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fantasyland

7 Reasons to Love the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

12 May 2014 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

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Seven Dwarfs Mine Train A little over a week ago, I was treated to a sneak peek at the newest attraction in New Fantasyland, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. I wanted to take some time to really put my feelings about this new gem into words, and share my thoughts with you. This much anticipated finishing touch on this new land was full of a contradictory mix of secrecy and hype for the last year or so. The Disney Parks Blog would tease us with Imagineer videos, ride vehicles and tiny tastes of what to expect with this next generation of hybrid dark ride and thrill ride, while keeping certain aspects behind walls and under wraps. But would this experience live up to its hype? Would the wait be worth it? And will the standby queue be worth it? My answer to all of those questions is a resounding heigh ho! And here’s 7 reasons why:

1. An Immersive Experience – And no, I don’t mean immersive queues, although this attraction does have a cool one. What I mean is themed lands, which take you out of the “hey, I’m in a theme park in Orlando” experience, and put you in a “wow, I’m in the middle of a fairy tale kingdom with mountains and forests and castles!” New Fantasyland has done that incredibly well, from walking in to an old timey circus with animal prints and peanut shells embedded into the ground, to a Provincial village with a castle looming above a mountain, to a beautiful little town square (that just happens to house some restrooms too). Seven Dwarfs Mine Train has given this new land depth, character and, yes, story. Now when you walk through the castle walls, you see the mountain, but not what’s within it. You are treated to foliage, sounds of wildlife, waterfalls, and the faint melody of miners singing a familiar tune in the distance. You are transported and have left the other lands of the Magic Kingdom behind.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

2. Family Friendly Ride – I think many of us were wondering just how family friendly this attraction was going to be…Barnstormer? Big Thunder? What about the inside? What was going to happen in there? Well, I was really surprised by the ride itself. It starts off with an instant thrill, but it’s not too too fast, and the drops are not really steep or high. It is, in a word, fun. It makes you laugh, it makes you look around at all of the wonderful scenery, and it makes you want to ride again. The height requirement is only 38″, so it is on par with the “first coaster” that many little ones can experience. Depending on where you sit, it can be more thrilling or tame, but it’s not as fast or as “scary” as Big Thunder Mountain for those who consider that attraction scary.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

3. A Million Diamond Mine! Even though the two couldn’t be more dissimilar, when we first traveled inside the mine, my mind instantly went to Radiator Springs Racers out at Disney California Adventure. It’s just jaw-dropping to see all of this beauty, hidden within the mountain. The animatronics are unique and incredibly movie-like, the colors and the lights of the gems are just overwhelmingly pretty. You’ll be singing along, and not wanting to leave the mine.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

4. A Different Ride Every Time – Seven Dwarfs Mine Train has a very high re-ride-ability factor. Mainly because, like most coasters, you have a different experience depending on whether you sit in the front, middle, or back section of the train. Other factors include how many people (and how heavy they are) are riding with you. When we first rode, it was pretty much solo, which didn’t do much for the swinging carts, or even the speed of the train. Later, we rode with a full car and the swinging carts was much more noticeable (but nowhere near the movement indicated in the cgi preview videos from back at the D23 Expo) and the train went much faster around curves. It felt like a completely different ride. And, much like riding Big Thunder at night, the experience on Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at night is a whole other animal. Seeing the views of both Cinderella and Beast’s Castles at dusk and then at night are spectacular. And the final scene of the ride is much more visible at night too, so make sure you ride at different times of the day to choose your favorite.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

 

5. Views Unseen Since the Skyway – Speaking of views, when was the last time we were able to see this side of Cinderella Castle from up this high? Yep, way back when the Skyway was running (one of my most beloved and missed attractions!). So I am thrilled to be able to see views like this again, even if it’s briefly before a drop on a roller coaster. The views over to Beast’s Castle are equally beautiful, and riding by a waterfall and then high on a straight bridge as if we are the dwarfs marching home, is such an enjoyable experience, it just makes you grin from ear to ear.

