WHEN "NEW FANTASYLAND" WAS NEW!

It can't be true, but it is!  The Magic Kingdom's "New Fantasyland" has been around for a couple of  years now.

   It seems like yesterday when we received an invitation to attend a soft opening event for the New Fantasyland.  We were excited and honored to get to preview the newest addition to Walt Disney World.

We almost blew it!
   We had visited the Magic Kingdom the day before the preview.  While we took a break to rest on a bench somewhere near "City Hall" in the Main Street USA area, I managed to leave my folder with all of our trip plans AND the printed invitation for the New Fantasyland preview!  I didn't realize what I had done until we got back to our room that evening (A Royal room at Port Orleans Riverside).

We didn't get lost, but the signs were helpful

   We went back the next day (preview day), and went straight to guest relations to explain what had happened.  The Cast Members were sympathetic and understanding, and were able to get us 2 wrist bands so that we could attend the event.  Ahh.... Disney Magic!

The wrist bands made us feel like "VIP's"!

Be Our Guest Restaurant 
 The first thing we wanted to see was The Beast's Castle and The Be Our Guest Restaurant.  They weren't serving lunch or dinners yet, but they were allowing guests to tour the place.  It was impressive, and we looked forward to eating there.

I like this place already

The Entry way was very regal

The main ballroom is very large, and quite stunning

This guy looks a little worried about the crowds Be Our Guest Restaurant will attract!

Under the Sea: The Journey of the Little Mermaid

The Journey of the little mermaid was open, and was another beautiful attraction.  We got in line and again, we were very impressed with it's design.

Prince Eric's Castle is cool!

Oh man, I LOVE Waterfalls!

It is a great ride.  A really well done addition to The Magic Kingdom's lineup.  There are lots of details to enjoy from the moment you get into the line, all the way through the winding queue, through the ride itself, and even the exit is really well done.


























Story Book Circus area
   The Story Book Circus area of New Fantasyland had already been open, and we got to enjoy the "Double Dumbo" ride, as well as the Casey Jr. Splash n' Soak, The Great Goofini, and the new Train Station.

The new "Double Dumbo" is a winner!

If you haven't been to BIG TOP SOUVENIRS - You're missing a fun place with some great snacks!

It is a great part of the New Fantasyland area, and adds a lot of color and fun to The Magic Kingdom.

Enchanted Tales with Belle

   I wasn't too sure about this attraction, but knew I HAD to scout it out for future trips with our Granddaughter, and at the time, we didn't know we'd soon have 2 Granddaughters to bring for future WDW trips.

We did the attraction and were just blown away by the whole experience!

Grandma & Grandpa were pretty amazed

It's not a ride, but it's more than a show!

An unexpected favorite
   My personal, and very unexpected, surprise of the whole tour was Gaston's Tavern.  The little eatery was great.  Serving a Pork Shank... A PORK SHANK!  A HUNK OF MEAT ON A BONE!  That's what Grandpa Dan's talkin' about!

"Grandpa Dan food"!

   The imagineers did a great job with this place.  I've never even seen the whole movie, but I enjoyed hanging out here.  A Pork Shank, a LeFou's Brew, and a giant Cinnamon Roll made me very, very happy! (Don't worry - I shared it with Grandma!)

It makes me want to see the movie!

All of the nice touches

The Beast's castle in the background

   I think what impressed me the most was just the way it all turned out.  It's not a land filled with attractions, but the design, the feel of this section of Fantasyland is enjoyable, almost comforting.

"Le Toilettes"

And there was more to come! 

   The main event was still being worked on as we toured.  The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train was nothing but steel and concrete, partially hidden behind construction walls, but plenty of rails in sight to cause lots of excitement and anticipation.

We could only imagine what this ride would be like when it's finished!

It was an amazing day
   After making the rounds a few times, we were pleased with the way things turned out.  Knowing that the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride would probably be ready for us when we returned to WDW's Magic Kingdom kept the anticipation going.  Now, a couple of years later, New Fantasyland isn't such a big deal to most WDW fans.

Happy "Sneak Previewers"

   It's not a mystery to anyone anymore.  But we will long remember how we felt like special invited guests to get that sneak preview!