Disney’s theme parks enjoyed a big week last week, with a long-awaited announcement, debuts of several new attractions and a big political win.
First up, Disney fans got the news they have been awaiting all year — an official opening date for the Tiana’s Bayou Adventure ride. The Walt Disney World installation of former Splash Mountain will open on June 28. Themed to “The Princess and the Frog,” Tiana’s Bayou Adventure reimagines the beloved flume ride as a tribute to New Orleans, including its food and musical cultures.
The Disneyland installation of the ride will open later this year. Those of us who have been watching the construction progress on both coasts have guessed that Disneyland has been about three months behind Florida, so that would suggest Tiana’s might open in Anaheim during the Halloween Time season. No official word yet, though.
A few days before the Walt Disney World announcement, Disneyland got its biggest win in years when the Anaheim city council gave final approval for the DisneylandForward proposal. That clears the way for Disney to begin developing its current surface parking lots for use as hotels and attractions.
That said, I expect that Disneyland will want to complete its new parking structure east of Harbor Boulevard before it closes its Toy Story and Simba parking lots and starting work on the good stuff. Fans are expecting announcements about future Disneyland attractions at August’s D23 event in Anaheim. But they likely will need to be patient in awaiting the start of construction on any new rides.
In the meantime, if anyone wants a sneak peek at what Disney can do when it designs new attractions and a hotel on a former parking lot, hop a flight to Tokyo. That is where Tokyo DisneySea just previewed its new Fantasy Springs expansion. I did not get the opportunity to attend the preview, but Tokyo Disney did share with me abundant video of the new land and its attractions.
Fantasy Springs includes the best version yet of Disney’s Frozen indoor boat ride as well as a welcome reimagining of Peter Pan, using modern motion-base vehicle technology. The land also includes a Tangled-themed boat ride (Disney’s first ride based on the 2010 animated film), as well as a short Tinker Bell outdoor track ride that struck me as a much-improved version of the late Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train from Disney California Adventure.
Three moments stand out. On Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Journey, Disney is using the projection mapping effect that it used in its old Frozen stage show at Disney California Adventure to bring to life the pivotal moment when Anna is saved. The finale of Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival recreates that iconic scene from “Tangled” in stunning detail, surrounding riders with floating lanterns. And on Peter Pan’s Never Land Adventure, Disney has created a nifty effect to depict Tinker Bell sprinkling riders with pixie dust, allowing their ride vehicle to seem to fly.
Fantasy Springs is in limited previews now, ahead of its official opening on June 6. If DisneylandForward delivers something like what Tokyo has now, the experience should be worth the wait.