Fantasyland - Exploring the World, One Land at a Time

Everyone knows "Four Parks, One World", but each of those parks is made up of multiple, themed "Lands". Each land contains it's own unique decor, dining, experiences and history. With so much to do and see, it's easy to miss many of the details that make these lands special in their own way. This series will explore each of these lands in detail to show how they are part of the Magic that is Walt Disney World resort.

As we leave Colonial America, we step into a world of Fantasy. This is where all of our most-loved fairy tales come to life and we leave the real world behind. In December, 2012, the largest-ever expansion in Magic Kingdom made it's debut, New Fantasyland, adding more rides, restaurants, shops, and magic.

“Here is the world of imagination, hopes, and dreams. In this timeless land of enchantment, the age of chivalry, magic and make-believe are reborn - and fairy tales come true. Fantasyland is dedicated to the young-in-heart, to those who that when you wish upon a star, your dreams come true.”-Walt Disney Co.

Cinderella Castle serves as the icon for Magic Kingdom park and the gateway to Fantasyland. It stands more than 100 feet taller than Sleeping Beauty castle in Disneyland at 189 feet high. Imagineers used forced perspective to make the castle appear much higher while keeping the actual height under 200 feet, which would have required it to have an airplane beacon on top. You can walk through the castle to see a beautiful retelling of Cinderella's story in mosaic tiles. It also serves as the backdrop for several of the most popular shows in Magic Kingdom. 

Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire debuted in June, 2016 replacing the long-running "Dream Along with Mickey". In this castle stage show, Mickey and his friends celebrate the stories of some of the more recent Disney animated classics, including Frozen, Tangled and The Princess and the Frog. 

Every young girl dreams of being a princess. And what better place to become one than the Magic Kingdom? At the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique inside Cinderella Castle, girls between 3 and 12 years old can have a magical makeover and become any princess they wish. The boutique is very popular and requires reservations. You can call (407) WDW-STYLE for info and reservations.

You can also feel like royalty as you dine inside Cinderella Castle! Cinderella's Royal Table serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Upon entering, you will be greeted by Cinderella and also meet some of her friends throughout your meal. Possibly the most popular restaurant in WDW, reservations are a must! 

Each day, the fantasy spreads throughout the kingdom with the Festival of Fantasy parade. This new parade pays homage to the unbridled magic and vivid pageantry of Fantasyland and its many inhabitants. Many floats feature moving and spinning parts not normally found in Disney parades. The most notable new piece is the Maleficent dragon float that spits actual fire! 

At night, the castle features two magnificent shows. Once Upon a Time is a spellbinding nighttime show that brings Cinderella Castle to life with projections of beloved Disney scenes and characters. The grand finale of the night is the Happily Ever After fireworks show.

Beyond the castle walls, we explore this land of Fantasy. A true classic, Prince Charming's Regal Carousel is a classic carousel featuring 90 horses and hand-painted scenes from Cinderella. It also plays organ music based on Disney classics.

Mickey's Philharmagic is a 4D film spectacular. It features 3D effects, scents and water. You can enjoy a cast full of Disney characters on a 150-foot wide screen and see what mayhem occurs when Donald tries on the sorcerer's hat!

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh has an interactive queue filled with activities with your Hundred Acre Wood friends followed by a ride that will have you gliding, bouncing and swirling through the pages of some of Pooh's most-loved stories.

On Peter Pan's Flight, you can "fly" through the storybook world of Peter Pan just like the Darling children. This suspended, dark ride takes you on a journey to Neverland. For reasons I personally don't understand, this ride regularly experiences exceptionally long wait times. Getting a fastpass is recommended.

Love it or hate it? Either way, once you hear the song "It's a Small World", written by the Sherman Brothers, you just can't get it out of your head! This classic Disney ride takes you on a boat ride through beautifully colored scenes depicting audio-animatronic children from around the world. The design and color styling is attributed to Mary Blair, an art director on several Disney animated film. No trip to a Disney park is complete without it.

