Exploring the Magic Kingdom: Fantasyland

“Here is the world of imagination, hopes and dreams. In this timeless land of enchantment, the age of chivalry, magic, and make-believe are reborn, and fairy tales come true. Fantasyland is dedicated to the young at heart, to those who believe that when you wish upon a star, your dreams come true.” – Walt Disney

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Arriving in Fantasyland

Take the path from Liberty Square alongside the Liberty Tree Taven and you’ll find yourself passing under an archway and arriving in Fantasyland. Here you’ll be able to ride a magical carousel horse, soar above the clouds on a flying elephant, pull a sword from a stone or explore the Hundred Acre Wood.

Oh and one more thing; Fantasyland is perhaps one of the Park’s busiest, and of course is adored by children – but it’s loved by adults too. If there are no children in your party then don’t think this is a land to be skipped – you might just experience a little bit of magic yourself.

Fantasyland attractions

Cinderella Castle

Make sure you visit the Castle and explore the mosaics on the inside wall. You can’t actually go inside the castle unless you plan to eat at Cinderella’s Royal Table restaurant (and if you do then I know you have already done your homework and made reservations!).

Dream Along with Mickey

Check your Times Guides for the schedule of this adorable show with Mickey and his Friends battling evil right in front of Cinderella Castle.

Mickey’s PhilharMagic

This is a must see 4D adventure, with Donald Duck and characters from your favourite Disney movies including Beuaty & the Beast, The Little Mermaid and the Lion King.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant

If you have little ones then be prepared – this is the most-loved attraction for pint-sized guests – and has one of the longest waits! If they are desperate to take the two-minute flight aboard the flying elephant make sure you schedule it in at the right time of day (more of that in later lessons).

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

This is another popular one with the kids and wait times can be very long so make use of the FASTPASS. You’ll board a giant hunny pot and bounce through the giant pages of a story book with Pooh and his friends on this whirlwind adventure.

Peter Pan’s Flight

Soar over the roof tops of London in a pirate ship and rescue the Lost Boys from the mean old pirates and Captain Hook.

Snow White’s Scary Adventures

This popular dark-ride will whisk you on a three minute adventure through the world of Snow White – it can be a little scary at times to be careful with little ones.

It’s a small world

This attraction is like Marmite – you either love it or you hate it – I love it, my husband hates it!

You’ll board a boat and then float down the river as audio-animatronic dolls from the world over serenade you. It’s brightly coloured and your kids should love it – but be warned that the song will be stuck in your head for the rest of the day!

Mad Tea Party

If you’ve got the stomach for spinning then you’ll have a blast in these over-sized twirling teacups.

Cinderella’s Golden Carousel

Take a ride on a magical horse on this gorgeous carousel which was built in 1917. This one will delight adults and children alike.

Ariel’s Grotto

This children’s play area is a great place for little ones to run off steam – there is water involved though so bring a spare change of clothes. Fans of this Little Mermaid will also be able to meet and greet with Ariel herself.

Pooh’s Playful Spot

Across from the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh attraction you’ll find a small play area for children.

Sword in the Stone

At times throughout the day Merlin will encourage youngsters to attempt to pull the infamous sword from the stone. And when Merlin isn’t around then the grown ups can have a try too

Fantasyland videos – to give you a taste of the magic

Fantasyland expansion – what’s coming in 2012-2014

[UPDATE - MARCH 2012] The first portion of the Fanstasyland expansion will be unveiled to Guests this month as the Storybook Circus opens its doors. Click here to read more about the coming attractions.

Disney Imagineers are always keen to add new rides and attractions to the parks, but we’ve seen little addition to the Magic Kingdom in recent years (aside from Stitch trying to take over in various guises!) but that’s all about to change with the much-anticipated Fantasyland expansion.

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo revealed that the plans for Fantasyland a couple of years back, saying that it would be the largest expansion in the history of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. “Storytelling is the DNA of Disney dreams and we’re always exploring new ways to tell new stories in new places.”

Construction is already well underway and we’ll will begin to see the changes in 2012, with everything planned to complete in 2013.

This concept art gives you a view across the new Fantasyland expansion area as if you were hovering above the Cinderella Castle. If you look to the front left you will see some castle walls – you will walk through these to reach the Princess Realms where Sleeping Beauty, Ariel, Cinderella and Belle will have their own meet and greet areas.

You’ll will be invited to share a dance with Cinderella in her chateau, join Belle in an enchanting story book performance in the Beast’s castle library and celebrate Sleeping Beauty’s birthday with the Good Fairies. Of course Tinker Bell and her fairy friends will continue to reign over Pixie Hollow.

For a more immersive look at what’s to come check out these videos:

 

The Beauty & the Beast realm will also be home to a new ‘Be Our Guest’ dinner show which I can’t wait to experience.

Journey under the Sea with Ariel, The Little Mermaid

Ariel will get her very own attraction: Journey under the Sea with Ariel, The Little Mermaid; a version has already opened at Disney’s California Adventure over in Anaheim and it’s had positive reviews from visitors. Ariel, Prince Eric and the “Under the Sea” gang tell the tale of The Little Mermaid through sounds, music, color and effects. There are nearly 200 Audio-Animatronic figures performing in this attraction and it uses the Omnimover ride system to move you through the enchanted world below and above the ocean. If you’re open to spoilers here’s a ride through video:

Flying elephants and mine trains

The much-loved Dumbo attraction will also get the pixie dust treatment as part of the Fantasyland expansion. Parents will be pleased to read that the enhanced attraction will have two spinners, increasing the capacity and hopefully decreasing the wait time! It will also have a circus theme – and a more interactive queue to keep the kids entertained while you wait.

The new Dumbo attraction and the Pixie Hollow meet and greet area will replace the existing Mickey’s Toontown Fair area of the park. The existing Mickey Mouse meet and greet has been given a new home in the Town Hall on Main Street USA (and brilliant news – there’s Fastpasses too!)

The other attraction that I am really looking forward to is the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Coaster – this one sounds like a whole heap of fun and we’ve just been treated to a behind the scenes look at what we can expect.

The makeover will not extend to the west side where attractions such as Peter Pan’s Flight and It’s a Small World will remain untouched.

It sounds as if the enhancements appear to be very little girl orientated with all the princess elements, but Imagineers have assured us that the new Fantasyland additions will be very immersive and interactive and should appeal to little boys too.

Ready to move on with your tour? We’re off to Tomorrowland…