Big news via Disney Parks Blog today: http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/08/new-fantasyland-grand-opening-set-for-december-6-at-magic-kingdom-park-at-walt-disney-world-resort/.
Previews for New Fantasyland begin November 19th with the grand opening scheduled on December 6th 2012. Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid, Be Our Guest Restaurant, Enchanted Tales with Belle, Ariel’s Grotto, Gaston’s Tavern and Bonjour! Village Gifts will open at that time.
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So if you’re not an annual pass holder, you cannot enter the new area until December 6th? We’ll be there until the 5th- will we be able to go in?
It should just say “previews” begin November 19th. Anything more specific would just be speculation on how they decide to do it.
Kind of bummed. Hope there are some soft openings before the previews. We are leaving on November 16 and currently have that day scheduled for MK.
May need to rearrange my schedule… we’ll be there then but were supposed to be done with MK by the 4th. It’s EMH morning at MK that day… hmmm…
How do you think the opening will affect the crowds in early December? We are there Dec 8 – 14. We were there that week last year and chose it again because the crowds were totally manageable, but now I wonder if it will be a little crazy with people anxious to see the new FL.
When the expansion was first announced, I thought it was mentioned that they would have Briar Rose’s (Sleeping Beauty) cottage. But I don’t think I ever heard it mentioned again. Any info???
I second Katy’s question – how will this affect crowds? We will be there Dec 8-13, and also chose that time frame for lower crowds. Josh, have you experienced the weekend after a big debut before? Were there a lot of locals, and in general, more crowds?
Bev – I haven’t heard a word of that. I think she might be one of the less popular of the main princesses and will just be relegated to the Princess Hall. Or they could incorporate the cottage into the final bits that get done after the Belle/Ariel sections come online this year – we do still have the Princess M&G and the Mine Train to go, after all.
I wish they’d open up registration for those AP FLE preview dates. I never seem to get the AP emails for some reason, so I’m worried I’ll be too late to register by the time I find out!
@Bev and keri
They originally were going to have cottages in Fantasyland Forest, but that whole princessy plan was scrapped when they went back to a previous plan (now set in motion) of doing the Seven Dwarfs Mine Coaster (part of which will show Snow White’s cottage, or I guess it was the dwarfs’ cottage). The princesses will have their permanent meet (whomever doesn’t have a set “home”) once the Princess Fairy Tale Hall opens in place of where the old Snow White ride was, in late 2013. I think Ariel’s supposed to be at Ariel’s Grotto when it opens, and Belle will be in her BATB realm, so others who don’t have “permanent” homes will be in the fairy tale hall. And I don’t know yet how that affects the Town Square Theater meet that currently has 2-3 princesses (Rapunzel just until 4 pm each day).
^ just found something to support what I said about the princesses, from wdwmagic today: “Located in the Castle Courtyard in the center of Fantasyland, Princess Fairytale Hall will be the new home for visiting royalty in the Magic Kingdom. The castle-like entrance will feature walls of stone and stained glass windows, opening up into a large gallery – an airy space with a high ceiling, where portraits of the Disney princesses adorn the walls. When it’s time for their audience with a princess, guests will proceed to elegantly finished rooms to meet Aurora, Cinderella and other Disney princesses, such as Tiana and Rapunzel (2013).”
And they also announced that the rest of Storybook Circus will open December 6th, too – Pete’s Silly Sideshow (meet’n'greet with Minnie, Daisy, Donald and Goofy) and Big Top Souvenirs.
Also just missing my trip ending Nov 17. Hopefully they’ll have some soft openings in advance of the peview even…
I wonder how the soft openings/previews will effect Thanksgiving week crowds since they soft openings begin on the Monday before Thanksgiving.
It was clarified in the comments section that the November 19th previews IS the beginning of soft openings.
“The preview period gives regular park guests a chance to experience the new area and its attractions prior to the grand opening in December. During a preview period, attractions and experiences may experience limited operating hours.”
And this is why we planned for January. YESSSSSSSSSSS! Gaston’s tavern!
Awesome, my mid December Christmas Vacay is looking even better. Just need to know when Be Our Guest starts taking ADRs.. Thanks Josh.
RebeccaMcK said “And they also announced that the rest of Storybook Circus will open December 6th, too – Pete’s Silly Sideshow (meet’n’greet with Minnie, Daisy, Donald and Goofy) and Big Top Souvenirs.”
Do you think the meet and greet opportunities in Pete’s Silly Sideshow will have a soft opening and be open before December 6th?
“Just need to know when Be Our Guest starts taking ADRs.”
Attractions Magazine tweeted that reservations will open on August 28. https://twitter.com/attractions/status/233170255462166528
Thank you Christie, that helps so I can start the reconnaissance web runs. ;0)
@Stacy
I don’t know…maybe? Perhaps Josh and some of the other AP holders we know here can check that out during the preview time in November. I wish I could go…that’s just after my birthday (mid November). Since we’re not moving there now, maybe Hubby would let me go do a solo trip, lol (but I don’t have an AP anyway).
@Meghan Remember, Gaston’s tavern won’t actually have alcohol. Just butterbeer….ummm… I mean root beer and maybe an original butterscotch drink!
My cousin, who works indirectly for Disney, was at a soft/preview opening of Car’s land at DCA, i.e. before the general public could wander around. There weren’t even a tenth of people that were there for the official opening and there still were 3+ hour waits for rides. You probably don’t want to be there for any “soft/preview” opening, or anywhere near the place shortly after it opens.
Kiiiiiiiiind of glad my December trip ends 12/5. #madhouse #stampede
I’ve been hesitant to book a trip for next February because if we went before the Ariel ride opened the world as we know it would end. It looks like things are going on schedule. Nice!
Josh – just curious what you think the FLE opening will do to MK crowds that week. TP increased their crowd numbers for Dec 6-9, including the typically-very slow Party days. But it seems like they’re just guessing as to the impact. What are your thoughts?