From Magic Makerยฎ Julie Paolino
If youโve ever been to the Walt Disney Worldยฎ Resort, you know that the Magic Kingdomยฎ Park is divided into themed lands. ย Fantasylandยฎ is the place to go to feel nostalgic about some of Walt Disneyโs most beloved movies of all time.ย It is home to rides where you taking flight with Peter Pan, bounce around with Tigger and Pooh, or soar with Dumbo. In Fantasylandยฎ you will also find other attractions such as the classic ride, “it’s a small world” and the more recent addition, Mickeyโs PhilharMagic.ย Very little has changed in Fantasylandยฎ in the 38 years since the Walt Disney Worldยฎ Resort first opened its doors. ย But hold on to your Mickey ears, because Fantasylandยฎ is getting significant makeover!
The Fantasylandยฎ makeover will focus strongly on the princess theme. ย One of the biggest additions is a new attraction based on Disneyโs The Little Mermaid, called Under the Sea: Journey of The Little Mermaid. New storybook interactive areas will feature three of Disneyโs best known princesses in an area called the Fantasyland Forest. Here Guests will visit Cinderellaโs Chateau and help her prepare for the ball, visit Sleeping Beauty in Briar Roseโs Cottage just in time for her 16th birthday party, and have a storytelling session with Belle in the Beastโs library. If you are feeling hungry, you will be able to stop by the Be Our Guest Restaurant for a bite to eat.
In addition to the princesses, little ones will also take pleasure in another area based on the Disney Fairies. ย This new Pixie Hollow character meeting area will allow Guests to get the feeling of being fairy sized and truly immersed in the Fairy world.ย Here a visit with Tinker Bell will certainly be the main attraction!
Beyond princesses and fairies, the classic Dumbo the Flying Elephant attraction is being relocated. It will soon reside in new โcircus groundsโ where Guests will participate in interactive experiences, under an air conditioned big top tent, all while waiting to board one of the flying elephants. Parents take note, there will be two Dumbo spinners under one big top which will cut the usual wait time in half!ย Also being incorporated into the new โcircus groundsโ is Goofyโs Barnstormer, the kid sized roller coaster, which will take on a clown theme.
You may wonder where all this is going to fit. Sad to say, but Mickeyโs Toontownยฎ Fair will be removed to make room for the Fantasylandยฎ expansion. But donโt worry; Mickey and Minnie are rumored to be getting new houses near the front of the park.
The first phase of the Fantasyland expansion, which will include Under the Sea: Journey of The Little Mermaid attraction, the Fantasyland Forest, and Dumboโs Circus is set to debut in the fall of 2012. Pixie Hollow will follow in 2013.ย Now, with such exciting changes on the horizon, let Off to Neverland Travelยฎ help you plan your next magical getaway!
*Images Walt Disney Imagineering Concept Art, actual construction may vary
Julie,
GREAT JOB!!!! iT SURE SOUNDS LIKE A FUN TIME FOR ALL!!!