Disney

PHOTO UPDATE: Disney’s Fantasyland, Art of Animation Resort, and Thunder Mountain Expansion

May 15, 2012COMtnMom

Although I wish these pictures had been taken by ME, in person, within the past couple of weeks … they were actually captured by a fellow Disney fan who lives much closer to the magic than myself.

Knowing how much I long to be in on the latest expansion action going on at Disney World right now, he and his wife graciously took these pictures and emailed them to me after their recent trip.

And in case you are in the same boat as I am, hungry for any tidbit of news or photos from these projects (and haven’t had a Disney trip in awhile) – I wanted to share the joy and anticipation with you, too.

New “The Great Goofini” Ride!

Disney Magic Kingdom new Great Goofini Ride — SO excited for this "new" ride (the re-themed Goofy's Barnstormer Coaster)

New Fantasyland Expansion pictures

It’s hard for me to fully grasp the wonders of this new, expanded Fantasyland. Bob is telling me, based on the perimeter… “it will be big. Really BIG“!!

Disney Magic Kingdom New Expanded Fantasyland — I had seen this picture before, but check out the awesome "castle" type walls that will form the entrance (in lower left of picture), and then see the next picture...

Disney Magic Kingdom Fantasyland Expansion — See over the top of that construction wall, upper left? I think that's it - AWESOME!

… and one more …

New “Art of Animation Resort” pictures

Disneys new Art of Animation Value Resort Entrance Sign — Nice perspective shot with the buses near the entrance sign

Disneys new Art of Animation Value Resort bridge between Pop Century — As Bob describes, it will be connected to Pop Century by "the bridge that (formerly) led to no where"

Disneys new Art of Animation Value Resort — Aren't the colors fantastic?

Magic Kingdom’s Thunder Mountain Railroad – Possible Expansion?

And now a tantalizing theory… is it possible that they are expanding Thunder Mountain Railroad? It is currently under renovation. But check out the snow dummies in the carts – are they being used to simulate weight, for testing?

*o* *o* *o*

SO exciting – isn’t it? (And officially the most pictures I’ve ever placed into one post.)

My secret Disney source can be found on Twitter as @MedinaLite, or on his website. A retired New Orleans firefighter, amazing chef and cookbook author, and bonafide Disney fan. I feel honored that he shared these pictures with me, knowing how much I love Disney.

I hope you enjoyed them, too. Thanks again, Bob and Lori – you guys are awesome!!

Disney World

Comments (4)

Steve Burns

May 15, 2012 at 3:22 pm

Great photos! I wish I were there, too. I am really looking forward to seeing all of the new Fantasyland stuff first hand when it is all finally finished. Of course, it won’t all be finished by my next trip, but I will see what I can see then, too.

Actually, no – they aren’t expanding Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Part of the renovation has included track replacement, so that is tested with water-filled dummies to create loads that simulate a train full of passengers, just to make sure that the track holds up before they put actual people on it.

1. COMtnMom
  
  May 17, 2012 at 8:45 pm
  
  Well, thanks for taking the wind outta my sails, STEVE.
  
  Just kidding … I never have to wonder about anything Disney related for very long – I’ve surrounded myself with all kinds of awesome Disney insiders!
  
  Thanks for your comment. 🙂
  
  1. Steve Burns
    
    May 18, 2012 at 6:39 pm
    
    Sorry, didn’t mean to be a bubble-burster! 🙂
    
V No Privacy At All Around This Place

May 15, 2012 at 8:18 pm

Fantastic photos!!! Thanks for sharing with us!