Magic Kingdom Fantasyland Review

New Fantasyland Delights

Both the Young and the Young at Heart

By Holly RobbinsI can still remember the old Skyway gondola ride that connected Tomorrowland to Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom. Since it closed in 1999, I’ve always thought there was something missing from the magic of Fantasyland. Boy are those days over.Disney has really upped the ante with New Fantasyland. New rides. New restaurants. New character experiences. And while Fantasyland was once thought of as the “kiddie” portion of the Magic Kingdom, even adults can’t help but get wrapped up in the magic.The starring attraction of New Fantasyland is the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. A twisting, turning, action-packed dark ride story-coaster, the Mine Train takes adventurers through the diamond and gem mine with the seven delightful dwarfs. Think Thunder Mountain Railroad but a smoother ride, an immersive theme, and animatronics so realistic you might just try to strike up a conversation with one of them. The ride begins, of all places, in the standby queue. Disney’s new focus on an interactive queue for several of its rides has made waiting an hour (or four!) not nearly as unbearable as times past. A touchscreen gem sorting game, a musical waterspout, and spinning barrels of gems that (if spun correctly) project a few familiar images on the ceiling of the vault. All that before you even get on the ride! As the mine “cart” approaches, you board to take a rip-roaring ride through the mine along with Sleepy, Sneezy, Dopey, Doc, Bashful, Happy and Grumpy. But don’t forget about Snow White and a “special guest” knocking at the door in the end!While the Mine Train takes care of the adventure, the immersive theming of Disney’s hottest new restaurant takes the concept of “living” the film to a whole new level. The Be Our Guest restaurant is themed, of course, completely around Disney’s beloved Beauty and the Beast movie. Serving lunch and dinner, the restaurant is housed within Beast Castle. The main dining room is the famous ballroom, complete with falling snow and chandeliers that would make the entire royal family jealous. Don’t miss out on the quick-service lunch here! It’s an experience you won’t soon forget!Other exciting additions to New Fantasyland include Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid, a slow moving dark ride, and Enchanted Tales with Belle, a unique new character experience fit for the prince or princess in all of us. A new merchandise location and the quick-service snack stop, Gaston’s Tavern (don’t miss out on Lefou’s Brew!), round out the best new additions to New Fantasyland.Princes and Princess of all ages will feel like royalty at the New Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom. If you’re ready to check out all the new exciting things going on at the Walt Disney World Resort, contact your Wishes Family Travel agent. If you’d like more information or for a free quote, you can email me at hollyr@wishesfamilytravel.com.