Photo TR: Exploring the 'new' Walt Disney World

I had the chance to go back to the Magic Kingdom briefly yesterday after a meeting at Disney. Fortunately enough, it was the first official day of the new Town Square Theater meet and greets being open. The new area is split between the Disney princesses and Mickey, although the princesses will be moving to Fantasyland in late 2012.

Mickey's new meet and greet is filled with detail and hidden tributes left and right. Let's take a look!

It's open!

Its hard to believe a few months ago, this looked pretty different.

In we go!

A new tile mural has been placed in the center of the main lobby.

The entrances for each of the two meets are adjacent, but their lines run in different directions.

Choose thy fate.

Sorcerer Mickey's meet and greet (currently Mickey Mouse is appearing in his normal attire) is the first Disney meet and greet to ever operate with Fastpass.

Lots of space for a queue that will very likely be filled more often than not.

The queue for Mickey's meet continues through here.

Posters on the wall tell a story of what guests would see Mickey do during his show, although in the meet and greet you visit him backstage.

Some of the paintings are actually using the magical artwork technology that debuted on the Disney Dream earlier this year.

Down in that direction is the princess' meet and greet.

Oswald!

More magical art.

Take note of these acts as depicted by the posters... You'll see why I tell you this.

Deeper we go!

And deeper!

There's a trick behind this hallway and these signs, but I won't dare be the one to spoil the magic.

It wasn't too busy when we went in, so we had time to roam the room and take in all of the details.

The cast and members of management were out at the attraction to see guest reactions firsthand.

The rabbit's ears actually move!

Fantasia tributes.

Mickey's trick looks like something straight out of The Prestige.

Tributes to other Disney properties and famous characters are scattered throughout the room.

Hiya California!

Even more...

Placement unintentional? I think not!

Try and figure it out!

Oh, how I miss you!

The crystal ball serves as a tribute to Leota of the Haunted Mansion, but the line up of the three items, the ball, the tree and the Sorcerer's Hat indicate something else as well.

Mickey's show closet.

So much detail!

We had to get a photo with Mickey!

(Continued)

Very clever!

Mirror photos are edgy!

Now you see Joyce!

Now you don't!

The details from the queue carry over into the meet and greet room.

Wand flowers.

The rabbit in the hat pictured earlier...

One more? Why not!

More detailed continuity!

Am I actually standing next to Mickey?

Or is it your imagination?

Time to see the other side of things!

While this side is occupied by the princesses, the enchanted art frames are being used for related trivia.

Deeper!

It is clear that this side will be reworked once the princesses move into their new home at the Princess Fantasy Fair in Fantasyland (formerly home to Snow White's Scary Adventures).

Aurora, Belle and Cinderella were the three princesses present in the meet.

Smartly done, guests can move from one princess to another with the photographer following them.

And the exit!

Normally, I'd dread ending up in a gift shop, but...

Beneath the merchandise, this shop has an insane amount of detail that is truly a joy to explore.

They used these to knock out Biff's gang at the Enchantment Under the Sea Dance.

Extremely clever storyline continuity carries over into the gift shop. Not only is this shop a merchandising location, but it is a post show.

A tribute to Mickey's former home in Toontown, this birdhouse was actually a project of Mickey's that could be seen in his home (the walkthrough), but was never completed.

I really love this!

You never once get to see the actual Town Square Theater, but that is the real genius of this backstage story.

The former theater that used to be in this area was completely removed for the addition of this meet and greet.

This area is currently open space at the exit of the gift shop, but it looks like it could be used as a Photopass printing kiosk down the road.

In unrelated news, the Tiki Room is still closed.

But the pre-show has been walled off from guest view.

With the princesses moving into Mainstreet, the Adventureland Veranda is once again closed off to guests.

Nice report thank you!

I'm stumped.....what does leota's ball....the sorcerers hat and that box mean?

Stealing my thunder.

This area is currently open space at the exit of the gift shop, but it looks like it could be used as a Photopass printing kiosk down the road.

I can confirm (and I'm allowed to tell you) that that space will be for a second sewing/embroidery location much like in the Chapeau Hat Shop. There's a sign out there somewhere, close to the Box Office Gifts (Photopass) entrance.

