So totally unrelated to the previous post we hear that Walt Disney World is restructuring their Transportation management. This actually harkens back to the corporate restructuring Disney implemented early in the year, the one that resulted in all the management layoffs. Since then, Disney has… Read More »Meanwhile, Disney World restructures Transportation Division
Ah-ha! We know what it is. The Orlando Sentinel was first to break the news that the mysterious device that shut down the entire Disney World Transportation Bus System was a harmless tire pressure monitor with remote monitoring capabilities. This device was installed by Disney… Read More »Disney Bus Bomb Scare – The Wrap Up
I wanted to put a little coda on the recent Bomb Scare that hit the Walt Disney World bus transportation system. As mentioned in the updated version of my previous coverage, the item was determined to be non-hazardous. Since then the sheriff department has said… Read More »Coda to the Disney World Bus System Bomb Scare
When Star Tours II (aka Star Tours 2.0) was officially announced at D23 they showed some 3D podracer footage with your StarSpeeder actually racing along the Tatooine course. While the footage was amazingly cool, it led to some speculation that the whole show would be… Read More »Star Tours II – Details Leak Out
Local news is reporting that a suspicious package has been found on Disney World Transportation Bus located in a non-guest accessible area. Some cast members have been evacuated and the bomb squad called in. A employee inspecting a bus in the maintenance area found a… Read More »Suspicious Package found on Disney World Bus, Employees Evacuated
The new National Transportation and Safety Board Chairwoman has only been on the job a week, but she’s already given at least one interview regarding the Walt Disney World Monorail Accident that resulted in the death of a cast member. So far, Disney appears to… Read More »NTSB Pleased with Changes Disney Making to Monorail Operations
Those of you who have ever considered being a costumed theme park character might want to read this story at the Orlando Sentinel first. You’ll probably have second thoughts. Costumed characters were back in the public eye after prosecutors recently found a Pennsylvania man guilty… Read More »So you want to be Mickey Mouse, eh?
The leaked plans for the Magic Kingdom Fantasyland expansion appear to be mostly, if not totally, true. This based on announcements from Jay Rasulo at the D23 Expo today. There’s some good detail of the plans at my previous post looking at the blueprints. Now we also have some gorgeous concept art to go with it. (click for larger versions)
Update: download 2.5 mb larger version here.
This concept art shows the expanded area from the POV of above Cinderella Castle. In the front left you see the ‘castle walls’ from which you will travel through into the various Princess Realms. Belle, Sleeping Beauty, Ariel all have their own castles (aka meet and greet areas). The Beauty and the Beast realm will also have a new dinner show.
Ariel’s castle will contain the Little Mermaid attraction that’s also being installed at California Adventure.
At this point the Fantasyland Expansion concept art differs a bit from the blue prints we saw. Tinker Bell and the fairies still get their Pixie Hollow (which will be phase two of the expansion), but the Dumbo attraction (see concept drawing below) is moved to the other side where Goofy’s Barstormer and Donald’s boat is now. There is also a coaster in the back that is not on the blue prints. I’ll be curious to see how this all turns out in the final version.
The new Dumbo attraction will have two spinners and, apparently, more of a circus theme. The blue prints specify an ‘interactive queue’ which, based on this art, would appear to be more living character initiative animatronics. Think Mr. Potato Head in the Toy Story Midway Mania queue.
All this, Jay says, will be open in 2012. A year late for the 40th Anniversay of the MK. But not too shabby a schedule. I would like to have seen another solid ‘ride’ type attraction, something aimed at the whole family instead of another meet and greet/mini-show. But the dinner show and the themeing look pretty outstanding.
Follow below the jump for the full press release related to all of Jay’s park announcements:
