America, Fantasyland, Worlds of Nature and Stories from Other Lands

Q: When I was a child back in the '80s, my parents gave me an older set of Disney books that I absolutely loved. There were four books in the set, they had dark green covers and each book had a different color binding (red, yellow, blue or lighter green, I think). One book had nursery rhymes and fairy tales featuring great illustrations of Disney characters, another had stories like Pollyana, Old Yeller and Darby O'Gill, etc. I don't know what these books were called, but I would love to get copies of them. Do you know the titles, when they were printed and if it is still possible to find these books? I would love to purchase them for my daughter!
Elaine, Orlando, Florida 

A [Dave Smith]: This was a popular mail-order set, called The Wonderful Worlds of Walt Disney, published by Golden Press in 1965, with the four books titled America, Fantasyland, Worlds of Nature and Stories from Other Lands. More than a million of the sets were sold. Copies can be found through used book dealers or on eBay. 

Map of Fantasyland

"Published by Golden Books from 1961 to 1965, this is one of four books in a slip-cover set designed to excite families about the joys that awaited them in the World of Walt Disney. The books included: Fantasyland, Nature, America, and Stories from Other Lands. I found this copy of the Fantasyland book for $4 at my Friends of the Library Bookstore. Boxed sets on eBay run about $30 on the lower end. I like the old-school feel of the illustrations--this is the Disney I grew up with."

- by By Calsidyrose

 

Disneyland's 'The Witch in the cage'

Q: I've seen over the years at Disneyland a cage that held the Hag from Snow White. When the cage was rattled, she would come to life and try to bribe folks to let her out by promising to show how to "turn water to gasoline." Who made this and what was the reason?
Reid, Ben Lomond, California 

A [Dave Smith]: The Witch in the cage was originally made by the former WED Display and Design Department at Walt Disney World, under Jim McNalis, for use in 1975 Emporium windows in the Magic Kingdom park promoting Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. When the Disneyana Shop opened on Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland in 1976, the Witch, animated and with added audio, moved west to become a major display piece in that shop. Later on it was used in the Villain's Lair shop in Fantasyland and Le Bat en Rouge in New Orleans Square. 

[Marcio Disney]

Fantasyland Board Game by Parker Brothers

Q: A friend of ours gave me a bunch of old Disney stuff from her attic and among them was a Fantasyland board game. The instructions have gone missing, but it looks like you make your way through Fantasyland, passing through the rides (which only seem to include those that were around Opening Day). I would love to know more about this game. What can you tell me about it?

Lauren, Merced, California

A [Dave Smith]: The Fantasyland board game was made by Parker Brothers in 1956, so it does indeed include only the earliest attractions in that land. Parker Brothers was a Disney licensee for many years, beginning in 1933. The game was reprinted for sale at the Disney parks a few years ago, along with three others in the set: Monorail, Riverboat, and Adventureland.

[Marcio Disney]

--- Description

Players move on board and try to collect stars and tickets with high numbers as they move along path in Fantasyland.

In 1956, just one year after the opening of Walt Disney's Disneyland theme park in Anaheim, California, Parker Brothers produced a series of board games based on four of the themed sections within the park. The Fantasyland board game is one example. A very simple race and point game for small children, the game box features the iconic symbol of Disneyland, Sleeping Beauty's castle, as well as most of the popular early Disney movie characters.

Description courtesy of thestrong.org (Creative Commons, BY-NC-ND)

Flamingo Crossings - The Next 10 years at Disney

Q: I just returned from Walt Disney World. During our trip, the staff at our time share shared with us that a new park is currently under development and will be called Flamingo Cove. As a D23 Member and subscriber to the Disney Parks Blog, I have not heard or seen anything about this new park. Although this might not be a true "archive" type question, I was hoping you could give some insight as to what the theme of this park is going to be and when it is expected to open.

Lindsay, Indianapolis, Indiana

A [Dave Smith]: It is Flamingo Crossings, and it is not a theme park but rather a lodging and shopping district planned on the Walt Disney World property near State Road 429 and Western Way. The development is planned to be built in phases over 8-10 years, and, according to the announcement, it will feature value-oriented hotels and motels, along with fast-food and casual dining restaurants, and shops offering wares such as groceries, toiletries, and basic clothing.

