Nov 20 2009
A major expansion at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom in Florida will more than double the size of Fantasyland. With two phases scheduled to open in 2012 and 2013, the land will offer richer, more immersive experiences and will introduce a wider array of characters. Instead of simple meet-and-greets, the new mini-lands will envelop guests in the worlds of Disney's classic films and get them involved in hands-on adventures. To make way for the new attractions, the expanded Fantasyland will take over the area of the less-than-stellar Mickey's Toontown Fair. (If you are wondering what will happen to Goofy’s Barnstormer coaster and the Toontown houses of Mickey and Minnie Mouse, it appears they will be saved and moved to other areas of the Magic Kingdom.)
Fantasyland Expansion Mini Photo Gallery
Details will be added as they become available, but based on Disney’s initial, limited announcement of the expansion in September 2009, the new Fantasyland attractions and features will include the following:
New Little Mermaid Ride: Under the Sea with Ariel
While Disney hasn't announced many specifics, the E-Ticket ride, featuring the wonderful music and characters from the hit film,
The Little Mermaid, will likely be similar, if not identical, to the ride coming to
Disney's California Adventure. If so, its rumored $100 million budget should make this a marquee attraction. The Little Mermaid Ride will likely use an Omnimover system and "clammobile" cars that will be similar to the ones found at
The Seas with Nemo and Friends ride at Epcot.
Beauty and the Beast Land
Cinderella won't have the only castle in Fantasyland. While it won't surpass the elegant spires of the classic castle at the end of Main Street U.S.A., the Beast will take up residence in the neighborhood and add his castle to the property tax rolls. The Beauty and the Beast adventure will begin at Belle's village when guests visit her father's cottage. A magic mirror will transport guests to the Beast’s castle where they will have an opportunity to retell the Beauty and the Beast story by performing it for Belle. Hungry thespians will then be able to dine in the elegant, 552-seat Be Our Guest restaurant inside Beast’s castle or grab a quick bite at Gaston’s Tavern. There's no word how guests will be able to magically transport themselves out of the Beast’s castle. Perhaps buying a trinket in the gift shop will do the trick.
Cinderella Attraction
Speaking of Cinderella, the would-be princess will leave her McMansion castle and take up residence in a new attraction. Guests will see Cindy's fairy godmother bibbidy-bobbedy-boo the entrapped servant's clothes into an elegant ball gown. Then they will be able to help Cinderella practice for the royal ball or train to be one of her royal knights. Expect sales of glass slippers to go through the roof at the Magic Kingdom.
Sleeping Beauty Attraction
By heading over to Sleeping Beauty's cottage, guests will be able to join the celebration as fairies throw a sweet-16 party for Aurora. Kids will be invited to make birthday cards for the princess, then hide and greet her with a big "surprise!" as she enters the party. If you're looking for an appropriate birthday gift, may I suggest an alarm clock? A really loud alarm clock. That and ChapStick.
A Jumbo-Sized Dumbo
Dumbo the Flying Elephant may be the most frustrating ride in all of Walt Disney World. No visit to the theme park mecca is complete without a ride on the charming, classic, big-eared elephant. For that very reason, there is typically a jumbo-sized line to endure just to take a 90-second spin on the spinning ride. Disney plans to tackle the rat-maze-hell problems with two improvements: A second Dumbo platform will double the capacity of the ride, and the queue will snake through a big-top circus tent complete with interactive games to entertain guests.
Tinker Bell's Pixie Hollow
This new attraction will likely be the last to debut, probably in 2013. Similar to the walk-through attraction at Disneyland (although it appears that the Florida version may be larger and offer more features), Pixie Hollow will shrink visitors down to itsy-bitsy size so that they can walk past giant blades of grass and meet Tinker Bell and her pixie friends. Not coincidentally, Disney recently created a Disney Fairies video and merchandise line. Hey kids! Can you say "synergy?"
