Magic Kingdom Walk Around

OR —

The Magic Kingdom Under Wraps!

I took a stroll around the Magic Kingdom yesterday and, as you will see, there are lots of buildings getting exterior work done and of course, the walls are up for the brand new Fantasyland Expansion!

Main Street USA

Casey’s Hot Dogs
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Disney Clothiers

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Lots of Disney Characters were out and about —

Princess Ariel and Prince Eric in Adventureland

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Over near Agrabah were Jasmine and Aladin
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Can’t walk past Pirates without being noticed

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Jessie and Donald were out in Frontierland

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The Liberty Tree Tavern has both coverings and walls up.

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All of Peter Pan had a faux facade.
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Winnie the Pooh has walls around the side.

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Then beginning where Ariel’s Grotto use to be, all the way through Fantasyland to about the Mad Tea Party, the walls are up for the Fantasyland Expansion Project.

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Enchanted Tales with Belle

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Be Our Guest Restaurant

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Under the Sea

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In some Fantasyland areas, the walls are on both sides of you.

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The Old has to make way for the New so I took what might be one of my last strolls through a very crowded Toon Town.

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Last but not least, the big cheese’s house!

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40 Replies to “Magic Kingdom Walk Around”

  1. Do you have any info on the opening of Be our Guest? I have loved Beauty and the Beast for as long as I can remember. We will be back in Disney Oct 27 2012 – Nov 10 2012… I have to do my ADR’s by Apr 30th. Will they be open? Are they accepting ADR’s?

    ALLEARS: Be our Guest Restaurant is currently estimated to open this fall.

  2. I just left Disney for the 4th time in the last 2 years, and even with the refurb, I suggest everyone go…my 5yr old and 2yr old agree with me! Many of the attractions are still open, and with minimal disruptions you can still have a magical time. Peter Pan, Liberty Tree Tavern, Casey’s Hotdogs…all work being done, but still open to you!

    You can see a lot of the work being done “behind the wall” if you ride on Dumbo in Fantasy Land. Also, Minnie’s house wasn’t operating – perhaps a sign of the times to come. Even Tigger and Pooh seem to have found a new meet and greet home, to the left of the main street fire house, in the covered area next to package pick up. Many of the cast members have information on the changes, ask them and they can let you in on some of it. If you are a hidden mickey hunter like myself, you will have a hard time in some areas now, especially in Main Street, as some listed in the book are covered up.

  3. We were just in Disney in 2010 and the tarps were not ugly nor bothersome. We appreciate that Disney constantly changes things. It is like visiting a new park every time. We just hope that the character greetings featured in Toontown will be still available. Our three year-old daughter is autistic and we had an amazing and touching character greeting with Minnie and Mickey. Those characters gave us a memory will cherish and treated my husband, myself, and my children with kindness and respect that you can only find at Disney World.

  4. Oh, I do so hope things will be magical in early December. Our son and his new bride are taking their honeymoon to WDW!!!

  5. Will the new attractions be opening up as completed or will everything open at once in 2012?

    AllEars: Fantasyland expansion is planned for 2 phases. Most of the area will be completed in 2012. Phase 2 is Pixie Hallow and will be completed in 2013.

  6. We just got back from WDW on May 23rd, the walls in Fantasyland are all on one side of the walkway so you really do not notice them all that much as most of the dark rides, dumbo, teacups etc were all still open so it just felt like the wall was just the outer edge of Fantasyland,

    And with hints of what is to come it made it exciting to dream of what new lands and attractions will soon be home behind those walls. Truly do not worry about the walls wrecking your trip as they really will not.

    As for the tarps on main street, we took the Backstage Magic tour and our guide informed us that they were re-painting down main street and they do this every year or two, as the paint requires the day time temperature and light to sure they have to do it during park hours and so they put up the facade tarps so that in photos the buildings still appear somewhat nice.

  7. Was the Storytime with Belle still open? We are going in June and I am so excited to show that to my children.

    Yes, Storytime with Belle is open.

