Magic Kingdom Part 6 Fantasyland

WELCOME TO THE MOST MAGICAL PLACE ON EARTH......................WALT DISNEY WORLD!

We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.

- Walt Disney

Magic Kingdom theme park, one of 4 Theme Parks in Walt Disney World Resort, captures the enchantment of fairy tales with exciting entertainment, classic attractions, backstage tours and beloved Disney Characters.Designed like a wheel with the hub in front of Cinderella Castle, pathways spoke out across the 107 acres of Magic Kingdom theme park and lead to these 7 whimsical lands: Today's land is Fantasyland!

Ariel's Grotto:

One area in fantasyland is home to two princesses. One of which is Ariel. You can find Ariel at Ariel's Grotto. Fans of Ariel won't want to miss seeing the Little Mermaid in her home at the Magic Kingdom. Located behind Dumbo the Flying Elephant, fans can meet Ariel and get her autograph. This is a great place for kids to cool off in the water play area (there is also a covered area for the adults.)

Cinderella's Golden Carousel:

There's a lot of history behind Cinderella's Golden Carousel. Legend has it that Walt Disney was inspired to include a carousel after taking his daughters to the merry-go-round at LA's Griffith Park. It was built by Italian woodcarvers in 1917 and featured at Olympic Park in Maplewood, New Jersey. For trivia fans, it's technically the oldest attraction in Fantasyland. It plays Disney tunes as it spins.

When Disney acquired it, the company artists refurbished the 90 horses so that no two are exactly alike. There are eighteen hand- painted scenes that tell the story of Cinderella on the wooden canopy that covers this attraction. This 2 minute ride is perfect for young children. This is considered a minor attraction but it is a bit slow loading so there may be a line.

Dumbo The Flying Elephant:

It's hard to think of a ride that's more of a Disney classic than Dumbo the Flying Elephant. It takes you soaring over the Magic Kingdom. It's a very popular attraction so you would want to get their right away if you want to ride it.

Sixteen gondolas of this adorable wide-eyed baby elephant with the oversized ears carefully circle a small hot air balloon with Dumbo's friend, Timothy Mouse atop. Definitely not a thrill ride for the older set, it is still exciting for the younger children as is evident by the long lines for this popular attraction. (The lines are basically a result of the slow loading of this 2 minute ride.) To avoid an excessive wait, head here first thing when the park opens or, when staying at a Disney Resort, take advantage of the morning Extra Magic Hour.

It's a small world:

The “legend” has it that if you ride it’s a small world at Disney World or Disneyland, the song will stay in your head forever, its a small world after all. It’s cool to dis this ride as a cliché or for being “just for kids.” People will tell you that they avoid it like the plague. These are the same people that will turn around and moan that the Carousel of Progress should be saved, or that they never should have taken out Mr. Toad ’s Wild Ride. Their reasoning is that these are Walt Disney’s Legacy (this should be said in an extremely reverent tone.) Let’s talk about that. Many of the older, or original if you prefer, attractions at Disneyland and Disney World have Walt’s touch. Walt and his team of Imagineers, led by artist and designer Mary Blair, created it’s a small world as tribute to the children of the world for the UNICEF pavilion at the 1964/65 World’s Fair. The Sherman Brothers, responsible for a big chunk of Disney music (ex Mary Poppins) originally wrote the theme song as a ballad. Legend has it that Walt told them he needed something “peppy” that would last throughout the ride. It was decided that the song you love to hate was sped up and sung as a round. What you see today is very close to Walt’s original attraction for the World’s Fair. Seems like a pretty good pedigree to me. After the World’s Fair ended, it’s a small world was moved to Disneyland, where it remains one of the park’s premiere attractions. It has also been a staple of Disney World since 1971.

