"New" Fantasyland - Episode 184 of The Disney Exchange Podcast

The Disney Exchange Podcast is Lisa, Dave, and Nick

This week we continue our in depth look at Fantasyland, going into what at one time was known to me as "New Fantasyland," consisting of Enchanted Forest and Storybook Circus.

Do you like the Cinnamon Roll at Gaston's?
The Wheel of Distiny topic this week: Have you seen Incredibles 2?

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A Bit of New Fantasyland: Great Disney Cast Members

by Gaylin

The first day of vacation, while at the Magic Kingdom, I admit I spent more than a little bit of time wandering around the New Fantasyland. I was impressed by all of it, the theming is beautiful. It was a very hot day and of course, that meant an ice cream break.

I stopped at Maurice's Amazing Popping Machine ice cream and drink cart in between Gaston's Tavern and Be Our Guest restaurant.

The fare provided at this cart is standard, water, soda, ice cream treats. I had one of my favourite treats, a Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar! As you can see, there are covered tables to enjoy your treat out of the hot sun. I shared a table with a very nice woman, who also needed a break from the heat and I asked her to take my photo. It was only 2 or so in the afternoon and I was feeling and looking pretty wilted!

What was a pleasant surprise at this kiosk was the cast member, Sherley. She was happy and fun, greeting people as if everyone was a long lost friend. She was a bright moment in a hot afternoon where I felt like I was melting. After I finished my ice cream bar, I went back to the kiosk to say thank you to her, not just for how nice she had been to me, she was that nice and lovely to everyone! I asked her to take a selfie with me and she was thrilled – first time anyone had asked her to take a photo with them.

If you happen to be near the Popping Machine and need a treat – find Sherley and buy your treat from a 'friend'!

Characters on Main Street USA at Walt Disney World

by Gaylin

On my recent trip to Walt Disney World, one morning I decided to sleep in a bit! Sacrilege I know, missing the park opening show, but the weather had been extremely hot and the crowds a bit heavier than expected, so a few extra hours in a nice quiet and cool hotel room all by myself were awesome.

It was nearly noon when I got to the Magic Kingdom and to my surprise the Main Street Characters were all out and most people were in a hurry to get somewhere so I had a few minutes with each of them on my own. Nice to have the time to have a little chat before asking for a photo. The mayor gave me his business card, told me it would get me to the back of the line-up for any ride in the park! Scoop Sanderson also gave me his card, told me to call if I had any late breaking news stories for him.

The Mayor and the Lady Suffragette are always a treat to talk with, and look so dapper in their outfits.

 

Then a moment with Scoop Sanderson, member of the Press! I told him I work for a newspaper union back home so he wanted to make sure you could read the press pass on his hat.

Finally the fire chief, he told me I look like Paddington Bear in all my yellow. I looked Paddington up online and yep, he often has on a yellow hat but is jacket is usually blue.

 I always get a photo of balloons on Main Street and the breeze picked up while I was walking and this balloon seller looked like she was going to fly away.

Right before the hub in front of the castle were dancers, a show I hadn't seen before, Welcome Spring!

And of course, because I can – here is another photo of the castle. What trip to the Magic Kingdom would be complete without a photo of the castle?

Finally, while this was in the New Fantasyland area and not Main Street, I met these two characters. A groomsman and a lady-in-waiting, after a proper and polite chat, they were off – spreading the good news of the day.

Journey of the Little Mermaid at Walt Disney World

New Fantasyland opened late 2012 in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, and, arguably, the main attraction in this beautiful area is "Under the Sea, Journey of the Little Mermaid."

Please note, I will be taking us under the sea, looking at the queue and several scenes from the attraction itself, so if you want to be surprised, please read no further! Our adventure begins outside the castle...

...and continues into some nearby caves...

...where we find treasure...

...as well as other, not pictured surprises! I don't want to give away ALL the fun! We continue under the castle...

...and out into our loading area, the docks, to take us fathoms below!

We board our clam mobile. This ride vehicle is very similar to the vehicles in The Seas with Nemo and Friends, so I am assuming it is an all ages ride with no restrictions.

A neat effect takes us underwater, and we begin to see Ariel's journey to meeting her prince, and becoming human. "Look at this stuff, isn't it neat?"

We are treated to the hit songs from the beloved cartoon, "under the sea."

The ride isn't without a villain, as all good tales should have a good protagonist. We come upon Ursula singing about "poor unfortunate souls."

Prince Eric is urged by Sebastian to "kiss the girl."

To be honest, the scene that comes next, where Ursala is done in, is a little lacking, in my opinion, but at least we have a strong finish featuring King Triton and Sebastian.

And finally the happy couple.

At the end of the day, this is just a dark ride, but one done on a large, and more wondrous scale, and is a delight for the entire family.

