Cast Member’s Corner: A Peek Inside The New Fantasyland

During my recent visit to Disney World my boyfriend and I were privileged enough to get a sneak peek at the New Fantasyland.  We were enjoying the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party when we thought we would stop by and see if there were holding viewings.  They said that they probably would start holding some previews once the actual party started.  While we were deciding what to do, wait around or go on more rides, a manager came over.  He asked us how many were in our party and after finding another couple told us to follow him.  He directed us straight over to Maurice’s Cottage.  He said we would be allowed to see all of the New Fantasyland but would have to start at the cottage.  I was encouraged to take as many pictures as I wanted.

We were the only people walking up the queue with a great view of Beast’s Castle. Once we made it into the cottage we found that we were only there with ten other people.  We had a great time looking around at all the knick knacks from Belle’s childhood home.  There are peaks into her childhood that bring farther into the story than ever before.  We were then allowed into Maurice’s workshop.  We got to see prototypes and sketches from the movie and more.  We also got to see the Magic Mirror.  With a little bit of enchantment we were transported to my favorite place Beast’s Library!  Though we never got to see the Beast, we did get to see Belle, Lumiere, and Wardrobe!  When we were done and Belle was on her way to see the Beast we got a sneak peak at the Be Our Guest Restaurant!  The Cast Members paid extreme attention to detail.  We crossed the bridge to get us to Beast’s Castle.  Though we were not allowed into the ballroom we were allowed to take a look at the menu and all around.  There is a hallway with the enchanted suits of armor and of course the floor to ceiling windows at the end of the ballroom.  There is a West Wing and an East Wing.  It is jaw dropping to see!

We then got to make our way over to Gaston’s Tavern.  It is decorated as if you stepped right into the movie.  It is exactly what you would expect from Gaston.  Though they did not have the food ready just yet they did have their signature Lefou’s Brew ready and waiting.  Not only was it flowing into tankards just waiting to taken up, but it’s gluten free!  It tasted like frozen apple juice with a little sweetness from other fruits.  It’s a great drink for the young and old especially on a warm summer day.

There’s a small themed gift shop that separates Beauty and the Beast’s area from their new neighbor Ariel and Eric.  It has lots of beautiful Beauty and The Beast items for sale, just make sure to say bonjour and au revoir!  We made our way over to Prince Eric’s Castle.  As you walk up you feel like you are looking up at the castle like Ariel did from the ocean.  The best part is you walk right into the castle to get onto the Under The Sea ride!  While you wait you will meet up with Scuttle and a mess of crabs in the new interactive queue.  We boarded our seashells and headed under the sea.  To my pleasant surprise even my boyfriend liked it, and wanted to go on again!

Back above sea level we made our way to see everyone’s favorite mermaid, Ariel.  We made our way into the caverns just past Eric’s Castle to meet her, my boyfriend was less than thrilled but I was extremely excited to see the new Ariel’s Grotto.  With no line and no wait we got to spend a lot of time talking with her.  It was very quiet and you don’t have other guests peaking in on you so you do feel like you are the only ones there with Ariel.

Sadly that was the end of the preview for the New Fantasyland.  Construction is constantly taking place and you can see part of the track for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Cart Roller Coaster.  It wont be completed until 2014 but they have started serving food in the Be Our Guest Restaurant during some of the viewings.  If the rest of the New Fantasyland is anything like the parts that are already completed than it will definitely not disappoint.  You’ll feel like you’re a part of your favorite Disney Classics.  So until it’s finished and you visit again, have faith, trust, and as always Disney has that extra pinch of pixie dust just waiting for you!

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Jess was born and raised on Long Island, New York but once college began so did her adventures. She’s lived in Florida, Wisconsin, and now South Carolina. Her family is part of the Disney Vacation Club and has been visiting since she was a little girl, and continuously goes every year. Besides being a big Disney fan she has also been a Disney Cast Member working in Magic Kingdom, and she counts it as one of the most magical experiences. She worked with everyone’s favorite elephant Dumbo, Cinderella’s Carousel, and Mickey’s Philharmagic. Jess has also visited Disneyland, Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, and gone on two Disney Cruises. She has so many great memories from Disney besides running half marathons and 5ks, birthday parties, and family reunions. If asked where she would want to go it is almost always Disney, and when asked why, it is almost always because she can eat awesome gluten free food! And it doesn’t hurt that there is always faith, trust, and pixie dust with magic in the air!