6. Interactive Queue – I mentioned above how Seven Dwarfs Mine Train has one, and it’s quite fun. Not quite as big as some of the other interactive queues in Magic Kingdom, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train has the benefit of being under cover of shade, which will be ideal in the middle of summer (or spring, or fall or winter for that matter!). There’s a little something for everyone here, and you can stay as long as you like before moving on to the last part of the queue.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

7. Seven Dwarfs Love – One of the enduring take-aways from the Mine Train event was the simple fact that Disney -as a company, and we – as guests, are celebrating, honoring, and shining a light on Walt Disney’s first animated feature film, Snow White, 77 years later. That’s pretty spectacular when you think about it. A testament to the art and artistry found within the film, combined with the newest Imagineering designs and technologies. What a wonderful thing. While at the party that night – all the dwarfs were out for photos, and as I stopped to take photos with some of them, I really got a new appreciation for their individual personalities. It can sometimes be easy to discount older characters, or ones we see on t-shirts all the time. But when you really stop and think about it, we can all relate to one or two dwarfs, and they really do stand the test of time. I left for the evening with a new love for both the Seven Dwarfs as individual characters and Snow White as a movie. The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a love letter to that film and its magic.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

So to sum up, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a definite hit. It took a bit to grow on me as a ride, but once I experienced it at night, it won me over. The ride is smooth (you can barely hear the trains zooming by), swift, and beautiful with details everywhere and surprises around each turn. Whether young or old, it will be an instant must-do.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train will officially open on May 28, but with cast members riding this week, I’m sure soft openings are just around the corner. If you’re visiting the Magic Kingdom this week, I’d keep checking! 

Here’s my video of the full dedication ceremony:

 

 

Disclosure: As mentioned at the start, I was invited by Disney to preview this attraction. I was provided with special access to the attraction but my opinions and words are my own. All images within this post are ©Disney

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Filed Under: Disney Attractions, Disney News, Disney Special Events, Top Stories, Walt Disney World Tagged With: 7DMT, Family roller coaster, fantasyland, imagineering, interactive queue, Magic Bands, Magic Kingdom, Mine Train, New Fantasyland, roller coaster, SDMT, Seven Dwarfs, Seven Dwarfs Dedication Ceremony, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Dedication Ceremony, Snow White, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Walt Disney World, Walt Disney World News, walt disney world resort

Walt Disney World’s Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Preview

28 April 2014 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

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Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it’s off to the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train we go! The long-anticipated final jewel (pun intended) in the New Fantasyland crown is about to be complete. Local, national and international media and travel professionals will be descending on the Walt Disney World Resort in just a few days, to learn all they can about this new family roller coaster, as well as other news and updates from around the resort. Some of the other topics we may hear about include the latest updates to the  My Magic+ system and Magic Bands plus what’s coming up this summer at WDW.

I’ve made a choice not to share too much of the attraction as it has been revealed. I know I will be wowed when I ride for the first time, and want you all to have that same experience first hand. With all of the whirlwind of activities coming up starting this Wednesday night, I thought it would be a good idea to have a landing page where you can find all of the updates from the events, and where to follow along with me. Feel free to add me at the following outlets if you don’t already:

 

Twitter: @zannaland – here is where my main updating will happen. It’s easiest for me to tweet news and tidbits, retweet other folks who are at the event or official accounts, and it’s also where all of my instagrams will be shared.

Instagram: @zannaland – this is the easiest (and most fun) way for me to share photos and short videos with you all. All instagrams will be shared to twitter and my facebook page as well.

facebook: zannaland – as above, all of my instagrams will be shared here, as well as future blog posts and videos from the events.

YouTube: zannaland – Any videos from the opening will be posted here

Check back here for updates, photos and more – and feel free to share, RT, like, or otherwise share the love that you see here! ♥  

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train See you in the Mine!

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Filed Under: Disney Attractions, Disney News, Top Stories, Walt Disney World Tagged With: 7DMT, Family roller coaster, fantasyland, interactive queue, Magic Bands, Magic Kingdom, Mine Train, My Magic +, New Fantasyland, roller coaster, SDMT, Seven Dwarfs, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Walt Disney World, Walt Disney World News, walt disney world resort

PHOTO TOUR: Tangled Area With Charging Stations Opens in Magic Kingdom

14 March 2013 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

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The much-rumored “Rapunzel Restrooms” finally opened to guests last Friday, and boy was it worth the wait. The area is so much more than “just bathrooms,” offering beautiful new vistas, seating areas, a fun scavenger hunt, and perhaps best of all – charging stations for cell phones! There are no signs at this time noting the charging stations hidden within tree trunks, but while I was there, several cast members came over to ensure we knew there were charging spots there.