  8. My family and I are going in June. What should we expect to see (or not see) in the MK then? Should Main Street be done by then?

    Some of the tarps may be up, hard to say… it all depends on weather conditions how fast or slow refurbs go. As others have said, they replicate the actual building very well.

  9. So they filled in the lagoon from 20,000 leagues only to decide to build another lagoon again? Will the Little Mermaid section feature an aquatic ride?

  10. Hi Deb
    Thanks for the great job you guys do at all ears. I was just wondering how many of the Main Street areas had the covering over them and I really was not able to tell in which area your picture of the walls on both sides was taken. I did call WDW like you suggested but they said that only the Golden Horseshoe and Peter Pan still had the covering on them. Thanks again

    DEB: The area with walls on both sides are in Fantasyland past Pooh and near the Tea Cups.

  11. Aww man! I’m going to Disney with some friends and it will be their first time. It’s sad there is so much construction going on :(. They’ll never get to see Toontown either. I hope Disney takes care of all those ugly faux facades quickly lol!

    DEB: There has been no closing date announced for ToonTown yet. The facades actually mirror what the building looks like and certainly could be lots worse.

  12. Will some or most of these renovations be completed by November of this year?

    DEB: While WDW does not release specific dates for the facades, they seem to move along at a decent pace. Other than the construction walls for Fantasyland, I would imagine these facades will be gone by fall.

  13. Hi Deb. First of all, thank you for your commitment to a great site at allears.net. I use this site in all my planning for WDW. You really put forth time and effort and the attention to detail is amazing!

    Secondly, I appreciate your photos of the upcoming rehab. Even though our family is not going back to the world until January 2011, I appreciate hearing all the enhancements being made there. I agree with the gentleman as WDW prides itself on creating this pristine environment for families. One of the reasons I love coming to WDW is the organization and cleanliness of the parks, buses, hotels. I’ve always been amazed that I’ve never seen, ever in all my trips to WDW paper lying along the roads or any garbage. This enhances your trip. They take pride and honor in the environment for families. I think personally that it is truly to transform people into another world because as we all know the world outside WDW is less than pristine. The fact that the buildings are painted beautiful, that things aren’t falling apart and in shambles really shows they do care about people’s experiences in every aspect.

    Lastly, thank you for all you are doing to help breast cancer awareness. I’ve personally not had any person lost to this horrific disease, but 2 of my family members died to Melanoma Cancer and Leukemia. Anything done for cancer awareness and help for research makes a difference! I appreciate all your hardwork! Thanks again for everything!!!

  14. We were at Disney last week, and I agree with Chris (above) – the tarps did not bother us at all. We understand that Disney is constantly upping their game and making the parks better and better. They are the best at everything – even renovations. The fact that they put the tarps up instead of giving us scaffolding to look at is pure Disney! Magical to the most minute detail. Can’t wait to go back in 2012 and see what’s been done!

  15. My 6 1/2 year old daughter, (whose been to Disney every year since she was in utero!) keeps asking if all this change going on in MK will affect her absolute favorite ride…Goofy’s Barnstormer. It was closed the last visit to Disney and she was so upset the entire trip. Anyone have any info?
    Thanks!

    DEB: Goofy’s Barnstormer will be part of the expanded Fantasyland but will be rethemed.

  16. I have fond memories of riding 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, almost daily when I first visited WDW in 87 and I loved the ride. Next trip was 89 when it was out of action – then it was completely done away with and in its place was Aerial’s Grotto (I think) then the Winnie the Pooh themeing (and now it’s Fairies??).

    Something really needed to be done with that section and I’m glad it’s to be upgraded, but while the Magic Kingdom is definitely for kids, a lot of adults go with them (and some, like me, have no offspring) so I’ve got mixed feelings about what’s going to appear. I just hope there is enough “magic” around to captivate a grown up.

