TDLFAN's 1st Impressions of new Fantasyland at MK

Originally Posted By TDLFAN

Well.. today, I finally made my way to the MK to check out the new Fantasyland expansion, which is still in technical rehearsal mode.
While I think it's a tad short on substance (1 ride, I meet/greet, 1 restaurant, 1 small shop, 1 small tavern), the eye candy is a most welcomed panorama in the old MK park. You know how hardcore discriminating I can be when it comes to Disney quality of show and I am horribly pleased to tell you that finally the old MK park has a little bit of that TDS quality to brag about. While we are still eons away for the MK to claim the same level of immersive excellence that is TDS, there are short burst of that themed quality in what they have done here. While it's somewhat disappointing to find the mermaid ride to be exactly the same as DCA's, the queue that preceeds it is simply stunning. Hands down the most lavish and immersive queue in the MK park. Gotta love the 3D crabs that interact with guests and the Scuttle AA.

The Be our Guest restaurant is exquisite, even if I expected it to be a little more elegant..but still, the decor is grand. I loved the snow fall as seen from inside the main dining room outside the huge windows in the background. Just glorious.

The Belle's Enchanted meet and greet is the only misfire as a show, and theme-wise it's ok. However, it's worth doing at least once just for the special effects in there and the Lumiere AA in particular is just astounding. I loved how Lumiere's base taps (like a tapping foot), just like the character does in the movie. GREAT show piece. The rest of this was painfully childish and trite.

Outside, the Gaston Tavern, Gaston/Le Feu statue fountain, and the nearby shop are very nicely themed and pleasant to visit.
I was lucky to visit at dusk and once the Sun was down, the lighting on the new buildings makes the place softly glow in the right spots. So you must make an effort to see this in the daytime as well as the night time.

Another accidental but delightfiul moment was leaving belle's meet as "Wishes" was playing. It was purely magical (I hate that word) to look back towards the small Beast castle on top of the rockwork and seeing the fireworks explode just over and behind it.

All in all...the newly opened areas make the still very new Storybook Circus look flat. But that's my opinion on the newly relocated Dumbo area, but as a stand alone Dumbo themed area it is OK. But the Little Mermaid and Beauty/Beast area have a level of sophistication that Storybook Circus can't match.
I am sure that once the Seven Dwarfs Coaster is finished, this area will look even more wonderful. As an added touch, I love love love the streaming water canal that cuts from the restaurant and into the mermaid ride building, and those waterfalls are nice kinetic touches. It all gives the newly expanded area a most effective forced perspective and depth which many areas of the Magic Kingdom park simply lack.

That is my opinion on this.. and if this is the what the future will bring to the Magic Kingdom, then bring it on baby!!! Too bad they chose not to celebrate their 40th anniversary in style as this new fantasyland expansion would have been the best marketing excuse to reek in the money. If only they had debuted a new 40th annniversary parade and fireworks and put up some 40th anniversary decorations up front on Main Street, it would have made this year at the MK even more magical (there is that dreaded word again). LOL

If there is so far one area of improvement, it would be the flat and expansive area where the old Dumbo spinner sat, just behind the carrousel and the newly built castle wall. As it is now, the area preceeding the castle wall is a huge open area of nothing but flat concrete. Considering the greatness that will be found behind those equally impressive castle walls, the flat area in front needs to be addressed. More trees or a nice park-like flower beds and benches area would be a great addition here, and throw a whimsical fountain to add to the charm. I would hope for this area to be filled with something attractive and decorative soon. Fingers crossed.

All in all.. this is a great new chapter at the MK Park, and for the first time in over a decade, I am excited about the MK again. But let's hope their attention is now turned to the rest of the park since it deserves/needs placemaking all over, except for maybe Main Street USA.

Let's keep wishing on that star...

 

Originally Posted By dagobert

Thanks a lot for the very detailed report. I wish I would have the time next year to visit WDW, but we decided on going to DL Anaheim.

 

Originally Posted By dennis-in-ct

<< Let's keep wishing on that star... >>

Agreed.

Thank you for the insightful report. It looks very well done and it so needed. I am happy the money and efforts were invested. I can't wait to see it in person.

The video of the meet and greet I watched made the experience feel a little awkward - but I do not have small kids. I don't think it is for me but the AA is so impressive I would do the walk thru just to see the new figures perform. I am glad they only built one of these meet and greets and not several as originally planned.

I new mine train looks to be a winner too.

 

Originally Posted By danyoung

Nice review. Can't wait to see it for myself this December!

 

Originally Posted By A Happy Haunt

Thanks!!

 

Originally Posted By tonyanton

Thanks for the review...I'm glad you mentioned that now too-open space. Hopefully a few planters with flower and trees will go in at some point (they've had them in this area in the past).

 

Originally Posted By TDLFAN

I fear a stroller parking (with painted parking spot lines), will eventually go there. Imagine a mall like parking lot in front of those lovely and ornated castle walls... urgh.

BTW.. anyone planning to go in the next few days.. be awared the new areas will be closed to guests and only available to CMs as they and their families enjoy the New Fantasyland Cast Preview days. Not sure how long the Cast preview will last.
That's what I've been told..