Portions of this article were originally posted on the Tips From the Disney Diva Blog, where Nick is a contributing writer.

Enchanted Tales With Belle

By: Nick

In October of 2012, before the official unveiling of the New Fantasyland, Disney was having "dress rehearsals". We were very fortunate to be there the week they started opening many of the new attractions, and were among the first to see Enchanted Tales with Belle!

Portions of this article were originally posted on the Tips For the Disney Diva Blog, where I am a contributing writer.

While at the Magic Kingdom in line for Goofy's Barnstormer, I got a call from my friend Pam. She told me her and her family were asked to be among the first people to see the new "Enchanted Tales With Belle" in the as yet unopened section of Fantasyland. As we were just boarding the Barnstormer, we were stuck. But the moment we were off, we headed over towards the new castle wall.

Several Cast Members were out front asking guests if they'd like to see Enchanted Tales with Belle!
We couldn't get the word "YES!" out fast enough.
And we went behind the construction walls!

We were immediately struck by how beautiful the landscaping was.

 

Then, we got a good look at Maurice's cottage.

 Beast's Castle in the distance.

We entered into the very humble living quarters.

 

A portrait of Belle and her Mother. Now we know where she got her love of reading!

 

Then we entered Maurice's workshop.

SPOILERS! This is where the magic really begins!

A Cast Member points out a gift to Maurice, an Enchanted Mirror. 

At this point, the mirror comes alive. And a door appears! A portal to Beast's Castle. Now. I wasn't up front, and couldn't see how this was done, but I talked to a Cast Member afterwards, and she said she'd seen it dozens of times, and is amazed every time. This is a spectacular effect! My jaw was on the floor.

We then meet Wardrobe. Again, jaw on the floor. This is easily one of the most spectacular Audio-Animatronics ever! Sure, it's all facial, but...WOW! You'd swear this was a real, animated wardrobe.

Wardrobe explains that we would all be participating in the retelling of the story of how Belle met the Beast. The Cast Member opens Wardrobe, and chooses guests to act out characters, such as animated suits of armor, Beast, Maurice, Chip and Mrs. Potts, etc. She even asks if anyone that didn't get chosen would like to participate, and can see there are plenty of spoons and forks to be distributed to those who chose to be in the "cast".

 

We then enter the library, where another spectacular Audio-Animatronic is waiting, this time, it's Lumiere. The chandelier is also a miniature version of the one in the 'Beauty and the Beast" dance sequence from the film.

At this point, the Cast Members in attendance bring in Belle herself, to participate in the retelling of the budding romance of Beauty and the Beast.

The cast of guests help retell the tale as old as time, with help from the Cast Members. Seeing the young children in utter rapt attention, and the joy...I won't lie, my wife and I were welling up at several points. Here is Belle with her Beast.

 

At the end, each member of the cast received a special bookmark to commemorate the event, which I confess, made me question my decision to just be an observer!

Also, as each member of the cast was given the bookmark, a Photopass Cast Member took their photo. At the end, everyone was given a Photopass card, which in itself is a lovely souvenir.

On our next trip, I didn't need to volunteer to be in the show, I was chosen to be a Suit of Armor!

SO. What did we think. Well, in case you couldn't tell, we LOVED it! This is what Disney is all about. Wonderful stories being told in an engaging, and now, interactive, ways.

Pete's Silly Sideshow

Over in the new Storybook Circus section of The Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland expansion, Pete, the perpetual Disney ne'er-do-well, has somehow managed to put together a sideshow of some of Disney's biggest stars!

Signs for this spectacle greet you as you enter this area, beckoning you to step right up!

The Sideshow is located to the right of Big Top Souvenirs.

Once you enter you are greeted by "Astonishing Acts of Curiosity", or Goofy, Donald, Daisy and Minnie as you've never seen them before!

Goofy is 'The Great Goofini", stunt goofster extraordinaire!

Donald is "The Astounding Donaldo",  snake mesmerist!

 

Daisy is "Madame Daisy Fortuna", teller of fortunes.

And Minnie is "Minnie Magnifique", with her dog act.

 

I found it somewhat interesting that the Imagineers chose the roles that most fit the personalities of the characters. Goofy, in his classic  "How To" cartoons, was a bit of a dare devil. Minnie is sweet, and her cartoons often have her interacting with dogs. And Donald and Daisy, let's be honest, have a bit more of an edge to them, and their roles here seem fitting.

There are PhotoPass photographers here to get your photos, as well as take pictures with your personal cameras.

The exit leads you directly into  Big Top Souvenirs, in case you are in need of a snack after all the excitement of Pete's Silly Sideshow!

 

This article was originally posted on the Tips From the Disney Diva Blog, where Nick is a contributing writer.