Originally Posted By HokieSkipper Ladies and gentlemen, we've all been hoodwinked. There's no ifs, ands, or buts about it. We've been hoodwinked by WDI, TDO, and TWDC. The Fantasyland Expansion which was announced a year and a half ago promised to not only a more beautiful and expanded Fantasyland(that part we're getting...kind of), but we were also told Mickey's Toontown Fair aka Mickey's Starland aka Mickey's Birthdayland, a perennial black mark on a Magic Kingdom that has been gaining said black marks more and more over the years, would be getting wiped off the earth wrath of God style. But again, we were hoodwinked. Instead of filling the space with a better, worthwhile land, we'll be receiving more of the same with Storybook Circus. But even that's not true. We'll be receiving less of the same. Gone will be Mickey and Minnie's houses, the true charm(if it can even be called that) and hallmark of Toontown Fair. But when Storybook Circus opens it's big top, all we'll be left with is a bunch of tents(again), a water play area(again), a rethemed Barnstormer(again), and an extra Dumbo. So I'll say it again. We've been hoodwinked. And hoodwinked so well, that I still see fabois and girls jumping up and down about how Toontown Fair is "gone". No boys ad girls, it's not. Just it's name, and anything that made the area worthwhile(if that).
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Did they ever actually say that Toontown Fair and the tents would be removed? I know the original plans for that area were for some sort of pixie-themed attraction similar to Mater's Junkyard Jamboree at DCA, but that area always seemed to be a little behind the rest of the project, in terms of completion of design. I don't remember them ever saying specifically that the tents would be removed (and I think there may have even been some in the backgrounds of the early concept art), so I'm not really all that shocked by this. Yes, I'm disappointed that they will be staying, but I'm really not surprised that it's happening. I'm actually much more surprised that they're shutting down the Snow White ride to fill that space with a meet and greet. They also announced that we would have the opportunity to dance with Cinderella and give cards to Aurora, but nobody seems to be complaining that they hoodwinked us on that one. Designs change; some for the better, and some for the worse. I think this one is overall for the better (or at least a draw), since there will be minimal investment on the tents. That way, theoretically, it is easier for them to justify the cost of replacing them with something of value in a few more years. "...that has been gaining said black marks more and more over the years..." Oh, that? Don't worry, it's just mold.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper All the original pieces of art had the tents out of the picture. <<They also announced that we would have the opportunity to dance with Cinderella and give cards to Aurora, but nobody seems to be complaining that they hoodwinked us on that one. Designs change; some for the better, and some for the worse. I think this one is overall for the better (or at least a draw), since there will be minimal investment on the tents. >> Yes, obviously the meet and greets are not happening as planned. But that's an uptick in quality. The keep of the tents? Downgrade. Big time. One of the supposed points of "New Fantasyland" was to beautify the are. This certainly won't do that. <<That way, theoretically, it is easier for them to justify the cost of replacing them with something of value in a few more years>> You really think that's going to happen? Birthdayland has been around for almost 30 years at this point. You really think it'll be gone in another few? Because I don't.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros No, I don't, but I'd like to hope it in the back of my mind. When they announced and built the Pooh playground as a 'temporary placeholder' there was a collective "yah, right!" from the online community. 7 long years later, they're finally tearing it out and rebuilding that area into something that actually has the potential to be really nice. Do I think they will do anything with the tents in the next 5 years? Not really. But I would be very surprised if they were actually still there in 10. They're a type of semi-permanent construction that is cheap to build and quick to go up, but it doesn't have an unlimited lifespan. At some point in the not-too-far-off future, they will need to replace the vinyl fabric. At that point, it will be almost as expensive to simply replace the fabric as it would be to completely rebuild the structures, with their aging foundations, structures, and infrastructure. They only realistically have a certain useable lifespan before they become impractical to maintain. At that point (which really isn't too far off), I think we'll see a complete replacement of them with something else. It may be a more permanent tent-like structure (the Circus McGurkis structure at IOA is a great example of how it could be done), or something entirely different. That corner of the expansion definitely appears a lot cheaper than the rest of it at this point, so they may be holding out for something more grand in coming years.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer I agree totally, however, I do hope that it will at least have a more cohesive theme.
