Walt Disney World Construction & Projects

HARTride 2012 · September 14th, 2009, 04:58 PM

Since there is not a thread already about construction & projects at Walt Disney World, this thread will be devoted to such news.

Disney World to embark on Fantasyland facelift

The Associated Press

Published: September 13, 2009

Updated: 09/13/2009 02:28 pm

ORLANDO - Disney executives this weekend announced plans for the largest expansion in the history of Walt Disney World, which will nearly double the size of Fantasyland and include a new, lavish ride based on the Little Mermaid.

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo made the announcement Saturday at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, the first-ever gathering of Disney devotees, to announce the ambitious new project in Orlando.

Analysts predict the expansion will re-ignite travel to Orlando, which has lagged in the global recession.

Disney's parks are a major profit center for the entertainment giant, contributing about a third of the company's revenue.

The Orlando Sentinel reports the biggest addition will be the Little Mermaid attraction, based on Disney's 1989 movie of the same name.

Plans call for an enclosed ride that will carry guests through the underwater realm of Ariel - the redheaded mermaid. It will use an Omnimover ride system similar to that of the Haunted Mansion, and will move through scenes featuring characters and songs from the movie.

The ride, which has a working title of Under the Sea: Journey of The Little Mermaid, will be the same as one being built as part of the $1 billion overhaul of Disney's California Adventure theme park in Anaheim, Calif., though the attractions will have different exteriors.

In addition, Disney said it plans to update Star Tours, the Star Wars-themed simulator ride in Disney's Hollywood Studios, with new 3-D effects.

The refurbished Star Tours will debut in 2011. The Fantasyland overhaul will be complete by 2013. Disney declined to say how much it will spend on the projects. Princesses will also figure heavily in the renovation.

Disney World will construct individual areas - whether a castle, cottage or chateau - where guests can interact with some of the company's best-known princesses and other characters from their movies. Children will be able to dance with Cinderella, celebrate Aurora's birthday with the Good Fairies, or play a role with Belle in a performance in the library of the Beast's castle.

Disney intends to relocate Dumbo the Flying Elephant to a new "circus grounds" that will include an interactive queue under a big-top tent to entertain children waiting in line. Disney will add a new Pixie Hollow character-greeting area, home to Tinker Bell and other fairies.

To accommodate the expansion, Disney will raze most of Mickey's Toontown Fair, the smallest of the Magic Kingdom's "lands." Gone will be both of the walkthrough country houses where guests were guaranteed to meet Disney's most famous characters: Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

Disney says Mickey and Minnie will get new homes near the front entrance of the park. The children's roller coaster, the Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm, will remain, though it will be re-themed, likely with a circus overlay linking it to Dumbo.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/sep...land-facelift/

SkyDiveJunkee · September 14th, 2009, 05:05 PM

The picture they posted to discuss upgrades to Disney World in Orlando is of Disneyland in California.

HARTride 2012 · September 14th, 2009, 07:17 PM

LOL, what a goof up that was.....

SkyDiveJunkee · September 14th, 2009, 08:23 PM

jzquince69 · September 15th, 2009, 12:18 AM

Bay Lake Tower- next to Contemporary- I hear it is already open.

Geborgenheit · September 16th, 2009, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyDiveJunkee

The picture they posted to discuss upgrades to Disney World in Orlando is of Disneyland in California.

Apparently they thought that nobody would spot the difference.

Disneyland 4ever!

F-L-A · September 16th, 2009, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyDiveJunkee

The picture they posted to discuss upgrades to Disney World in Orlando is of Disneyland in California.

It's actually Hong Kong Disneyland. It's the only one next to a mountain range. They obviously didn't spend much time preparing that article.