This classic ride has recently undergone after a year long rehab. While the exterior of Disneyland’s version has undergone changes, some good, some bad, Disney World’s version had remained stuck in 1971. There had been some minor modifications, but for the most part it had remained that brightly colored attraction that people love and love to hate, until very recently. Mary Blair ’s original concept for the ride was a vision in stark white and gold. The huge smiling clock face that adorns Disneyland’s version is known to millions as the face of it’s a small world. This is the classic look for this attraction. Walt Disney World’s version now has the classic “Mary Blair” look. The mechanics of the loading area has remained, for the most part, the same. Everything else about the loading area has been changed. There are recognizable silhouettes of world landmarks all done in different textures and white and highlighted in gold. We also now have our very own clock tower with the “seesawing” clock face. (I was told that every 15 minutes there will be a surprise involving the clock). The ride itself has been brought back to its original splendor. (After 33 years, some of those kids were looking a bit raggedy). They have new costumes, new wigs and new paint. If they originally sparkled, they sparkle again. The mechanics of the ride have also been updated. The click clacking noise often heard in the past is gone.. In addition, the soundtrack has been restored as well. The sound is crisp and clear. And the best part ….all the visible wear and tear on the building itself, that has been so apparent….has been fixed. It’s like a brand new attraction.

Alice's Mad Tea Party:

If you like to spin, you will love the Alice in Wonderland inspired Mad Tea Party.
You sit in oversized teacups and you can spin a lot or a little - the entire ride spins, but each teacup can spin individually as well. If you have a sensitive tummy or suffer from motion sickness, definitely skip this attraction.

If you're an Alice in Wonderland fan, she often does character meet and greets at the garden surrounding this attraction as well as the Mad Hatter, Tweedle Dee, Tweedle Dum, etc. The Mad Tea Party is a great backdrop for a souvenir photo.
This ride is a virtual little kid magnet. They love the spinning motion, especially being able to turn the teacups themselves. Because it's on the slow side to load/unload, long lines are not uncommon. It's best to head here first thing in the morning (and you may want to have breakfast after riding it.)

Mickey's Philarmagic:

Mickey’s PhilharMagic, the 3-D attraction at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is beyond compare. Taking three years to complete, and using the combined efforts of Walt Disney Feature Animation and the Walt Disney Imagineering teams, this production brings to life Disney Magic on the big screen.It’s show time! But wait, the orchestra is missing! This may be Mickey’s Orchestra, but Donald steals the show - literally. The mischief that follows Donald is hysterically appropriate for our short-tempered friend.

The show brings you on a magical trip through many of your favorite Disney films. In hot pursuit of his runaway "prize", Donald is asked to "Be our Guest" by Lumiere (Beauty and the Beast), washed away by brooms (Fantasia), joins Ariel under the sea wishing she could be "Part of that world". He flies high above London with Peter Pan and Tinker Bell, sees that Simba "Just can’t wait to be King", and led by Aladdin and Jasmine on a Magic Carpet Ride through a "Whole New World" before Mickey saves the day. From start to finish you are totally immersed into the world of animation with the sights, the sounds and even the smells. This is the kind of thing that people come to the Magic Kingdom to see. The ability of Imagineers and Artists of Disney to take you out of reality and bring you into their world is exclusively Disney.To give you an idea of the immense scale of this attraction, the theater houses the world’s largest seamless movie screen. With Computer Generated Images (CGI) you forget that you’re sitting in a theater wearing 3-D glasses. An attraction that can’t be missed, Mickey's PhilharMagic combines your favorite Disney Characters and the latest in computer animation. This combination of people and technology brings only one question to mind: "What else does Disney have in store for us?"

Peter Pan's Flight:

There's something about Peter Pan's Flight that makes it one of the most popular attractions in the Magic Kingdom. It's about as low tech as you can get and hasn't changed since it opened over 30 years ago. There are no fancy animatronics and a lot of the 'special effects' are created via glow in the dark paint. It's a very simple ride, especially by today's standards. Still, there's that Disney magic that makes it special in a way that's hard to describe.

