Latest: Aerial Views of New Fantasyland Construction

Originally Posted By AutoPost

This topic is for Discussion of <a href="http://www.LaughingPlace.com/Latest-ID-79658.asp" target="_blank"><b>Latest: Aerial Views of New Fantasyland Construction</b></a>
<p>WDWMagic.com is back some more beautiful aerial pictures of the Magic Kingdom's New Fantasyland construction.</p>

 

Originally Posted By FerretAfros

Wow! Looks like there's a lot going on back there! There are so many things to comment on, but I think I'll just do the highlights:

They appear to have a long way to go before the water play area and tents in the circus area are going to be open for guests

The area where Dumbo used to be is quite large. Whats going there? I know they're going to add some 'castle walls' in that general area, but it seems like there's space for something more (though nothing too big)

It's weird that they have the green walls on both sides of the path to the circus area. On the south side, there's nothing but the Speedway. Why not take those walls down?

The backside of the main Dumbo tent is pretty big and ugly, and sticking out where everyone can see it. I hope they have some good landscaping plans for it

That's a pretty big structure they're burying for the coaster. Looks like the maintenance bays will be down there, and possibly the loading area.

There are some rockwork holes in the roof of the building sticking out the west side of the Mermaid ride, which should make for a neat grotto effect (except when it's raining!). What will be in that space? Is it the queue?

I'll be interested to see how the very different styles of rocks look on the ground. From the air, they seem kind of mismatched. Hopefully they'll make more sense from within the area; I'm sure that the hill for the coaster will help separate the views of both

Overall, it's very cool to get a chance to view the construction like this. Also, that's a really big crane they have back there!

 

Originally Posted By A Happy Haunt

WOW is right!!

 

Originally Posted By Donny

last night my family and I went to look at the new improved Dumbo and I have to admit it looked great.The cast members costumes,the train station and even the trash cans are very well themed.In the past I have been critical of the lack of "The Disney touch" in past Disney projects (Animal Kingdom) but so far the New fantasyland is looking to be a return of the magic.

 

Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt

Where does the path go that leads toward Tomorrowland from the Fantasyland railroad station?

 

Originally Posted By FerretAfros

It connects to Tomorrowland right next to the arcade at the exit of Space Mountain.

>>In the past I have been critical of the lack of "The Disney touch" in past Disney projects (Animal Kingdom)...<<

What specifically about DAK is lacking the Disney touch to you? While the basic concept behind Chester & Hester's may fall a little short, I still think it's very well executed. And the rest of the park is nothing if not chock-full of little Disney touches. No, there aren't a ton of characters around the park, but that's a big part of its appeal to me. IMO overall, I think that DAK might have the most Disney touches of any of the WDW parks.

 

Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom

I have to agree DAK has more Disney touches than any other WDW park at WDW.

 

Originally Posted By A Happy Haunt

DAK is my fav Park!!

 

Originally Posted By Donny

sorry but considering the park as a whole Animal Kingdom lacks alot of the Disney touch that people look for and a countless number of online polls agree with me.

 

Originally Posted By oc_dean

Just to the left of the entrance into the big Beauty and the Beast restaurant .. is what I believe to be Gaston's Tavern?

And since the whole Meet & Greet princess locations were dramatically scaled back ... what are the two "house" type buildings that sit to an angle to each other, are?

I'm a bit surprised the distance between both of these buildings is as tight as it is. I was imagining someday ... adding more to Fantasyland ... with a wide pedestrian corridor that would go between both buildings ...and an area that would reach the railroad track.

And now I see the area originally thought as Pixie Hollow ... a couple circus tent structures. BLEECH!

I think if they made this area ... a couple large mounds of dirt, planted grass .. and a few trees ... and let guess ponder as to what may "lay ahead in the future" ... would be more tantalizing to the imagination .. than a circus tent area. yuck

 

Originally Posted By Witches of Morva

ORDDU: I imagine that one of those circus tents will be a store like it was before. But the other one might be used for more character meetings and greetings as it used to be--except not for Mickey and Minnie this time.

ORWEN: I still think they could have kept Mickey and Minnie's homes if they had wanted to. Instead of those circus tents, they could have put Mickey and Minnie's houses there. They could have had a scaled down Toon Town next to Dumbo's Circus.

 

Originally Posted By CDF2

Seems to make perfect sense for Disney to strike back at Universal or the other parks by offering something for the small fry that the other parks simply cannot deliver.

For any family with kids too young to read the Potter books the MK park will again be a "goto" place - it's not like it wasn't before but now it most certainly will draw some new interest given the new offerings.

 

Originally Posted By CDF2

Seems to make perfect sense for Disney to strike back at Universal or the other parks by offering something for the small fry that the other parks simply cannot deliver.

For any family with kids too young to read the Potter books the MK park will again be a "goto" place - it's not like it wasn't before but now it most certainly will draw some new interest given the new offerings.

 

Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom

<Seems to make perfect sense for Disney to strike back at Universal or the other parks by offering something for the small fry that the other parks simply cannot deliver.>

I'm still pondering that statement. I thought "offering something for the small fry" was the whole reason behind Mickey's Birthdayland/ Mickey's Starland/ Mickey's Toontown Fair/ Storybook Circus, as well as such "attractions" as Pooh's playful spot.

It is not as if this is the first time that area of the Magic Kingdom was used for the "small fry" population. Furthermore, there is no age restriction for the majority of rides in each of the WDW parks. It is not as if the Disney Company sought out to exclude toddlers from their park's rides and attractions. So is it really relevant to have an entire "land" in the Magic Kingdom dedicated exclusively for toddlers?

As this point I'm totally over redundant, boring, circus tents. Is it too late to convert that area over to Pixie Hollow?

 

Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt

"It connects to Tomorrowland right next to the arcade at the exit of Space Mountain."

Is that new?

 

Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom

Nope, the walkway has been there forever. It is considered to be the "quiet" section of the park. The walkway is also utilized during Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party with various trick or treat spots along that pathway.

 

Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt

Why all the circus hate? LOL.

 

Originally Posted By skinnerbox

<<Nope, the walkway has been there forever. It is considered to be the "quiet" section of the park.>>

When I need to take a break from the crowds, this is where I go. I love that path. It's a nice breather for folks like me who get overwhelmed by wall-to-wall bodies and sensory overload. (Which is another reason DAK and EPCOT are my favorite parks at WDW. Plenty of quiet little out-of-the-way nooks to get away from the crowds and allow my senses to calm down.)

 

Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom

Looks like the pathway was originally built as an entrance to Mickey's Birthdayland from Tomorrowland ( June 18th, 1988 ). Althought I would be curious if anyone else has more accurate information. I also could not find any information regarding a train station in Tomorrowland as one person had stated.

<Why all the circus hate? LOL.>

I'm not sure if that comment was directed at me. Circus tents have been on that site since the original Mickey's Birthdayland. I don't have a problem with the Dumbo ride being placed there and the intresting horseshoe shaped building around them. I personally find the cirucs tents boring, unappealing and lacking the visual intrest of either Mickey's and Minnie's homes. I would find Pixie Hollow to be far more appealing than story and a half high circus tents. Just my personal thing. Doesn't matter what I want, there circus tents are there to stay.

 

Originally Posted By Megara

Thanks for posting the photos. Looks great. I hope they plant lots of trees and gardens - as Fantasyland at WDW is a concrete jungle.

The fantasyland at DL is so much more beautiful because of the trees and gardens.

PLEASE PLANT LOTS OF TREES.