Disney’s New Fantasyland Enchants
For more than 40 years, Cinderella’s Castle has stood tall as the Magic Kingdom’s most indisputably iconic landmark. At 190 feet high (and cleverly designed to look even taller), the castle has dazzled millions of visitors with its polished stone walls and 27 turrets which strike an elegant silhouette against the expansive Florida sky.
Cinderella's Castle, photograph by Valerie Champagne
The castle’s central location – where Main Street ends and the Magic Kingdom’s six lands converge – has guaranteed that Cinderella and her Prince reign as the supreme royals of Walt Disney’s Florida kingdom. Of course, they’ve never had any real competition. Until now.
The Beast's Castle, photograph by Samantha McElhaney
On December 6th, 2012, the long-awaited New Fantasyland celebrated the grand opening of its first expansion. Among the attractions in New Fantasyland’s Enchanted Forest is a glamorous second castle, home of Belle, the Beast and the Be Our Guest Restaurant.
The Be Our Guest Restaurant, photograph by Samantha McElhaney
The Beast’s Castle may not share the prime real estate that Cinderella’s Castle commands, but the hill-set castle has its own charms, overlooking the quaint village where Maurice’s Cottage and Gaston’s Tavern reside.
Outside Gaston's Tavern, photograph by Samantha McElhaney
Of course, Belle isn’t the only new princess in town, and the Magic Kingdom’s third (and final?) castle is right next door.
Prince Eric's Castle, photograph by Samantha McElhaney
Prince Eric’s waterfront chateau is home to the winsome Ariel who also frequents the nearby Ariel’s Grotto where she keeps her treasures and once dreamed of being human. Ariel’s Grotto doubles as the site of Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid, a new dark ride that tells the story of Ariel’s transformation from mermaid to human.
Outside Ariel's New Home, photograph by Samantha McElhaney
Outside of the Enchanted Forest, New Fantasyland’s premiere attraction is the Storybook Circus where the popular Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride has relocated along with the Great Goofini’s Barnstormer coaster, Casey Jr.’s Splash ‘N’ Soak Station and Pete’s Silly Sideshow.
New Fantasyland's Storybook Circus, photograph by Samantha McElhaney
New Fantasyland is pretty spectacular now, but there’s even more magic on the way. Fantasyland’s second expansion is due in 2014 and will feature Princess Fairytale Hall (home to even more Disney princesses) and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, a thrilling adventure ride through a diamond mine.
New Fantasyland Poster, photograph by Samantha McElhaney
When the construction is complete and New Fantasyland 2.0 debuts, the old Fantasyland will have doubled in size from 10 acres to more than 20. Now, that’s real Disney magic at work, guaranteed to enchant, amaze, and create long-lasting memories for fans of the old Fantasyland and first time visitors to Disney’s most magical Magic Kingdom.
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- Castle Turrets, photograph by Samantha McElhaney
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- Be Our Guest Restaurant Sign, photograph by Samantha McElhaney
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- The Beast’s Castle, photograph by Samantha McElhaney
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- Gargoyle Statue, photograph by Samantha McElhaney
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- The Beast’s Castle Entrance, photograph by Samantha McElhaney
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- Statue of the Beast, photograph by Samantha McElhaney
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- The new Be Our Guest Restaurant, photograph by Samantha McElhaney
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- Outside Gaston’s Tavern, photograph by Samantha McElhaney
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- Gaston’s Tavern Painting, photograph by Samantha McElhaney
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- Prince Eric’s Castle, photograph by Samantha McElhaney
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- Outside Ariel’s Grotto, photograph by Samantha McElhaney
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- Line Queue Game Instructions, photograph by Samantha McElhaney
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- Ariel’s Treasures, photograph by Samantha McElhaney
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- Animatronic Scuttle, photograph by Samantha McElhaney
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- Outside Ariel’s New Home, photograph by Samantha McElhaney
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- Storybook Circus Poster, photograph by Samantha McElhaney
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- New Fantasyland’s Storybook Circus, photograph by Samantha McElhaney
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- Pete’s Sideshow, photograph by Samantha McElhaney
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- Elephant Sprinklers, photograph by Samantha McElhaney
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- Beauty and the Beast Mosaic, photograph by Samantha McElhaney
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- New Fantasyland Poster, photograph by Samantha McElhaney
A Bonus for Reality TV Fans:
New Real Estate in New Fantasyland: HGTV’s House Hunters International help Belle and the Beast find a castle in New Fantasyland that’s just right for them.
And for princess fans with a more adult sense of humor:
The Real Housewives of Disney: The cast of SNL and guest host Lindsay Lohan spoof the Disney Princesses in this PG-13 parody of the Real Housewives reality series.