New Fantasyland debuts at Disney World

Fireworks lit the sky over Cinderella Castle during the grand opening of New Fantasyland at Walt Disney World Resort on Dec. 6.

The project was the largest expansion in the park’s 41-year history doubling the size of the original Fantasyland.

The Be Our Guest restaurant, which takes on a “Beauty and the Beast” theme, made news recently when it was announced that alcohol would be served during dinners there. It will be the first place in the Magic Kingdom to sell beer and wine.

Guests gathered around a fountain near Gaston’s Tavern.

Prince Eric’s castle is home to Ariel and her friends in “Under the Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid.” This new attraction will take guests through scenes from the popular animated feature film.

Tourists experienced the Under the Sea–Journey of the Little Mermaid ride in clamshells.

Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station is a water play area that opened in June.

A guest held a sign shaped like a Mickey Mouse face with a Canadian maple leaf.

Visitors can meet Minnie Magnifique (Minnie Mouse as a circus star), Madame Daisy Fortuna (Daisy Duck as a fortune teller), the Great Goofini (Goofy as a stunt pilot) and the Astounding Donaldo (Donald Duck as a snake charmer) at Storybook Circus.

“Dumbo, the Flying Elephant” has doubled in size, with two sets of the popular children’s ride now side-by-side, a decision made to cut down on the infamous lines the ride used to boast.

In addition, Dumbo now features an air conditioned waiting area, where riders will receive a beeper while children navigate the indoor playground until it’s time to ride.

Next door, The Barnstormer is a kid-friendly roller coaster.

At “Enchanted Tales With Belle,” young guests can iteract with the “Beauty and the Beast” star in a story-telling attraction.

Belle greeted a guest during the grand opening.

Princess Fairytale Hall will feature walls of stone and stained glass windows, a spacious gallery adorned with portraits of Disney princesses and elegantly finished rooms where guests can meet Aurora, Cinderella, and other princesses. The hall is scheduled to open in 2013.

The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train will be a swaying train of mine cars taking guests on a wild ride through the diamond mines. Some attractions in the new Fantasyland are not expected until 2014.