I'm stumped.....what does leota's ball....the sorcerers hat and that box mean?

It Represents the parks!

The "Ball" (I hate to use that term) Represents Spaceship Earth(EPCOT), The Tree represents the Tree of life (Animal Kingdom), and the Sorcerers hat represents (MGM (Not DHS) Studios)

I guess the "Ball" could also dual represent Magic Kingdom, but its not really a "Weinee" as its called by the Imagineers.

AWESOME Trip Report! I really want to check this new meet-and-greet out! (And hoping the Tiki Room goes back to 1964!!!!!)

Well, during the filming of the first new episode of the Bryan and Adam Show in over a year, I had a chance to grab some photos of the latest changes at the Magic Kingdom that had happened since my previous visit...

[coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=Sequence_01_5dhx[/coastertube]

The Town Square Theater looks great as ever!

While still largely under wraps, a section of the Mainstreet Confectionary has been revealed, showing off a new blue and white color scheme.

It looks nice!

The Tomorrowland Terrace is still open for business...

Not much has changed over at The Barnstormer/The Great Goofini.

The walls for the new queue building for the dueling Dumbos have risen quickly.

Notice that the flag has been stripped and the side of the building's tower is being redone? It seems to me that Wisacre Farms isn't going anywhere when the Storybook Circus comes to town.

With nothing visible behind it, it feels like the wall has been moved forward, but it hasn't.

Expect major progress to begin here soon.

This still looks relatively the same. The old Toon Town Fair tent isn't going anywhere.

A good deal of concrete in the area has been dug up.

Yum!

Tigger and Winnie the Pooh have meeting guests here as of late.

Tigger's Bouncy Place is still closed.

I really hope they figure out a way to reopen this, as it looked like such a fun concept.

If not, there is plenty of room to install something new, or at least expand the main queue out a little further.

Unfortunately, several of the produce horns have been cut or ripped open, leaving them inoperable.

Hidden Mickey in the house...

As well as the 20,000 Leagues tribute!

Considering the phase of construction they are at, I was extremely surprised to see Beast's castle facade installed so early.

The old pin cart from Toon Town has been relocated to Fantasyland for the time being.

Rockwork around Maurice's Cottage has gone up quickly.

And the framework for the cottage seems to be nearly complete.

When the area is complete, the forced-perspective should work great!

An overview of Belle's side of Fantasyland.

You wouldn't believe it folks...

We actually got into the new queue!

A tribute to Imagineer Marc Davis.

The masoleum has instrument panels on both of its sides. This side, are the possessed instruments found within the ride. When touched, they play the familiar Grim Grinning Ghosts theme from the ride.

But it isn't because the walls are touch sensitive. These sensor panels emit invisible beams of light that when interrupted (both horizontally and vertically) trigger the proper sound from the properly located instrument.

The organ also plays Grim Grinning Ghosts, with reactive keys that spray air. When keyed, the skulls and pipes spray mist from their mouths as the notes are emitted.

A tribute to Thurl Ravenscroft.

Very cool!

The raven from the inside of the ride also appears above the organ.

Here is the wet tomb of the famed Sea Captain who myth of the ride claims was the original main character of the ride's original story.

On the other side of the musical mausoleum are otherworldly instruments intended to have been featured in the original concept for the Haunted Mansion, the Museum of the Strange.

(Continued)

The graveyard has been expanded out and down near the new queue.

The world may never know...

The backstory created both by Imagineers and years of fan lore has been integrated into the queue. Captain Culpepper Clyne's tomb is filled with water and is constantly leaking. Guests plug the holes, and on occasion the captain sneezes spraying water into the air.

There is no unthemed section of this queue.

That explains it...

Clever.

The other mausoleum features a double-sided library of sorts, similar to the one inside of the ride. The books pop out and guests can push them back in.

Notice the glyphs? The spell out a certain message.

The pattern of the books popping out is unpredictable at best.

A closer look at a few of the glyphs...

Note: the rose wasn't a part of the theming. Someone placed it there.

Prudence Pock's spirit guides this exhibit.

