Magic Kingdom Map Points to Changes at Enchanted Grove

WDWNT on November 10, 2011

There’s a new map out at the Magic Kingdom…

It has taken forever, but New Fantasyland is finally mentioned, “opening 2012”:

Another interesting Fantasyland development is the Enchanted Grove. Apparently, it will be coming out of tarps as the Cheshire Cafe:

The name will be changing after 40 years, but Minute Maid will remain sponsor and the menu will be the same once the name change is in effect.

The Story Behind the Mural for Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

WDWNT on November 1, 2011

From Jennifer Fickley-Baker on the Disney Parks Blog:

Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid is one of several attractions currently under construction in the New Fantasyland expansion of Magic Kingdom Park.

This is a very exciting time as various elements are currently being installed in the attraction. Walt Disney Imagineers are currently putting the finishing touches on a sweeping seaside mural that will welcome guests to the load-in area of this attraction.

This video, provided by WDI, shows how Imagineers created an experimental process using digital technology to design the mural, and then used portable tablets to guide them in the artistic process when it came time to put paint on canvas.

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!

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: