Big Top Souvenirs, Dumbo FASTPASS Changes and Barnstormer Added, Nearing Completion – 10/2/12 Magic Kingdom

Update: Fixed the “Larger” links on the treats’ cases.

Storybook Circus nears completion.  Barnstormer, the first of two Dumbo spinners, the bathrooms, and the Storybook Circus train station opened back in May.  Casey Jr. Splash Zone and the second Dumbo spinner followed in June.  On Sunday September 30th, Big Top Souvenirs and the yellow circus tent containing Dumbo and Barnstormer FASTPASS opened.  And Pete’s Silly Sideshow is expected to open tomorrow, October 4th.  The website will be on hand either Thursday or Friday for that.

Big Top Souvenirs occupies the large blue tent that you’ll come to first on your left across from Dumbo.

The tent is fantastically themed.

Ladders lead up to the high flying trapeze.

Checkouts are themed like train cars.

Carpeting identifies the center ring.

Even the beverage cooler is themed like a train car that transports penguins.

The focal point of the tent is supposed to be Big Top Treats, which features a show kitchen similar to Main Street Confectionery.

I felt like it was marred by the amount of random generic merchandise that was strewn throughout the Tent.  I’m not one to knock easy availability of the most popular items, but there is stuff everywhere, making it difficult to move around when it’s crowded.

Goofy’s Glaciers make their way over from his Candy Company at Downtown Disney.  Think Icee.  A look at the treats that were available:

Larger: http://www.easywdw.com/reports5/bigtop1.jpg.

Larger: http://www.easywdw.com/reports5/bigtop2.jpg.

Larger: http://www.easywdw.com/reports5/bigtop3.jpg.

Larger: http://www.easywdw.com/reports5/bigtop4.jpg.

The goodies were replicas of what’s available at the Confectionery, but we can expect (hope for) some exclusive treats moving forward.

The “show kitchen” aspect didn’t seem to be a big deal, but they do make some of the treats in-house while you have the opportunity to watch.

Some unique merchandise and/or merchandise not previously seen:

Cute stuff that we can probably expect more of.

I don’t have the heart to stick my camera in cast members’ faces, so I zoom in like a creep from afar.  The costumes are cute with oversized yellow ties and shirts, but as you can tell they aren’t the most flattering, like most Disney costumes.  She’ll probably have a different one on tomorrow.

I liked the male version more.  It helps add to the sense that you’re really at the circus.

Overall, Big Top Souvenirs is a winner.  I think they should take out half of the merchandise so it’s easier to focus on what they do offer.  They really don’t need another outlet for soap dispensers and pillow pals and the amount of merchandise they do have detracts from what’s special.

Outside, the themed carts have arrived.

The offerings are the same, but it seems like it’s more fun to buy popcorn from a circus train car.

Further in, closer to Pete’s Silly Sideshow and the Yellow Tent, you’ll find a courtyard area with two additional carts.

The carts are inspired.

I’m not up on my soft pretzel making techniques, but what about a Dumbo Pretzel?  A spicy cheese sauce?  A pizza pretzel with marinara?  It seems like offering something rarer and in demand would draw people further into Storybook Circus.  Few are going to purposefully traipse back here for a Dasani and a Churro.

Instead, the area’s a ghost town.  Expect that to change when the Silly Sideshow opens, but I’m still not sure how popular uncovered tables are going to be in the July sun/rain in the back of Storybook Circus.

I have a similar critique here at the Hot Dog cart.  The whole thing revolves around Dumbo, and you’re not selling elephant ears?  This sort of thing seems like such a no brainer.  How about Hand-Battered Corn Dogs?

You’re killing me.

Pete’s Silly Sideshow sits back here too, where you’ll be able to meet Minnie & Daisy in one line and Goofy and Donald at the other.

You’ll also find advertisements for the various activities all around:

You’re going to have a tough time convincing me this isn’t Scar as a boy.

In the Yellow Tent near the back of Storybook Circus, you’ll find FASTPASS distribution for Barnstormer and Dumbo along with picnic tables to rest.

Barnstormer on the left.

And Dumbo on the right.  Both display the current return time and the posted wait.

I pulled the Barnstormer FASTPASS at 3:20pm and noticed that it said I can pick up another FASTPASS at 4pm, when my window opens.  This is standard.  I tried to pull a Dumbo FASTPASS anyway and was able to.  It printed with a Surprise FASTPASS for Mickey’s PhilharMagic, which we know is worthless because you can virtually always walk in to the next show.  So at least for the time being, you can collect FASTPASSes for both Barnstormer and Dumbo, but will need to wait until the window opens to collect FASTPASSes for another attraction.  This makes it convenient to return to Storybook Circus and hit both.  You may want to pull them before visiting Pete’s Silly Sideshow or plan to spend some time at Big Top Souvenirs or Casey Jr. Splash Zone.  It’s a bit of a hike out to Dumbo, even from The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh or other Fantasyland/Tomorrow attraction.

With Dumbo having dedicated FASTPASS, the machines near PhilharMagic only dispense Winnie the Pooh again.

The Yellow Tent is expected to have electrical outlets for guests to charge their electronics at some point.

The lighting package seems like it will live up to Dumbo’s and the rest of the Circus with a variety of miniature chandeliers, lanterns, and lights.

Someone alert WDWMAGIC.  Casey isn’t blinking at the moment, making it 200% more likely that children will pee in the Splash Zone.  If you would like to experience Casey Jr. in the way it was originally designed, you may want to delay or even cancel your vacation until it’s fixed.

Heading out of the one and only.  As I’ve stated before, the theming in Storybook Circus is incredibly immersive.  You might see bashing it based on low quality cell phone pictures and the opinions of others, but I can assure you that it will exceed expectations, even if you’re expecting a lot.

Elsewhere, The Cat replaces Daisy at the Flag Pole.  Daisy moves in to Pete’s Silly Sideshow on a permanent basis.

It’s a recommended Party day at 2:38pm.

Remember that you want to visit the Town Square Princesses before 4pm to guarantee meeting Rapunzel.

Unique Halloween cupcakes at the Confectionery.

Configuring a FASTPASS+ entrance for Tomorrowland Speedway I would guess.

Water was flowing all over the Mermaid rockery.  It’s going to look outstanding.

Making good time at the Mine Coaster.

From the back side.

Additional track installation.

Work intensifies on the Urinate with Rapunzel Experience (trademark).

From the Mansion queue.

FASTPASS lines haven’t been too backed up lately, but this is the return line for Pan, backed up all the way past the FASTPASS machines.  It’s more of an exception rather than the rule, but you can potentially run long FASTPASS return lines.

That’s what’s going on at the Magic Kingdom these days, as we take a brief recess from the Food and Wine Festival.  Storybook Circus is looking great and I’m looking forward to Pete’s Silly Sideshow opening tomorrow.