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:

The Technology Behind New Fantasyland

WDWNT on August 10, 2011

From Jennifer Fickley-Baker on the Disney Parks Blog:

Who’s up for another inside look at the construction of the New Fantasyland?

In the video below, Walt Disney Imagineering takes you onto the construction site to learn more about the innovative technology the Imagineers are using to build the new attractions, restaurants and other guest areas that will make up the expansion.

As you’ll see, this visualization technology allows the team to identify any potential challenges before construction begins. Tablet computers also allow Imagineers to take the program onsite to see how work is progressing.

If you look closely enough at the video, you’ll catch some pretty unique views inside Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid and the Be Our Guest Restaurant.