It may seem “goofy” or “dopey” and make you feel “grumpy” or “happy,” but: The parking lot at Magic Kingdom has gone to the Disney Heroes and Villains.

Say “hello” to Woody, Aladdin, Simba, Hook, Scar, Zurg and a half dozen other goodies and baddies. They have replaced sections named for “classic” Disney characters and Dwarfs.

New names for sections of the lot are part of an operational change designed to make it easier for Magic Kingdom guests to navigate and remember where they parked their vehicle in the 12,000-plus vehicle, 125-acre facility. With the change, there are two loading and unloading zones at the Transportation and Ticket Center, one for trams running to the Heroes portion of the parking lot, the other for the Villains area.

With the change, guests will park either in one of six Heroes sections (Aladdin, Mulan, Peter Pan, Rapunzel, Simba, Woody) or one of six Villains sections (Cruella, Hook, Jafar, Scar, Ursula , Zurg). According to park operations, the change provides more visual cues to joggle guests’ memories.

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Cruella de Vil, meet the apprentice sorcerers!

And you, too, Scar. And, for that matter, a legion of other Disney villains!

When Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom premieres in early 2012, Merlin the magician will recruit guests as apprentice sorcerers to undertake missions to subdue the “baddies” in what Disney Imagineering calls an “immersive role-playing adventure.”

Armed with what appear to be nothing more potent than cards, guests engage with villains at special locations throughout the park. But the fact is: The cards have magic powers players can use in their quest to defeat the villains.

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Actually, Dumbo is just reversing decades of flying in counter-clockwise circles. Call it “unwinding,” if you will. And in a new location within Magic Kingdom.

Guests will board Dumbo the Flying Elephant from the lovable critter’s left side — like mounting a horse … and unlike the way guests hop aboard for a whirl at Disney parks on three continents. It is scheduled to begin happening in early 2012 when select experiences in the Storybook Circus neighborhood of New Fantasyland debut just northeast of Mad Tea Party.

Also early 2012, the existing Dumbo attraction near Prince Charming Regal Carrousel will close, be refurbished and be moved to a location in Storybook Circus next to the new Dumbo attraction. The result when completed later in 2012: double Dumbos, one going this-a-way, one going that-a-way … a real circus act, if you will.

There also will be a “big top” that serves as a queue area for the popular attraction. It will feature a variety of interactive experiences currently being developed.

Two other Storybook Circus elements planned for opening early in the year are The Barnstormer and Fantasyland Station. Guests who enjoyed The Barnstormer at Goofy’s Wiseacre Farm will be happy to know the junior coaster thrills of that attraction are back with a thematic change: Goofy has sold the farm and is now a circus stunt pilot and magician, The Great Goofini. The completely re-imagined train station will serve as the gateway to Storybook Circus and all Fantasyland points beyond.

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Sit back in the good ol’ barber’s chair and get ready for a good old-fashioned haircut at Harmony Barber Shop on Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom. Located near the Emporium gift shop with a signature candy-striped pole outside, Harmony Barber Shop transports Walt Disney World guests to a simpler time … a time when barbershop quartets entertained with harmonic tunes and when getting a haircut (or two) was a real treat.

A step into Harmony Barber Shop is a step back in time. Hair tonics and talcum powders line the dark burgundy shelves. The Dapper Dans barbershop quartet strolls by daily, singing melodious tunes in perfect harmony and entertaining guests with their humorous banter.

“Guests are always surprised to find there’s a real barbershop here,” says Mary Volley, who works at Harmony Barber Shop. ”They think it’s a display and take pictures, but once they see it they can’t get away… they end up wanting a haircut.”

Guests may be amazed to discover that some of the antiques in Harmony Barber Shop are still in service. A turn-of-the-century Western Electric phone box is still used to make phone calls. Also of note is the cash register the barbers use to ring up their sales. It dates from 1912.

Although small and quaint, Harmony Barber Shop performs between 350 and 400 services a week. Haircuts for children age 12 and under are priced at just $15. Another popular treatment for kids as well as kids-at-heart is colored hair gel, which costs $7.50. Of course there are also services for grown-ups to enjoy. An adult haircut costs $19. Beard and mustache trims are $5.

“First Haircuts” is the establishment’s specialty. Young Walt Disney World guests who receive their first haircut at the Magic Kingdom barbershop are treated to many delightful surprises, from “pixie dust” and bubbles to Mickey Mouse stickers, and an extra-special “My 1st Haircut” set of Mouse Ears and certificate. The “My 1st Haircut” special is priced at $18.