A new atmosphere group called the Royal Majesty Makers engage boys and girls in random acts of "royaldom" endowing them with the skills to become princes and princesses. You can receive lessons in swordsmanship, dance to medieval tunes and more! You may even receive an invitation to the royal ball! Check your Times Guide for show times!

Princess Fairytale Hall is the meet and greet location for some of the most famous Disney princesses. Here you can be sure to find Cinderella, Rapunzel and many other favorite princesses.

The newest attraction in Fantasyland is the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train where you can race through the mine from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on this family roller coaster.

Another new Fantasyland attraction is Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid. Ride a clamshell omnimover through your favorite scenes and songs from the Little Mermaid movie. After the ride, you can stop by Ariel's Grotto and see all her treasures and meet Ariel herself.

My favorite memory from our first trip in 2003 was Storytime with Belle in Fairytale Garden when both of my children were picked to be part of the story. That's why I'm so glad to see this experience returned but on a much grander and more permanent scale with Enchanted Tales with Belle. You begin your journey by entering Maurice's cottage. From there, the magic mirror transports you to Beast's castle where you meet Madame Wardrobe. At this time, members of the audience are chosen to play parts in the telling of the story. You are next called into the library by Lumiere and once inside, Belle makes an appearance and the story is then acted out with all the helpers including a lively song and dance number to "Beauty and the Beast." After the performance, children have the opportunity to take a photo with Belle.

If you need even more Beauty and the Beast in your life, you can enjoy French-inspired fare for a Quick Service breakfast and lunch or a Table Service dinner at Be Our Guest. Inspired by Beauty and the Beast, you can dine in the West Wing, Ballroom or the Rose Gallery of Beast's castle. Because of the popularity of this restaurant, reservations are available for all meals and highly recommended. It was recently announced that as of July 27, 2018, an enhanced dinner menu will be offered here. As a result, dinner will now require 2 Disney Dining Plan credits. 

For a lighter snack, stop by Gaston's Tavern. Modeled after Gaston's taste, it is decorated with plenty of antlers! Although they serve mostly snack food, there is indoor seating so it's a nice spot to take a break. This is the only spot to grab LeFou's Brew, a tasty drink you don't want to miss!

Outside, you will also find one of the most unforgettable character experiences with everyone's favorite guy!

Take a ride on a classic spinning teacup ride at the Mad Tea Party! You can also find meet and greets with some of your favorite Alice in Wonderland characters and may even be lucky enough to ride with one of them!

With the expansion of New Fantastland, the Dumbo ride has been moved to the new Storybook Circus section and a second Dumbo ride was built! Now twice the fun and twice the opportunity to get that iconic Dumbo ride photo we all love! 

Need a place to beat the heat or just relax while letting the kids blow off steam? Casey Jr Splash N Soak Station is a great play area in Storybook Circus where the kids can get wet and play!

You can meet your favorite classic Disney characters dressed as circus performers at Pete's Silly Sideshow.

The Barnstormer featuring the Great Goofini is a junior roller coaster in Storybook Circus. It was retitled and relocated from the Mickey's Toontown Fair area during the Fantasyland expansion. It is the only attraction remaining from that extinct land. 

If you haven't tried one of the great places already mentioned, you can still find something great to eat at these places in Fantasyland. Pinocchio's Village Haus serves up pizza, nuggets and salads. The Friar's Nook features chicken baskets, hot dogs and frozen beverages. Storybook Treats for ice cream and Cheshire Cafe for iced coffee, frozen lemonade and snacks.

Finally, we leave you with these Fantasyland Fun Facts:
*There are approximately 3.37 million gallons of water in the moat surrounding Cinderella Castle
*Prince Charming Regal Carousel was built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1917
*The mosaics in the castle walkway show the evil Stepsisters with red and green faces. That is to show one is red with rage and one is green with jealousy.
*On Prince Charming's Regal Carousel, the horse with the gold ribbon on its tail is said to be Cinderella's horse.
*In Sir Mickey's Shop, you can see Willy the Giant peeking inside where the walls meet the roof.
*The ground slopes upward as you walk up to the castle because it is built on the "second floor". Underneath are the famous Utilidors.

