Since Disney announced its massive Fantasyland expansion over a year ago, there was much speculation as to what it would look like and what new attractions would it have. Disney had a major press event on Tuesday, January 18th to give out the major details of the project. Disney first reveled that a revision in the original plans were made. There was much talk about the expansion being too “Age and Gender specific”, leaning too much toward Fairies and Princesses, which would appeal more to the girls. Some of the original ideas were dropped in order to make the project appeal to a much broader audience.
There was going to be a large themed area where guests could have interacted with Cinderella and Aurora, but it was decided to give these princesses and others their own meet and greet called “Princess Fairytale Hall” which will replace Snow White’s Scary Adventures. There was also a planned area called “Pixie Hollow” where the Disney Fairies could be met. This will now be re-located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
There will be new rides coming, and the one talked about most is the new “Seven Dwarf’s Mine Ride” According to Disney, it will not be as intense as Big Thunder Mountain, more family-friendly. It will have a new type of ride system that will cause the cars to sway back and forth along the track. In addition, an all new Dumbo ride will be re-located in the old Toontown. It will be called “Storybook Circus”. There will be two Dumbo rides and a queue line that’s inside a big-top tent where guests waiting on line can play interactive games, the old Barnstormer rider will be re-dubbed the “Great Goofini” all with a new look.
Another ride will be…”Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid” complete with songs and scenes from the Animated classic. Let’s not forget the restaurants. In the Beast’s Castle will be the new “Be our Guest Restaurant” The eatery will seat up to 550 guests and will be counter-service during the day, but will “Magically” turn into a table-service restaurant by night. The Castle will be situated on a hill, and guests can stroll outside and be immersed in Belle’s village, which will have Gaston’s Tavern and the Bonjour gift shop.
Sadly, Mickey’s Toontown Fair is slated to close on February 12th to begin construction on the expansion. Mickey and Minnie will be met at Exposition Hall in Town Square; it is not yet known if their houses will be relocated there.
