Dumbos Will Duel! More Details on Storybook Circus Coming Early 2012

WDWNT on October 10, 2011

Disney has released more details on Storybook Circus, part of the Fantasyland Expansion at the Magic Kingdom. The following will all take place sometime between January & May of 2012:

Look! Dumbo is going the wrong way!

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.

So, what’s new? We now have confirmation that the dueling Dumbos will indeed be dueling by going in opposite directions of each-other once work is completed on remodeling and moving the current attraction later in the year. Also, Disney has finally confirmed that The Barnstormer will keep its name, it will just be changing in theme. Finally, the train station will be Fantasyland Station, not Storybook Circus Station as previously reported.

For those wondering, there will be no Dumbo the Flying Elephant attraction at the Magic Kingdom from January 9th through February 17th, 2012. It is expected that the new Dumbo carousel will open on February 18th as work continues on remodeling the moved, older Dumbo attraction.

Walt Disney World Plans Major Refurbishments for 2012

WDWNT on October 6, 2011

With 2012 approaching, Walt Disney World’s plans for the year are becoming more and more clear. Today, the Walt Disney World website listed several new refurbishments which lead us to some interesting conclusions:

  • Dumbo the Flying Elephant is listed as closed from January 9th thru February 17th, 2012. During this time, it is expected the older carousel of flying pachyderms will make the move to the Storybook Circus. Disney has already stated that the new carousel will open first, so we can expect that new Dumbo centrifuge will be in operation on February 18th as final modifications are made to the older ride once it is placed next door. That’s right, Dumbo will be the first attraction in New Fantasyland to open next year, probably followed closely by the Storybook Circus Train Station, The Barnstormer starring the Great Goofini, and the Casey Jr. Roundhouse in the same time frame.
  • The rumored Big Thunder Mountain refurbishment is no longer a rumor as Disney has it listed to begin on January 9th, 2012. The current end date is set for March 31st, but that is only because the Walt Disney World website calendar doesn’t cross that date as of yet. During this refurbishment, an interactive queue is expected to be added. As well, the missing railroad tracks hiding the steel roller-coaster track will be returned and the falling rock scene will either be fixed or replaced. Other upgrades and changes are rumored but an not be confirmed at this time. Stay tuned as more becomes available on this story.
  • Still not listed is the rumored refurbishment of Test Track at Epcot. The reason we have heard for this is that the attraction is not closing in the Spring as rumored, but rather in the Summer after Cars Land at California Adventure opens. The reason for this is that Imagineering wants to see how the upgrades to the technology and the new show scene effects work before moving them over to Florida. Once Test Track does close, it will be closed for several months. Right now, the only rumored changes we are hearing about are new scenes where the tires are changed or the paint scheme of the car is changed, just like in Radiator Springs Racers.

For a comprehensive list of upcoming refurbishments and changes (including a changed return date for the Swiss Family Treehouse), be sure to check out our attraction updates page!

40th Anniversary Activities Officially Confirmed!

WDWNT on September 23, 2011

From the Cast Member Eyes and Ears publication:

While all of this official information is now public, there are a few more surprises expected on October 1. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information becomes available.

The Ultimate Battle Between Good and Evil! The Magic Kingdom Parking Lot?

WDWNT on September 21, 2011

From Jennifer Fickley-Baker on the Disney Parks Blog:

Are you a “hero” or a “villain”?

Pretty soon, that’s all guests at Magic Kingdom Park will need to remember in order to find their vehicle in the parking lot at the end of the evening – or at least, doing so will help narrow down the location.

Earlier this week, work began to split the parking lot into what will be two main sections, “Heroes” and “Villains,” and then smaller sections within each, including: Woody, Aladdin, Peter Pan, Simba, Mulan and Rapunzel (Heroes lot), and Zurg, Jafar, Hook, Scar, Cruella and Ursula (Villains lot). Each lot also will have its own color, so essentially, all you have to remember is one of these three characteristics (hero, Rapunzel or blue) and you can find your car.

If only Disney could help you remember what your rental car looks like!

(Note: The time completion of these parking lot changes may be influenced by weather).