Originally Posted By HauntedMansionFan Any idea if they will they be adding the characters to 'It's A Small World' as part of the Fantasyland expansion?
Originally Posted By Lee hisownself Two tents are staying, and will remain a merch location and M&G. From their location on the plans, I suspect they may be the current tents, refurbished. (There are also areas labeled "Confetti Plaza" and "D Zone". No idea what those are.) Can't say I'm bothered by the current plan. Keeping the tents and similar theme helped pay for the Mine ride...so I see it as a win, overall.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Something that I find kind of interesting that I don't think I've seen mentioned anywhere yet is the sculpture in the middle of the fountain in front of Dumbo. It looks identical to the sculpture of a 'collapsing' tower of elephants designed to be the centerpiece of Dumbo's Circusland at DL in the late 70's. The project was cancelled, but they had already made a miniature of the sculpture for reference/inspiration. That model was then used as the mold for the new lights in the loading area of Casey Jr during the 1983 Fantasyland redo. It would be really interesting to finally see this be build in full-scale, so many years after it was initially proposed, since it's not exactly as well known as many other project that never made it into the parks. Concept art: <a href="http://progresscityusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/D23_DumboExtCircusTrain.jpg" target="_blank">http://progresscityusa.com/wp-...rain.jpg</a> The only picture I could find that shows the lamps (it in the background of the picture, about 1/3 of the way from the left, with the sculpture in gold): <a href="http://birindelli.net/Wonders/UploadedImages/PICT2183.jpg" target="_blank">http://birindelli.net/Wonders/...2183.jpg</a>
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>Sun 2/13/2011 10:42p I know, why don't we all wait until we see the finished expansion? <<<< After the abominations we have seen come to fruition before (Toy story Playland anyone), never. If we do not like the concept art, we must make it heard (after all, was that not a part of the reasons the FLE changed?). And if we like the concept art, again it is important to say too. I like the front half of this expansion (with the exception of the m&G replacing a dark ride), not so much the rear.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I liked the Toontown Fair and anything similar they may replace it with. Any thing that helps keep the ankle-biting stroller-pushers away from the rest of the park is A-OK with me!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Problem is, as a Mickey's birthday celebration, it was fine. It was tacky as Toontown Fair, always subservient in quality in comparison to Disneyland's Toontown, then again when comparing DL to the MK, that is nothing new. I had hoped they would have gotten rid of this area decades ago and replace it with decent theming. Seems that still is not happening.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>I worry that we'll be able to see tents behind Mermaid...<<< You might be able to see them in the same view, but not OVER TLM... I think.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Any idea if they will they be adding the characters to 'It's A Small World' as part of the Fantasyland expansion?<<< I pray not.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Can't say I'm bothered by the current plan. Keeping the tents and similar theme helped pay for the Mine ride...so I see it as a win, overall.<<< Yet... let's rip out SWSA for MGs that we are ending up saving. That makes no sense.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer Snow White's Scary Adventures and Meet and Greets. That is English, albeit in acronym form.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub Snow White Scary Adventures are being destroyed for a Princess MeetnGreet and apparently the budget is so tight and WDW does not really know what they are doing. If they use temporary tent structures surrounding Dumbo dueling elephants they have saved enough money to perhaps actually build the new mine ride. The people who support the destruction of SWSA believe will be an exciting roller coaster replacement (WDW's answer to HP as in Harry Potter). I think it is funny that mothers think SWSA is so scary it must be terrible and be removed but HP movies and theme park ride is not at all too intense. RoadTrip I am so thankful I learned to love DL and WDW as in the past because the future is scary. I have been trying to visually walk thru the theme parks and realize MeetnGreets have taken over everywhere. Can you think of any street corner without a line for these?
