New Fantasyland, August 1984
I almost feel bad posting today's dark, dismal photos. But when a blogger is running short of new images, I guess I can't be too choosey.
The coming of the "New Fantasyland" was heavily advertised in local SoCal newspapers, and I was certainly well aware of it; all of the artwork that had been printed showed the level of detail and craftsmanship that this revamped area received. I love the forest of chimneys atop each building, and of course the sailing ship weathervane is a great touch.
These timber-framed buildings have a wonderful "old Europe" feel that works well with the fantasy and fairy tale theme. It even works with the Matterhorn!
13 comments:
Dark, or not, these are still some nice images.
One of the (evidently) short-lived features of the new Mr. Toad's Wild Ride was the last 'scene' - in "Hades" - the temperature in there had to have easily been above 120°. The set point was dialed-back in fairly short order. (One of the 'suits' was probably worried about being on the receiving end of another type of suit). Too bad.
Thanks, Major.
Nanook, 120 degrees sounds pretty darn hot, although guests do only pass through for a matter of seconds. Maybe it was a money decision… heating and cooling = $$$!
Maybe dark but interesting just the same.
I'm glad you posted these, Major. I like images of "New Fantasyland" when it was brand new. The Matterhorn behind the Peter Pan Flight façade was always one of my favorite images. Very storybook like.
@Nanook -
I remember that heat in the "Hades" scene from Mr. Toad's Wild Ride because it always fogged up my glasses.
@K. Martinez-
I was there on opening day (the new Fantasyland, that is-!) And I'd be willing to bet it was even hotter at that time. It seemed crazy-hot, but perfectly-themed at the same time.
@Nanook -
It was sort of a steam-like heat when I went on it. That's why my glasses fogged. It felt sort of like opening an oven door when you entered the scene, but it definitely wasn't 120 degrees. They must've toned it down when I went on it Memorial Day weekend in 1983 (first year of New Fantasyland). I thought it was a great effect and totally forgot about it until you mentioned it today.
DL's New Fantasyland always made me think of an expansion of the area of WDW's Fantasyland with The Friar's Nook, Pinocchio Village Haus, and those shops I can't remember the names of, around the old Snow White's Scary Adventures building.
With the "storybook" aesthetic of the new adjacant areas, I've been wondering if they'll eventually gradually remodel the "Castle courtyard" area facades to a more storybook village/less tournament tent look.
@ K. Martinez - The 120° number is merely a guess. Depending on the amount of humidity (or more precisely stated as 'grains of moisture per pound of water' - or, hey - let's talk Enthalpy-! No, let's not). Anyway... obviously the air will appear warmer at a given temperature with increased moisture in it, for as we all know, warmer air holds more moisture than colder air. (Okay enough of today's science lesson).
I, too, remember both the heat & humidity. And, what the heck, generating steam would provide both heat and moisture. They could easily have utilized a large humidifier to provide the effect; but I remember much more heat than humidity. (Imagineers in the know, please chime-in).
Snow White Archive, then I am glad I posted these!
K. Martinez, "Hell" still fogs up my glasses, it definitely did it a few months ago.
Nanook, I've actually never heard the story about them having to turn down the heat… who would complain about that? It would have made the Hell scene that much more memorable.
K. Martinez again, I'm trying to remember when I first saw the New Fantasyland in person. And I can't! Too long ago.
Melissa, so all of WDW's old Fantasyland was not redone? I thought that they had removed the "medieval faire" stuff, just like they did in Anaheim.
Love the weathervane of the pirate ship. So whimsical :-)
This side of the Matterhorn always makes me think of some kind of monster rising up from a pile of whatever; the two hole-appearing things at the top remind me of eyes on the lookout!
As to WDW's Fantasyland, the facades of PhilharMagic (the old Mickey Mouse Revue), Peter Pan's Flight, It's a Small World and the Princess Fairytale Hall (old Snow White's Scary Adventures) all featured the tournament tent-like facades. What made them an improvement over the original DL Fantasyland facades was the fact that "between" these attraction facades, were old world style buildings. Pinocchio's Village Haus, The Friars Nook, and the rest of the spaces between attractions look very much like DL's New Fantasyland, except that the angles are all very straight, unlike DL's "softer" versions. The only facade that changed with the addition of the New Fantasyland "forrest" at the MK is the Winnie the Pooh attraction (old Mr Toad). Since this is in the "forrest" section of FL now (outside of the Castle Walls and Court), the actual building is almost disguised by trees and foliage. The rest of the tents remain untouched (although refreshed). If you ignore the tents, the architecture of the in-between buildings is quite beautiful. The side of Peter Pan's Flight features some of the more beautiful buildings in the land. Now that there are seating area's near the new Tangled area, these buildings are far more visible than they once were. The brand new area of Fantasyland has detail that rivals that of Tokyo DisneySea. One of the most beautiful additions is just a DVC kiosk. I'm sure the budget for that came out of the DVC profits.
Major-
I haven't the foggiest notion if any "official" change was made to the level of heat/moisture to the final scene in Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. All I know is the intensity of the experience was never the same following opening day; the amount of which always seemed to vary (up/down) over time. Whether due to inconsistent maintenance or for some other reason(s) - who knows.
That was a much better way of putting it, steve2wdw.
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