*The Disney family coat of arms is displayed above the front and back entrances of Cinderella Castle.
*Notice the crown above Cinderella on the fountain behind the castle. As you bend down to take a drink, you are symbolically bowing to the princess and you can glance up to see the crown now appears to be on her head.
*Mary Blair, the artist responsible for It's a Small World, is also responsible for the 90 foot mural inside Disney's Contemporary Resort.
*Many Fantasyland attractions were not quite finished when Disneyland opened in 1955. The banners and decorative tents were used to mask the unfinished work. That theme, the medieval fair, stuck as the theming for Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland.

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photo credit: some images obtained from Google Images

Liberty Square - Exploring the World, One Land at a Time

Everyone knows "Four Parks, One World", but each of those parks is made up of multiple, themed "Lands". Each land contains it's own unique decor, dining, experiences and history. With so much to do and see, it's easy to miss many of the details that make these lands special in their own way. This series will explore each of these lands in detail to show how they are part of the Magic that is Walt Disney World resort.

We travel through time from the Pioneer Days to Colonial America. Liberty Square opened as one of the six original themed lands at Walt Disney World's grand opening on October 1, 1971. It is the only land yet to undergo a major refurbishment. All of the attractions, original from October 1, 1971, still exist in some form or another. No major additions have been made.

As you stroll through Liberty Square, the design and decor have a very colonial feel. The Liberty Tree is more than 100 years old and is the largest living specimen in Magic Kingdom. It represents the original Liberty Tree christened in Boston by the Sons of Liberty in 1765. It features 13 hanging lanterns to represent the original 13 colonies. You will also find a replica of the original Liberty Bell. In 1976, 50 replica bells were created, one for each state to place in honor of the bicentennial. Since Pennsylvania already had the original Liberty Bell, Walt Disney World requested their replica years later. Pennsylvania agreed and it was place in Magic Kingdom on July 4, 1989. And be careful not to get into any trouble while you're there, or you may end up in the stockade!! 

Take a riverboat ride on the Rivers of America around Tom Sawyer Island aboard the Liberty Belle. A pre-recorded narration plays along your tour. Magic Kingdom once featured two riverboats, the Admiral Joe Fowler which was retired in 1980 and the Richard F. Irvine, which was refitted and renamed the Liberty Belle in 1996.

A favorite table-service restaurant found in Liberty Square is the Liberty Tree Tavern. Enjoy a New England inspired meal when the town crier summons your party into this authentic recreation of an 18th century American Inn furnished with colonial artifacts. If you've tried it, we would love to hear your review HERE

One of the most patriotic and educational attractions at Walt Disney World is the Hall of Presidents. The lobby displays some historic memorabilia including gowns and place settings from some of the White House's most memorable First Ladies. The multi-media show features a film about the history of America and a stage show featuring audio-animatronic figures of all the U.S. Presidents, some of whom stand and address the audience. It's a lovely and informative show and it displays the hard work and dedication of Walt Disney in developing the human-like audio-animatronic figures. 

The latest addition to Liberty Square is The Muppets Present: Great Moments in American History. You can view this show from the street outside Hall of Presidents. Your favorite Muppet characters use original songs and comedy to tell the stories of some of the most important moments in American history when our country was declaring it's independence. The Muppets’ view of history may be a little fuzzy, but it’s totally entertaining!

Liberty Square is home to what is arguably one of the most popular attractions in Disney parks and, my personal favorite ride in all of Walt Disney World, The Haunted Mansion. By a happy coincidence, this ride officially opened to guests at Disneyland on the day I was born August 12, 1969. It was an opening day attraction at WDW. 
Guests enter the mansion and are introduced to the ride at a walkthrough show narrated by your Ghost Host. After which, you board your "Doom Buggy" and are taken through the mansion where you will find the 999 Happy Haunts.

An interactive queue line was added in 2011. This ride showcases some of the best audio-animatronics and special effects of any attraction at Disney and is fun for all ages. It is definitely not your "typical" haunted house ride!