You must finish it...

Before she does.

The cornerstones of the mausoleum resemble a design found inside of the Mansion (pictured later).

The new queue is certainly popular with guests!

And now we merge back into the main queue.

The other side of the graveyard.

Notice the cornerstone design I pointed out earlier in the mausoleum? It is featured above the busts.

260 minutes???

The walkway to ToonTown is still wholly unchanged.

Time for some amazing dinner at Tony's!

I had never eaten inside before, but the details are nice.

Considering I couldn't eat bread or pasta (Passover and all), I decided to start with the tomato soup which was amazing. I then had the lamb shank which was also incredible.

Unlike Bryan, I love the Mainstreet Electrical Parade.

Parades mean no waits for the Town Square Theater meet and greets. Time to go see Mickey!

YES.

And a great surprise, Minnie was there too!

(Continued)

One fit for a postcard.

Awe!

At the exit of the Town Square Theater gift shop, they are now selling ear hats.

This includes the WDW 40th Anniversary ear hat with buttons included.

Slick!

As was mentioned earlier in this thread, this space has become a second location for Le Chapeau sales.

I remember Pete's Dragon. Do you?

The park was so busy, the had a backstage route set up from Mainstreet USA to Tomorrowland.

I hadn't been back here since my Backstage Magic tour in 2008.

The Disney touch. Easter eggs on the path blocks!

And a new banner advertising the Town Square Theater to let Cast Members know to check it out.

Back to the Haunted Mansion we go!

The temporary Adventureland bridge has been removed now that the main bridge is open again.

I had to walk around the park carrying a giant Stitch plush, as my big brother wanted nothing more for his birthday.

Can't you see how thrilled I am?

And a quick stop at the Mainstreet Firehouse to close this update.

Was there actually a 260 minute wait for Tomorrow land Speedway??????

Can you explain the new Haunted Mansion Queue to me a bit?

From what I understand the Pooh Queue is more like at Legoland where basically the kids go play and then meet back up with the adults closer to loading?

But the Haunted Mansion one looks like a regular queue for everyone with just a crap load of stuff in it to keep you busy?

^It was some sort of error. it was really about a half hour.

^^Basically, they have reworked the queue setup starting from a little before where the old turnstiles used to be. From there, a dividing fence of sorts splits the queue off in two directions: to the left is the new interactive queue, and to the right is the direct approach which goes down the same path you normally go in, heading directly to the doors before going into the foyer.

Guests are told by a cast member at the divide what the split is (although as of right now there is no signage to delineate with) and they decide from there. If they decide to take the new path, they move out into the newly carved out square on the hillside of the mansion. Similar to Pooh and less like what has been shown for what Dumbo will be, the new area still is a queue. It still has a general line to it, and a sequence you follow from sight to sight. It is more open, much like Pooh, so that you can pull off as you are intended to in order to experience each aspect, but you are still meant to keep moving in line (which did make it difficult for those curious like me to stop, try everything and even get photos). The line is still constantly moving, and if someone stops ahead, people either wait and slow the line, or go around the stop.

You start from the divider and immediately have the family of busts on the right. They supposedly whisper how they killed each other, although that didn't seem to be working when we visited. Moving along the edge of the queue, we have the tombstones for Marc Davis and Francis Xavier, followed by the first mausoleum. This is the musical one with the instruments on both sides, as well as the organ in the middle. To the right of this mausoleum is the Master Gracey grave. You weave around the line a little bit to the captain's wet tomb followed by the last mausoleum, which has the library books on both of the long sides, the Prudence Pock gravestone door on one of the short sides and the poetry window on the other. From there, you make a final right past the Campbell tombstone and the backside of the captain's tomb, and then you merge back into the main queue, right in the section of before the doors to the Foyer.

The queue itself is meant for all ages, but unlike the Pooh queue where you can really roam back and forth, you have to hit each sight as you go, and hop back into the natural line after you are done. Going backwards doesn't really seem to be an option here.

I know this is really nerdy, but I want to be one of the last ones there at night and lay a rose on Master (Yale) Graceys Grave

(He was a real person for those of you that are curious)

What was the concept behind this and why don't they have it open? I haven't seen this before.

