Fantasyland Shrinks Before It Expands

WDWNT on December 18, 2011

Guests visiting the Magic Kingdom are being given a special warning beginning today…

The problem is not so much the waits as much as it is the space. The construction walls for New Fantasyland are moving out again so some work on the pathways can be done to prepare for the opening of Storybook Circus in just a few weeks time. Christmas week is usually busy enough, but with the walls coming out, Disney is expecting guest gridlock in Fantasyland. The hope is that giving guests this warning will get many of them to experience Fantasyland before noon. Here’s how Disney is wording it to their cast members:

As we continue preparing New Fantasyland for its debut at Magic Kingdom Park, it will be necessary to expand construction walls throughout the area. We will be using a number of tactics to help ease Guest flow through Fantasyland during this time, such as temporarily removing merchandise or food and beverage carts from the land. To ensure our Guests have the best experience possible, we will be encouraging them to visit Fantasyland in the morning hours when they can usually enjoy the shortest waits of the day. We also suggest that families with strollers leave them parked in one of the designated Fantasyland stroller locations while exploring the land.

Our advice: try to stay out of Fantasyland until 2012…

The Storybook Circus Comes to Town February 2012!

WDWNT on December 8, 2011

We had already figured out that the new Dumbo spinner would be delighting guests by mid-February 2012, but now it sounds like the Barnstormer and the new Fantasyland train station will be ready as well for that date:

New Fantasyland (early 2012) – The largest expansion project in Magic Kingdom history will open in phases beginning February 2012 at Walt Disney World Resort, featuring attractions and experiences in an area that will nearly double the size of Fantasyland.  Among the novelties, guests will be able to fly high with The Great Goofini or with Dumbo the Flying Elephant, “immerse” themselves in Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid and “be our guest” at the Beast’s Castle. Out of the gate in early 2012 will be The Barnstormer coaster, Fantasyland Station and – for the first time anywhere turning counter-clockwise – the first half of the Dumbo the Flying Elephant attraction. Completion of The New Fantasyland is scheduled for 2014 with most new experiences open by 2013.

That’s right, we are just two short months away from the Storybook Circus! Who’s excited?

Adam Roth’s 12/4/11 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on December 6, 2011

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Walt Disney World on Sunday, stopping at the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. Let’s take a look at the newsworthy photos:

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Another Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom window

There are many ways to hide a camera

The attention to detail is amazing

A window in Frontierland

These pads tell guests where to stand

Work continues on the Frontier Trading Post facade

The Pecos Bill’s facade looks great

The Adventureland/Frontierland passage is finally finished!

It looks quite nice

The buildings next door also look great

Work is now happening on the back side of Pecos Bill’s/Tortuga Tavern

A fireplace in Tortuga Tavern is a Sorcerers play area

Camera holes

Speaker

Argghhh, we found another!

The Sunshine Tree Terrace is still behind tarps

Another little mat out in Adventureland

It now looks like there is a piece of cloth in the back

The Swiss Family Treehouse re-opened a few weeks ago

Another mat…

Not so hidden cameras

They completely rebuilt the entrance canopy

Looks brand new

No visible progress on the Fire Station which will open as the main location for Sorcerers in early 2012

As we leave the Magic Kingdom, we see work on the Grand Floridian DVC wing is picking up

Adam took a trip over to Disney’s Art of Animation Resort per our request to see how construction was going

It looks like it is going great!

The Cadillac Range has appeared on the Cars buildings

Sketches of Luigi

Sketches of Guido

Finding Nemo building

Large coral outside

A look into the pool area

Another look at Cars

This hotel is going to be heavenly…

A wide shot

The Little Mermaid wing

Staircase construction

The Lion King building is far from finished

Back to Nemo

Crush is under wraps, please don’t try this at home…

A school of fish up on the building

More newly installed props

Mr. Ray is wrapped up

More Little Mermaid buildings

Construction trailers

It’s Christmas at Pop Century, so raise the roof tiles…

So, oranges under a mini-van…

WHAT?

Massive Beauty and the Beast Statue Going to New Fantasyland?

