11 February 2010 by Orlando Theme Parks Examiner - Steven Wisner
When Walt Disney originally began visioning his new world that became Disneyland, he pictured Fantasyland as a place where adults and children alike could find themselves as part of their favorite Disney movies.
While Disneyland's Fantasyland and Castle courtyard was given a makeover years ago to help bring the park closer to this goal, Disney World's version of Fantasyland remained in its original state, now many years later, it's Disney World's turn.
As all Disney fans are aware by now, back in September at the first ever D23 convention, a major renovation to Fantasyland (and Mickey's Toontown Fair) was announced, including a two phase plan and a lot of speculation.
As the process begins and more reports and articles are written, there have been changes to the plans and clarifications announced.
Originally rumors had Mickey's Toontown Fair closing in the very near future, but that seems to have been pushed back while the rest of Fantasyland receives its makeover, preserving an opportunity to meet and greet with the princesses and the fairies.
Additionally, for a while, rumors were swirling that what is now Goofy's Barnstormer would be transformed into a Snow White themed mine car ride gone wild, featuring the seven dwarfs. Nevertheless, it appears that Snow White will get the raw end of the deal in the new Fantasyland reconstruction and that ride will be circus themed and engulfed in the new Dumbo area.
In addition to this change, there's a rumor spreading about additional plans to begin after the completion of the second phase of the Fantasyland reconstruction in 2013. Originally, the plan had two phases. The first--to be completed by 2012--included the new princess areas dedicated to Cinderella, Aurora, Belle, and Ariel. The second phase--set to open a year later--was the new and improved Pixie Hollow area, dedicated to Tinker Bell and all her fairy friends.
There is undoubtedly more to come and rumors of different changes to come after TinkerBell's Pixie Hollow is finished in 2013 (barring any delays), but it is all rumors and speculation for now as nothing has been announced. There are a lot of suggestions made by cast members and guests alike, but they are nothing more than discussions right now.
While all of these changes are happening, the Magic Kingdom has more news that will impact the park in a much more timely manner.
Al Weiss, President of Worldwide Operations for Disney Parks, made the announcement that the beloved Main Street Electrical Parade (ELP) will be returning to Walt Disney World. The new version of the beloved parade is slated to arrive in June and will replace the longstanding SpectroMagic.
Now, some reports are saying that this parade will only be at Walt Disney World for a limited time, with SpectroMagic returning after the summer, but there are rumors that SpectroMagic will be sold to Disneyland in Hong Kong; only time will tell.
The new version of ELP will go along with a few other changes in the park as a whole "Summer Nightastic" promotion which will also include a new fireworks show to temporarily replace Wishes!. The new show is supposed to have influence from other shows, but be entirely new. All of this is slotted to last only ten weeks.
There are undoubtedly a lot of changes in store for the Magic Kingdom.
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