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New Disney World Attractions To Bring Immersive Experience
Walt Disney World in Florida has some new attractions on the way. The new Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom park will be home to the Enchanted Forest, a new park within a park, inspired by the popular Disney films "The Little Mermaid" and "Beauty and the Beast." The Enchanted Forest officially opens December 6, 2012, but we got a sneak peek during dress rehearsals last weekend, open to the public.Eventually hosting lush landscapes, roaring waterfalls and two new castles, guests will be able to ride under the sea with a little mermaid, dine in a beast's castle and even join a "beauty" for a retelling of the "tale as old as time."
On our visit, we stopped by Enchanted Tales With Belle, an interactive experience (as opposed to a "ride") that begins when an enchanted mirror transported us from Belle's house to Beast's library, where Belle and Lumière invite guests to become part of a lively retelling of the "tale as old as time."
Unique here is that groups are small and many are invited to participate in the experience that brings guests up close and personal with live action characters from Beauty and the Beast. This is not a passive, sit around and watch attraction.
Steps away, Gaston's Tavern was also open, serving LeFou's Brew, Roasted Pork Shanks and other snacks. LeFou's Brew looks like a mug of beer but is actually a "non-alcoholic no-sugar added frozen apple juice with a hint of toasted marshmallow, topped with all-natural passion fruit-mango foam," we were told. Roasted pork shanks, so popular they ran out while we were there, fit right in with the tavern designed to look like a comfy lodge in the French countryside.Not all attractions are open as work progresses. A Be Our Guest Restaurant will soon invite guests to savor the classic cuisine of France. Ariel's Grotto is close to Under the Sea~Journey of The Little Mermaid attraction where Ariel will be on hand to meet new friends, sign autographs and pose for photos. In the same area and opening in 2014, a massive Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, will take guests through the Dwarfs' diamond mine, along the countryside and on to their cottage to meet up with Snow White and her pals.
New Fantasyland is opening in phases for the largest expansion in the history of Magic Kingdom park, nearly doubling in size and offering more immersive enchantment and interactive experiences.
[Flickr photos by ChrisCruises]
Filed under: North America, United States, Theme Parks
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Paula Oct 17th 2012 6:13PM
A new attraction? Well, there goes yet another price increase!
ARCHIETBUNKER Oct 18th 2012 9:54AM
Is anyone twisting your arm to go there?
Kim Oct 18th 2012 11:15AM
The Magic Kingdom is "Magic" and worth the price of admission. Besides, when you buy the multi-day passes, the price goes down considerably per day - to like $25.00 p/p. Not bad since there are four theme parks, two water parks, and a host of other activities and attactions. Check your facts and go. You will sing a different tune, because "Nobody does it like Disney".
sadiemae1214 Oct 18th 2012 12:47PM
Kim, I was raised in Florida and lived about an hour from Disney World. Been there so many times, I lost count. The first time was the year they opened. You're not telling me anything I don't already know. A tourist can pay that price, a local shouldn't have to.
Al Schrader Oct 18th 2012 6:03PM
There's more to this than just Disney World. There is Harry Potter, Universal Studios, on and on. And just when you think you've seen it all, then there is Kennedy Space Center - you can see an actual Saturn V moon rocket, and Playa Linda Beach - take the brand new Max Brewer causeway (park your car and walk to the jag at the top, drop a coin, and make a dream) to visit that , or just South of KSC is Port Canaveral and you can take a Disney Cruise.
You can go Kayaking on the Indian River or fish for Redfish, you can dangle your feet in the surf at Cocoa Beach, you can picnic and Bar-B-Que at Jetti Park and enjoy the giant cruise ships as they depart. On and on and on. More to do and see than anywhere. You can forget the stress for awhile.
Paula Oct 18th 2012 6:17PM
Al, Been there, done that. Used to surf in Cocoa Beach, Melbourn and Stuart. Been on a cruise, saw the Space Shuttle go up from Titusville, also saw Challenger blow up. Worked on a charter fishing boat in South Florida. Camped on St. Augustine beach, did bike week in Daytona.
Al, I'm 63 years old and when I say "been there,done that" I'm not kidding.
Did I tell you about the time we hid out in Disney World till they closed and got locked in? That was 1974, I believe.
toddbeckpr Oct 17th 2012 6:18PM
Sounds a lot like the set-up at Tokyo Disney Sea. That place was awesome!
Angie Oct 17th 2012 11:35PM
beautiful story, I'm holding back tears.
Charles Lilly Oct 17th 2012 8:13PM
The Magic Kingdom was magic one day for my 4 year old deaf Daughter because she loved Mickey so much, upon entering the Park, she spotted Mickey and ran as fast as her little feet could go. There stood a Mouse 4 times her size and she signed to Mickey, "Hi my name is Amanda" and the characters are not permitted to speak to anyone, Mickey turned and signed,"how old are you?" Amanda responded "4" and off they went dancing. I was holding back tears and gasping for breath to keep up with them, all the while taking pictures. The Park Office would not tell me the name of the Person in the Mouse suit and told me to send Fan mail. A couple of months passed and the woman in the suit just happened to be taking sign and was the only character to know sign. Of course to Amanda the Mouse could sign. The laws of probability were phenominal. If you believe in magic when you are 4 in the Magic Kingdom, it is a blessing.
Maryann Oct 17th 2012 8:45PM
What a fabulous story!!
ginger Oct 17th 2012 9:03PM
What a blessing!! I would have loved to have seen that and God Bless the lady in the mouse suit!!
Helen Santho Oct 17th 2012 9:55PM
That is the coolest story EVER! Thank you for sharing this heartwarming story.
Reneep34 Oct 17th 2012 10:18PM
WOW, that was beautiful! So happy for you and your daughter!!
Cindy Oct 18th 2012 10:56AM
What a wonderful experience in the life of your lovely daughter!
And she is a lucky little girl to have wonderful parents like you.
G-D bless your family!
Love,
A friend
Pamela White-Gonzalez Oct 17th 2012 7:52PM
So AWESOME!!!! My family and I will be there in 2014!!! Yay..
tere Oct 17th 2012 8:36PM
It was an awesome surprise to be there for the dress rehearsal on our last day at the Magic Kingdom. The Little Mermaid ride was exactly as I envisaged it to be. I foresee LONG lines at the Belle meet and greet cottage we toured the week before. There were some issues, but it was a dress rehearsal. The Snow White Mine looks like it will be intense if the steel superstructure of the train tracks is and indication....will we be back for more!!! def...we are annual passholders from NY and Ct
BeachDude Oct 17th 2012 8:19PM
$89.00 for one day's visit to the Magic Kingdom. The new Fantasyland will not be complete until 2014, when the admission price will magically increase!
Lady M Oct 17th 2012 10:32PM
And worth every.y penn
Kunra Oct 18th 2012 12:36AM
And then some.
Tink's friend Oct 18th 2012 9:18AM
There are many ways to save at WDW and other Disney related activies. I pay less than $30 for a day at a park and have parkhopper tickets that never expire. Considering the cost of a movie these days that's a bargain. Never expire tickets are just that. So you can buy them today, use them years from now and avoid future price increases. If you buy a no expiration ticket for a child and the kid grows up before it is used Disney will turn it into an adult ticket at no additional cost. Mousesavers.com and allears.net have a wealth of information. Be sure to get the newsletters for the latest deals. Having a good travel agent can be a big help too. I use Allseastravel. No connection with them other than I'm a long term customer.