Fizmo1337 · September 16th, 2009, 02:04 PM

Maybe a stupid question (and sorry if there is already a thread for this) but are there any pictures around of the construction on the new Harry Potter themepark? I couldn't find any.

thx

HARTride 2012 · September 16th, 2009, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fizmo1337

Maybe a stupid question (and sorry if there is already a thread for this) but are there any pictures around of the construction on the new Harry Potter themepark? I couldn't find any.

thx

From the Tampa Bay Business Journal http://tampabay.bizjournals.com/tamp...4/daily31.html

Go to the newly created Universal Orlando Construction & Projects thread....
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=959778

aaabbbccc · September 17th, 2009, 05:16 PM

just got news they are plans for a disney park in morocco
first one in africa
but anyway when is this project is done I will check it out

SkyDiveJunkee · September 17th, 2009, 10:56 PM

^Source? That seems highly unlikely. Morocco is not too far from France and is extremely far from the population centers they'd likely target for a new market, like Egypt/Middle East.

HARTride 2012 · September 18th, 2009, 04:42 PM

I find that hard to believe too. And during a worldwide recession? Hell no!

Chakazoolu · December 5th, 2009, 10:57 AM

Morocco? Ha Ha, Africa (except SA) only had its first FEC (Bob & Bongo's in Addis Abbaba, Ethiopia) in 2008. The demographics in morroco wont allow a Disneyland to be financially successful.

jzquince69 · December 15th, 2009, 04:05 PM

apparently, the Four Seasons hotel resort is currently U/C somewhere near the Magic Kingdom area golf courses. I saw photos of sitework on a disney forum last month posted from last summer.

SkyDiveJunkee · March 12th, 2010, 10:27 PM

Walt Disney Pavilion opened Thursday at Florida Hospital for Children:

http://orlando.bizjournals.com/orlan...8/daily38.html

TampaMike · March 31st, 2010, 03:57 AM

Epcot adds new restaurants, stores
Orlando Business Journal
Tuesday, March 30, 2010, 2:29pm EDT

The World Showcase at Epcot is adding two restaurants and two stores in time for the 15th annual Epcot Food & Wine Festival, held this year on Oct. 1-Nov. 14.

The new additions include:

• A lagoon-side, 12,000-square-foot, 400-seat waterside restaurant by San Angel Inn LLC at the Mexico pavilion. The resaturant will offer quick-service meals during the day, and for evening hours, it will be converted into a tableside restaurant.

• A 14,000-square-foot, 300-seat pizzeria by Patina Restaurant Group at the Italy pavilion

• A new merchandise kiosk — Good Fortune Gifts — at the China pavilion

• A new 300-square-foot Givenchy shop at the France pavilion

http://orlando.bizjournals.com/orlan...0&ana=e_du_pub

yosoyelrey · March 31st, 2010, 12:26 PM

I wonder where the exact location of the pizzeria at the Italy Pavillion will be...

jzquince69 · March 31st, 2010, 08:18 PM

France already has an upper end major label shop over there; maybe they're converting it to Givenchy. 300 sq ft- it might be it;

as for the Mexico pavillion lagoon-side restaurant, do they mean new construction on the water?

What are they going to do about the old Odyssey restaurant between Mexico and future world; its on the water and has been vacant or in partial use for like 15-20 years.

I say that's the perfect location for a space needle with restaurant at the top like in Seattle and Vegas, et al.

***ukiyo*** · April 1st, 2010, 04:51 AM

The Japan pavillion needs a ride or something..

Steel City Suburb · May 9th, 2010, 07:51 PM

Im from the UK, and the UK bit of Epcot needs something, the pubs good - the rest of it, erm, needs updating.