I loved the new queue portion but when I went (before holiday week) the new section was open our first trip through but when we got off of the ride and wanted to check it out again, it was blocked off.

One awesome note of detail in the expanded graveyard is the tombstones of Ezra, Gus and Phineas (the hitchhiking ghosts) in the back of the graveyard.

I LOVE THIS!!! So excited to see Beast's castle and all the new stuff. I wanna go back soooo badly.

Adam - I live vicariously through your TRs. Awesome!

This is great, and it is nice to see Disney give people something to do while in line besides look at the theming and get drawn into the story. The theming itself looks great, and it just shows how great Disney is, as they didn't have to add interactive features to the queue. Yet they did, and it just shows how great their parks are.

Side note, that is a crazy long queue for the meet and greets. If any line needs some type of interactive feature, it is that line, as t looks like it would be difficult for a young kid to wait in it. Maybe pictures using the same technology as in the "magic portholes" on the new Disney ships could be added.

Great update, and I really, really need to get back to WDW as 16 years is way too long.

Great stuff. The amount of detail in the new Mickey Meet and Greet is fantastic. So many "Disney Trivia" things ... I love stuff like that.

The new Mansion Queue sounds like a wide expansion of what was originally done in the Indy queue at Disneyland (with the spike room and rope in the well). Can't wait to try it out later this year.

Great stuff. The amount of detail in the new Mickey Meet and Greet is fantastic. So many "Disney Trivia" things ... I love stuff like that.

I was expecting more pictures of the M&G from jedi with all the little hidden items. We were there when it was empty, so while Mickey and Minnie were showing the kids around all the stuff and the photographer and I were talking about all the references. By far, this was my favorite as it's from my favorite movie:

I was expecting more pictures of the M&G from jedi with all the little hidden items.

http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=58398&start=20#p1019440

Not sure how I missed that post, that's more like your photo TRs.

So I figured it was time to shift my focus from Magic Kingdom to the rest of the Walt Disney World Resort... Lets take a look at Disney's Hollywood Studios, as well as Downtown Disney!

California Adventure down the road...

The old posters at Star Tours have been removed, and the whole building has received a new, grey paint job.

It actually looks really nice!

Tatooine Traders has re-opened...

Note: These are Disney toys, not Hasbro or Kenner.

Work is being done on the exit to Star Tours.

But aside from the fresh coat of paint, this basically looks the same.

The old photo backdrop for Darth Vader has been removed and the front gate to Star Tours' entrance closed.

I have a feeling we won't be getting Disneyland's Gonk Droid FastPass machines here... Bummer!

Not too long ago, this photo backdrop was added for meet and greets and photopass photos.

The Monster's Inc. Meet & Greet was closed while we were here... I don't think I've ever been in this building!

Work in the back corner of the park is underway in preparation of two new meet & greets.

This one will be a new Cars 2 meet & greet, replacing the old one.

And the other...

Should be interesting!

What's this?

Mulch, Sweat n' Shears was out and about today...

A poster for the new Pirates of the Caribbean has shown up on the Backlot. Looks good to me!

Over at One Man's Dream, the newer exhibit at the end has been slightly touched up.

Figment's innards have now been covered with this nice little tuxedo.

Dreamfinder Forever.

Veggie fruit fruit. Veggie veggie fruit fruit...

Somewhere over the interwebs, a tear is shed.

One Man's Dream recently received one of the California Adventure makeover models, although this appears to be an early one.

This is supposed to be California Screamin's new station.

No scream tunnels and no sunburst.

And a "lush park" in the place of the new drop towers that were to have replaced the Maliboomer.

And the remodeled cover for King Triton's Carousel.

Over in the Art of Animation building, Toy Story 3's exhibit prepares to wrap up its run.

Most of the Toy Story items have been replaced with Winnie the Pooh or Cars 2.

Lotso's meet and greet is still here, but will soon be replaced by a Winnie the Pooh meet.

An interesting souvenir collectors can buy at the exit of the gift shop.

The Little Einstein characters seemed to be pretty popular for the families...