There's something about Peter Pan's Flight that makes it one of the most popular attractions in the Magic Kingdom. It's about as low tech as you can get and hasn't changed since it opened over 30 years ago. There are no fancy animatronics and a lot of the 'special effects' are created via glow in the dark paint. It's a very simple ride, especially by today's standards. Still, there's that Disney magic that makes it special in a way that's hard to describe. Maybe it's the fact that your pirate ship 'flies'. You're looking down as you fly over the Darling's nursery, London, past the mermaids, and through the battle between Captain Hook and Peter Pan. The Croc is waiting for his nemesis in the end. This is an attraction that you definitely should try to experience. Don't be surprised if you feel like a kid again who believes that with a little faith, trust and pixie dust you can fly.

Snow White's Scary Adventures:

Snow White's Scary Adventure may lull you into thinking it's okay for the pre-school set. The fear factor kicks in from the start when you see Snow White's stepmother become the Wicked Witch. That means your little one may very well keep his/her eyes jammed shut for the rest of the ride.

You go through the dark and spooky woods, you see the Dwarf's and their cottage, the witch gets what's coming to her (YAY!!), and in the end Snow White's prince saves the day. It's very low tech and there's rarely a wait.

Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh:

Some of the most enchanting stories of the world’s favorite “silly old bear” are illustrated in the Magic Kingdom’s “The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.” The whimsical queue sets the stage as enormous pages from some of Pooh’s charming stories such as “The Search for Honey” come to life. The “hunny pot” vehicles seat 4 guests.Your journey begins as you join the Hundred Acre Wood gang- Piglet, Owl, Gopher, Kanga, Roo, and Tigger- as you get blown away with “The Blustery Day.” Discover the wonderful thing about Tiggers as you bounce along with A.A. Milne’s cutest tiger. Enter Pooh’s dream sequence and try to ward off those honey-stealing Heffalumps and Woozles. Your hunny pot floats along in the “Floody Place” where you witness the rescue of Piglet from the Floody Place Falls. Special effects, fiber optics, lighting and music enhance your journey as you relive Pooh’s exciting adventures.

There is also a spot where you can meet pooh and his friends. The place is called Pooh's playful spot. The 100 Acre Woods comes to life in this interactive play area. There's "Pooh Sticks Bridge" with fallen logs, the splash area "Floody Place", and oversized Heffelump Honeypots leading to Rabbit's Garden. Pooh's Playful Spot is located opposite the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.

Cinderella's Royal Castle:

Cinderella's Castle the main entrance to Fantasyland, is the most photographed building at Walt Disney World. Over the years, it has undergone some changes, from being transformed to a large, pink, candy trimmed 25th Anniversary cake, to the more ornate gold-trimmed spectacle that was added to the facade during the Happiest Celebration on Earth. Standing at 180 feet tall, the graceful spires and towers were inspired by the French castles of the 12th and 13th century, as well as Disney's animated feature, Cinderella. The fairy tale Castle may look like the real thing, but it is actually made out of steel beams and fiberglass, not bricks.

Inside the Castle you'll see the Disney family coat of arms displayed. As you walk through the Castle, you'll see the intricate mosaic murals. These colorful masterpieces are made from over a million pieces of Italian glass in addition to real silver and 14 karat gold pieces. The five 15' by 10' murals tell the "happily ever after" story of Cinderella. On the second floor is the Cinderella's Royal Table restaurant. Calling for advance dining reservations (ADRs) is a must for this popular character dining venue. One of the upper floors is the Cinderella Suite. Built for the "Year of a Million Dreams" promotion, an overnight stay here was one of the most sought after prizes Disney offered. The forecourt area of the Castle is home to stage productions as the "Kids of the Kingdom" and Disney characters perform daily. In the back courtyard area, you'll find a fountain with a bronze statue of Cinderella and her mouse and bird friends. Make a wish! The rose gardens in front of the Castle are a great spot to relax and simply absorb the magic that's around.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

Following the popularity of Downtown Disney's Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, a second salon has opened in Cinderella's Castle. This salon caters to children ages 3 and up (with no maximum age limit.)
Package Prices:

COACH: Hair style and shimmering makeup - $53.20 with tax
CROWN: Hair style, shimmering makeup and nails - $58.53 with tax
CASTLE: Hair style, shimmering makeup and nails plus full Princess costume with accessories and photo package (one 6x8 and four 4x6 pix) - starts at $202.30 with tax
COOL DUDE: Hair style, colored gels and a Mickey stencil - $7.50 (w/o tax)
The hairstyle choices are Disney Diva, Fairytale Princess or Pop Princess. All packages include a sash.
For the "prince" the Cool Dude look includes hair gel with confetti.
The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique has 11 chairs and is open from 8:00am till 7:00pm. (Hours may vary should a special event be scheduled.)
Since the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is located in the Magic Kingdom, theme park admission is required.

Restaurants:

Cinderella's Royal Table - Table Service
Food/Dining Type: American
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Character
Location:Magic Kingdom/ Cinderella Castle
Reservations:Required
Hours:8:05 am- Varies
Disney Dining Plan:YES (Signature Restaurant Credit)
Tables in Wonderland: YES

Pinocchio Village Haus - Counter Service
Food/Dining Type: Quick Service
Meals:Lunch, Dinner,
Location:Magic Kingdom / Fantasyland
Reservations:Not Accepted
Hours:10:30- Varies
Disney Dining Plan: YES (Quick Service/Snack Credit)

Mrs. Potts Cupboard - Snacks (Ice cream, floats, shakes)
Food/Dining Type: Snacks
Location: Magic Kingdom / Fantasyland near the Mad Tea Party
Reservations:Not Accepted
Hours:10:30am- Varies
Disney Dining Plan: NO

The Enchanted Grove - Lemonade slushes, Strawberry Swirls, and juices.
Food/Dining Type: Snacks
Location:Magic Kingdom / Fantasyland
Reservations: Not Accepted
Hours: 10:00am- 6:00pm
Disney Dining Plan: NO

Shopping:

Fantasy Faire - Mickey's PhilharMagic merchandise.
Kodak Kiosk - Film, film processing, and photo items.
Pooh's Thotful Shop - Winnie the Pooh merchandise.
Seven Dwarfs Mine - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs dolls, costumes, clothing and sleepwear.
Sir Mickeys - Adult wear. Hats, snow globes, trinkets and penny press.Tinker Bell's Treasures

Shows and Events:

Dream along with Mickey

Taking place in the forecourt of Cinderella's Castle, 'Dream Along with Mickey' features everyone's favorite Mouse and Disney characters. This dream inspired show touches on "Happily Ever After" as well as dreams of exciting adventures. This show actually focuses on Donald Duck (who once again, does not get top billing, same as with Mickey's PhilharMagic.) The Disney characters join in helping Donald realize his dreams. Minnie, Peter Pan and Sleeping Beauty are among the talented performers. A villain that is rarely seen outside of the parades is part of this production. Sleeping Beauty's Maleficent is intent on turning Donald's dreams into nightmares. As with every great Disney tale, good conquers evil and the result is a fun, character filled finale. 'Dream Along with Mickey' is performed daily. Check the park schedule for the day's performances. Fairy Tale Garden is nestled beside Cinderella's Castle. This sweet little grotto is home to Belle's Storytime. Several times throughout the day, Belle (from Beauty and the Beast) arrives to read a story to the children and mingle with them afterwards. This venue is quite small, lending to the intimate setting. During the holiday season, it becomes "Belle's Enchanted Christmas."

Sword in the Stone. This was a cute ceremony where Merlin chose a child to pull the sword out of the stone. (That thing didn't budge otherwise.) It took place in front of the Carousel and was a nice little diversion to watch. The lucky child chosen would always have the power to pull the sword out and a special celebration followed. The new "ruler of the realm" would be outfitted with a robe and crown and presented with a keepsake medallion and certificate.