On opening day, I decided to embark on my first-ever Ustream broadcast, and gave a little live tour of the the area in the daytime, returning for another live stream at night, which included Wishes nighttime fireworks show, as seen from that area of the park. I was really impressed with the amount of theming and detail provided to this area. It is officially my new favorite place to hang out in the park, which sounds weird because it is basically restrooms, but it’s more than that. It actually reminded me a bit of Disneyland, in that you could just sit and unwind while the world rushes by. There area lovely full-grown trees, a waterfall and a babbling brook, relaxing music, and lots of pretty things to look at. At dusk, the area takes on an enchanting glow as the lanterns are switched on and just gets more magical as the night goes on.

Here are the two broadcasts, if you’d like to take a tour of the area: Tangled area daytime tour and Tangled area nighttime tour. Please forgive the random chatter in the beginning as I was figuring out Ustream – I promise future broadcasts will not be quite so embarrassing (at least I’ll try to ensure that!).

In addition, here is a photo gallery highlighting all the details of the new Tangled area:

 

Tangled Rapunzel bathroom area
Maximus the horse’s horseshoes
Tangled Rapunzel bathroom area
Rapunzel’s tower with waterfall
Tangled Rapunzel bathroom area
Rapunzel’s tower with waterfall
Rapunzel rest area
View of the Tangled area from under Columbia Harbor House
Tangled Rapunzel bathroom area
Rapunzel tower and men’s room with thatched roof
Rapunzel rest area
Overview of Tangled lanterns
Tangled Rapunzel bathroom area
Tangled Rapunzel bathroom area
Another tower view
Tangled Rapunzel bathroom area
Tangled Rapunzel bathroom area
More lanterns
Rapunzel rest area
Ulf the mime
Tangled Rapunzel bathroom area
Vladamir and his tiny unicorns!
Tangled Rapunzel bathroom area
Unicorns!
Tangled Rapunzel bathroom area
Hookhand at the piano
Rapunzel rest area
Women’s room sign
Entrance to the ladies room
Tangled Rapunzel bathroom area
Rapunzel’s painting goes all throughout the inside of the ladies room ceiling
Rapunzel rest area
Men’s room sign
Tangled Rapunzel bathroom area
Men’s room exterior – here on the right you can see Flynn’s satchel (wonder if the crown is still inside?) and on the left a chest-piece bit of armor from the royal guards, and the kingdom’s newest weapon of choice, a frying pan!
Tangled Rapunzel bathroom area
Exterior building and a lantern
Rapunzel rest area
Cast Member only area and Companion Restroom sign
Rapunzel rest area
Maximus says Kingdom Staff Only!
Tangled Rapunzel bathroom area
Another tower and waterfall view
Rapunzel rest area
View of Tangled area from “its’a small world” and Peter Pan’s Flight
Rapunzel rest area
View of seating area looking back to Liberty Square
Rapunzel rest area
View of seating area looking back to Liberty Square
Rapunzel rest area
Phone charging station cleverly disguised as a log
Rapunzel rest area
Tangled phone charging station outlets
Rapunzel rest area
“Action shot” of the phone charging station
Rapunzel rest area
Tangled seating area
Tangled Rapunzel bathroom area
Lanterns at dusk
Tangled Rapunzel bathroom area
Lanterns at night
Tangled Rapunzel bathroom area
Lanterns at night with Rapunzel’s tower

 

And here are the interior shots of the actual restrooms:

Tangled Rapunzel bathroom area
Right inside the ladies room
ladies room ceiling
Tangled Rapunzel bathroom area
ladies room ceiling
Tangled Rapunzel bathroom area
ladies room ceiling
Tangled Rapunzel bathroom area
Rapunzel’s paints inside the ladies room
Tangled Rapunzel bathroom area
The ceiling switches from flowers and birds to a night sky
Tangled Rapunzel bathroom area
Another shelf inside the ladies room
Tangled Rapunzel bathroom area
Tangled Rapunzel bathroom area
Little princesses changing area in ladies room
Tangled Rapunzel bathroom area
Wanted posters inside the men’s room
Tangled Rapunzel bathroom area
Flynn has fixed his nose, finally!
Tangled Rapunzel bathroom area
Wanted posters in mens room
Tangled Rapunzel bathroom area
Shorty poster
Tangled Rapunzel bathroom area
Stabbington Brothers poster
Tangled Rapunzel bathroom area
Flynn Rider wanted poster
Tangled Rapunzel bathroom area
Frying pans, the weapon of choice
Tangled Rapunzel bathroom area
Little knights changing station in mens room

 

One of my favorite parts to this new section of New-ish Fantasyland, is a fun scavenger hunt where you find little Pascal the chameleon’s friends as they are hiding in the area. There are 10 in total and some of them are really good at camouflaging themselves! If you would like to be surprised and find them all on your own without seeing the photos first, scroll by this section!!