Countdown to Fun: Pixar Play Parade has reversed its direction, now starting from Star Tours, finishing at the entrance of the park.

The old blocks from Block Party Bash were painted over to allow for better tie-ins to the characters they hosted.

Ratatouille was an addition to the parade courtesy of Countdown to Fun.

Since there are no show stops, the inside of the Monster's Inc. float remains closed.

Dug from Up! is also in the show.

As is Carl!

Moving over to Downtown Disney, new promotional banners have gone up to tie the area into the resort-wide promotion.

Let the Memories Begin!

Cirque du Soleil will go dark for two weeks later this year, likely for a general refurbishment and tweaking of the show.

Haven't been in here in a while!

The Cybrolators are currently closed, so guests enter through a side door to the exit area.

(Continued)

I've always been fascinated with this fibre-optic ceiling...

A look at one end of the Create Zone.

I remember I made a demented robot skeleton during my first visit to DisneyQuest which I subsequently bought. Pretty cool stuff!

The Explore Zone has the most "attractions" out of all of the DisneyQuest zones.

Oh, those snap-on helmets...

I've always enjoyed this one, but could never beat it.

This ride is basically the predecessor to Toy Story Mania... I like it a lot, but I miss the Hercules attraction that was here before.

The old Mayan Temple Jeeps and the transparent floor maze were recently removed, and the area now hosts jungle-themed arcade games.

And since they added Jambo Safari, I've perfectly fine with the loss of a few remote controlled jeeps!

Clever!

I've got to give the Imagineers credit... The Ventureport is a very cool concept!

I finally figured out how to play with the ISOs on my camera.

Woot!

There used to be a slide here, but no more.

D-Street has received its permanent marquee, and it looks great!

LittleMissMatched has moved from its former location in the former Starabilia's building to the Marketplace location formerly home to Summer Sands.

Keeping up with the Downtown Disney switcheroo, Harley-Davidson will be moving from its Pleasure Island location to the space previously occupied by Mickey's Groove and LittleMissMatched.

I think it was wise to combine the two storefronts here...

The original AMC Theatres entrance has been heavily modified, as it will serve as the entrance to the newly modified Dine-In Theatres.

Think full service dining and full service bar, meets the moviegoing experience.

Looks classy!

I'll definitely be trying this at least once!

Looks like it'll be ready to open very soon!

Back in Pleasure Island, the Celebration Plaza/Pleasure Island Ultra Lounge is basically empty during the day.

But at night, the entertainment offerings keep people packed in.

With the Rock and Roll Beach Club and Motion demolished, we've got a very different view from here.

Work on the amphitheater has not yet begun, but a good deal of grass and sod has been placed in the clubs' former plots.

There'll be a path here eventually.

Minor construction continues in the formerly-backstage area.

The Lily Pad has been covered with plants and planters...

The walls are down and the LEGO Imagination Center has reopened, featuring several new and incredible LEGO models depicting famous Disney scenes.

Awesome!

It feels completely different with the rounded building!

Awe!

Wow! *jaw drops*

Time for the Coup d'Etat!

Simply amazing!

And the classic LEGO family from the original store have been updated to feature more Disney touches.

Are we in the same store???

There is SOOOO much space!

This is so nice!

(Continued)

They now sell a LEGO model of the classic sea serpent found along the shore of the store.

If you hadn't been to the old store, you wouldn't know where the old storefront ended and the expanded storefront began.

I believe this room can be rented out for private parties...

Not only have the number of registers in the store increased, but they all now have queues to better manage the lines.

LittleMissMatched has moved into Summer Sands' old spot.

Back in DisneyQuest, I saw something reminiscent of a favorite movie of mine...

"Biodigital Jazz, man..."

Hiya Larry!

Howdy Larry!

I didn't know these had cubes in them...

I love my camera...

The Score! Zone is home to a very large collection of arcade games, as well as the Ride the Comix simulator, the Mighty Ducks Spinball game and Invasion! An ExtraTerrorestrial Alien Encounter.

The Cave of Wonders is the inspiration for the entrance to the Explore Zone.

Time to finish where we started... Thanks for reading folks!