Magic Kingdom: Fantasyland

Lake Buena Vista, Florida: When people envision the Magic Kingdom, they see Cinderella’s Castle, Dumbo flying high in the air and even hear the repetitive voices of It’s A Small World. All of these attractions and more can be found in Fantasyland, one of the most popular portions of the Magic Kingdom.

As you pass through Cinderella’s Castle, you are whisked away to a land where dreams come true. Children’s eyes light up as they enter Fantasyland, an area of the park designed with them in mind.

The icon of the land and the park is Cinderella Castle. The 189 foot castle can be seen throughout the park and serves as the central hub of the park. While there is no rides or attractions inside the castle, it is home to a restaurant, store and a private guest suite.

Straight ahead once you pass the castle is the Prince Charming Regal Carrousel. The carrousel features hand painted scenes from the movie Cinderella. Here riders can ride one of 90 horses and take a two minute ride while listening to classic Disney songs played on the rides organ.

Next is one of the newer additions to Fantasyland. Mickey’s PhilharMagic opened in 2005 and replaced the Legend of the Lion King. Join Mickey and his friends in a 12 minute 4-D musical performance. With Donald and Goofy in the mix, there is plenty of laughs to be had.

After the show, move next door and take a flight with the boy who can fly in Peter Pan’s Flight. Board a galleon ship and take a journey to Neverland. Help Peter Pan rescue the Darlings from Captain Hook then return back to the nursery safely. The ride was one of the parks original attractions and is an improved version of the original located at Disneyland in California.

Then its time to get that song stuck in your head again. Since opening day, It’s A Small World as been entertaining riders with an inside look at different cultures around the world, all while singing the namesake song. The ride features over 400 animatronics dolls.

Its time to go flying again, this time Timothy Mouse will direct your flight aboard Dumbo the Flying Elephant. Board one of sixteen elephant and take a short flight above Fantasyland. You can control how high or how low your elephant travels on this ride. This flying elephant has entertained millions of riders since the park opening in 1971.

Afterwards its time for another opening day park favorite, the Mad Tea Party. Board a tea cup and having a spinning good time themed after the Unbirthday Party from Alice and Wonderland. Riders can control how fast their teacup spins as it rotates around the teapot. Watch carefully as the Dormouse pops his head out of the teapot several times during the ride.

As you turn and head back towards Cinderella Castle, the next ride in our clockwise journey through Fantasyland is the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. Hop onboard a honey pot and take a ride through with Pooh and friends through the Hundred Acre Woods. Opened in 1999, this ride replaced Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. The Imagineers pay tribute to the old ride with a few subtle characters from the previous ride integrated into the new ride.

The last ride in Fantasyland is Snow White’s Scary Adventures. This two minute dark ride takes its riders though a look into the life of Snow White. But unlike the happy fairy tales rides you have come to expect in Fantasyland, this one focuses more on the wicked witch then the princess.

In addition to the rides and attractions above, Fantasyland is also a great place to grab a bite to eat. Here are the restaurants found here:
  • Cinderella’s Royal Table: princess character meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
  • Enchanted Grove: drinks.
  • Friars Nook: hot dogs, French fries and more.
  • Mrs. Potts Cupboard: ice cream, milkshakes and more.
  • Pinocchio Village Haus: pizza, meatball subs, chicken nuggets and more.

Fantasyland is also home to the following shops:

  • Fantasy Faire: items inspired from Mickey’s PhilharMagic.
  • Pooh’s Thotful Shop: Winnie the Pooh themed merchandise.
  • Seven Dwarf’s Mine: merchandise from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
  • Sir Mickey’s: Mickey themed merchandise and clothing.
  • Tinker Bell’s Treasures: Disney princess merchandise and clothing.

While many of the attractions in Fantasyland are original opening day attractions from 1971, the land has witness some changes with plenty more on the way. In 2009, Disney announced the plans to expand Fantasyland, the expansion is called Fantasyland Forest and will showcase the Disney princesses and fairies. The expansion will be completed in phases, phase one is scheduled to open in 2012 with the entire project being completed by 2013.

Click on the photo above for pictures from Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom.

Updated November 6, 2010

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