DVC Mike
09-12-2009, 04:20 PM
From theOrlando Sentinel:
Walt Disney World is about to embark on a sweeping facelift for the Fantasyland section of the Magic Kingdom, in what the resort calls the biggest overhaul in the theme park's 38-year history.
Plans revealed Saturday call for adding a lavish ride based on The Little Mermaid, expanding a popular Dumbo children's attraction, new interactive areas featuring all of Disney's most popular princesses, and more.
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.
From theLos Angeles Times:
Disney World will double the size of its Fantasyland, California Adventure will get new attractions, and the Star Tours ride at two parks will be upgraded, the company says.
Disney unveiled plans today for the largest expansion in the history of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, provided updates on its $1-billion expansion of Disney's California Adventure and said it would modernize the popular Star Tours ride at its domestic parks.
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo chose the D23 Expo in Anaheim, the first-ever gathering of Disney devotees, to announce the ambitious new project in Orlando, Fla., that will nearly double the size of Fantasyland. He also confirmed speculation that Disney would update the Star Tours attraction based on George Lucas' original "Star Wars" trilogy, adding 3-D effects to the ride at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim and Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida.
The projects come as Disney has been working to maintain attendance levels at the parks through aggressive hotel discounts, ticket giveaways and other promotions that have kept customers walking through the turnstiles but also cut into operating income. The parks are a major profit center for the entertainment giant, contributing about a third of the company's revenue.
Walt Disney World is about to embark on a sweeping facelift for the Fantasyland section of the Magic Kingdom, in what the resort calls the biggest overhaul in the theme park's 38-year history.
Plans revealed Saturday call for adding a lavish ride based on The Little Mermaid, expanding a popular Dumbo children's attraction, new interactive areas featuring all of Disney's most popular princesses, and more.
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.
From theLos Angeles Times:
Disney World will double the size of its Fantasyland, California Adventure will get new attractions, and the Star Tours ride at two parks will be upgraded, the company says.
Disney unveiled plans today for the largest expansion in the history of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, provided updates on its $1-billion expansion of Disney's California Adventure and said it would modernize the popular Star Tours ride at its domestic parks.
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo chose the D23 Expo in Anaheim, the first-ever gathering of Disney devotees, to announce the ambitious new project in Orlando, Fla., that will nearly double the size of Fantasyland. He also confirmed speculation that Disney would update the Star Tours attraction based on George Lucas' original "Star Wars" trilogy, adding 3-D effects to the ride at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim and Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida.
The projects come as Disney has been working to maintain attendance levels at the parks through aggressive hotel discounts, ticket giveaways and other promotions that have kept customers walking through the turnstiles but also cut into operating income. The parks are a major profit center for the entertainment giant, contributing about a third of the company's revenue.