Posts Tagged ‘Fantasyland’
Story’s End
On September 12th, the book will close on Storytime with Belle in the Fairytale Garden at the Magic Kingdom. Happily, it seems that Belle is awaiting the construction of her new home which will include an expanded version of Storytime: Enchanted Tales with Belle.
The area will be reimagined and open on October 15th as a play and greet area featuring the stars of the upcoming movie “Tangled.” Rapunzel, the princess with magical hair who has been imprisoned in a tower her entire life, and dashing bandit Flynn Rider who accidentally discovers her, will be on hand to greet guests at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland parks.
This new animated film, scheduled to be released this November, has been designed to recreate the look of classic fairytales, with details and ambiance inspired by Disneyland’s Fantasyland.
An Ear for Music
Photographer Peter Lee shares his “noteworthy” discovery hidden at Mickey’s Philharmagic.
There’s So Much That We Share
I think my son said it best. Although he had visited Walt Disney World a dozen times with his grandmother, it was my very first trip. I suggested giving the attraction a pass and he looked at me with horror, “But Mom, we have to do this; It’s A Small World is Disney.”
And so it is.
The cheerful little title tune, the subject of so much whining, is actually thought to be the most widely-performed and translated song in the world. Yes, it is sung for ten minutes straight, in five different languages by audioanimatronic figures backed up by assorted animals and animated props, as guests float past a variety of scenes representing many world cultures. But the ride, first created for the New York World’s Fair of 1964, also embodies so much of the Disney tradition and spirit.
Overseen by Walt himself, it was designed by Mary Blair, best known for her murals in the Grand Concourse of Disney’s Contemporary Resort. It also features the work of other Disney legends: Joyce Carlson, and Marc and Alice Davis. The original attraction found a home in Disneyland but it has been recreated for Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Tokyo Disneyland.
The exquisitely-detailed costumes alone are worth the voyage over the Seven Seaways. Small children, dressed to evoke their native lands, bounce and twist to the ever-present music. It is charming and colorful, promoting a message of goodwill and unity – and, let’s be honest, every vacation can generally use a dash of goodwill and unity!
It’s a Small World
Magic Kingdom, Fantasyland
Approximately 10 minutes
Guests must transfer from wheelchair and ECV to ride vehicle
No flash photography
Handheld captioning device available
Park admission required
It’s PhilharMagical!
It’s about as perfect as ten minutes or so can be. Mickey’s PhilharMagic has wowed audiences from opening day in 2003 and continues to draw the crowds with its “4-D” effects and magical story line. Featuring many of the most beloved characters from Disney movies including Peter Pan and Tinker Bell, Aladdin and Jasmine, Simba, Ariel, and Lumière, the show is a feast for the eyes, the ears, and even the nose!
Guests are invited to don their opera glasses and follow Donald Duck’s misadventures through a world of animation as he chases the “borrowed” Sorcerer hat under the sea and across the savannahs of Africa. The audience joins him on a magic carpet ride through narrow Middle Eastern alleyways, and soaring over London on a trail of pixie dust.
Delightful for all ages, Mickey’s PhilharMagic occupies its own special theater that seats nearly 500 guests. Don’t miss the lobby area that showcases “past performances” in a series of comical posters.
While some people prefer being at the front of the theater, we’ve found that the special effects seem even better from seats in the center sections, so enter from one of the doors to the right rather than the left. We also suggest waiting for a bit after the doors open and then choosing a row that’s partially filled in order to end up in the center of that row. Pick up a FastPass, then get in the standby line if it’s not too long. You’ll definitely want to see this show more than once!
Mickey’s PhilharMagic
Magic Kingdom, Fantasyland
Approximately 12 minutes
Wheelchair and ECV accessible
Assistive listening and reflective captioning devices available
Park admission required
Character Reference – Ariel
VITAL STATISTICS
Name: Ariel
AKA: The Little Mermaid
Current Address: Eric’s world
Previous Address: under the sea
Interests: singing; collecting gadgets, woozits, and thingamabobs
Facebook Friends: Eric, Flounder, Sebastian, Scuttle, King Triton
CHARACTER COORDINATES
Remember, the appearance of a specific character is never guaranteed. Some of the locations below have regularly-scheduled appearances while others are occasional. Always check the Times Guides for the most up-to-date information, and be prepared for possible substitutions at character meals.
Meet and Greet
- Magic Kingdom, Fantasyland, Ariel’s Grotto NOTE: As of April 12, 2010, Ariel’s Grotto will be closing to make way for the Fantasyland expansion. Look for the new Grotto location and attraction scheduled for 2013.
Character Dining
- EPCOT, World Showcase, Norway, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, Princess Storybook Dining
Attractions
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios, The Little Mermaid
Shows
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Fantasmic!