September 14th, 2009, 04:58 PM	#1
HARTride 2012 Let's go... Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 10,103 Likes (Received): 24	Walt Disney World Construction & Projects Since there is not a thread already about construction & projects at Walt Disney World, this thread will be devoted to such news. Disney World to embark on Fantasyland facelift The Associated Press Published: September 13, 2009 Updated: 09/13/2009 02:28 pm ORLANDO - Disney executives this weekend announced plans for the largest expansion in the history of Walt Disney World, which will nearly double the size of Fantasyland and include a new, lavish ride based on the Little Mermaid. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo made the announcement Saturday at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, the first-ever gathering of Disney devotees, to announce the ambitious new project in Orlando. Analysts predict the expansion will re-ignite travel to Orlando, which has lagged in the global recession. Disney's parks are a major profit center for the entertainment giant, contributing about a third of the company's revenue. The Orlando Sentinel reports the biggest addition will be the Little Mermaid attraction, based on Disney's 1989 movie of the same name. Plans call for an enclosed ride that will carry guests through the underwater realm of Ariel - the redheaded mermaid. It will use an Omnimover ride system similar to that of the Haunted Mansion, and will move through scenes featuring characters and songs from the movie. The ride, which has a working title of Under the Sea: Journey of The Little Mermaid, will be the same as one being built as part of the $1 billion overhaul of Disney's California Adventure theme park in Anaheim, Calif., though the attractions will have different exteriors. In addition, Disney said it plans to update Star Tours, the Star Wars-themed simulator ride in Disney's Hollywood Studios, with new 3-D effects. The refurbished Star Tours will debut in 2011. The Fantasyland overhaul will be complete by 2013. Disney declined to say how much it will spend on the projects. Princesses will also figure heavily in the renovation. Disney World will construct individual areas - whether a castle, cottage or chateau - where guests can interact with some of the company's best-known princesses and other characters from their movies. Children will be able to dance with Cinderella, celebrate Aurora's birthday with the Good Fairies, or play a role with Belle in a performance in the library of the Beast's castle. Disney intends to relocate Dumbo the Flying Elephant to a new "circus grounds" that will include an interactive queue under a big-top tent to entertain children waiting in line. Disney will add a new Pixie Hollow character-greeting area, home to Tinker Bell and other fairies. To accommodate the expansion, Disney will raze most of Mickey's Toontown Fair, the smallest of the Magic Kingdom's "lands." Gone will be both of the walkthrough country houses where guests were guaranteed to meet Disney's most famous characters: Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Disney says Mickey and Minnie will get new homes near the front entrance of the park. The children's roller coaster, the Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm, will remain, though it will be re-themed, likely with a circus overlay linking it to Dumbo. http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/sep...land-facelift/ __________________ Public Transit As Told By HARTride 2012 - Public Transit told from a unique perspective! - Tampa Bay, New York City, Hampton Roads, Europe \| Follow me on Twitter \| "Like" my page on Facebook

September 14th, 2009, 07:17 PM	#3
HARTride 2012 Let's go... Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 10,103 Likes (Received): 24	LOL, what a goof up that was..... __________________ Public Transit As Told By HARTride 2012 - Public Transit told from a unique perspective! - Tampa Bay, New York City, Hampton Roads, Europe \| Follow me on Twitter \| "Like" my page on Facebook

September 17th, 2009, 05:16 PM	#10
aaabbbccc Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: ORLANDO / CASABLANCA/ SAN JUAN Posts: 3,165 Likes (Received): 17	just got news they are plans for a disney park in morocco first one in africa but anyway when is this project is done I will check it out __________________ I HAVE VISITED THE UNITED STATES , CANADA , MEXICO , PUERTO RICO , MOROCCO , FRANCE , SPAIN , ITALY , ISRAEL , KUWAIT , TUNISIA , COSTA RICA AND EGYPT AND I AM PROUD TO BE MOROCCAN , FRENCH AND PUERTO RICAN

September 18th, 2009, 04:42 PM	#12
HARTride 2012 Let's go... Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 10,103 Likes (Received): 24	I find that hard to believe too. And during a worldwide recession? Hell no! __________________ Public Transit As Told By HARTride 2012 - Public Transit told from a unique perspective! - Tampa Bay, New York City, Hampton Roads, Europe \| Follow me on Twitter \| "Like" my page on Facebook