WDWNT on December 2, 2011

WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios yesterday and (for some reason) decided to take a trip on the Backlot Studio Tour. Boy, are we glad he did, because he came across this “beauty” in the prop shop:

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Taking a wild guess, I would imagine this still unfinished statue is going to New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom, seeing as this is the same building where the mural for Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid was created. Where exactly in the expansion will this statue end up? Possibly the Be Our Guest Restaurant, but it’s still too early to tell. Just another little preview of Fantasyland to wet your appetite for 2012…

On a side note, where is that table in the background from? Another piece of New Fantasyland, or maybe we’re just over-thinking this…

First Video of Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom in Action

WDWNT on November 30, 2011

It’s short and the quality isn’t great, but someone has posted video of Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom in action from way back on November 10th. The video looks to be the introduction to the Adventureland game being given by Kuzco and pertaining to Yzma trying to become empress of Adventureland. It’s not much, but it’s something…

Walt Disney World Rings in 2012 with the Usual New Year’s Eve Offerings

WDWNT on November 28, 2011

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — New Year’s Eve is one of the biggest fireworks evenings of the year at Walt Disney World Resort, a place where fireworks are both spectacular and an every-night occurrence. Fireworks and nighttime shows will light up the skies and create a mood of celebration at three theme parks on Dec. 31, 2011, while revelry of other sorts takes place elsewhere throughout the Vacation Kingdom.

Here’s a snapshot of what’s in store:

  • Magic Kingdom presents a double helping of pyrotechnics: “Wishes” nighttime spectacular with a holiday overlay at 8:30 p.m. and “Fantasy in the Sky” at 11:51 p.m.
  • Epcot‘s “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” delights revelers with a salute to the new year at 7 p.m. and 11:42 p.m.
  • At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the 25-minute spectacular “Fantasmic!” that combines water, fire, lights, lasers, fireworks and music will be presented at 6:30 and 8 p.m., with the popular “Lights! Camera! Happy New Year!” fireworks display at midnight.
  • At Cirque du Soleil, all guests attending the Dec. 31 performances will receive a limited-edition Walt Disney World/Cirque trading pin. Shows are at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. For pricing contact 407/WDW/SEAT.
  • Registered guests at select Disney resort hotels will be treated to music and entertainment. At Narcoosee’s restaurant (Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa), for instance, there will be a four-course dining experience for $149, plus DJ, balloon artist and special fireworks viewing at 8:30 and 11:51.
  • Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort offers a special-ticket New Year’s Eve party from 8 p.m.-2 a.m. with video DJ Tony Zapulla.

For specific information about other holiday dining offerings at Disney resort hotels on Dec. 31, call 407/WDW/DINE.

A Quick New Fantasyland Update

WDWNT on November 27, 2011

It has been a while since we checked in with the progress on the New Fantasyland project, so let’s take a look courtesy of WDWNT Reporter Zach Larson:

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Storybook Circus is coming along quickly

The tents are still bare

The Dumbo queue building

Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

The castle has been painted!

Work continues on the Beauty and the Beast realm

The village will have its first visible details soon

We’ll check back soon!

Sleepy Hollow Waffle Sandwich: Yay or Nay?

WDWNT on November 15, 2011

Our good friend Sarah who writes “Eating WDW” for WDWNT: The Magazine and has her own blog by the same name recently tried out one of the new, much discussed, waffle sandwiches at Sleepy Hollow Refreshments. Here is her review:

I had heard about Sleepy Hollow Refreshments’ menu changes via Zach of WDWNT, and I knew I had to try one of the new waffle sandwiches out. With F&W in full swing, I’d been neglecting my other parks. That all had to change yesterday! I wish Matt was with me so I could order the Ham & Prosciutto version as well, but since I was running around property like a nut that day, I had to pick one. I decided to go the more “traditional” route of chicken and waffles, hoping for some heat to the chicken.

I was in awe of the size of this beast, which was only $6.99. Talk about a great value on property!

There really wasn’t any heat to the chicken; it was definitely on the sweet side. It wasn’t overly sweet for me, so I enjoyed it. The waffle tasted like the same batter that is used for the Mickey waffles. Yes, I know the whimsy is in the shape, but these were still on point for flavor.

It was a LOT of food. I ended up just eating the chicken after a few bites. The greens were a really nice addition from a textural point, and really brightened up the sandwich overall. The slaw was quite nice as well for some crunch. I tasted it alone and liked it despite the heavy mayonnaise.

I look forward to trying the ham & prosciutto version, and the Nutella option sounds interesting as well. I’ll have to head back to MK with Matt by my side real soon!

Our thanks to Sarah for permission to use her report, and please go check out her Eating WDW blog!