 

Originally Posted By RoadTrip

Thanks for the review, but more than anything it was WONDERFUL!! to see you posting here again.

 

Originally Posted By beamerdog

Great report, TDL. Funny that I have been here for maybe two years and the first thing that jumped off the page was your name, lol.

 

Originally Posted By RoadTrip

<<I fear a stroller parking (with painted parking spot lines), will eventually go there. Imagine a mall like parking lot in front of those lovely and ornated castle walls... urgh.>>

Yes, that was my first thought also. The old Fantasyland got absolutely choked with strollers during peak times. Although a place to park the ankle-biters is necessary, it would be nice to have the area landscaped to keep them out of view as much as possible. It might even be nice to have a valet type system... the guest would leave the stroller with a CM who would give them a claim ticket and park it for them.

 

Originally Posted By RoadTrip

By the way TDLFAN... great to see you here again. I hope you stick around for a while and give us additional reports on your visit to WDW.

 

Originally Posted By jkayjs

Will be back down Dec 13th by then everything except the Mine ride should be in full swing. Plus I get to see it all decked out for the Holidays!

Thx TD you always call it as you see it & your glowing review tempered where appropriate has me even more excited to visit.

When we were there in Sept/Oct it was difficult to get my bearings on what to expect. We did hit the Dumbo area which my Grands enjoyed.

However it was unseasonably warm & my fellas were really looking forward to playing in the water area. Right after we got them changed into there suits & water shoes it closed down. It seems one of the 'little darlings' took a huge #2 requiring the immediate closure of the area. And no we did not come back later as it pretty much grossed out my daughter who refused to allow the kids in there after this & watching the complete lack of supervision by other parents of their children. Please know that we aren't blaming Disney just making an observation.

Good review & a long over due addition to MK!

 

Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub

I appreciate your report also TDL since i made an impromptu decision to visit for Halloween last night .
(Having SW award points helps). I am worried they will discontinue the Headless Horsemen galloping down Main Street or trotting since people refuse to be considerate and intelligent enough to obey the Castmember requests to NOT USe Video Lighting .
SO I am visiting if I can get a cheap room at the POP.
I want to see it first in the evening lights because it sounds like my critical brain needs that. I have only walked thru the dueling Dumbo during day...better to see that in the dark , I am thinking...Did not like day view of different dumbo's...too many b-u-t-t-s!!!
Here's hoping you and LeeMac and other spirits continue to be welcomed on the Boards cause evrybody is missed in my Book.

 

Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom

Great review! I look forward to seeing it all in just a couple weeks. I actually don't have a problem with the strollers going in that open area. Granted I would prefer that space used for a ride/attraction. But, considering that the strollers need to go somewhere and right now that means jamming up the area directly infront of Mickey's Philharmagic, creating a congested and funneled pathway between that and It's A Small World. I guess the lesser of two evils is the now vast open area around the new castle walls.

 

Originally Posted By StitchMom84

First of all, GLAD TO SEE YOU BACK HERE, TDLFAN! It's been way too long! Don't leave again, please........
We just got back, and were in the MK on the 12th, got a text from our travel agent ( who is in Utah actually), that she had heard that the new FL was open,so we hot footed it over, and sure enough, CM's were diverting guests into the area. It was so hot, and that day the wait for the the LM ride was over an hour, we didn't wait, just walked around and took a few photos. We were back in on Sunday the 14th, and the rest of the fam did ride the LM ride. Wait was only about 15 minutes at that time. They loved it, but thought it was very much like the "Finding Nemo" ride in Epcot. I didn't go on, so I can't comment personally.
I do have to say, I was a little disappointed in "Storybook Circus". Perhaps I was expecting something more exciting. I don't know, it seemed a little "faded" to me. I think your description of being "flat" is very accurate. I don't know, maybe I just had the wrong idea of what it was supposed to be.
Back to the other area, Gaston was roaming around on the 14th in front of "Gaston's" and was very entertaining. He had a trail of middle-aged women following him around, as he would walk around and move from one spot to another. It was worth sitting in the sun to watch!
Anyhow, seeing your name here today, made me smile! Thanks!

 

Originally Posted By virk4

Welcome back TDLFAN. I'll be there for the official opening December 6....can't wait.

 

Originally Posted By vbdad55

I was being cautious in my hopes for the new FL - however after reading TDLFAN's review, knowing his ability to call out things not done with the detail and care we all want, I am excited to see it next year.

with Leemac and TDLFAN posting again along with so many others I still connect with on FB-- I think a few more trips to LP are in my future also


( some people may be screaming noooo.... LOL !)

 

Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom

Welcome back, along with TDLFAN and Leemac. I look forward to checking it out for myself in two weeks.

 

Originally Posted By disney pete

It must be good to get the TDLFAN seal of approval great to hear things looking up Thanks for report.

 

Originally Posted By dreamscometrue

It's been a couple of years since i've been on LP and was so excited to see you back TDLFAN! I always loved your honest reviews and now will be the LP fan I once was! Great review and can't wait to get back in 2013.