Fantasyland Forest Expansion—August 2010

This is our monthly edition of Fantasyland Forest Friday, keeping you up-to-date on the latest happenings over in the Fantasyland area that is being made over into the “Fantasyland Forest”. Be sure to follow our Fantasyland specific Twitter feed, FantasyLFriday.

Past Fantasyland Forest “Fridays” for you to keep track of the progress:

January 2010 and January 2010 2.0
April 2010
May 2010
June 2010
July 2010

First thing we will ‘cover’ this month is this picture that surfaced on D23’s Editor Letter by Steven Clark, a debate ensued on Twitter between @Exprcoofto, @EPCOTExplorer, @EPCOTPluto, and myself about the picture, whether the model depicted Sleeping Beauty’s Cottage or Pixie Hollow. Exprcoofto, EPCOTPluto and myself thought (and kinda know…lol) it is of Sleeping Beauty Cottage, you can see through the comparison between the model and the whole Fantasyland model, and concept art.

 

This past month, July, has been filled with many news and rumors regarding the Fantasyland expansion. Early in the month, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh attraction Fast Pass’ are now able to be picked up in the Mickey’s Philharmagic Fast Pass system.

 

Also, the outside of the attraction, and the newly placed Pooh’s Tree is walled off, but the attraction is still open, for a new facade to be designed, and the queue line to be reworked. The wall also features the new logo for the attraction, it resembles the style of the upcoming 2011 movie.

    

In the middle of the month, Club D23 featured a rumor that Frontierland might be getting an expansion (check out the link for more information and discussion). Information Posted at Club D23:

Rumor has it that Frontierland is being looked at for a possible addition. The possibility of something in Frontierland is coming from pretty high up in the company, from people who don't really like the 100% girl oriented Fantasyland Expansion. While this is still very early speculation, one of the areas being looked at is Tom Sawyers Island. That area could possibly see some influence from Grizzly Trail going in over at Hong Kong Disneyland.

You might ask how that relates to Fantasyland?? Answer: The next day rumors began to fly that the Pixie Hollow area of the Fantasyland expansion have been axed from the plan. Nothing is confirmed, but later that day Jim Hill Media released a posting that gave reasonings and explanation as to why Pixie Hollow might be axed. Once again nothing is confirmed, but it is interesting to read.

Other reports I have read say that the Pixie Hollow area can easily be switched out, and exchanged Walt Disney Animation’s latest film, Tangled, does well in the box-office when it’s released in December, and a small Tangled themed area can be placed in that area to continue the 'princess’ theme.

EDITOR’S NOTE: One thing I must personally add, when talking with Tom Corless of WDW News Today, he let me know that the ONLY things that are confirmed for the Fantasyland Expansion, right now, are of the Beauty and the Beast area, The Little Mermaid attraction, and the Dumbo area, everything else is still on the drawing boards, and can be cut at any point, because they were never confirmed by management, just ‘planned’.

In the middle of the month, the LA Times Travel Section featured an interesting blog about Disney California Adventure’s upcoming Little Mermaid dark ride and a scene-by-scene description of the attraction:

Scene 1 — The loading area features a panoramic mural with all the main movie characters and a seaside castle.

Scene 2 — Audio-animatronic versions of Sebastian the crab and Scuttle the seagull set up the ride’s back story.

Scene 3 — A blast of cold air and a visual illusion make riders feel as if they are submerging underwater as the clam shell vehicle descends into the heart of the dark ride.

Scene 4 — Riders pass through Ariel’s treasure-lined mermaid grotto with sidekicks Sebastian and Flounder as the song “Part of Your World” plays.

Scene 5 — Sebastian conducts an audio-animatronic orchestra of sea creatures in the ride’s main showroom to the tune of “Under the Sea.”

Scene 6 — In Ursula’s lair, riders pass under menacing rock work as henchmen eels Flotsam and Jetsam lurk nearby during the villainous sea witch’s big diva musical number “Poor Unfortunate Souls.”

Scene 7 — The clam shell vehicle appears to ascend from the ocean depths.

Scene 8 — Ariel and Prince Eric kiss on a rowboat to the strains of “Kiss the Girl” as geysers spout water.

Scene 9 — The spell-breaking kiss drives Ursula mad as “Love’s First Kiss” plays amid gathering storm clouds.

Scene 10 — The “Happily Ever After” finale scene has been kept a closely guarded secret by Walt Disney Imagineers.

Scene 11 — Riders unload as Ariel and Eric stand atop the castle, King Triton salutes them from the water and Sebastian waves goodbye.

Another piece of information that intrigued me from the article was that it said some information about the Magic Kingdom attraction, it says its to be opening in 2013?:

In 2013, a similar version of the Little Mermaid dark ride is scheduled to open in the retooled Fantasyland section of the Magic Kingdom near Orlando, Fla.

