Thursday, December 6, 2012

Finally! It's here!


Ginnifer Goodwin, Tom Staggs, Jordin Sparks, and Mickey Mouse welcome everyone into the new Fantasyland.
Photo Credit: @WaltDisneyWorld


It’s that time, Disnerds! The Fantasyland Expansion is finally open to the public!

This morning I watched the Walt Disney World Twitter updates during one of my classes as the ceremony was held at Magic Kingdom (Shh! Don’t tell!).

Tom Staggs, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman, Ginnifer Goodwin, star of ABC’s hit show Once Upon a Time, and popular musician Jordin Sparks helped everyone’s favorite mouse welcome in the largest expansion of the Walt Disney World Resort in 41 years. This new expansion will double the size of the previous Fantasyland and sits just behind the infamous Cinderella Castle.

New attractions will include Under the Sea- Journey of the Little Mermaid, Enchanted Tales With Belle, Be Our Guest Restaurant, an additional Dumbo ride, and a remodel of the previous Barnstormer rollercoaster.

All of the attractions above will be open to the public starting today, except for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (still under construction, expected to open in 2014) and Princess Fairytale Hall (expected to open in 2013). 

Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom now offers 3 castles instead of just one! 
Photo credit: @WaltDisneyWorld

I am so excited to experience this in June! I have to say that I’m most excited for the Princess Fairytale Hall- it will make it so much easier to meet all of my favorite princesses and in a timely fashion!

What are you most excited for? Do you think that there is something that Disney should add as they continue working on the next phase of this expansion?

Previous update from 9/27/12 that shows a timelapse video of Fantasyland's progress.