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New Fantasyland Imagineer Shares Vision, Timeline Adjusts


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Disney has announced some slight updates to the schedule for the phased rollout of the new Fantasyland. The Storybook Circus area will still be the first to start opening up, but it too will open in phases. I also had the opportunity to interview the Imagineer Art Director for the Fantasyland Expansion about how the vision for the Fairytale Forest and StoryBook Circus areas are being realized.

First here is Disney’s recent release on Storybook Circus which will now start opening in phases beginning in early 2012.

Is Dumbo spinning in the wrong direction?

Actually, Dumbo is just reversing decades of flying in counter-clockwise circles. Call it “unwinding,” if you will. And in a new location within Magic Kingdom.

Guests will board Dumbo the Flying Elephant from the lovable critter’s left side — like mounting a horse … and unlike the way guests hop aboard for a whirl at Disney parks on three continents. It is scheduled to begin happening in early 2012 when select experiences in the Storybook Circus neighborhood of New Fantasyland debut just northeast of Mad Tea Party.

Also early 2012, the existing Dumbo attraction near Prince Charming Regal Carrousel will close, be refurbished and be moved to a location in Storybook Circus next to the new Dumbo attraction. The result when completed later in 2012: double Dumbos, one going this-a-way, one going that-a-way … a real circus act, if you will.

There also will be a “big top” that serves as a queue area for the popular attraction. It will feature a variety of interactive experiences currently being developed.

Two other Storybook Circus elements planned for opening early in the year are The Barnstormer and Fantasyland Station. Guests who enjoyed The Barnstormer at Goofy’s Wiseacre Farm will be happy to know the junior coaster thrills of that attraction are back with a thematic change: Goofy has sold the farm and is now a circus stunt pilot and magician, The Great Goofini. The completely re-imagined train station will serve as the gateway to Storybook Circus and all Fantasyland points beyond.

Below the jump is The Disney Blog’s interview with Imagineer Chris Beatty:

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Four Seasons Resort Orlando sets 2014 Opening Date for Walt Disney World


The newly released concept art for the Four Seasons Resort Orlando.

The Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort has declared a target open date of 2014 based on a final financing deal. Although this luxury resort development was originally announced back in May of 2008, the 360 million dollar deal was just completed. Chalk that up to the slow economy.


Concept art from the May 2008 announcement. To be honest, I like this version better, the new version looks more sterile and less detailed.

The original idea for a Four Seasons Resort right on Walt Disney World property was controversial as Disney’s previous effort to allow third party resorts resulted in ruined sight-lines for EPCOT and, some claim, a less than Disney standard of care (pay to park being one of the chief complaints). Even worse, Disney appears to be deeding this property to Four Seasons resulting in another slice of the resort being cut off.


Location of the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World.

A few have wondered if Disney really needs a high end resort competing with its own properties. But the general consensus is these are luxury guests that Disney wasn’t serving anyway. The sort of pampering Four Seasons resorts expect is just not part of Disney’s DNA, and they were likely staying off-property at Ritz Carlton or JW Marriott. So the net result should be an increase in guests with big spending budgets now even closer to the magic. That has to be good for Disney’s bottom line.

The full press release is below the jump:

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Fan Led Walt Disney World 40th Celebration – Project XL

Project XL: The World at 40 is not about your shirt size, but rather is the latest in a series of fun fan organized events by the group WDW Celebrations. This one centers around the 40th anniversary of Walt Disney World, which is now less… Read More »Fan Led Walt Disney World 40th Celebration – Project XL

How to Land a Musician Gig at Walt Disney World

Nick Rosaci is a local Orlando musician who performs in various groups around town. He also works as a sub at Walt Disney World. At this point you’re probably thinking, I’d love to have his job. Turns out he has some great advice on how… Read More »How to Land a Musician Gig at Walt Disney World

Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Daddy’s Day Report


A small collection of movie props at Great Moments with Mr. Disney.

I wanted to go to Magic Kingdom yesterday to see the Tiki birds (who, I’m told, have evicted the previous management (Techcrunch anyone?)), strangely enough, I still haven’t managed to find time to see the revised show yet, but Indigo has been watching Roller Coaster POV videos on Youtube again and wants to ride Rock-n-Roller coaster. Guess who wins this argument?


It was nice to see the car back out in front of Sci-Fi Diner, but they already need to replace the cool Disney emblem. Um, btw, why isn’t that for sale somewhere in the park?

Daddy, the old softy, and kiddo show up at Disney’s Hollywood Studios with the usual good timing, right as they’re parking the last row of Magic or whatever that section is that’s closest to the gate. This is actually a good thing. You know, fill up the parking lot sections closest to the park entrance first. I have to wonder if this is a change that new park VP Dan Cockerell affected somehow, or just a random change someone in the parking lot team decided to try.

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Pirates of the Caribbean breaks down, what should guests expect?

Disney’s classic attraction, Pirates Of The Caribbean is a water ride that takes passengers in shallow boats down a flume through entertaining show sets. There are very few working parts essential to a functional attraction, a small lift and conveyer belt into the load and… Read More »Pirates of the Caribbean breaks down, what should guests expect?

Disney’s Animal Kingdom names new Baby Elephant

A baby elephant was born last week at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. After a voting process, animal care team members have now have decided on a name fitting a healthy male calf. Jabali, which means “strong as a rock” in Swahili, is a great name for an elephant that will grow to well over 10,000 pounds.

Jabali is the sixth baby elephant to be born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Below the jump is a video showing how Disney’s animal care team cared for Jabali’s mom Vasha as she neared her delivery date.

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Mousejunkies

Are you a Mousejunkie? There’s no shame in admitting it. If so, it’s likely you’ve lived much of the advice provided in the non-traditional Walt Disney World guidebook. But if you’re asking yourself, “Mousejunkie? What is that?” Or you still consider yourself a padawan on… Read More »Mousejunkies