Fantasyland — Old and New

The information in this next blog has been presented before – some of it on this website, some of it on others. But since I’ve started blogging about Disney World trivia, I thought these tidbits were worth repeating.

Often, when Disney replaces an attraction with a new ride or show, the Imagineers like to pay tribute to the previous occupant of the space. To do this, they create some sort of remembrance to remind us of what used to delight us in years past. This blog is going to discuss three cases in Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom.

The first example is probably one of the most famous and centers around “Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride“ being replaced with “The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.”

Toad-Pooh

Shortly after leaving the Blustery Day room, you enter a hallway of sorts. Once you clear the doors, you must immediately turn to your left and look at the wall behind you. Here you’ll discover a picture of Toad handing over the property deed to Owl.

Toad-Pooh

Toad-Pooh

Now here’s a little extra trivia regarding this picture. It is also included on the Hong Kong Disneyland version of this ride – which makes absolutely no sense, since Mr. Toad never existed there. Go figure.

One of the original attractions at the Magic Kingdom was “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.” Sadly, on September 5th 1994, this ride was closed. The lagoon sat unused for a number of years until 2004 when the area was razed to make room for “Pooh’s Playful Spot,” a children’s play area.

Sub-Pooh

The centerpiece of “Pooh’s Playful Spot“ is a large tree.

Sub-Pooh

I would venture to say that the vast majority of adults who visit this area with their children never make it inside this tree. After all, it’s meant for kids and the doorway is somewhat small. But for those of you who do, you can find the 20,000 Leagues legacy.

Once through the doorway, turn around and look at the beam above the door. Mixed in with the wood grain is an impression of the Nautilus.

Sub-Pooh

The last attraction I’m going to talk about is the “Mickey Mouse Review,” another Magic Kingdom original. Several attractions have graced this building over the years, but it now houses “Mickey’s Philharmagic.”

MMR-Philharmagic

Two of the musical numbers performed in the “Mickey Mouse Review“ were “Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf” and “The Three Caballeros.”

Old%20Attractions%2003.jpg

Old%20Attractions%2004.jpg

Today, while in line for “Mickey’s Philharmagic,” you can see a number of posters advertising various acts starring Disney characters. For example, one poster features Hades (from “Hercules”) singing torch songs and another shows Willie the Whale (from “Make Mine Music”) singing in clown make-up.

So then, it’s no accident that two of the posters pay homage to the “Mickey Mouse Review.”

Old%20Attractions%2002.jpg

Old%20Attractions%2001.jpg

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6 Replies to “Fantasyland — Old and New”

  1. Maybe this has already been posted, but an ongoing question in our household is, what is up with that building that is by small world, behind the stroller parking? It seems like it has been under construction for a long time? Any ideas on what is going on with that building or what did it even use to be? I’m thinking it use to be the place where you got on the skyway(?)… Just curious….:)

    Jack’s Answer:

    The old Skyway Building is slated to be razed (no date has been announced). In its place, new restrooms and stroller parking will be built. In addition, a second walkway from Fantasyland into Liberty Square will be added into this area.

    The restrooms that are now next to Peter Pan will be removed. The queue for Peter Pan will be expanded into this area with interactive game similar to what was put in the Winnie the Pooh attraction.

    I hope this clears things up for you.

  2. Funny thing I always take pictures of all the posters and the different things hanging around. The pool looks really nice at Fort Wilderness. Thanks for showing the horese too! That is something else I want to finally do, go horse back riding. We always rent the water mouse, we have a ball with them, but I would like to do the horses this year.

  3. Hello, Always read your stuff, it’s great. My comment is I really miss the ride If you had wings, in tomorrowland as well as the rock band that used to perform in the restaurant that had the stage that went up and down. and while I got you, why hasn’t Disney done anything with the sky lifts they used to have? It’s such a nice spot, as well as River Country? I always sound like a broken record when my husband and I come up with this used to be and that used to be… anyway, coming up again for anniversary in May. Thanks, Have fun, Melissa
    Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.

    Jack’s Comment:

    I could write an entire blog just on your comment alone. But I think I’ll pass at the moment.

    Like you, I miss many attractions at Disney World and Disneyland. I miss Horizons and World of Motion. I miss the Skyway and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. I miss Adventures Thru Inner Space and the Indian Village. But change is inevitable. If things didn’t change, you’d still be able to buy brassieres on Main Street at Disneyland and visit the Bathroom of the Future in Tomorrowland. The basic truth is this, new attractions keep the guests coming back.

    I often question the wisdom of some of the decisions made in the Ivory Towers of Disney. But I’m not privy to the countless boardroom meetings where these decisions take place. I have to tell myself that they see a greater whole than I am able to.

    My best advice to you is this. Take lots of pictures and videos of the attractions you love NOW so you can remember them in the future when something has replaced them.