Matt Paul spent two days at the Walt Disney World Resort and actually has some pictures that aren’t of things featured in the ridiculous amount of photo reports we’ve had this month. Let’s take a look:
Those great Star Wars Weekends posters are outside Disney’s Hollywood Studios
From the Disney Parks Blog:
A quick update to share tonight…our antique carrousel ride in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom Park –Cinderella’s Golden Carrousel – is officially changing its name to Prince Charming Regal Carrousel. The name change takes effect June 1.
The name change helps tell the rest of the Cinderella story that inspired the carrousel. Here’s the official story behind it:
Following their fairy-tale romance and happily-ever-after wedding, Cinderella and Prince Charming took up residence in Cinderella’s Castle. With peace throughout the kingdom, Prince Charming had time to practice for jousting tournaments. In the countryside near the castle, he built a training device of carved horses, on which he could practice the art of ring-spearing, a tournament event in which a knight rides his horse full speed, lance in hand, toward a small ring hanging from a tree limb, with the object of spearing the ring. This event was known by various names throughout the lands, but generally came to be called “carrousel.”
The carrousel device drew the attention of the villagers, who wanted to take a turn on this amazing spinning contraption. So Prince Charming had a second carrousel constructed closer to the Castle, where everyone could take a spin on this wondrous invention. Instead of a working knight’s training device, however, this new carrousel is more befitting its regal location in the Castle Courtyard – its rustic training horses replaced with ornately decorated prancing steeds adorned with golden helmets and shields, flower garlands, feathers and other festoons. Prince Charming invites one and all to test their horsemanship skills and to enjoy their own happy ending.
While the presentation about the Fantasyland Expansion during the D23 First Anniversary party did not allow photography of any kind, there were ten pieces of artwork on display at Ariel’s Grotto during the party, some new, some you may have seen before:
The overall view, nothing new here
Old concept art of Dumbo’s Circus area and the “Dueling Dumbos”
The exterior of “Dreams Come True with Cinderella”
Old concept art of “Under The Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid”. A new version of this artwork was shown during the presentation, however, photography was not allowed. The ride will use omnimover vehicles very much like those found at the Seas with Nemo and Friends
Old concept art of “A Birthday Surprise for Sleeping Beauty”
Old concept art of “Dreams Come True with Cinderella”
Old concept art of Gaston’s Tavern
New concept art of the cottage that will hold the magic mirror transporting guests into “Enchanted Tales with Belle”
Older concept art of “Be Our Guest” Restaurant, but take note of the “living character” Lumiere being wheeled around, along with the stained glass windows featuring Beauty and the Beast characters towards the back of the room
New concept art showing the entrance to the Beast’s Castle and the “Be Our Guest” Restaurant