Friends of Pascal scavenger hunt
Friends of Pascal scavenger hunt
Friends of Pascal scavenger hunt
Friends of Pascal scavenger hunt
Friends of Pascal scavenger hunt
Friends of Pascal scavenger hunt
Friends of Pascal scavenger hunt
Friends of Pascal scavenger hunt
Friends of Pascal scavenger hunt
Friends of Pascal scavenger hunt
Friends of Pascal scavenger hunt

 

 

I was not able to find any hidden Mickeys, so if you’ve found any, I’d love to hear about them, or your thoughts on this new area, in the comments below!

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Filed Under: Disney Attractions, Disney News, Top Stories, Walt Disney World Tagged With: babbling brook, chameleon, charging station, Disney charging stations, fantasyland, lanterns, live stream, Magic Kingdom, Magic Kingdom charging station, nighttime tour, pascal scavenger hunt, pascal the chameleon, Photo Tour, Rapunzel, rapunzel bathrooms, rapunzel charging station, rapunzel restrooms, rapunzel tower, relaxing music, restrooms, scavenger hunt, seating areas, Tangled, tangled bathrooms, tangled charging station, tangled restrooms, tangled tower, tangledtown, theming, ustream

Photo Tour of Be Our Guest Restaurant With Quick Serve Areas!

15 October 2012 by Suzannah Otis 3 Comments

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Be Our Guest Restaurant

Over the weekend, you may have seen the buzz about the Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland opening up with a “Dress Rehearsal” of its completed areas. I’ll have many more photos to come if you missed some of my Instagrams on Twitter or Facebook, but I thought I’d start with some of the Be Our Guest Restaurant, since it is such a highly anticipated new dining location and boy, does it live up to its hype as far as appearances go.

The Walt Disney Imagineers have done an amazing job of bringing the classic Beauty and the Beast animated movie we all know and love, to life. We see familiar creatures and architectural details as well as some new interpretation of how Beast’s home would look. The details and tiny surprises are just perfect and will provide hours of enjoyment as something new is discovered each visit.

Be Our Guest Restaurant opens to the public on November 19. You can find menu info and more over at The Disney Food Blog.

 

See the wonder for yourself:

 

Be Our Guest Restaurant
Be Our Guest Restaurant sign – you can see Gaston’s Tavern on the background on the right

 

Be Our Guest Restaurant
Be Our Guest Restaurant menu board outside – this was for lunch items

 

Be Our Guest Restaurant
A hunched gargoyle offers a sharp contrast to the beautiful waterfall and vistas behind him. All part of the amazing envelopment into the Beast’s enchanted castle area.

 

New Fantasyland
The mountains and cascading waterfall are just breathtaking.

 

Be Our Guest Restaurant
Beast’s coat of arms on the gate to the restaurant

 

Be Our Guest Restaurant
Amazing Be Our Guest Restaurant entrance, carved into the mountain-side and guarded by mythical beastly creatures

 

Be Our Guest Restaurant
The door guards at Be Our Guest Restaurant

 

Be Our Guest Restaurant
Close-up of the door guards outside of Be Our Guest Restaurant

 

Be Our Guest Restaurant
These windows flanking the front doors are really the only stained glass in the restaurant, but it casts a lovely glow as the sun streams in.

 

Be Our Guest Restaurant
Be Our Guest Restaurant archway to the dining area

 

Be Our Guest Restaurant
More Be Our Guest Restaurant details – the top of the hallway leading to the West Wing

 

Be Our Guest Restaurant
An unhappy minotaur keeping the columns up

 

Be Our Guest Restaurant
Another unhappy-looking minotaur holds up a column in the entryway

 

Be Our Guest Restaurant
I absolutely love this interior window in the entryway, which offers a lovely view of the elegant hallway inside the “ballroom” of the dining area. One of my favorite details.

 

Be Our Guest Restaurant
The ballroom does not disappoint with its chandeliers and windows to the snowy French mountainside (yes, it’s really snowing back there!)

 

Be Our Guest Restaurant
Another view of the dining room with painted ceiling and chandeliers

 

Be Our Guest Restaurant
Be Our Guest Restaurant hallway – see the doorway to the right?