Wasn’t the original opening date for the Little Mermaid attraction late 2011/2012? Has the date changed? Hmm… Interesting.

At the end of the month of July, I took a trip to Magic Kingdom for some pictures of the construction of the Great Wall of Fantasyland, and the Mountain of Fantasy. But first, the Exposition Hall’s right side has come out from under construction walls, and now the left side is covered up. Most likely to ‘prepare’ for the Character Moves from Mickey’s ToonTown Fair.

 

Back in Fantasyland, the Great Wall of Fantasyland hasn’t expanded, but its what’s behind the wall is what is interesting!

We’ll finish off this Fantasyland Forest Expansion Friday post with a mysterious camera on Space Mountain. Is this to keep track of the Fantasyland Forest Expansion?? Possibly. Be sure to follow FantasyLFriday on Twitter, a GDP affiliated Twitter account that will keep you up-to-date with the latest Fantasyland Expansion news, information, pictures, articles, and posts.

Last Minute Edit! For those of you who have stayed with us through all of the news, and my ramblings I have some special information for you. Pete Werner, from the WDW Info and the DIS Unplugged Podcast, stated in his latest episode about the Adventures By Disney Backstage Magic Tour, that in his trip to Imagineering he got to take a full look at the Fantasyland Model, and he explained about some of the ‘rumors’ that we mentioned at the top of this report, about Pixie Hollow and such. He said while talking to an Imagineer, he explained that the Pixie Hollow section (which once again, was/is never confirmed) is to be downsized to incorporate more of a ‘Circus-themed’ area to go along with the (goodness I hate this title…) ‘Dueling Dumbos’. The area will take place on the area that is part of Mickey’s ToonTown Fair currently. But, let me tell you, he specifically said that “Toontown as we know it is going away” (sorry ToonTown fans). In its place they will be “adding three circus tents that will house various characters for meet & greets” because they didn’t want to “lose the character interaction that Toontown offered”.

So you’ve heard it here first (well, second if you listen to the Dis Unplugged…lol). Remember, this is not confirmed, and until confirmed I call it a rumor, but it does have some tooth behind it, so I think it will be staying.

Here is a *ROUGH* idea of where it could be located in respect to the rest of the areas. (NOTE this is NOT confirmed, and can change with any moment, I’m just reporting on information!!)

All information regarding rumors and news are always subject to change, and concept art of various new/planned attractions are courtesy of the Walt Disney Company.

Trade City, USA Pin Event Itinerary

The nerves of anxious Pin Traders have been calmed today with a confirmation (even though it was almost common sense) of a Pre Registration Day on Thursday August 26th at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort, and the various events, be sure to check it out. Can’t wait to see what’s in store for the Vinylmation Showcase Itinerary.  

Information and Itinerary from Disney Pins and is Subject to Change Without Notice

What Was Investigation: the Kingdom’s Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride

One of the Magic Kingdom's opening day attractions, opening on October 1, 1971, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride was a very unique attraction. Although it was modeled after the Disneyland attraction, it had some characteristics that set it apart from its California counterpart. The most obvious was that the Florida incarnation had two separate boarding areas. The vehicles in each boarding area were on separate tracks that followed different paths, so riders would get a slightly different ride, depending on where they boarded.

Like its counterpart at Disneyland, it was not a thrill ride, but it was not slow and quiet like most dark rides. It made sudden turns and often the vehicle would move at full speed towards an obstacle, which would move out of the way at the last second. At one point the vehicles on different tracks would head directly towards each other, giving the sense of an oncoming collision. It was a very stylized attraction and resembled a cartoon more than any other Disney ride. It contained highly ornate plywood characters and sets that were very reminiscent of the multiplane camerawork featured in many Disney films.

The two tracks of this version of the attraction didn't pass through all of the same show scenes. Thus, each track gave riders a completely different set of scenes to pass through.

 

On Track 1, riders passed through rural English countryside upon leaving Toad Hall, coming face to face with a few cows along the way. After passing through a small room with several warning signs, guests made a turn into a central plaza. Traveling around the turn, the vehicles passed a policeman signaling riders with his whistle. Guests then made a right hand turn into the courtroom as the judge declared Mr. Toad guilty. Upon making a right hand turn, the vehicles entered several jail cells.

  

After winding through the cells, guests emerged out into a dark scene, passing by a shootout between police and gunmen (using red lights to simulate gunfire). Several of the police barriers then moved aside revealing a railroad crossing, complete with a ringing bell. The gate then moved aside, and vehicles made a right hand turn onto the "tracks". Vehicles traveled along the railroad tracks, until getting hit by a train (with riders seeing the headlight of the "locomotive"). A door then opened, revealing the "Hell" scene. Afterwards, guests went through a door back to the boarding area.

