Fantasyland Forest Friday-- April 2010

This will begin our monthly update (and more frequent as time passes) that will we will update with the latest information and pictures of the Fantasyland Forest Expansion of Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.

Past Fantasyland Forest “Fridays”:

January 2010 and January 2010 2.0

Lets take a look at some of the new Construction Walls (well, kind of new, from Jan/Feb/March) around Fantasyland. First, we have some walls that have appeared around the back berm of the land, behind Pooh’s Playful Spot, and the back of the land. 

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh facade has begun its transformation into the Fantasyland Forest area, similar to the Mrs. Pott’s Cupboards which debuted earlier in the year (pictured below).

   

Picture of the thatched roof recently revealed at Mrs. Pott’s Cupboard.

In March 2009, several walls popped up in the middle of the land. Could these be for the Castle Walls??

 

 

On March 10, we received two more pieces of Concept Art at the Magic Kingdom D23 First Anniversary Party, both are from the Beauty and the Beast area. Featuring Maurice’s Cottage (top) and the Beast’s Castle (below)

 

Our final piece of information could be something new… With the recent release of the information that the new San Angel Inn Cantina could possibly be a all Quick Service for Lunch, and half Quick Service/half Table Service for dinner. Could that be a testing phase for the Be Our Guest Restaurant??? As it is rumored that the Be Our Guest Restaurant will be that same way. We will see.

Stay tuned for May 2010’s update. It’s just a month away.

GDP Special Report: New Fantasyland UPDATE 2.0

If you haven’t seen yesterday’s post featuring a breakdown of the new Fantasyland area, check it out here.

And here is an  UPDATE!

I would like to thank Stitch Kingdom, The Disney Blog, and the Disboard for posting links. (If there are other links out there to the post, please let me know.)

Since I posted this blog yesterday, my site has had over 2,000 hits in 24 hours. That is an astronomical number, especially when my weekly numbers are in the hundreds. I have two updated pictures one from a reader, Kevin, and another from the Disboard’s Robo (also posted on Stitch Kingdom).

Here is the first, from reader Kevin, who emailed me this picture, featuring an overlaid blueprint on the current land. Its kind of hard to see, but it gives another glance.

This final image is from Disboard’s Robo, it features the 3D model from above, and he laid words over it to show us where everything was.

Finally, I am told that Imagineers have made a former backstage area in ToonTown their new home. And that this model is there, as well as the model will supposedly be on display at the First Anniversary D23 Event in Magic Kingdom. (These aren’t official, but it is just hearsay)

Thanks again for all the success from this blog! I hope you all return to GDP for more information.

GDP Special Report: the NEW Fantasyland Update!

Today we take a look at a recent image that popped up yesterday on Stitch Kingdom. As well as taking a look at the concept art released at the Expo, and the recently “released” 3D Model of the New Fantasyland Expansion in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.

Lets start with an image that we all know, the blueprint layout that was “leaked” in July 2009. (Originally released by Stitch Kingdom as well)

Now lets take a look at the concept art released at the expo, September 2009.

Released around a month later (October/November 2009), ProgressCityUSA has this picture, with subtle differences (a sharper image of Cinderellla’s Chateau and the Little Mermaid Facade):

Now lets take a look at the most recent arrival to our New Fantasyland Expansion, the 3D Model. (Once again brought to you by Stitch Kingdom) Be sure to check out the link and you can see the MUCH MUCH bigger picture.

Since we have taken a look at everything as one, lets inspect each individual area of the new “Fantasy Forest” Fantasyland expansion.

Lets begin with exiting out of the Castle, and where the Dumbo attraction currently is, are the new Castle Walls. These pieces are KEY to the story that Imagineering is going to try to tell with this new expansion, without them, the story is ruined.

 

Moving North, the Beauty and the Beast area consists of three separate “mini-areas”, taking up the place of currently Ariel’s Grotto, and part of backstage.

First, we have Belle’s Cottage, where the meet and greet with Belle will take place. Themed to Maurice’s cottage.

 

Belle will read and act out some of her favorite stories, similar to Storytime with Belle now.

Another part of the Beauty and the Beast area is the Beast’s Castle, featuring the Be Our Guest Restaurant.    

Finally in the Beauty and the Beast area is the “Belle’s Village” featuring some shops and a Gaston themed restaurant, Gaston’s Tavern.

  

After the Beauty and the Beast area is the Little Mermaid attraction/area. That will take place in what is currently the backstage area, and the 100 Acre Wood play area.

This first piece of concept art is from the first rendering.

This clearer picture is from the second overhead rendering.   

Taking place in the 100 Acre Wood play area, the Cinderella area is a meet and greet in her chateau.

This first picture is from the first overhead rendering.

This clearer picture is from the second rendering.

Just behind Cinderella’s Chateau, is Aurora’s Cottage.  

Aurora’s Cottage is where guests will get to meet and play with Princess Aurora.

The guests will make Birthday Cards for Princess Aurora while they wait.

And once they get to meet Princess Aurora, Aurora will read her cards that guests made out loud.

The “big” highlight that many Cast Members, and guests are looking forward to is the ‘Dueling Dumbos’ in the Circus themed area.

 

This rendering of Dumbo is ACTUALLY from a proposed Tokyo Disneyland refurbishment, but now will be used for Magic Kingdom.

Our final new area to the “Fantasy Forest” is the Pixie Hollow area, a much bigger expanded area then the Disneyland area.

In concept renderings, the picture features a giant tree, and such.

But in the model, the tree seems to be replaced by a new mini attraction, similar to Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree that is going in Disney’s California Adventure’s Carsland.

Now we take a look at current ideas in Magic Kingdom, that will just be enhanced.

Like the facade of The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, that will be getting a newly refurbished facade to blend in better with the forest theme.

The Mad Tea Party also seems to get a better “building” that will help blend in the theme with the area.

Finally, we take a brief look at the attraction formally known as the Barnstormer. No one knows exactly what will happen with this attraction, but it is for sure that it will be staying, but as what? The blueprint below has a “Cheese Coaster” in the Circus land area.

Many fans think it will either be a Snow White Mine Car themed attraction, but it won’t connect as it will be far from the really “foresty” area. Others seem to think that since Casey Jr. is missing from the Circus land, that he will have a place on this newly redone attraction. Only time will tell.

Main Pictures from Stitch Kingdom and ProgressCityUSA, cropped pictures are by GDPinvestigation. All Concept Art Courtesy of Disney.

And a very Special Thanks to Stitch Kingdom for the information and permission