In September 2009, it was announced that Fantasyland would be going through a major overhaul, with changes and additions never imagined before. Concept art was released and this overhaul was the big talk for weeks…and then it stopped. Barely a word was heard on the major project for months, leaving people to wonder what was going on.
Were they beginning the work behind the park and moving up? Had they even broke ground on this project yet? When would they begin closing rides in Fantasyland to begin making room? None of these questions were answered in any way…until now.
Near the beginning of January, word started getting out that the Walt Disney World Railroad – the steam engines that travel around the entire perimeter of the park – would be shut down for three months this year. The reason for the shutdown appears to be the Fantasyland overhaul – which makes perfect sense – because according to the concept art Fantasyland will be going a bit further back than it has in the past, meaning that the tracks for the train would have to be moved in order to be around the perimeter of the park. This seems the most logical explanation for the shutdown, aside from the routine maintenance.
It has not been announced when the shutdown will take place, though many seem to think it will be around the spring. As the year progresses, we will have to keep an eye on this project, but at least there is a sign that this massive expansion is moving forward.
Contributed by: Jessica C. (NDI#21). Jessica is our resident “Gossip Girl” and creator of The True Disney Fan Blog.
Living in Delaware her whole life, Jessica did not know much about Walt Disney World until she went at 13 years old. That initial trip, though, got her hooked on the magic. As the years went on, she did everything she could to learn more about Disney (including watching documentaries and reading books). She did not know many people that shared her passion until she discovered the wonders of the internet and the Disney community found on it. She has gotten involved with as many Disney projects as she can, including writing the weekly news articles for The Disney Driven Life and writing for her own blog, The True Disney Fan. Jessica has also taken on a position with Celebrations Magazine, working the social media aspects of the publication. Through all these platforms, Jessica strives to bring as much Disney magic as possible into her everyday life, and she works to share it with everyone she meets!