  

From the boarding area to the plaza, Track 2 passed through two scenes not seen in Track 1: Toad's trophy room, and a Gypsy camp. After rounding the plaza, instead of entering the courtroom, guests continued on and entered Winky's Tavern. The vehicles made a right hand turn and guests could see the Weasels hiding out in the Tavern among the ale barrels. Following this, guests emerged into the night countryside. Passing by a small house, the vehicles reached a railroad crossing with ringing bell. This gate moved aside, and vehicles made left hand turn onto the railroad tracks. Like on Track 1, the headlight of the locomotive was visible before the train hit the riders. The "Hell" scene on this track was a mirror image of the Track 1 "Hell" sequence.

  

Despite the ride's popularity and many protests, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride closed on September 7, 1998 and was replaced with The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. This was due to the characters in Winnie The Pooh having similar characters to The Wind In The Willows, and Winnie The Pooh being a Disney-Owned product. While minor tributes to the ride can be found in Disney World, including paintings of Mr. Toad and Moley within The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and a statue of Toad in a pet cemetery outside of Haunted Mansion, traces of "The Wind in the Willows" characters within Walt Disney World are minimal.

  

The final pin was released as a part of the final Piece of History series in Walt Disney World, and it featured the much loved attraction, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.

Pictures and Information from Widen Your World, Walt Dated World and PinPics

Pinvestigation: the Original Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride

Opening as an original Disneyland attraction on July 17, 1955, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride’s story is based on Disney's adaptation of The Wind in the Willows, one of the two segments of the film The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad.

Guests enter a recreation of Toad Hall, passing by artistic works commemorating both the characters from "The Wind in the Willows" and warning visitors of the trip that they are about to undertake. A large mural shows the progress of Toad and his motorcar, which will be mirrored in the ride, yet this version is not accurate to the slower-paced movie. Guests hop aboard in stolen early 1900s type multi-colored motorcars with the names of characters (including Mr. Toad, Toady, Ratty, Moley, MacBadger, Cyril, Winky and Weasel) in the front of each motorcar.

Passengers begin their journey by crashing into the library where MacBadger is seen holding a stack of books while atop a ladder teetering back and forth, then crashing through the fireplace, where fiber optic effects are employed to simulate the spreading of dispersed, yet still flaming, ashes. After nearly avoiding a falling suit of armor, they break through a set of doors to find the interior hallway of Toad Hall in disarray, as weasels swing from chandeliers. Guests then enter the dining room, where Mr. Mole eats at the dinner table and gets knocked aside.

Upon leaving Toad Hall, guests then travel through the countryside, passing Mr. Rat's house, aggravating policemen and terrifying a farmer and his sheep. Making a right turn, guests head for the docks and get the impression that their car will plunge into the river, but quickly make a sharp turn in a different direction and enter a warehouse full of barrels and crates containing explosives. Guests crash through a brick wall as the warehouse's contents explode. The guests then head out into the streets of London, avoid a close collision with a delivery truck and enter Winky's Pub, where Winky the bartender holds two spinning beer mugs.

Passengers then enter the town square, where the cars wreak further havoc to the citizens. A working fountain featuring Toad and Cyril Proudbottom stands in the center of the town. Behind this statue is a statue of Lady Justice peeking out from under her blindfold, precipitating the hasty trial of Mr. Toad. Next, guests enter a jury-less courtroom, where the riders are proclaimed guilty by a judge (based on the Film's prosecutor for the Crown). The cars then enter what is presumed to be dark prison cells before abruptly turning right and landing on railroad tracks. The vehicles bounce up and down on the tracks before colliding head-on with an oncoming train, whereafter they are sent to the ride's final scenes — "Hell."

Created specifically for the ride by Disney Imagineers and not inspired by any scene in the movie or book, "Hell" features small devils who bounce up and down while a devillish Judge-looking Satan (who looks just like the prosecutor that previously appeared in the courtroom) points them to the left. The entire room is heated and all the little devils including Satan just laugh and mock you. In the ride's final seconds, a green dragon tries to spit out fire, but fails and ends up having a bad cough. Soon enough, the guests escape back into the confines of Toad Hall and the air conditioned real world, where they then disembark. 

Onto our brief overview of the various pins for this attraction. First off, many of the pins feature Mr. Toad and the attraction’s ride vehicle, it’s unique and part of the experience.

   

   

Other themes featured on Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride pins are the fact that it is an ‘Original Opening Day Attraction’.

   

These final pins are miscellaneous attraction pins. Like these two WDI Pins featuring the Original Wait Time Sign and the Attraction Sign.   

The final pin features the Toad Crest that is above the entrance of the attraction.

    

Pictures and Information from Yesterland and PinPics