Disney Imagineering has released a video showing you around the interior of Maurice's Cottage, which is to be part of the new Enchanted Tales with Belle attraction. The video shows imagineers describing the internal decor and layout of the house and attraction.
Disney have released a set of what it calls, 'Signature Images' of the new Fantasyland. These are artist renders, and bear a clear resemblance to the previously released concept artwork, but with a much more detailed finish, showing the final design and position of the attractions.
The three images show the much publicised view from Cinderella's Castle as well as Belle in front of Maurice's Cottage and Ariel sitting at Ariel's Adventure at Sunset.
Click the post title to view the full post and the images!
Following on from the official news that the new Fantasyland will be open for previews in November, Disney have issued a press release detailing the planned preview and December launch. The full text from the press release can be found below:
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Magic Kingdom guests blink back in amazement at the scene: not one, but two colorful Dumbos spinning through the sky above Storybook Circus.
To the delight of fans of the beloved Dumbo, the Flying Elephant attraction, a second Dumbo flies alongside. The playful pachyderm is joined in Storybook Circus by the Barnstormer Coaster re-themed to the Great Goofini, the Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station water play area and the Fantasyland Train Station — all part of the multiyear, largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history.
There’s more to come as the expansion of the New Fantasyland – nearly doubling in size — continues at Walt Disney World Resort. In fact, so many more attractions are coming on line later this year that Dec. 6, 2012 has been set as the Grand Opening of Fantasyland. Previews begin Nov. 19.
Slated to make their debuts:
- Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid, a major attraction where guests will travel with Ariel and her friends through their exciting adventures above and below the waves – all against a musical backdrop of songs from the film. The new attraction combines the enduring appeal of a classic Disney “dark ride” with wonderful technological innovations to offer guests a personal journey into the scenes of the film. Adventurers will feel as if they are descending below the ocean’s surface. Once “under the sea,” guests will find themselves immersed in the story of “The Little Mermaid,” sharing Ariel’s adventure through a magical cast of characters and a captivating musical score that will entice everyone to sing along. The fun continues at “Ariel’s Grotto,” a meet-and-greet with the mermaid heroine herself.
- The castle of the Beast stands majestically upon a hill across an old stone bridge from Ariel’s new home. The Be Our Guest Restaurant will feature a lavish dining experience in the elegant ballroom, gallery, and mysterious “West Wing” of the castle. With seating for 550, this magnificent facility will offer “great food fast” service by day and full table service dining in the evening. Nearby in Belle’s Village, guests will find the rousing Gaston’s Tavern and Bonjour! Village Gifts.
- Just outside the village is Belle’s cottage and Enchanted Tales with Belle. The adventure begins in Maurice’s workshop, where a magical mirror is the doorway to a captivating new kind of storytelling experience: guests will be transported to the Beast’s library to meet Belle and Lumiere, and share in a lively, interactive re-telling of the “tale as old as time.”
“Fantasyland is a place where a very special kind of memory is made: where children just old enough to understand the moment come in contact with princesses and heroes and meet their most beloved friends,” said Meg Crofton, president, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Operations, United States and France.
“We are excited about sharing our treasured stories in new ways and giving guests the opportunity to interact with their favorite characters like never before.”
Beyond 2012, there’s more in store for Fantasyland guests:
- Located in the Castle Courtyard in the center of Fantasyland, Princess Fairytale Hall will be the new home for visiting royalty in the Magic Kingdom. The castle-like entrance will feature walls of stone and stained glass windows, opening up into a large gallery – an airy space with a high ceiling, where portraits of the Disney princesses adorn the walls. When it’s time for their audience with a princess, guests will proceed to elegantly finished rooms to meet Aurora, Cinderella and other Disney princesses, such as Tiana and Rapunzel (2013).
- The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train will take guests on a rollicking, musical ride into the mine “where a million diamonds shine.” The coaster will feature a first-of-its-kind ride system with a train of vehicles that swing back and forth, responding to every twist and turn of the track. The journey will be accompanied by music from the classic Disney film and animated figures of Snow White and the Dwarfs (2014).
After over 2 years of planning and building, Disney have today announced the preview and grand opening dates of the new Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom. Earlier this year the first phase of the expansion, Storybook Circus was opened.
Disney announced that Under the Sea - Journey of The Little Mermaid, Be Our Guest Restaurant, Enchanted Tales with Belle, Ariel's Grotto, Gaston's Tavern and Bonjour! Village Gifts will open for preview on November 19 2012, with the land's grand opening set to take place on December 6, 2012.
