On Feb. 12, Toontown Fair at Walt Disney World Resort’s Magic Kingdom, the happy place where children can meet Mickey Mouse in his own house, will be closing to make way for the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history. The new project will double the size of Fantasyland and include interactive meet and greets with Disney princesses, a new roller coaster, a special dining experience, and more attractions.
The project includes:
- Under the Sea – Journey to the Little Mermaid: This will be a massive attraction where guests will experience Ariel’s adventures. It will be shaped like the castle where Prince Eric lives in the movie.
- Beast’s Castle: The huge castle will change the skyline view of the Magic Kingdom. Across a stone bridge from Ariel’s castle, it will contain the new Be Our Guest Restaurant where guests will be able to watch a dinner show perform in the evening.
- Belle’s Village: Just outside the castle is Belle’s Cottage and Belle’s Village. In Belle’s Village, guests may dine at Gaston’s Tavern and shop at Bonjour! Village Gifts. In Belle’s Cottage, guests will take a magic mirror through Maurice’s workshop into the Beast’s library to meet Belle and Lumiere for Enchanted Tales with Belle.
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train: This brand-new family roller coaster will have a train vehicle that swings through the adventure of Snow White and the seven dwarfs.
- Princess Fairytale Hall: Aurora, Cinderella, Tiana, and Rapunzel will all greet guests in their new home (replacing the Judge’s Tent and various locations around the park). This will be where Snow White’s Scary Adventures is currently located.
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant: The current Dumbo ride is being replaced with two Dumbo rides attached to the Storybook Circus tent that will include many arcade and circus games.
What does this mean for Disney die-hards in the near future?
- Toontown will be permanently closed in February. For the time being, guests can still see Mickey, Minnie, and the princesses at the Main Street Expedition Hall. Tinker Bell will be found in Hollywood Studios and the fairies will be located in Epcot.
- The Barnstormer roller coaster will get a new look and name, The Great Goofini.
- Snow White’s Scary Adventures will close.
Is everyone excited?
Hongjin Du ’14, a Walt Disney World passholder, is very excited for the new expansion. Her initial response after hearing the news was, “Yay! I am really looking forward to all of the new opportunities to meet characters.”
The first stages of the expansion will open in late 2012.
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