As reported last week in a blog under Disney and Central Florida News, a model of the new Fantasyland expansion is now on Display at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the One Man’s Dream exhibit. Since I promised you that I’d keep you posted on any new happenings for this much anticipated development, I stopped by and snapped a few pictures. Most of these are close-ups in an effort to give you a better idea of what this new area will look like when completed.
This first picture is of the entire model. The second is the gateway that will greet guest as they leave the older section of Fantasyland for the new and expanded area.
This next picture is of Belle’s cottage and will house the “Enchanted Tales with Belle” story area.
Although somewhat difficult to make out, you can see the pathway leading up to doors that will enter Beast’s Castle and the “Be Our Guest Restaurant.”
In this next picture we see Belle’s village. On the left side will be “Gaston’s Tavern” and on the right “Bonjour! Village Gifts.”
To the east of “Bonjour! Village Gifts” is Prince Eric’s Castle and the entrance to “Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid.”
These next several pictures are of “Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.”
Here we have the entrance to Storybook Circus.
In these next to pictures we see “Dumbo the Flying Elephant” and “The Barnstormer.”
“Casey Jr. Splash ‘n’ Soak Station” can be seen in the following photo. This is located just beyond the roundhouse (restrooms).
The blue tent will house “Big Top Souvenirs” and the orange tent will be the home of “Pete’s Silly Sideshow.”
In a separate display, a detailed model of “Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid” is presented.
After seeing these models, I’m all the more excited about the New Fantasyland. Disney has said that the rest of Storybook Circus will be opening sometime in July. The moment I hear the plywood walls have come down, I’ll try to be there and snap more pictures for you all.
If you’re visiting Disney World this coming summer, be sure to stop by “One Man’s Dream” to check out this wonderful model.
Thanks for posting these pictures! The more detail I get about the new Fantasyland the more excited I get!! Can’t wait until it is all finished & there are some new things to do & ride! Keep posting!!
It’s certainly nice to see the big expanse of greenery/landscaping in this new addition to Fantasyland. The vista will only get better through the years as the many trees take root in the land “outside” the castle walls. It would seem there will be a lot of detail (naturally!) in the Mine Train ride if they have nearly two years to assemble it.
Here’s to more great posting from Mickey’s neighbor, Jack!
I will be there in three days and cannot wait to see this!!!
Hey Jack: Thanks so much. I’ve been hearing conflicting info. Do you know when most of the new stuff will be done? Will it be by February with only, maybe, one attraction left to be added, and, if so, which attraction is that? I know I’ve been reading lots of info on this but just can’t remember. Thanks again.
Jack’s Answer:
The next phase of Storybook Circus, including the second Dumbo, the indoor queue area, and the Casey Jr. Splash ‘n’ Soak Station will open in June 2012. I have not heard if Pete’s Silly Side Show and the new merchandise shop will open at the same time, but if not, it should be shortly thereafter.
Under the Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid, Enchanted Tales with Belle, Be Our Guest Restaurant, Gaston’s Tavern and Ariel’s Grotto will be open in time for the holidays at the close of 2012.
The Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train coaster will open sometime in 2014.
Jack,
Wow! Thanks for the update. I can’t wait until my December trip to see everything. Taking my little cousin with me so I know that he will be enjoying himself.
Hi Jack!
We were planning on going down for the day to visit MGM on Mon. the 21st. but something came up (as usual.)
I assume it was Monday that you were there? Had we made it down, we probably would’ve made our way over to OMD sometime after lunch anyway. Hopefully we’ll get there by the first week of June before we are blocked out. We are Seasonal Passholders.
The anticipation for the New Fantasyland is growing stronger & stronger. I’m so excited I can hardly stand it! I just wish I had a part in the design of it (I’ve always dreamt of becoming an Imagineer.)
Take Care & thanks for the photos.
See Ya’ Real Soon!
Hi Jack!
I don’t suppose the exhibition had that level of detail, but maybe you’ll know regardless: will the “Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid” attraction be an exact replica of the one in California Adventure, or will it be different?
Thanks!
Jack’s Answer:
I doubt that it’s “exactly” like the California version, but I suspect it will be very close.
I googled “Pete’s Silly Sideshow” because I just had to know. According to Inside the Magic.com:
Pete’s Silly Sideshow will be a meet-and-greet featuring characters from “all over the world” – all familiar faces with circus-themed appearances. As an example, Mallwitz offers The Great Donaldo, a new role for Donald Duck to play as a “very famous snake charmer from the Far East”.
It was so tantalizing to be there last November, & see the posters & construction walls. I’ve got to figure out a way to convince Hubby to go back sooner than our standard 5 years or so, so that I can soak up this new fun!