Parades
- Magic Kingdom, Celebrate a Dream Come True
- Magic Kingdom, Spectromagic
Miscellaneous
- Magic Kingdom, Fantasyland, Mickey’s Philharmagic
Character Reference – Pinocchio
VITAL STATISTICS
Name: Pinocchio
Current Address: the home of Geppetto
Previous Address: Geppetto’s workshop
Interests: becoming a real boy
Qualifications: brave, truthful, unselfish
Facebook Friends: Geppetto, Jiminy Cricket, Blue Fairy, Figaro, Cleo
CHARACTER COORDINATES
Remember, the appearance of a specific character is never guaranteed. Some of the locations below have regularly-scheduled appearances while others are occasional. Always check the Times Guides for the most up-to-date information, and be prepared for possible substitutions at character meals.
Meet and Greet
- EPCOT, World Showcase, Italy
- Magic Kingdom, Town Square
- Magic Kingdom, Toontown Train Station
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Sorcerer’s Hat
Shows
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Fantasmic!
Parades
- Magic Kingdom, Celebrate a Dream Come True
- Magic Kingdom, Spectromagic
Miscellaneous
- Magic Kingdom, Fantasyland, Pinocchio’s Village Haus Restaurant
Character Reference – Winnie the Pooh
VITAL STATISTICS
Name: Winnie the Pooh
Current Address: tree (the former home of Mr. Sanders), Hundred Acre Wood
Interests: creating hums, playing Poohsticks, spending time in the Thoughtful Spot
Favorite Food: hunny
Facebook Friends: Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore, Kanga, Roo, Owl, Rabbit, Gopher, Christopher Robin
CHARACTER COORDINATES
Remember, the appearance of a specific character is never guaranteed. Some of the locations below have regularly-scheduled appearances while others are occasional. Always check the Times Guides for the most up-to-date information, and be prepared for possible substitutions at character meals.
Meet and Greet
- EPCOT, World Showcase, England, Toy Store
- EPCOT, Holiday Character Bus
- Magic Kingdom, Toontown Hall of Fame
- Magic Kingdom, Fantasyland, Pooh’s Playful Spot
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Discovery Island boat landing
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Camp Minnie-Mickey
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Mickey Avenue
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Sorcerer’s Hat
Character Dining
- Magic Kingdom, Crystal Palace
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, 1900 Park Fare, breakfast
Attractions
- Magic Kingdom, Fantasyland, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Shows
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Animation Courtyard, Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage
Parades
- Magic Kingdom, Celebrate a Dream Come True
- Magic Kingdom, Once Upon a Christmastime
A Happy Day in History
October 1, 1971 marked the Grand Opening of the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Fort Wilderness Campground at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Fearing the enormous crowds of Disneyland’s opening day, the company chose a time that was historically slower, and the attendance of 10,000 was exactly as planned. However, local media had been projecting much higher numbers and the negative publicity caused a drop in Disney stock prices. Just a few weeks later, on the day after Thanksgiving, the Magic Kingdom welcomed more than 50,000 guests and traffic heading for the park was backed up more than 200 miles.
The park opened with six themed lands: Main Street U.S.A., Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland. Mickey’s Toontown Fair, currently the seventh land, began as Mickey’s Birthdayland in 1988 to commemorate Mickey’s 60th birthday. Renamed Mickey’s Starland at the end of the birthday celebration 1990, it became Mickey’s Toontown Fair in 1996. It will be interesting to see if current plans for an expansion of Fantasyland return the park to six lands.
While many of the original opening-day elements can still be found today,some no longer exist. Shops like the Penny Arcade, House of Magic, and the New Century Clock Shop have given way to new stores or incorporated into larger shopping venues. Familiar favorites such as the Haunted Mansion, It’s a Small World, the Jungle Cruise, Dumbo, the Mad Tea Party, and Cinderella’s Golden Carousel continue to delight visitors. Others, including the Skyway to Tomorrowland and Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, have been retired.
Guests can still dine at the Crystal Palace, the Liberty Tree Tavern, and the Columbia Harbor House, but will no longer find the Mile Long Bar, and will search in vain for King Stefan’s Banquet Hall which has been renamed Cinderella’s Royal Table. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort lost its “village” as well as the Coral Isle Café and Papeete Bay Verandah restaurant. Over at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the Gulf Coast Room restaurant is no more, and the Top of the World is now the California Grill.
Today, Walt Disney World Resort is the world’s largest recreational destination, attracting more than 40 million visitors annually.
When There’s a Smile in Your Heart
Sail up and over London and into a fantasy! Board a flying vessel for this simple and charming dark ride based on Disney’s animated film, Peter Pan. Tinker Bell sends you on your way to share an adventure with Peter Pan and the Darling family as they confront Captain Hook and Mr. Smee.
The gaily decorated pirate boats are suspended from the ceiling to provide a gentle soaring sensation as you float through the moonlit night visiting Never Land, Mermaid Lagoon, the Lost Boys’ camp, and Skull Rock.
Look for Hidden Mickeys in the moon over the city and on the tree trunk at the entrance.
This hugely popular ride draws long lines very early in the day. Plan on using FastPasses or making it one of your first stops.
Peter Pan’s Flight
Magic Kingdom
Approximately 3 minutes
Not wheelchair accessible
Handheld captioning device available
Park admission required
