D23 Expo Day 1: Walt Disney Parks/Resorts Panel

Here’s a quick run down of what was discussed at the Parks and Resorts panel on Friday,August 19, 2011, day one of D23 Expo. Keeping it short and sweet. (This is pretty much what my notebook looks like.)

The opening was done by the new talking Mickey Mouse, which was totally cool! Entered playing a drum kit. Yes, drums. Tom Staggs took over for the discussion.

I. Walt Disney World Fantasyland Expansion, to be completed fall 2012

1. More trees, streams, rivers will be added into the land. Topography will include rolling hills and grassy knolls revealing cottages.

2. The Little Mermaid attraction will be themed differently compared to ours at California Adventure. Park guests will enter through Prince Eric’s castle.

3.  Belle’s cottage will feature an animatronic Lumiere. He will be interacting with guests for story telling. Beast’s castle is also being completed.

4. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train will be the first attraction of any sort focused on the dwarfs and not Snow White. The ride will be a rollercoaster, and the coaster cars will swing left to right to give that mining cart feel. (When I saw it, it reminded me of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad a little bit.)

II. Aulani

There will be areas for families at the Hawaiian resort, but also areas specialized for particular age groups: kids, teens, and adults. Kids will be able to do arts and crafts, as well as interact with some of their favorite Disney characters. Teens can have their own getaway in the spa area designed just for them and has its own back entrance. Teens will also have access to a media room. The adults also get to relax with their own spa.

The resort will have pools, a lazy river, the beach, and water slides for everyone to enjoy.

III. Shanghai Disney

“[Shanghai Disney] will be tailored specifically to the culture and tastes of China.” – Tom Staggs

1. Vertical construction will begin sometime in spring 2012.

2. The castle is HUGE. Four levels. The second level will have a restaurant. First castle representing all of the Disney princesses. There will be a stage in the center for live entertainment. Also including an extensive Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique! ALSO, it’s the first castle with A RIDE GOING THROUGH IT. Above is castle concept art. (You read that correctly. Now pick up your jaw from the floor, please; your drool is leaving a mess on the carpet.)

IV. California Adventure Expansion

1. Buena Vista Street will be themed 1920’s/1930’s Los Angeles, just as it looked when Walt arrived in California.

2. Red cable cars will run from the entrance of DCA as far back as Tower of Terror.

3. Carthay Circle Theater will feature a restaurant.

4. Cars Land opening summer 2012. The Imagineers took a road trip along Route 66 for inspiration. Announced that ride testing for Luigi’s Flying Tires will be happening very soon. Cast member costumes have some patterns taken from John Lasseter‘s Route 66-themed Hawaiian shirts. (We all know Lasseter loves his Hawaiian shirts.) There are also some things being incorporated into Cars Land that were not part of the film, such as Stanley’s Oasis and Tail Light Caverns. Stanley’s Oasis had been sketched out for the film, but the animators didn’t have time to do it. Those structures will appear in the queue for Radiator Springs Racers. Tail Light Caverns will be a part of RSR, with stalagmites and stalactites that look like, well, tail lights.

V. Disneyland

1. Working on new guest experiences. Mentioned as possibilities: Dinner in the Haunted Mansion, tea time with your two favorite princesses. Possible expansion for Club 33 membership?

2. Fantasyland “expansion”. I see this more as an add on rather than true expansion. Carnation Gardens will be turned into Fantasy Faire, which will feature the “Tangled” tower, meet and greet with the princesses, a stage for shows, and the Royal Ribbon Festival.

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