 

Be Our Guest Restaurant
A sneak peek into the Quick Serve counter area in Be Our Guest Restaurant

 

Be Our Guest Restaurant
Another look at the Be Our Guest Restaurant menu boards

 

Be Our Guest Restaurant
The Quick Serve hallway, the screens will show menu items before you go through the doorway to order

 

Be Our Guest Restaurant
The Belle and Beast mosaic tile work in this alcove is a perfect photo opportunity, and ties in with the mosaics inside the Cinderella Castle walkway down the road a piece.

 

I hope you enjoyed the photo tour, I’ll have many more photos of New Fantasyland to come in the next few days. The photos above are free to share, but if you do, please provide a link back to zannaland.com. Thank you!

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Filed Under: Disney Dining, Disney News, Photos From the Parks, Walt Disney World Tagged With: architectural details, Be Our Guest Counter service, Be Our Guest dinner, Be Our Guest lunch, Be Our Guest photos, Be Our Guest Quick Serve, Be Our Guest Restaurant, Beast's castle, Beauty and the Beast, Beauty and the Beast restaurant, coat of arms, disney imagineers, dress rehearsal, enchanted castle, fantasyland, gargoyle, Magic Kingdom, menu board, New Fantasyland, restaurant menu, Walt Disney World, waterfall, WDW

BREAKING: New Fantasyland Opening Date of December 6 Announced!

7 August 2012 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

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Maurice's Cottage
Maurice’s cottage in New Fantasyland, where Enchanted Tales with Belle will take place. Image ©Disney

The Disney Parks Blog just announced the news we’ve all been waiting for, the date for the next phase of the New Fantasyland expansion to open to guests!

With Storybook Circus quickly becoming a favorite part of the new Fantasyland,  the Parks Blog today shared details of the next area of Storybook Circus to open, Pete’s Silly Sideshow. There guests can meet their favorite characters in their Storybook Circus-themed finest: Minnie Magnifique (Minnie Mouse as a circus star), Madame Daisy Fortuna (Daisy Duck as a fortuneteller), The Great Goofini (Goofy as a daredevil stunt pilot), and The Astounding Donaldo (Donald Duck as a snake charmer).

Locals and far-off visitors alike have been cheering the attention to detail we’ve seen in Storybook Circus, and have been anxiously awaiting the walls to come down so we may see more of that Imagineering magic in the Enchanted Forest.

We now know that opening on December 6  will be the highly anticipated Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid attraction, Ariel’s Grotto meet and greet location, the Be Our Guest Restaurant, Gaston’s Tavern and Enchanted Tales with Belle character interaction experience as well as Bonjour! Village Gifts.

Previews of these attractions will begin November 19.

I know I am not alone in being ridiculously excited for these new attractions and experiences. I was lucky enough to step “behind the wall” a few of months back and it looks like it will live up to expectations and be a magical place to stroll through and explore.

Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
Prince Eric’s Castle at Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid. Image ©Disney

 

Chandelier from Be Our Guest Restaurant
Gorgeous chandelier from the Be Our Guest Restaurant. Image ©Disney

 

The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train coaster and Princess Fairytale Hall Meet and Greet location will be opening at later dates, so watch for future announcements. What are you most looking forward to when Enchanted Forest officially opens?

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Filed Under: Disney News, Walt Disney World Tagged With: #NewFantasyland, Ariel's Grotto, Be Our Guest Restaurant, character meet and greet, Disney, Disney parks, enchanted forest, fantasyland, Fantasyland Expansion, FLE, Gaston's Tavern, Magic Kingdom, New Fantasyland, New Fantasyland Expansion, opening dates, Pete's Silly Sideshow, Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid, Walt Disney World

PHOTOS: Inside Walt Disney World’s NEW Dumbo Interactive Kids Lounge

6 June 2012 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

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Disney fans may have been following the news of the opening of the next phase of the new Dueling Dumbos attraction at the Magic Kingdom’s Storybook Circus area, part of the new Fantasyland expansion. The Disney Parks Blog recently shared some video from inside the tent:

;

Thanks to Nicole Siscaretti we now have some photos from testing going on today at the Magic Kingdom. You can find more photos and awesome video of the activities and interactive areas inside the new Dumbo queue at Nicole’s new site: SparklyEverAfter.com – be sure to check it out! The area should be open permanently for all guests in the next few weeks.

[nggallery id=2]

Enjoy the photos – can’t wait to take my little guy down there to check it out in person soon!

