Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
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 2 of 2)
Suze Oct 20th 2012 5:12PM
Just bought tickets to a 2 hour show (Aerosmith) for $140 each. Broadway shows run $120+ each.
Full day at Disney for $90 seems a heck of a deal.
Joe Oct 17th 2012 11:29PM
Correction to you haters.. The first phase opens officially on december 6th! Previews have already begun. I am going to be there november 5th and will be doing a preview then. This is also NOT a new themed land. It is an EXPANSION on a current land. Get your facts straight.
Eileen Oct 18th 2012 2:11AM
Although it was always a goal of mine to take my son who is now 23 to Disney World unfortunately I was never able to do so and from the way it looks I will not have the opportunuty to take my 13 yr old daughter. Thank goodness her father was able to fulfill that dream for her. Could I sit here and complain about the exhorbitant pricing? I guess so, much like many other parents it's hard not to give your children every thing they want especially when they are great kids who deserve it. But, after reading the father's story about his deaf child's experience I can tell you that trip was worth every penny and then some and I am sure he feels the same way. A once in a lifetime experience in acceptance and comfortability for his child on top of the regular joys of seeing the house of mouse through a child's eyes? Like Visa says, priceless.
DALE Oct 18th 2012 5:51AM
The price isn't that bad when you figure it is all day and the rides are all included ! Try going to a fair or some other place like them and you pay for everything ! this ride isn't included in the price so ya the price is high but it is worth every penny becouse it is the best park !
Bev Oct 18th 2012 1:43PM
You are right about the prices. For a family of four spending the whole day also means cost of getting in plus at least two meals, water and drinks during the day. For a family of four it could easily cost, and this is without buying any toys for the children, alost 500,00.
hydroforce Oct 18th 2012 3:04PM
Yay!! As the once glorious 192 turns to dust...the big greed machine gets bigger! What a wonderful day in Kissimmee history. Disney has no respect for its neighbors. They are out of control.
Kristy Oct 18th 2012 5:45PM
Speaking from someone whose family owned some of the original land Disney is built on, they did respect them and paid them well for that land. If it were not for Disney, that area's economy would be awful. If it weren't for Disney, do you think Universal would have built there? If it weren't for Disney, do you think that area would have grown to have so many good and nice things. Doubt it. We'd have lots of orange groves that may or may not produce.
D Oct 18th 2012 9:19AM
Love Disney, and feel the magic every time we go (which is quite often as annual pass holders). We attended the dress rehearsal and though the Little Mermaid ride was adorable, I felt in some areas it needed more props to give it that extra magic Disney is known for.
Wayne Oct 18th 2012 10:45AM
It is an EXPANSION on a current land. To you people thinking its worth every penny! Lets put things in perspective from some who knows Disney made over 11 billion in profits this year alone. there is over 600% mark up on food and merchandise the full time cast members are just paid above 8 dollars an hour and cant make a living and cameras watching every move you make and everything made in china and your supporting this what a great American company Disney is.
Wake up people!
Charles Lilly Oct 18th 2012 11:14AM
I hope that Walt Disney in heaven had something to do with this. My Daughter writes to this Person every Christmas. They are both Angels and make me proud.
Jackie Oct 18th 2012 1:06PM
My Husband and myself went there twice this year and we just love it. It is Magical!!! Yes, it can be expensive but we sat back and thought about all the over head expenses there is in operating those Parks plus Resorts it mind blowing!!! We will be back in 2014 so then there will be some new attractions to see.
Bev Oct 18th 2012 1:39PM
The prices are ridiculous now not to mention the hike they will throw on the people with this. Its sad because I doubt Walt Disney intended the prices to go up this far that so many youngsters will never be able to go there.
Kristy Oct 18th 2012 5:42PM
To the Florida residents complaining...ummm...there is a discount for locals...if you've been there you should know that.
BeachDude Oct 21st 2012 12:45PM
$89/day is a complete ripoff. I live very near Disneyland. I used to purchase an unlimited annual pass every year, when it made sense. Now, at over $500/year, (plus "easy" monthly financing options), it has become all about greed. All of the other amusement parks in Southern California sell a yearly pass for the same price as a ONE day admission. Six Flags Magic Mountain, Cedar Falls Knott's Berry Farm, Sea World, and Universal Studios all offer the yearly pass at the ONE DAY admission price. I understand Disney wants to filter out the "riff-raff" by keeping their prices artificially inflated, but they are also being excessively greedy, and are acknowledged in the theme-park industry as blatantly overcharging, (however they always maintain a cadre of loyal pass buyers that will pay ANYTHING, and will blindly justify it).
vmk Dec 16th 2012 12:12AM
It is very good blog
Thanks for sharing info
Thanks®ards
pc-livetv.in
Vmk Dec 16th 2012 12:38AM
Thanks®ards
vmk