The remaining sections of Storybook Circus are also set to open before the grand opening.
From the official Disney Parks Blog:
Today we’re thrilled to announce that the grand opening of New Fantasyland will take place on December 6, 2012. Attractions included in this opening are Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid, Be Our Guest Restaurant, Enchanted Tales with Belle, Ariel’s Grotto, Gaston’s Tavern and Bonjour! Village Gifts.
Previews of these attractions will begin November 19.
As previously planned, the New Fantasyland expansion will continue with the opening of Princess Fairytale Hall in 2013 and the debut of a new Disney “mountain” in the form of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in 2014.
The Storybook Circus section of the New Fantasyland expansion, which includes Barnstormer – Starring the Great Goofini, the Casey Jr. Splash & Soak Station, and Dumbo the Flying Elephant, opened to guests in July.
Disney have today announced that one of the two Big-Top Tents in the new Storybook circus (as part of the Fantasyland Expansion) will be home to Pete's Silly Sideshow, a character meet and greet, where the characters will "show off their special talents". The characters will be in circus atire, in keeping with the Storybook Circus land theme. Characters will include The Great Goofini, Minnie Magnifique, The Astounding Donaldo and Madame Daisy Fortuna.
As guests enter the tent, they will have an option of following one of two lines. The first will take them to Minnie Magnifique (Minnie Mouse as a circus star) and Madame Daisy Fortuna (Daisy Duck as a fortuneteller). The second line will take guests to see The Great Goofini (Goofy as a daredevil stunt pilot) and The Astounding Donaldo (Donald Duck as a snake charmer).
Along with the announcement, Disney also released some concept artwork for the new attraction. Click the link below to view the full post and the concept artwork images!
Disney have annuocned via the Walt Disney World Passholder website that there will be passholder previews for the new Fantastland expansion area in Magic Kingdom in November 2012. This allows passholders to visit the new areas before they open to the public.
Full details:
New Fantasyland Passholder Preview
Be among the first to experience the enchantment of New Fantasyland during a special Passholder Preview in November 2012! Upon completion, Fantasyland will nearly double in size - for the largest expansion in the history of Magic Kingdom Park.
Registration details are coming soon and will be communicated via email and here on the Passholder website. Event capacity is limited, so be sure to watch for these updates! Valid Magic Kingdom Theme Park admission is required to attend this event.
Disney have shared some photos of Maurice's Cottage, a new building in the New Fantasyland area of the Magic Kingdom. Maurice's Cottage will be home to the new Enchanted Tales with Belle attraction. Enchanted Tales with Belle will feature Belle and Lumiere from Disney's classic Beauty and the Beast movie. Guests will participate in a reading from the Beauty and the Beast story, making it more than your typical 'meet and greet' spot.
We've hears whispers that the attraction may be offering a soft-opening as early as September 1 2012, so if you're in the parks keep an eye out and you may just get lucky! Judging by the photos released, the attraction looks very much near completed.
Click below to view the photos!
"Big Top Souvenirs" in the new Fantasyland Storybook Circus are of Magic Kingdom is set to feature an on-stage kitchen when it opens later this year. In much the same style as the kitchen in Main Street Confectionary, guests will be able to watch Cast Members create delicious treats right before their eyes.
Items expected to be sold at Big Top Souvenirs include a range of sweet treats and the traditional park merchandise comprising of toys, games, clothing, home-ware, etc. Dumbo and Casey Jr items will also be offered here.
Disney have not yet provided an opening date for Big Top Souvenirs, however we expect it to open towards the end of the year, at the same time as the Be Our Guest Restaurant. Other attractions set to open around the same time include Enchanted Tales with Bell and Under the Sea - Journey of the Little Mermaid.
Disney have today revealed some information about "Be Our Guest Restaurant", due to open in the new Fantasyland section currently under construction at the Magic Kingdom. Dining reservations can be made from August for the end of year holiday period, which is when they are hoping to open the restaurant.
Be Our Guest Restaurant is a quick-service location during lunch time, and a full table service at dinner time. On the Disney Parks blog, Disney explain that whilst lunchtime dining will be classed as quick-service, it will be an "elevated experience" where the food is brought to you on real china plates (instead of the fast-food paper plates at most quick-service locations). The restaurant will be on the Disney Dining Plan. It's not yet known if it will be part of any other...