New Fantasyland Opens In the Magic Kingdom
Prince Eric's Castle
Walt Disney World recently unveiled the New Fantasyland section in the Magic Kingdom park in Orlando, Florida. Even though construction is still underway for the Seven Dwarves Mine Train rollercoaster (to be completed in 2014) and the Princess Fairytale Hall (opening later this year), the rest of New Fantasyland opened to the public on December 6, 2012.
The highlights are the extensive dark ride Under The Sea: Journey Of The Little Mermaid and an expanded Dumbo The Flying Elephant. The Under The Sea ride has very articulate audio-animatronics and superior effects. At the beginning of the ride, the riders in their clamshells are made to feel as if they've plunged under the ocean. The Dumbo ride now features a play area inside a tent structure for children to pass time until their parents are summoned with beepers that it's time to ride Dumbo.
Other attractions include Enchanted Tales With Belle, which has some thrilling special effects and audience participation as they meet Belle from Beauty And The Beast, Ariel's Grotto (a popular meet and greet), The Barnstormer (it is just the same Barnstormer children's rollercoaster from the former Mickey's Toontown Fair) and Casey Jr. Splash 'N' Soak Station. The latter circus-themed attractions make up the Storybook Circus section of the New Fantasyland.
There are also new eateries starting with Gaston's Tavern, which serves humongous cinnamon buns and succulent pork shanks and the full-service Be Our Guest Restaurant that faithfully recreates the castle, ballroom and dining hall seen in Beauty And The Beast. The line to get into the restaurant is always very long.
The New Fantasyland also has added castles in the background to adorn the famous Cinderella Castle such as Beast's Castle, Prince Eric's Castle and Rapunzel's Castle. Even though some of the expanded areas aren't complete, the New Fantasyland is already popular with visitors as evidenced by the long lines to get into some attractions.
Article and photos by José Soto
| A Look at the New Fantasyland | |||
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| Ariel | Entrance to Under The Sea | Ariel's Grotto | |
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| Storybook Circus | Artwork on the Seven Dwarves construction site | The Seven Dwarves Mine Train under construction | |
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| Enchanted Tales With Belle | Beast's Castle | Inside Be Our Guest Restaurant | |
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| Front of Gaston's Tavern | Gaston portrait | Rapunzel's Castle under construction | |