March 31st, 2010, 03:57 AM	#16
TampaMike Moderator Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 6,141 Likes (Received): 5	Epcot adds new restaurants, stores Orlando Business Journal Tuesday, March 30, 2010, 2:29pm EDT The World Showcase at Epcot is adding two restaurants and two stores in time for the 15th annual Epcot Food & Wine Festival, held this year on Oct. 1-Nov. 14. The new additions include: • A lagoon-side, 12,000-square-foot, 400-seat waterside restaurant by San Angel Inn LLC at the Mexico pavilion. The resaturant will offer quick-service meals during the day, and for evening hours, it will be converted into a tableside restaurant. • A 14,000-square-foot, 300-seat pizzeria by Patina Restaurant Group at the Italy pavilion • A new merchandise kiosk — Good Fortune Gifts — at the China pavilion • A new 300-square-foot Givenchy shop at the France pavilion http://orlando.bizjournals.com/orlan...0&ana=e_du_pub __________________ Corporations Are People Too - Mitt Romney For the People that dress up like Corporations.

September 14th, 2009, 05:05 PM	#2
SkyDiveJunkee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,493 Likes (Received): 10	The picture they posted to discuss upgrades to Disney World in Orlando is of Disneyland in California.

September 14th, 2009, 08:23 PM	#4
SkyDiveJunkee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,493 Likes (Received): 10

September 15th, 2009, 12:18 AM	#5
jzquince69 jimmy Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: orlando Posts: 2,484 Likes (Received): 8	Bay Lake Tower- next to Contemporary- I hear it is already open.

September 16th, 2009, 02:04 PM	#8
Fizmo1337 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Bruges Posts: 917 Likes (Received): 1	Maybe a stupid question (and sorry if there is already a thread for this) but are there any pictures around of the construction on the new Harry Potter themepark? I couldn't find any. thx

September 17th, 2009, 10:56 PM	#11
SkyDiveJunkee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,493 Likes (Received): 10	^Source? That seems highly unlikely. Morocco is not too far from France and is extremely far from the population centers they'd likely target for a new market, like Egypt/Middle East.

December 5th, 2009, 10:57 AM	#13
Chakazoolu Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Dubai Posts: 1,298 Likes (Received): 10	Morocco? Ha Ha, Africa (except SA) only had its first FEC (Bob & Bongo's in Addis Abbaba, Ethiopia) in 2008. The demographics in morroco wont allow a Disneyland to be financially successful.

December 15th, 2009, 04:05 PM	#14
jzquince69 jimmy Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: orlando Posts: 2,484 Likes (Received): 8	apparently, the Four Seasons hotel resort is currently U/C somewhere near the Magic Kingdom area golf courses. I saw photos of sitework on a disney forum last month posted from last summer.

March 12th, 2010, 10:27 PM	#15
SkyDiveJunkee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,493 Likes (Received): 10	Walt Disney Pavilion opened Thursday at Florida Hospital for Children: http://orlando.bizjournals.com/orlan...8/daily38.html

March 31st, 2010, 12:26 PM	#17
yosoyelrey Long live the king! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Orlando/Bayamon Posts: 3,613 Likes (Received): 31	I wonder where the exact location of the pizzeria at the Italy Pavillion will be...

March 31st, 2010, 08:18 PM	#18
jzquince69 jimmy Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: orlando Posts: 2,484 Likes (Received): 8	France already has an upper end major label shop over there; maybe they're converting it to Givenchy. 300 sq ft- it might be it; as for the Mexico pavillion lagoon-side restaurant, do they mean new construction on the water? What are they going to do about the old Odyssey restaurant between Mexico and future world; its on the water and has been vacant or in partial use for like 15-20 years. I say that's the perfect location for a space needle with restaurant at the top like in Seattle and Vegas, et al.

April 1st, 2010, 04:51 AM	#19
*ukiyo* モデレータ Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 5,676 Likes (Received): 257	The Japan pavillion needs a ride or something.. __________________ My Pictures: Tokyo, Kobe, Kamakura, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Himeji, Atlanta, China 浮世

May 9th, 2010, 07:51 PM	#20
Steel City Suburb Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,824 Likes (Received): 6	Im from the UK, and the UK bit of Epcot needs something, the pubs good - the rest of it, erm, needs updating. __________________ VISITSHEFFIELD Learn more.

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