You may know that Disney has embarked on their largest Magic Kingdom renovation/expansion ever – the multi-year Fantasyland expansion. While at the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration, I had the opportunity to get a sneak peek of the expansion with one of the Disney imagineers.
The first section of the expansion, Storybook Circus, has already partially opened, with the popular Barnstormer (a ride in the old Toon Town) being moved and rebranded as the “The Barnstormer Featuring the Great Goofini”. In addition, Dumbo, an incredibly popular ride, has been moved. A second Dumbo, as well as an indoor, interactive queue, is currently being built and will be ready in July 2012, along with a splash area for smaller children.
The rest of the expansion will take place behind the walls of Cinderella Castle, in the “forest”. A new attraction called the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, scheduled to open in 2014, will be part roller coaster, part dark ride. The pinnacle of the new expansion is Beast’s Castle, which is only 30 feet high, but looks much larger due to forced perspective. Beast’s Castle will house the new Be Our Guest Restaurant, which will offer counter service during the day and table service in the evening. It’s scheduled to open by holiday season 2012.
Other new attractions include Ariel’s Grotto (a popular area in the “old” Fantasyland), Gaston’s Tavern (sadly not a real tavern, as no alcohol is served in the Magic Kingdom), Under the Sea – the Journey of the Little Mermaid, and Enchanted Tales with Belle. These are also scheduled to be open by holiday 2012.
Disclosure: I am not a Disney employee. The postings here are my own and do not represent the positions or opinions of the Disney Company. As an attendee of the Disney Social Media Moms conference, I received discounts and perks.