    But, not going till 2012 due to economics (2 weeks at Disney coming from the UK is a lot of $$$$) And although I love all of the Parks, my all-time, most favorite thing to do on my first day, is to drag my sister onto the Train for a ride around the Magic Kingdom, just to get the mood going!

  17. I love how Disney just doesn’t throw up black or gray tarps over the buildings but actually use eye catching tarps.

  18. We just returned from a trip to Disney. It was my boys first time (2 and 4 yrs old). They did not miss any of the “magic” because of the refurbishment going on. It does look a little strange, but it didn’t take away from the magic of our trip one bit. I am really looking forward to the expansion and can’t wait to see it when it is done! I especially can’t wait to share it with my now 9 month old daughter!

  19. I love this entire website!!! You guys have the best information around! I am planning a trip for fall 2011 and I have heard numerous timelines about what will be open by then. Do you have any idea what is scheduled to be open by then? I thought it was the entire new princess forest area expansion (minus Ariel’s ride). I’m taking my ENTIRE family and want an idea of what to expect. Thanks Deb, keep up the great site!!!

    DEB: Phase I of the Fantasyland Expansion is scheduled for sometime in 2012, with the Faries Forest, Phase 2, opening in 2013.

  20. I can’t imagine that a few tarps and walls distract from much of Disney. There is SO much to see and do there. Disney has high expectations of itself and part of keeping this image is the constant refurbishment of its parks. Relax and focus your attention on all that Disney has and not on what you can’t see for a short period of time.

  21. No matter what time of year it is at any Disney park, there’s going to be some sort of refurb going on around the parks. With the amount of people going through that park on any given day, things wear down. The park can’t shut down to refurb some of these buildings and attractions.

    Sure, it doesn’t look very pretty, but there’s nothing anyone can do. It’s impossible to schedule a trip around refurbishments. I find it hard to believe that even with a few tarps on Mainstreet and Toontown being updated into something ten times better, that you can’t find something to photograph at WDW. We spent 4 days at 4 parks a couple weeks ago with all of this stuff going on and we took 900+ photo’s, MANY of which came out beautiful.

    To me, the Magic of Disney would be lost if the park looked like Six Flags. You think a few tarps is depressing and ruining your Disney experience now? Let the park go from not constantly having everything refurbed.

  22. We just visted MK also. The building coverings are done so great, it does not take away from it very much. It is great to know they are updating things.

    As for the walls, again Disney does it better than anyone. I guess we are excited about the new Fanatasy Land, so they did not bother us that much. Plus there are quotes from Walt all over the walls. It was fun to read them all.

    We took hundreds of photos. The walls did not take anything away. I wouldn’t postpone a trip, we still had fun.

  23. Thanks for posting photos… As a HUGE Disney Fan all the changes are so exciting. I wish we were coming down to Florida sooner but my daughter is only 5 1/2 months we are waiting until she is 4 1/2 almost 5 years old to take her. But it’s so great I have so many wonderful memories with all the classic stuff with my family & husband. But when we take my daughter in Oct. 2014 we can start with some new memories as a family and my daughter (hopefully) will love the princesses…

  24. I for one am very glad to see the renovation underway. I know that so many people were caught by surprise having already planned trips, but the Magic Kingdom, more than any other park has needed to see some development for a good number of years now.

    It was a little bit of a magic spoiler to walk around the MK and see skeletons of attractions past, leagues, the skyway (with all of the terminals still in place) I was very glad to see the one disappear from Tomorrowland, and will be happy to see the one disappear from Fantasyland as well.

    As ‘sacred’ as the Magic Kingdom is, as it was Walt’s last major project, Walt would want to see it change, want to watch it evolve, and more than anything – want to attract new visitors and stretch the horizons to what Fantasyland could be with the magic of the Imagineers!