Harmony Barber Shop only accepts appointments for those staying at a Disney resort or guests who have a dining reservations. Guests without reservations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis. All Walt Disney World guests can, however, make appointments to get their “whiskers” trimmed at these other Walt Disney World locations:

• Disney’s Contemporary Resort – American Beauty Shoppe and Captain’s Chair
• Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort – Casa de Belleza (House of Beauty)
• Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – Ivy Trellis
• Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and Disney’s Beach Club Resort – Periwig

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The Sunshine Pavilion, featuring a show variously known as “Tropical Serenade” and “The Enchanted Tiki Birds,” debuted on Oct. 1, 1971, in Magic Kingdom. In 1998, following substantial refurbishment, it re-launched as The Enchanted Tiki Room-Under New Management, with two famous Disney birds – Iago from Aladdin and Zazu from The Lion King– taking control and trying to spruce up the show.

Now the “new management” has been let go and the future of the Adventureland landmark is in the wings and wit of José, Fritz, Michael and Pierre – four crooning parrot hosts who have been entertaining guests at California’s Disneyland since 1963 in The Enchanted Tiki Room. Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, as the Magic Kingdom attraction now will be called, is being prepared for the premiere (tentatively on Aug. 15, 2011) of a show that will pay tribute to the Disneyland original - notable in theme park history for ushering in sophisticated Audio-Animatronics technology.

Prior to 1963, Walt Disney’s creative team had produced movable figures, but none had the sophistication of the bird-brained cast of the Tiki Room. José, Fritz, Michael and Pierre produce movements when solenoid coils hidden inside receive signals recorded onto magnetic tape and are regarded as the first “true” Audio-Animatronics figures.

They introduce a musical presentation by more than 200 birds, flowers and tikis. Even the audience gets into the act, joining in during the musical ditty “Let’s All Sing Like the Birdies Sing.”

While the show is steeped in tradition and maintains the original intent created by Walt Disney and his original team of Imagineers, Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room will feature the latest in technology – a state of the art show-control system, remastered audio, and a new versatile and energy efficient lighting system.

The attraction has shows throughout Magic Kingdom operating hours.

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A Magic Kingdom favorite, “Enchanted Tiki Room,” is scheduled to reopen later this summer in a version reminiscent of the original show (called Tropical Serenade). The attraction has been entertaining guests since the theme park’s opening day October 1, 1971. Its winged hosts — Jose, Fritz, Pierre and Michael — led 200 other birds, tikis and flowers in an entertaining Polynesian revue. The Adventureland attraction was inspired by Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, which opened at Disneyland Park in 1963.

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A PIRATE’S LIFE FOR HER: Angelica, a new pirate character appearing in the worldwide hit motion picture “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” from Walt Disney Pictures (aka Penelope Cruz), now meets Adventureland guests in Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Angelica can also be seen in New Orleans Square at Disneyland park in California. (Diana Zalucky, Disney photographer).

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• Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid, a major, all-new attraction during which guests will travel with Ariel and her friends through their exciting adventures above and below the waves – all against a musical backdrop of songs from the classic film.
• The castle of the Beast, standing majestically upon a hill just across an old stone bridge from Ariel’s new home. The Be Our Guest Restaurant will feature a lavish dining experience in the elegant ballroom, gallery, and mysterious “West Wing” of the castle.  With seating for 550, this magnificent facility will offer “great food fast” service by day and full table service dining in the evening. Nearby in Belle’s Village, guests will find the rousing Gaston’s Tavern and Bonjour! Village Gifts.
• Just outside the village is Belle’s cottage and Enchanted Tales with Belle. The adventure begins in Maurice’s workshop, where a magical mirror is the doorway to a captivating new kind of storytelling experience: Guests are transported to the Beast’s library to meet Belle and Lumiere, and share in a lively, interactive, re-telling of the “tale as old as time.”

• The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train will take guests on a rollicking, musical ride into the mine “where a million diamonds shine.”  The coaster will feature a first-of-its kind ride system with a train of ride vehicles that swing back and forth, responding to every twist and turn of the track.  The journey will be accompanied by music from the classic Disney film and animated figures of Snow White and the Dwarfs.
• In Princess Fairytale Hall, Aurora, Cinderella and other Disney princesses, such as Tiana and Rapunzel, will greet guests in their new home, an elegant royal court on the site where Snow White’s Scary Adventures stands today.
• The sound of the calliope will lead guests to the brand new Storybook Circus and not one but two circling carousels of airborne pachyderms on Dumbo the Flying Elephant.  Before taking to the skies on this Fantasyland favorite, guests can experience an array of fun-filled family games and interactive wonders for kids of all ages inside the Big Top.
• Next door in Storybook Circus, the classic Barnstormer gets a bright new look as well, featuring Goofy as The Great Goofini.  It’s a twisting, turning roller coaster “flight” high above the circus fun.

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NEW QUEUE AT THE MANY ADVENTURES OF WINNIE THE POOH: New playful features enhance guest wait times at The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. In this re-imagined area in Magic Kingdom, a towering honey tree welcomes Fantasyland guests at the entrance, which young guests are welcome to climb through and explore. Further down the path, guests can stomp their feet to rid Rabbit’s garden of pesky gophers, or they can drum a tune on Rabbit’s fruit. (Photographer: Matt Stroshane).

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