Fantasyland

Fantasyland is the signature land of Magic Kingdom, if for no other reason than the fact that there are so many attractions and experiences within it. But it’s also the home to so many beloved Disney animated classics. You can’t help find something to love about all of the different offerings. Unlike Disneyland, it doesn’t have many beloved dark rides that are signature to that park. But it does offer some wonderful experiences. Let’s check it out.

It begins with Cinderella Castle. The castle serves many functions beyond being the icon to the entire vacation resort. Every day shows like Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire take to the stage to entertain thousands of guests that flood in front of the hub. Along with Mickey and the gang, it features the stars of Princess and the Frog, Tangled, and Frozen.

Inside the castle is a dining experience known as Cinderella’s Royal Table. Besides its setting, Disney princesses make their appearance, to include Cinderella, who greets you as you enter. Beneath is Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, offering princess makeovers to young children. Additional apparel and accessories can be found nearby at Castle Couture.

Extending out into the courtyard, we see Prince Charming Regal Carrousel. This is a stunning collection of horses, carefully painted to include real gold leaf. Around it are several attractions. Mickey’s PhilarMagic is a 3D movie, with scenes from beloved Disney classics. It’s entertaining, has a large seating area, and is air conditioned.

Across the courtyard is Princess Fairytale Hall, offering a variety of princesses to meet ‘n’ greet. Don’t forget that you can also meet Merida down the path and beyond toward Tomorrowland. At Magic Kingdom, getting a photo with your favorite character is extremely popular. Most all character meet ‘n’ greets happen in designated spaces, not with the characters roaming around like in other places. Many even utilize FastPass+

“it’s a small world” does not compare well to its counterpart in Disneyland. But it’s still a strong attraction, and should be visited by any who have never been on the voyage to visit the children of the world.

Peter Pan’s Flight and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh are the two dark rides found in this park. While very different in story and delivery, they both have wonderful interactive queues for those waiting in the standby line. That’s fortunate, because these attractions always have a crowd. In Peter Pan’s Flight, you are carried away over London and into Neverland to fight the infamous Captain Hook.

In The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, you visit the Hundred Acre Wood on a rather blustery day to find woozles and heffalumps.

Beyond Winnie the Pooh lies the Mad Tea Party, a favorite for the young at heart as you spin around in a teacup.

Unique snacks and even more substantial fare can be found at The Friar’s Nook, Storybook Treats, and The Enchanted Grove. In the heart of Fantasyland is Pinocchio’s Village Haus, one of the larger counter service eateries, offering pizza and other Italian fare.

The newest portion of Fantasyland extends into two areas beyond the courtyards of the castle. Fantasyland Forest offers a step into several Disney classic worlds. The first is Beauty and the Beast where in Enchanted Tales with Belle, you can be transported through a magic mirror into an interactive experience.

As one approaches the distant castle of the Beast, you enter Be Our Guest, a top flight dining experience in the Beast’s castle. You cross a castle bridge and pass through an elegant back entrance into the castle carved into the mountains.

Here there are three dining rooms to choose from, the ballroom, the west end, and the portrait room. Lunch and breakfast is more of a counter-service affair, and dinner is a table service dining experience.

Nearby is Gaston’s Tavern, offering snacks to weary guests passing by. Souvenirs from the film can be found at Bonjour Village Gifts.

Gaston himself is available to meet ‘n’ greet guests just outside the store. He is clearly one of the most enjoyable characters to meet up with.

Down the path, everyone’s favorite mermaid is celebrated with a major ride through attraction, Under the Sea–Journey of The Little Mermaid, which relives great moments from the film as guests head below the waves.

Next door, a meet ‘n’ greet with the princess herself can be found at Ariel’s Grotto after riding the attraction, or stop for a treat at Prince Eric’s Village Market.

The big new attraction in Fanasyland, is Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train, a family coaster through the diamond mine of Snow White’s beloved friends. They come to live in the mine, and it is truly enchanting. Also, look out for Snow White herself, along with the quicken ween, I mean the wicked queen at the end.

At the end of Fantasyland lies Storybook Circus, with not one, but two spinners for Dumbo the Flying Elephant. This attraction has not only been enhanced with more elephants, the queue is an indoor interactive circus where guests can cool off until it’s time for them to board the next elephant.

A short fun coaster can be found next door with Goofy and The Barnstormer. Goofy, and several of his pals can be found across the way at Pete’s Silly Side Show.

While parents find favorite snacks and souvenirs at Big Top Souvenirs, kids can cool off with Casey Jr. Splash ‘n’ Soak Station, all the while waiting for the next locomotive of the Walt Disney World Railroad to arrive and pick up guests.

At night, Once Upon a Time offers one of the most amazing fireworks shows, along with projection mapping on the castle that is truly awesome. Having seen the castle fireworks shows all over the world, this is probably the most impressive shows of all. And when Tinker Bell comes down from the castle, well…it’s pure magic.

You could spend a full day at the Magic Kingdom exploring all of the stories found in Fantasyland. It is perhaps one of the biggest lands ever built around this theme, and it hosts plenty of activities for the young and young at heart.