    Yes, it’s going to be a little painful to watch, and yes we are all going to lose a few of the special ‘spots’ however, think of the magic, and the fantasy of generations to come! We’ll all have to blink and imagine what will be! Keep Moving Forward!
    maybe one day I’ll get to see what I dream that the carousel of progress could be, and that’s the inclusion of the characters from Meet the Robinsons – I love that movie – it’s one of Disney’s all time best in my opinion, and it has no attraction or even merchandise in the parks now! I’ll have to keep dreaming!

  25. I wish Mickey and Minnie’s houses would stay. The ToonTown is much more elaborate in Disneyland, so I can’t understand why it must go. I’m very excited to see the finished product in 2012.

  26. Part of me wonders if some of the renovations on Main street are more than the typical paint job and ‘restoration’ work. With the Main Street Electrical Parade coming this summer I wonder if the hidden portions of the sound system are getting plussed or other little things are being added behind the scenes.

  27. Does anyone know which of the MK buildings and attractions have these super tacky sheets and wooden walls around them….

    i knew about the fantasy land fix-up but i had no clue about Casey’s!

    i am taking a trip in 19 days and my girlfriend is going to be experiencing Disney for the very first time. i hope not all of MK is being “Re-Tooled”

  28. I didn’t know they were doing away with toontown…that is the best place to take little ones…mine can’t wait to seem Minnie and Mickey’s house and that’s were we visit the characters and goofy’s barnstormer…Deb, what is going in it’s place and are they taking down mickey & minnies house etc?

    Fantasyland Expansion: http://allears.net/tp/mk/fant_expansion.htm

  29. Great pictures. I am going in early June, is the ToonTown Judge’s tent still a character meet and greet? I am especially interested in the princesses, my five year old can not wait to meet Cinderella! Also, is the Barn Stormer still running?

    Deb: Everything is ToonTown is still running! The Barnstormer will not go away but it will be rethemed.

  30. I thought that Main Street went through continual refurbishment, for example I read years ago that the facades were repainted on the average of 7 times per year. Must be major repairs or something to require a complete cover-up. Too bad this is one of the most striking parts of the park, though it has been 16 years since my last trip. Hope it doesn’t last too long.

  31. I’m taking my 11 yr. old daughter to WDW for the first time in August 2010. I can’t wait to see the ‘magic’ in her eyes when she sees everything for the first time! Hopefully, she’ll be able to see Toon Town, but whatever happens, I’m sure her trip will be MAGICAL! We are SO excited!

  32. deb your pictures have such great quality and color in them…what kind of camera are you using? and what kind of camera do you suggest for those looking for a camera under 200 dollars that has some great quality like these photos you took? thanks!

    Deb: Thanks for the kind words. I use a high end point and shoot camera from Canon called the S5 IX.

    Check out the photo blog for ideas on cameras.

  33. I really hope some of this is gone by Jan 2011. We probably won’t be getting back for many years after this next trip and I feel like the previous person said that so much of the magic will be gone or boarded up. It is quite disappointing as this time round we were going to make it a photography trip and focus on taking lots of photos of all the detail at MK but alas I think this may be no more.

    Deb: to make everything look sparkly and new it does have to get refurbed and repainted. Just seems like a lot right now .. But they won’t last too long.

  34. I am really sad about the loss of Toontown. My children were in their teens when we first made our family visit to WDW, and it was really fun having them “play” in toontown. I will be there in October for my honeymoon, and wish it is still open so that I can bring my new disney hubby who has never been to WDW. Thanks for the pictures, and as always I look for to your next blog.

    Deb: Disney has not announced a closing date yet for Toon Town I’m guessing it will still be open in October.

  35. I guess I’ll never see Toontown. In our only two trips (’07 and ’09) we didn’t have small children with us so we didn’t venture into that area. Now I’m sorry we didn’t.

    With all the walls and coverings up right now, it just seems to me that the MK could be very depressing now instead of happy. I’m glad we don’t have a trip planned until 2012.

  36. How long will the building wraps be on Main Street buildings?

    Deb: I dont’t know exactly how long they will be up. Disney has been slowly making their way down Main St for a while now,