So, what do you suppose is “Pete’s Silly Sideshow?” I thought it would be a merchandise area, but it’s right next to “Big Top Souvineers.” So it really shouldn’t be more shopping right next to the big shopping area. I don’t think it’s a ride. So, what could it be? Food? Face painting? Photo stop? Any ideas Jack?
Eric
Jack’s Answer:
I’m asking the same questions. I have no idea.
We are going in December. Any idea of when the restaurant opens? My daughters are HUGE Belle/beast fans!!! I’d love to take them there.
Jack’s Answer:
It is Disney’s hope to have most everything except the Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train and the Princess Meet & Greet open by the end of the year — which means the holiday season. You have a good chance! But reservations will go fast. I would suggest you start calling Disney in the autumn to see when they will start accepting reservations.
Can’t wait to see what they have finished in december for our Holiday trip!!!
Thank you for such great pictures! Looking forward to your next blog!!
I’m commenting just to say I’m not looking at the pics! I see the model in person this Saturday and don’t want to see it too up close before I go see it in person! 🙂
Thanks for the taunting pics, Jack!
What would we do without you!!??? You have my dream job, living in my dream town… and at least you make me feel connected even though I am 1400 miles away (well, 1404 but who’s counting?). Thank you for your work!! I always look forward to an email from my “friend” Jack. 🙂
Wow Jack! Those pictures are amazing! I cannot wait until it all opens. It looks so magical.
My husband and I are coming down in July for our anniversary. We are staying on the beach, but have 1 day planned to shop in Downtown Disney and visit some of the resorts. We are having lunch at Olivias and dinner at the Kona Cafe. We also want to check out the Art of Animation Resort for an upcoming visit. We will probably stick around for MK fireworks as well. Sooooo excited!!!!
Thanks again Jack
I am so excited to see Storybook circus on my August visit. If only everything else was ready then too … I am so impatient.
Hey Jack,
The pictures of the Fantasyland Expansion are great. They show mor than a drawing.
Can’t wait until we go there in October and see what’s done. The last time we were there was in early January and nothing was open yet.
I too am more excited then ever!! We are going mid December 2012. Any idea of the completion dates or maybe what to expect when we go in December?
Jack’s Answer:
It is Disney’s hope to have most everything except the Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train and the Princess Meet & Greet open by the end of the year. There is a good chance you’ll be seeing a lot of the new Fantasyland.
Thanks Jack! I’m so excited for the new Fantasyland! Do they say how much will be completed by October? I will be visiting for the Food and Wine festival again this year from Oct 4-8 and hoping some of it will be open!
Jack’s Comment:
It is Disney’s hope to have most everything except the Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train and the Princess Meet & Greet open by the end of the year — which means the holiday season. So I wouldn’t count on seeing the Voyage of the Little Mermaid or the Be Our Guest restaurant in early Ocotober. However, all of Storybook Circus should be open by October.
Thank You Jack ! I was in “the World” for a quick trip May 16/17 and was so upset I skipped DHS when I read this model was out. I thought I wouldn’t get a look at it for months, and here you present me with great closeups of it, THANK YOU ! I love your blogs and really appreciate you keeping us up to date on all the Disney Details !
Looks great…..was hoping for maybe some “soft openings” when we visit at the end of August but we will see…..
Everything looks great.
hey jack
thanks for the updates on the new fantasyland. i can not wait until i am able to see everything open especially the new mine cart attraction as well as the new little mermaid attraction as well. can’t wait for your next blog and as always keep up the great work.
Wow. Thanks again Jack. Really looking forward to the finished product.
Thanks for the pictures of the model for the new Fantasyland, Jack. I am very interested to see how this new area will affect crowd levels. Our family has been going at the end of January for the past 4 trips (and prior to that, 2 trips in February), and crowd levels have been great for the most part. The Superbowl, when in Florida, greatly affected the amount of people in the parks on a couple of the trips, so we have experienced crowds. The point of my ramblings is: will the new area “absorb” enough guests that at moderately crowded times the park won’t feel as crowded? If the new area does provide some crowd relief; this, coupled with the exciting new areas and theming, will obviously be a boon for the Magic Kingdom and will plus an already incredible park. I’m so excited!
Thank you Jack!!
One Man’s Dream is one of our favorite attractions in Hollywood Studios–so much history to soak in!! I read on the Disney Parks blog last week that they were debuting the model and made my sister (who was visiting WDW for a few days) snap a few pictures for me. Sadly, they were on her blackberry and only 720×480 (nerd moment) so it was hard to see some of the details. So happy you posted these 🙂
Thanks again,
Kait