It’s finally here. Today marks the official Grand Opening of the New Fantasyland for the general public and press.
The much anticipated expansion of the Magic Kingdom is the biggest ever in Disney history. It will offer visitors new, high-tech attractions, as well ask keeping the nostalgia that the original attractions have to offer. It’s good to have new things, but the “old” must stay!!
“The Magic Kingdom is the iconic place at Walt Disney World and Fantasyland is the favorite land,” said Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts in the U.S. and France. “It’s the heart of the Magic Kingdom and we’re absolutely doubling the size of it, so I think that’s major in our guests minds.”
Magic Kingdom is the most visited and most popular park on Disney property at WDW. It’s a good thing that they are staying motivated to continue to find ways of having people come back over and over again. Keeping things exciting!
Disney wants guests to feel like they’ve stepped into the worlds of “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Little Mermaid.” It goes beyond rides. It’s the feeling of magic, enjoying new food, and getting to hang out in locations that make you feel like you’re actually in one of the movies.
In the Beauty and the Beast village, people can meet Belle through a magic mirror inside Maurice’s Cottage, where you can also see lifelike versions of Lumiere and Madame Wardrobe. At Gaston’s Tavern, visitors can try the new foods, soak up new atmosphere, and even see Gaston himself. At the Under the Sea -Journey of The Little Mermaid, a nostalgic dark ride-style attraction, visitors feel like they are right in the middle of scenes and songs from the movie “The Little Mermaid.” Next door in Ariel’s Grotto, guests can meet Ariel in person.
The New Fantasyland makes it’s grand appearance only six months after Disney opened Cars Land at the Disneyland Resort in California, which gives guests a chance to tour Radiator Springs from Pixar’s “Cars” movies. WDW is also working on a major addition to Disney’s Animal Kingdom park based on the Avatar movies.
See a pattern here? The smart folks at Disney are right though. Who wouldn’t want to be able to step into one of their favorite Disney movies? These kind of attractions keep guests coming back for more, and we will continue to see similar expansions at WDW in the future. We can’t wait!!
Michele also contributes theme park news for Fox 35 Orlando 11pm news and on the radio on WDBO.
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