.com

It's on track to be open 2012. With the Tinkerbell side to open 2013.

[yoyoflamingo]

Re: Fantasyland Project Tracker : Official Thread

Thank you for this! Also, when I go during late summer will the Train be down? I mean are they moving the track further out as they expand Fantasyland? Just wondering if anyone knows about the WDW Train situation.

I believe at the D23 anniversary party, they said all the construction will fit in the current train tracks, so no changing of the track.

However, I do think the train will have to be down, especially if they are planning on rebuilding the station. Maybe we'll get the reversed train like when Splash Mountain was built.

[Kidgenie]

Re: Fantasyland Project Tracker : Official Thread

The WDW RR Tracks are not going to be moved. However from what I have heard, during the peak construction months, yes months, of converting Mickey's Toontown Fair to Dumbo's Circus, the WDW RR will no operated. The Switch track from the round house (a railroad term, its not actually round) to the main line is a few feet prior to the existing Toontown Station. While the Tracks will not be moved, the heavy construction will be too close for comfort. I have heard they will take this opportunity to rehab the tracks of the entire main line, which I found odd because prior to this, I have never even heard rumor that this was needed.

Anyway, they will not be able to run from Splash Mt. in reverse to Mainstreet because the Toon Town stop is where they stop for water ever few loops around the MK. And that entire station will be part of the heavy construction zone. So my guess is yes, the rumors of the WDW RR closing down for a few months are true and will be reality. Which months have not yet been determined but logic says these rumors will prove to be true.

[icepenguin77]

Re: Fantasyland Project Tracker : Official Thread

The WDW RR Tracks are not going to be moved. However from what I have heard, during the peak construction months, yes months, of converting Mickey's Toontown Fair to Dumbo's Circus, the WDW RR will no operated. The Switch track from the round house (a railroad term, its not actually round) to the main line is a few feet prior to the existing Toontown Station. While the Tracks will not be moved, the heavy construction will be too close for comfort. I have heard they will take this opportunity to rehab the tracks of the entire main line, which I found odd because prior to this, I have never even heard rumor that this was needed.

Anyway, they will not be able to run from Splash Mt. in reverse to Mainstreet because the Toon Town stop is where they stop for water ever few loops around the MK. And that entire station will be part of the heavy construction zone. So my guess is yes, the rumors of the WDW RR closing down for a few months are true and will be reality. Which months have not yet been determined but logic says these rumors will prove to be true.

I really wish they would use the time to fully refurbish the train... maybe with a Grand Canyon Diorama, or something new.

[yoyoflamingo]

Re: Fantasyland Project Tracker : Official Thread

Anyway, they will not be able to run from Splash Mt. in reverse to Mainstreet because the Toon Town stop is where they stop for water ever few loops around the MK. And that entire station will be part of the heavy construction zone. So my guess is yes, the rumors of the WDW RR closing down for a few months are true and will be reality. Which months have not yet been determined but logic says these rumors will prove to be true.

I figured. It was more tongue in cheek to reference an odd moment in the WDRR history. Still would be cool though. :ap:

[Kidgenie]

Re: Fantasyland Project Tracker : Official Thread

I agree, I nice long tunnel in the back side with a show inside would be a wonderful addition to the WDW RR, and if done right it could also hide the overpass the train passes under prior to entering toon town.

Looking at the image of it... Any one else notice that the tea cups seem to be missing from the 35 model? Should they not be to the right of the Grand Prix?

[Imagineer Scott]

Re: Fantasyland Project Tracker : Official Thread

I like the enthusiam, but can you really get good pics of the construction shot from the MK? lol

[k_peek_2000]

Re: Fantasyland Project Tracker : Official Thread

I like the enthusiam, but can you really get good pics of the construction shot from the MK? lol

If only they could have built landscaping when they built MK. XD (of coarse because of the service tunnels underneath of MK actual hilly landscaping wasn't possible)

[Bill]

Re: Fantasyland Project Tracker : Official Thread

As of today, new walls are up in Fantasyland. Looks to be the beginning of the castle wall construction... but it's too early to tell. Could just be the removal of the planter located to the right of Dumbo. (as looked at facing North)