Inside Look at Walt Disney Imagineering and Fantasyland Expansion

WDWNT on August 20, 2010

NASA held its first information technology summit this week. How does this apply to Walt Disney World? Speakers at the second day included Jack Blitch from Disney Imagineering, giving a lecture on how his company designs and implements it attractions, and some of its plans for the future. This video includes a look at 3-D models of “Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid” and the entire Beauty and the Beast themed realm. The remainder of the Fantasyland expansion is not mentioned, further fueling the flames for rumors of sweeping changes to the Magic Kingdom expansion plan. Regardless, it’s a fascinating look inside Walt Disney Imagineering that you should enjoy:

8/1/10 “it’s a small world” Refurbishment Update

WDWNT on August 2, 2010

The refurbishment of “it’s a small world” at the Magic Kingdom began August 1st and is scheduled to wrap-up on October 22nd. The only changes to the attraction we can confirm at this time include a queue reconfiguration and the moving of the attraction entrance back to its original location near Pinocchio’s Village Haus. The following photos were taken by Banks Lee on August 1st:

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Tarps wrap the entire facade

My favorite refurbishment sign EVER!!!

That sign should be moving down to the other end of the facade

oops….

The windows looking into the loading area of the attraction from Pinocchio’s Village Haus have been blocked

Rapunzel Coming to the Magic Kingdom? Small World Changes?

WDWNT on July 31, 2010

From the Disney Parks Blog:

Before we dive into the weekend, there are a few quick updates to share out of Magic Kingdom Park to end the week. First is a new character experience — a “play and greet” with characters Rapunzel and Flynn Ryder at the park’s Fairytale Garden. Beginning Friday, October 15, you’ll be able to interact with both of the stars from the upcoming Disney film “Tangled.”

The Rapunzel and Flynn Ryder experience will replace the current show, “Storytime with Belle” at Fairytale Garden. The final “Storytime with Belle” show will be September 12.

And some of you may have already heard about some downtime scheduled for “it’s a small world.” The attraction will be closed for refurbishment this Sunday, August 1 through Friday, October 22.

We’ll post more details on both of these updates in the future.

Now before anyone starts to worry that Disney characters are being added to “it’s a small world”, remember that Imagineers stated when the refurbishment was announced that “characters will not be added at this time”. However, this is from the same people who stated the Main Street Electrical Parade was leaving after August 14th, so, as usual, take that statement with a grain of salt. All that we can confirm is that Disney is taking this time to reconfigure the queue of “it’s a small world” and will move the entrance back to its original location near Pinocchio’s Village Haus (the entrance was moved during the huge 2004-05 overhaul of the attraction). Anything beyond that is simply speculation at this time. Stay tuned to WDW News Today for more information on these Fantasyland changes as they become available.