Originally Posted By Manfried This is the first real expansion of Fantasyland since WDW was built. Toontown, originally Mickey's Birthday land I believe, doesn't count. And Fantasyland actually got smaller when they took out the sub ride. (Or should I say when it fell apart when drained for a rehab.) And prior to opening in 1971 it had all ready shrunk more when they cut the Matterhorn from the project. It was supposed to go in the back of Fantasyland.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I have to say I am actually quite impressed with this layout. Yes, it is annoying they are having permanent meet and greets replacing an atraction (which I swear M&Gs have ruined the parks, it was always so much more fun when it was spontaneous). And it would be great if they redid the Carnival frongates of the dark rides. But this really makes a huge difference. The MK used to have the ugliest Fantasyland that really brought the place down. This I think is going to make a huge asthetic difference to the place to raise the enjoyment level even if you do not ride anything. I can be perfectly happy at Disneyland or DLP not riding attractions as there is plenty to explore, the same could never be said of the MK IMHO with the exception of Liberty Square. This really is a good move forward IMHO and better than the original M&G plan.
Originally Posted By brotherdave I agree with you Dave, especially about the "carnival" dark ride fronts. However, in the loss of the dark ride and addition of the meet&greet, the facade looks basically the same. Yuck!!! There HAS to be some other way to put m&g's in without removing a ride AND adding the coaster. There's plenty of other unused areas in and around Fantasyland (Skyway station, anyone???) that could be used for this without gutting a dark ride facility!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Agreed. If it was that important, they could lose a shop or one of the mediocre dining facilities, but we know that won't happen. While the skyway could be a lovely venue for a princess meet and greet, the issue is disability access isn't it. I can't remember, but I only recall stairs, and it seems a cramped area to try to build a ramp. But yes, it worries me how Disney does thrills and toons, and yet again here are the two together. But I would expect this couster to be as thrilling as Casey Jr in Paris, which is also technically a coaster, but anyone over the age of 1 can ride. But, they will take a pig ugly concrete area and give it charm. WDW's Fantasyland has been devoid of charm most of it's life. The Castle and 20K attraction drew the attention away, but once 20K disappeared, it became really depressing. And so many WDW disciples do not know what they have missed out on. This redo will give some positive identity to the MK's Fantasyland.
Originally Posted By brotherdave Oh, the coaster addition most certainly is an improvement and will be very well received, I feel. However, it still won't be for everyone. Some age appropriate children are too afraid to even ride the Barnstormer. My guess is that this coaster may have similar restrictions and may be intimidating to some. Don't get me wrong, I am very happy to see this addition happen. Just not at the expense of another. The park could use BOTH the coaster and a dark ride. As for the Skyway station, you're probably right about it not being handicapped accessible. However, that could be rectified in some manor, I'm sure, even the addition of a "hidden" elevator in the back could answer that problem. The building itself also might be too small to accomodate "all" of the princesses they want to use, either. Therefore, they would have extensively alter it or remove it altogether, which is probably why its not an option due to costs. Still, couldn't they have somehow incorporated one or two small cottages elsewhere in the concept similar to what they originally developed, or possibly add more over time? Why does this all have to happen at once? A small m&g venue could be easily added here or there as needed over time.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt Personally I think the meet & greet thing is not permanent... well nothing really is I guess. It can easily be relocated in years to come and something else, presumably another dark ride, can go where Snow White is now.
Originally Posted By sjhym333 I opened Mickey's Birthdayland and one of the Imagineers told me in no uncertain terms would it still be there after the 18 month celebration was finished. They were going to take that time to work on a new attraction for Fantasyland. We know how that turned out.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer ^^^^ The Mine Train TOOK THIS LONG???!???!! And they did have another idea for Fantasyland. The original FLE plans were supposed to be built in 1998.
Originally Posted By oc_dean >>Personally I think the meet & greet thing is not permanent.<< That's a nice thought Hans ... but it does not take much to look at Disney's track record on things dubbed "temporary" to see, they end up turning into "indefinitely" ... which in reality is "permanent". The closure of Wonders of Life pavilion should have been temporary. Yet, it sits like a routing corpse. DL's Peoplemover track .. list goes on.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan The meet & greets make me realize that I am of a completely different era than the modern Disney theme park guest. To me, the spontaneous, walk around characters were fun little "extra" of the parks. Now, they are basically another attraction. Autograph books, photopass, seeing the characters are a "must" for people now. And they're willing to line up to do it! I think the meet & greet area will be there forevermore, because it's just come to be one of the thing guests really want. It's not considered a little extra anymore.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Not just wanted by guests...but also something that just might require more control as I mentioned in another thread. I don't think we are far off from a Meet and Greet where Mickey will be able to "talk" to your child in a personalized manner. You will be in line and give your child's name to some Cast Member who will program it into a computer that will send signals to the cast member in the costume and, lo and behold, out comes Mickey's voice saying hello to little Billy and thanking him from coming all the way from St Paul to visit him at the Magic Kingdom.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "That's a nice thought Hans ... but it does not take much to look at Disney's track record on things dubbed "temporary" to see, they end up turning into "indefinitely" ... which in reality is "permanent"." And there are just as many things that they DO change frequently. All I'm saying is that the meet & greet space is flexible enough that if Disney should have a hit movie that is worthy of a small dark ride this space could potentially be used and the meet & greet experience could be moved elsewhere in Fantasyland.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<And there are just as many things that they DO change frequently.>> Uhhh...like?
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt Hasn't Snow White's Scary Adventures been changed/altered several times in the past?
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper Possibly. The last time was 1994. Almost 20 years ago. I wouldn't call that frequently.
Originally Posted By plpeters70 <<if Disney should have a hit movie that is worthy of a small dark ride>> Doesn't Disney already have dozens of movies that they can use as the basis for a dark ride? There really isn't any good excuse for them closing down an actual ride-through attraction and replacing it with a meet & greet that only a small percentage of their audience will be interested in. Whatever happened to rides for the whole family?
Originally Posted By mstaft I'm looking forward to these additions, and I agree with davewasbaloo. It will give FL the charm it lacks. But I'll wait to go until the next major addition to WDW. Maybe for DAK? Waiting for D23...
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer ^ I'm waiting/hoping for another Nightastic announcement in June...
