Where will the road take YOU?

Destination Diaries

E-mail Print PDF

Walt Disney World:  The Review

The NEW Fantasyland

By Angela Ash

wdwdumbo

Located within the Walt Disney World Resort is the Magic Kingdom theme park.  This is truly a land of enchantment, where one can travel to the future and experience the marvels in Tomorrowland, sail down the river into the past in Frontierland, or experience thrills, spills, and  surprises at every corner in Adventureland.

However, it is difficult to enter the Magic Kingdom and not head straight for Fantasyland.  After all, Cinderella's Castle looms over Main Street, almost like a beckoning welcome to what special experiences lay just beyond its spires.  Filled with family amusements like Peter Pan's Flight, It's a Small World, Mickey's Philharmagic, and the Mad Tea Party, this is Disney at its absolute best. 

However, the folks at Disney are never typically happy with just being "the best".  They like to take what you may think is absolute perfection and turn it into something that usually completely evades human description.  As Walt always said, "It's kind of fun to do the impossible".  

And so began the transformation of Fantasyland.  With a brilliant addition to Dumbo the Flying Elephant, now twice as many visitors may experience this flight through the sky at once, cutting the wait time in half.  This area within the new Fantasyland has been dubbed Storybook Circus, and it also includes the Casey Jr. Splash 'N' Soak Station (where the little ones can cool off with a myriad of wet adventures), Pete's Silly Sideshow (where patrons may meet characters in a fun, "big top" environment), the Barnstormer (Goofy's family fun roller coaster), and the newest station addition to the Walt Disney World Railroad, which makes zipping from one side of the Kingdom to the next even easier than before!

The Princess Fairytale Hall also makes it debut in Fantasyland.  Anna and Elsa are waiting inside to meet ecstatic Frozen fans, who may take advantage of FastPass+ to avoid long wait times.  Cinderella, Rapunzel, and other princesses are also available to create special memories.

wdwprincess

Also new to Fantasyland is the area known as the Enchanted Forest, based mainly upon the stories of Belle and Ariel, surrounded in a fantastic setting, with the attention to detail that only Disney can provide. 

Under the Sea:  Journey of the Little Mermaid is a visual masterpiece.  Before even boarding the clamshells that will whisk you away into Ariel's world, you will experience a simply stunning entrance that leads down into a cave full of "thingamabobs".  As you slowly ride through the scenes from the silver screen, you will see Ariel dream of becoming human and fall in love with Prince Eric... all right before your eyes. 

After the ride, you may even visit Ariel's Grotto to meet your favorite mermaid!

wdwunderthesea

The absolute newest addition is the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, where you will enter a forest and encounter the Dwarfs and Snow White herself!  Before you know it, you will be twisting and turning through a diamond mine, on an exciting train adventure.  Experiencing sharp banks and hairpin curves, this thrill ride will be one that you will want to ride twice!

wdwdwarf

All ages of Beauty and the Beast fans will want to experience Tales With Belle, an interactive story-telling adventure that often puts you right in the middle of the action.  In a beautiful setting, it is easy to imagine that you are right in the Beast's library! 

And looking over the Enchanted Forest is the Beast's Castle, which houses the new Be Our Guest Restaurant.  Guests may dine in one of three areas (the West Wing, the Rose Gallery, or the 2 story Ballroom) for a magical, sit-down dinner.  If you are in a hurry to get back to the attractions, Mrs. Potts presents a quick service meal with real china and flatware, where patrons may order from a flat-screen terminal.

wdwbeourguest

And just around the corner is another new eatery!  Gaston's Tavern is a counter service restaurant that offers up "super manly" snacks like roasted pork shanks and warm cinnamon rolls. 

The new Fantasyland is designed in such a way that even the scenery may get as many gasps as the attractions themselves.  This is a creative, inspired area that you may find extremely difficult to leave. 

I guess that's why they offer a seven day ticket?

For additional information, visit Walt Disney World online, or call (407) 939-5277