Complete Details on Magic Kingdom 40th Anniversary Artist Celebration

WDWNT on September 16, 2011

If you have been following the updates we have been making on wdwnewstoday.com/wdw40, you already know that October 1st at the Magic Kingdom will bring a ton of artist signing events to the park for the 40th anniversary and the release of new merchandise to mark the special occasion. Well, Disney has released details on a few more pieces that will be available on that day:

Celebrate 40 Years of Walt Disney World Magic on Saturday, October 1st!

Walt Disney World® Resort 40th Anniversary
Artist Signing Events at Magic Kingdom® Park!

Have you marked your calendars for the 40th Anniversary Celebration at Walt Disney World?

Join us on Saturday, October 1 for an anniversary celebration at Magic Kingdom Park commemorating 40 years of Disney magic.

Throughout the celebration, renowned Disney Artists will appear throughout Magic Kingdom Park for meet & greets and artist signings at Diamond Horseshoe and Uptown Jewelers.

40th Anniversary Kooky Pen Signing
Special Guests: Kooky Pen Creator, Brent Reese and
Disney Design Group Artist, Costa Alavezos
Signing Location and Time:
Diamond Horseshoe, 9:00am-11:00am

Disney Traditions Haunted Mansion
Organ Player Sculpture Signing
Special Guest: Disney Traditions Artist, Jim Shore
Signing Location and Time:
Uptown Jewelers, 11:00am-2:00pm

Walt Disney World 40th Anniversary Collection
by Kevin Kidney and Jody Daily
Special Guests: Disney Artists, Kevin Kidney and Jody Daily
Signing Location and Time:
Diamond Horseshoe, 1:00pm-3:00pm & 4:00pm-5:00pm

Original Artwork and Custom 40th Anniversary Vinylmation created by NOAH
Special Guest: Artist, Noah
Signing Location and Time:
Diamond Horseshoe, 11:30am-1:30pm & 4:00pm-5:00pm

40th Anniversary Celebration Artwork
Special Guest: Artist, Greg McCullough
Signing Location and Time:
Diamond Horseshoe, 11:30am-1:30pm & 4:00pm-5:00pm

Miniature Replica Magic Kingdom Toll Plaza and Haunted Mansion by Robert Olszewski
Special Guest: Miniaturist, Robert Olszewski
Signing Location and Time:
Uptown Jewelers, 12:00pm-2:00pm & 4:00pm-5:00pm

Magic Kingdom and Haunted Mansion Limited Edition Mixed Media Sculptures Signing
Special Guest: Artist, Dave Avanzino
Signing Location and Time:
Diamond Horseshoe, 1:00 pm-3:00pm & 4pm-5pm

40th Anniversary Limited Edition Artisan Watch Collection
Special Guest, Disney Artisan Watch Artist, Gene Gonda
Signing Location and Time:
Uptown Jewelers, 1:00pm-3:00pm

Imagineers Turn Cement Into Scenery for “Under the Sea”

WDWNT on September 15, 2011

From Jennifer Fickley-Baker on the Disney Parks Blog:

One of the highly anticipated attractions coming to New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park is Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid.

The attraction, a seaside grotto beneath the castle of Prince Eric, is where guests enter the world of Ariel and her friends for an adventure filled with songs from the classic film. But you don’t have to wait until it opens to take a look inside. Walt Disney Imagineering just shared this video with us, in which Imagineer Eric Miller explains how the team is creating a realistic underwater environment for Ariel that’s inspired by the film.

This amazing and detailed process involves sketches, models, computer technology, construction and artistry. See for yourself!

Parks & Resorts Shows “Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” at Carousel of Projects

WDWNT on September 12, 2011

Our post D23 Expo 2011 coverage continues with a comprehensive video of the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Carousel of Projects pavilion. Inside the Carousel of Progress inspired pavilion, guests were given an inside look at some of the largest projects in Walt Disne Imagineering history: Cars Land, New Fantasyland, Buena Vista Street, the Disney Fantasy, the Shanghai Disney Resort, and much more. Enjoy your spin around the future of Disney Parks and Resorts around the world: