New Fantasyland Grand Opening

Yesterday, December 6, was the grand opening presentation for New Fantasyland. The presentation was amazing and it made me cry. I loved seeing Dumbo for the first time and I actually squealed when he came out and that's something I never do. I hope they bring him out more often. Belle and Beast were perfect and looked so good dancing on the castle stage.

I stood on the left side of the castle but I couldn't get too close. The entire area in front of the castle was for media and I saw some CM's going in there. Everybody else had to stand behind them. I'm short and I don't have a good zoom lens, so my pictures aren't the best.

A Dragon in Fantasyland?

There have been rumors going around that a dragon is coming to New Fantasyland. The dragon was first spotted in June in California.

Now, as it's getting closer to the grand opening of New Fantasyland, the dragon has been spotted flying over and around Walt Disney World. There is also a tumblr dedicated to the dragon.

A lot of people have been talking about the dragon making an appearance at the grand opening of Fantasyland on December 6. I'll be interested to see if it's there. I'll also be interested to see what they do to drown out the noise it makes.

My thoughts on the dragon: I think it's really creepy looking but it's a neat concept. I also can't picture it flying during the day because it's very noisy and it has a parachute attached to it. Maybe they'll use it during fireworks.

Here's a video of the dragon being tested at night. You can't really see it but you can definitely hear it as it's very noisy.


An anonymouse source says magical things happen in the Enchanted Forest.

Princess Fairytale Hall

There's a new sign and pictures outside what is going to be the new Princess Fairytale Hall. The pictures left me with more questions than answers. I'm wondering about the following:
Will all five princesses be in there at once or will it be three that rotate?
Will there be one line for all of them or will they have their own lines?
Where's Rapunzel going?
Will Aladdin meet alone in Adventureland?
What will happen to Tiana's gazebo?

I guess I'll find out the answers to those questions when it opens in 2013.





 

King Triton Gets A New Look

Under The Sea - Journey of the Little Mermaid hasn't officially opened yet and they're already making changes. King Triton's hair in the final scene has been changed. When the previews first started, he had rubber hair, like Ariel. Now he has more realistic looking hair.

Ariel's Grotto

Ariel's Grotto has opened in the new section of Fanasyland. It is located past the Journey of the Little Mermaid Ride.




The wait time sign was not working.


They had CM's standing outside the grotto holding a sign with the wait time on it.


The queue is located in a cavern.. It was pretty warm in there so I can't imagine waiting in there on a hot summer day. When you enter the queue, you keep moving up until you get to a CM. The CM will ask how many are in your party and then he'll send one group in at a time to meet Ariel.

I saw these lights on the ceiling as I was waiting for my turn.




Ariel is sitting on a clam shell. You get to sit next to her to have your picture taken with her. Just don't trip on the bottom part like I did.

Under The Sea - Journey Of The Little Mermaid

I was so excited to ride Under The Sea - Journey Of The Little Mermaid for the first time. I actually teared up during my first ride though. I guess it was because I was so happy and excited. My emotions really got the best of me. I don't think I've ever cried at Disney World before.

The ride was really great. The music was wonderful and the animatronics were amazing. I know that this is going to be a very popular ride. It also has fastpass, which you can get near Philharmagic.

After you get in your clamshell, you pass by Scuttle.


You then go backwards so you're under the sea and you can see Ariel above you.


Next, you see Ariel with her thingamabobs.

Journey Of The Little Mermaid: The Queue

The Under The Sea Journey Of The Little Mermaid has opened. I was able to ride it five times and it was so good. The queue is very long; the longest one I've seen at Disney World. You start outside, then go inside to four different rooms.

A ship with Ariel on it sits in front of Eric's castle.




Eric's castle.


You walk through here.


Go over a bridge.

Gaston joins Fantasyland

Gaston has started meeting his admirers in the new section of Fantasyland near his tavern. I can't even say enough good things about Gaston. He was amazing, charming, and so dashing. He was fun to talk to and it was fun listening to the conversations he had with other people. After I met him, I stood to the side taking pictures of him. He knew that I was taking pictures of him so in between guests he'd pose for me. He also posed for me in front of his statue. It was funny because I was thinking that I would love to get a picture of him in front of his statue and he posed for me without me even asking. Gaston must be a mind reader as well.







Gaston's statue is displayed in front of Gaston's Tavern. The fountain was a gift to the town from Gaston.


 

Here's a better view of Gaston's Tavern.


 Inside his tavern you can buy LeFou's Brew.


Of course I had to have one in a Gaston mug.

A Second Look at Enchanted Tales With Belle

I was able to experience Enchanted Tales With Belle again. The line was long and it was hot. I was in the last group that was let in which enabled me to get some better pictures of Maurice's cottage when I came back out.

A very cute new sign has been added. I just wish that Lumiere had a face.


There's also a wait time sign.


When you get to the queue, there's a sign pointing you to the standby line. I think it's safe to assume that the blank sign will be for the fastpass queue.
 

Day Report 27 - Magic Kingdom - May 2012

I left my house a little before 8:00 and was finally walking into Magic Kingdom at 9:05. I headed straight to Merida's meet and greet but it was full. So, I headed to Storybook Circus.

click pictures to view larger


I rode Dumbo, which had about a ten minute wait and then I walked on Barnstormer.