Each year, more than 30 million people from all over the world visit Walt Disney World to enjoy all the mind blowing attractions it provides. With its four theme parks, there’s something for everyone and anyone to enjoy!However, of those 30 million people, 17 million alone visited the Magic Kingdom in 2007, ranking it the number one theme park worldwide.
To maintain visitor’s interest and increase the number of people coming each year, Disney has had to expand and build on its already immensely sized park. And that is just what they did in the continuation of the Magic Kingdom’s ‘Fantasyland.’ With several new attractions from some of the most popular Disney films to date, it is Disney magic working to its fullest.
In an interview with Fox news, Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts in the U.S and France, spoke highly of the new Fantasyland.
“The Magic Kingdom is the iconic place at Walt Disney World and Fantasyland is the favorite land. It’s the heart of the Magic Kingdom and we’re absolutely doubling the size of it.”
The biggest and most extravagant addition to the new Fantasyland thus far is a scene taken from the award winning film “Beauty and the Beast,” including the “Be Our Guest” restaurant located inside Bell and the Beast’s castle. Built to look exactly like the castle in the movie, gargoyles and mountainous landscape included, wait time to get in tops nearly two hours.
Once inside, there is no doubt the splendor of the multiple dining areas fitting different scenes of the castle including the ever famous ballroom which went down in animated film history for being the first to show reflection on the ballroom floor.
Along with the “Beauty and the Beast” theme is the addition of Bell’s home town, including “Gaston’s Tavern” and “Maurice’s Cottage” which allows visitors to interact with Bell and other characters through a mirror. The realistic scene places visitor’s right into the movie like any fantasy come true.
Next door to this attraction is yet another castle, serving this time as a ride. Come and see Ariel from Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” as you walk through the castle and ride in a clam through scenes of the movie. With 3D animatronic figures singing and performing music, including “Under the Sea,” “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” and “Kiss the Girl,” this attraction has brought in many new fans.
Like all of the other animatronics found in Disney, such as on the popular “Peter Pan’s Flight” and “It’s a Small World,” the “Under the Sea” ride reaches equally high expectations and entertainment as well.
An attraction especially fantastic for everyone’s little princess is “Ariel’s Grotto” where you can go and meet Ariel herself. With fantastic character matches and cheeriness, you’ll almost believe Ariel is real for yourself!
With kid’s being the focus, Walt Disney World has added on an entire area called “The Big Top,” featuring the original icons of Mickey, Goofy, and other famous friends, as they act out the circus. This area is highly rated by kids and adults alike as they run through the “Casey Jr. Splash and Play” area with larger than life train hulls and giraffes and monkeys spraying visitors with water. And when water fun is all said and done, join Pete at “Pete’s Silly sideshow” and have a grand time meeting the characters.
Oh, but it gets better! With Disney’s strict safety requirements making it difficult for little kids to participate in the ever fun roller coasters, kids of all ages can join Goofy as he flies in a series of fun, fast, and twisty loops on the new attraction “Barn Stormer”! However, don’t let the fact it’s for kids fool you! If you’re quezzy of heights and fast rides, this attraction is not for you.
Everyone knows of the iconic Dumbo ride which has been around sense Walt Disney World was first constructed. Well, due to popular demand, you can fly with Dumbo in half the time due to a second Dumbo ride just like the first! Really, who can go wrong with Dumbo?
At the end of the day, those 30 million people visit Disney World to escape the stress and pressures of life for a little bit and jump into the ever wonderful fantasy world that Disney has created. And the new additions to Magic Kingdom’s “Fantasyland” have made it all the funner.