[Marcio Disney]

Perfecting Paradise – A Magical Makeover for Castaway Cay (summer 2010) – Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island paradise in the tropical waters of the Bahamas, is getting an extra dose of pixie dust. Enhancements include an expanded family beach, a floating water platform featuring two twisting water slides, two fresh-water play areas for guests to cool off, a new teen retreat and 20 new private rental cabanas offering the ultimate in beachside luxury.  

The additional island amenities are scheduled to be complete by summer 2010, in time for special five-night cruises aboard the Disney Wonder with two stops at Castaway Cay, and the Disney Dream cruise ship which starts sailing in early 2011. 

New Sailings for Disney Magic and Disney Wonder (2010-2011) – In 2010, the Disney Magic will sail to Europe for an unprecedented five-month season of Northern European and Mediterranean cruises.

Book-ending the summer season of 12-night Northern European Capitals cruises, theDisney Magic will once again return to the Mediterranean for 10- and 11-night cruises, with three new ports of call.  In addition to popular ports in Italy, France and Spain, theDisney Magic will visit Tunis, in Northern Africa, the island nation of Malta, and Corsica, an island oasis off the southern coast of France.  

In the summer of 2010, the Disney Wonder will sail four- and five-night cruises to Nassau, Key West and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.  In the summer of 2011, the Disney Wonder will sail for the first time to Alaska, with seven-night cruises calling on Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan.

Star Tours Attraction (2011) – A new 3-D version of the tremendously popular Star Tours attraction will debut at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2011. Based on the iconic Lucasfilm “Star Wars” films, the attraction will include immersive new elements that will take guests to many familiar places in the “Star Wars” galaxy.

Disney Cruise Line Expanding Its Fleet (2011, 2012) – The Walt Disney Company is expanding its successful cruise vacation business by adding two new ships, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, to set sail in 2011 and 2012, respectively.

Two decks taller than the existing Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, the new 1,250-passenger liners will more than double the passenger capacity for Disney Cruise Line.  Now under construction, the Disney Dream will offer new innovations, magical children’s spaces, family entertainment and immersive experiences for which Disney Cruise Line is renowned.  The Disney Dream will sail three-, four- and five-night itineraries to the Bahamas and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.


Disney’s Art of Animation Resort (2012) – A new resort hotel inspired by Disney animation will feature 1,120 family suites themed after “The Lion King,” “Cars” and “Finding Nemo,” and 864 themed rooms in “The Little Mermaid” wings.  Animation themes will carry throughout building exteriors and room interiors and feature larger-than-life icons from the animated films in courtyard areas.  Crowned by a 35-foot-tall model of King Triton, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will be located next to Disney’s Pop Century Resort.

Bowling Center at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex – A new 100-lane bowling center at Disney’s Wide World of  Sports Complex is scheduled to open in 2012 and is anticipated to be one of the largest bowling facilities in the United States.  The United States Bowling Congress will stage 13 events there, with tournaments beginning in 2013.

Magic Kingdom Fantasyland Expansion (2013) – The largest expansion in the history of Magic Kingdom will vastly increase the size of Fantasyland. Guests will be able to:

Visit a Disney princess in her castle, cottage or chateau to share a dance with Cinderella at Dreams Come True with Cinderella; celebrate Sleeping Beauty’s 16th birthday with the Good Fairies during a Birthday Surprise for Sleeping Beauty; or join Belle in an enchanting storytelling performance during Enchanted Tales with Belle.

Dine at Be Our Guest Restaurant, one of three enchanted rooms inside the Beast’s castle.  Just outside the castle in Belle’s Village will be Gaston’s Tavern, another themed dining option.

Fly with Dumbo high above brand new circus grounds, twice the size of the existing attraction.  Dumbo’s Flying Circus will include a stylized tent where guests can enjoy midway games and other interactive family fun.

Join Ariel on her newest adventure, Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid, a ride-through attraction with melodies from the animated feature.

Shopping, Dining and Lodging District (phased construction across 8-10 years) – Announced as part of a Walt Disney World expansion is a 450-acre mixed-use tourist commercial district just outside Disney’s western gateway (Western Way at Western Beltway). Early plans include 4,000-5,000 value-priced lodging units and a pedestrian-friendly dining/retail village.

Four Seasons to Anchor New Disney Luxury Resort (TBD) – Also announced as part of the Walt Disney World expansion for the next decade: a 900-acre luxury resort anchored by the prestigious Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. The development, along the northeast border of the property, will include a luxury hotel, 18-hole championship golf course, single- and multi-family vacation homes and fractional ownership vacation homes.