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Filed Under: Disney Attractions, Disney News, Walt Disney World Tagged With: Circus, Disney parks, Dumbo, Dumbo lounge, Dumbo queue, Dumbo's circus, fantasyland, Fantasyland Expansion, interactive areas, interactive queue, kids play area, Magic Kingdom, New Fantasyland, Nex Gen, NextGen, Nicole Siscaretti, queue pagers, SparklyEverAfter, Storybook Circus, Timothy Mouse

Hidden Details in Storybook Circus in the New Fantasyland

14 March 2012 by Suzannah Otis 8 Comments

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Fantasyland Station
View approaching from Fantasyland Station

I was able to make it over to Storybook Circus yesterday and experience it firsthand, after sharing others’ photos of the opening day fun. If I may make a recommendation, I advise you to arrive in Storybook Circus via the WDW Railroad, which pulls up at the new Fantasyland Station, now named Carolwood Park. It is the best way to see the new area, where you immediately see new details and the attractions, rather than construction walls where the other parts of the new Fantasyland are busily being built. As you know, much of Disney’s magic is in the details, and this new area has no shortage of its own magical details.

I was ridiculously happy when I saw the new areas. The Carolwood Park station is just lovely. It fits right in to the 1940’s American snapshot that the traveling circus we see featured in the animated film Dumbo creates. The atmosphere is set right from the start, where the ground itself looks like a dirt road, well-traveled by trolley cars, horses, and circus animals alike – without actually being, you know, dirt.

One of my favorite parts of the Storybook Circus area is the actual train station. Around the back, you’ll find a brand new set of restrooms and the entrance area back onto the train. It is around the corner from the restrooms where we see stacks of luggage waiting to be boarded on the arriving and departing trains. Much in the vein of the amazingly themed Town Square Theatre, the details are here to discover for those who do more than just pass by on their way to attractions.

I’ve gathered some photos here of my favorite details. Be sure to look for them on your next visit, and maybe discover some more on your own! Click to enlarge.

Carolwood Park
Carolwood Park - Fair Weather Place

 

Carolwood Park Station
The gorgeous detail of Carolwood Park Station restrooms entrance

 

Carolwood Fire Dept
Carolwood Fire Dept. sign - love this detail.

 

Carolwood Park Station
Carolwood Park Station luggage closest to the restrooms. I wonder where that bird escaped to?

 

Carolwood Park Station
More luggage stacks with a barn-door look to this side of the station.

 

Carolwood Park Station
More Carolwood Park Station luggage stacks. And oats!

 

Carolwood Park
Close-up of luggage stacks.

 

Carolwood Park
Another close-up of luggage stacks.

 

Carolwood Park
More close-ups of luggage stacks. These circus-folk are well-traveled!

 

Azusa sticker
My favorite luggage sticker: Azusa Californa - Drink your OJ!

 

Chicago luggage sticker
Wonder who in Imagineering is from Chicago? 😉

 

You can see more luggage sticker close-ups here on flickr.

 

Storybook Circus
Bear tracks! And monkeys too! Behind these walls is where the new Casey Jr. Splash and Soak Station will be located. I wonder if that's where all these animals are headed to cool down?

 

Storybook Circus
Peanut shells and lion or tiger prints?

 

Storybook Circus
Heading toward Tomorrowland, animal tracks and brick road

 

Storybook Circus trashcan
Storybook Circus trashcan - can't wait to see the others in the new Fantasyland!

 

UPDATE! At the recent Orange Bird unveiling, my friends and I wandered over to the Storybook Circus area again, since one friend had not been yet. I was surprised to see these new props out on display and wanted to share them with you all!

Storybook Circus elephant tubs
Check out the new water tubs with some familiar elephant names...

 

Storybook Circus details
More new details - "Melody Time Brass Horns - Always in Toon" and "Property of Hyacinth Hippo - the most exquisite sensation of the big top"!

 

Hyacinth Hippo
Hyacinth Hippo trunk and"The Big Bad Wolf - Balloonologist Extraordinaire - He'll huff and he'll puff and create the animal of your choice!"

 

I could post a hundred more photos, but for now I’ve created a Storybook Circus set on flickr and you can see the rest of my photos there. Including lots more of Dumbo and the Barnstormer. Enjoy!

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Filed Under: Commentary Land, Disney Attractions, Disney News, Walt Disney World Tagged With: animal tracks, Carolwood Park, Casey Jr., Disney details, Dumbo, fantasyland, Fantasyland Expansion, Fantasyland Station, hidden gems, Humphrey the Bear, Imagineering details, luggage stickers, new Dumbo, New Fantasyland, peanut shells, Storybook Circus, travel stickers, WDW Railroad

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