Carnation Plaza Gardens to bid Faire well...
From the OC Register:
"An iconic Disneyland entertainment area is soon to be transformed into a meeting place for favorite Disney princesses.
Disney announced that Carnation Plaza Gardens, a fixture in the Plaza Hub since 1956, will be replaced by Fantasy Faire.
Disney Imagineer Michel Den Dulk said the new area will be a storybook village where park-goers can meet Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast and Rapunzel.
Den Dulk said the style of the location will change.
“Fantasy Faire will naturally blend together with the existing architectural styling of Fantasyland,” he said. “Walt Disney Imagineering is hard at work on the design elements of Fantasy Faire to give this area the same warmth people love so much about the existing Fantasyland.”
Carnation Plaza Gardens was part of Main Street, U.S.A. and over the years served as a restaurant and outdoor band stand. Gene Krupa, Lionel Hampton, Charlie Barnet, Les Brown, Count Basie, Bob Crosby, Harry James and Benny Goodman played the Gardens.
The U.S. Air National Guard Band ensemble, Fuego Azul, is scheduled to play salsa, cumbia, mambo and Latin rock on Friday from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the Carnation Plaza Gardens.
Additionally, the location is also known for swing dancing on Saturday nights.
Den Dulk said Fantasy Faire will allow park-goers to meet fairy-tale princesses during the day, but will retain the entertainment of the Carnation Plaza Gardens in the evenings.
“The Fantasy Faire Stage will remain a multi-function location,” he said. “Recognizing that classic music and dancing has been very popular with Disneyland park guests for many years, the stage will continue to present this type of entertainment in the evenings.”
The re-imaging of Carnation Plaza Gardens was announced during the D23 Expo in August by George A. Kalogridis, president of Disneyland Resort.
“Fantasy Faire will bring our classic characters and stories to life in a new yet timeless way. Each morning when the park opens, Princess Aurora will welcome her royal guests and invite everyone to gather for a special celebration,” Kalogridis said. “At various times throughout the day, families can join in the Royal Ribbon Festival with a Disney princess and our royal court attendants for dancing and celebration.”
Disney would not say when the transformation of the area would begin, but construction is expected to begin this month."
Full story here.