Another fan favorite is the Momento Mori shop, opened in 2014. This shop features more Haunted Mansion-themed merchandise than you can imagine! Another great feature offered here: you can have your portrait taken that will transform you into one of Happy Haunts featured in the ride!

There is plenty to satisfy the hungry in Liberty Square. The Diamond Horseshoe is open seasonally, serving a quick service lunch or an all-you-can-eat dinner. Find or leave your reviews HERE
Or, visit Columbia Harbor House for a counter service lunch or dinner featuring some tasty seafood favorites. Tell us about it HERE
For something on the go, visit Sleepy Hollow refreshments. Always a favorite spot to pick up funnel cakes or Mickey waffles. Review it HERE

Now, some Liberty Square Fun Facts:

*Did you ever notice that all the maps and artifacts in Columbia Harbor House are dedicated to a ghost ship or a ship lost at sea? It's no coincidence since you look out the windows and see the Haunted Mansion.

*In keeping with authenticity, there are no restrooms in Liberty Square (except those required in full service restaurants) as there would have been no indoor toilets in colonial times.

*Notice the doors around Liberty Square have two numbers on them resembling an address. But if you put an 18 in front of each number, it represents the year that style of house would have been popular. Look in the upstairs window next to the house with number 26 on the door. There are two lanterns that represent the lanterns hung to warn Paul Revere the British were coming by sea.

*Do you love to ride the Haunted Mansion at night? Look up at the top story window above the front door and you will occasionally see a ghost moving about.

*Does your Ghost Host sound familiar? Not only did Paul Frees provide the voice for the auctioneer in POTC, but he also voiced Ludwig von Drake, Boris Badenov and even the Pillsbury Doughboy!

*The pipe organ in the ballroom scene is a replica of the organ used in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

*Notice the singing bust that looks very much like Walt? He is actually voiced by Thurl Ravenscroft who also voiced Tony the Tiger and sang the infamous song "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch".

*The real Madame Leota, Leota Toombs, can be heard in the attraction, but NOT coming from the crystal ball because her voice was considered too child-like. She is the voice of the bride above the exit door urging you to "hurry back". The voice of the Leota in the crystal ball is none other than Eleanor Audley who famously voiced Maleficent  in Sleeping Beauty and the Wicked Stepmother in Cinderella.

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photo credit: some images were obtained from Google Images

Frontierland - Exploring the World, One Land at a Time

Everyone knows "Four Parks, One World", but each of those parks is made up of multiple, themed "Lands". Each land contains it's own unique decor, dining, experiences and history. With so much to do and see, it's easy to miss many of the details that make these lands special in their own way. This series will explore each of these lands in detail to show how they are part of the Magic that is Walt Disney World resort.

We leave Adventureland behind, but the adventure continues as we enter Frontierland. When Walt Disney World opened in 1971, there were only 3 attractions in Frontierland: Walt Disney World Railroad, Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes (which operated until 1991) and the world debut of Country Bear Jamboree. Over the years, Frontierland would become home to some of the biggest and best-loved thrill rides in Magic Kingdom. The spirit of this land is captured in this statement made at the Disneyland opening in 1955: 

Frontierland. It is here that we experience the story of our country's past. The color, romance and drama of frontier America as it developed from wilderness trails to roads, riverboats, railroads and civilization. A tribute to the faith, courage and ingenuity of our hearty pioneers who blaze the trails and made this progress possible. - Walt Disney

As we round the bend into Frontierland, we spot the first mountain of Magic Kingdom's Big Three. Splash Mountain is a log flume ride that features the story of Brer Rabbit as told by Uncle Remus in the movie "Song of the South". Guests are taken through the story with lively songs such as "How Do You Do" and "Everybody's Got a Laughing Place". The story's characters are brought to life with dozens of audio-animatronics. The climax of the ride takes you down a 52 foot drop into the Briar Patch! Afterwards, everyone celebrates the return of Brer Rabbit with a rowdy rendition of "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah". The bright coloring of this ride makes it visually stunning and provides what I think are the best in-ride photos of any attraction.

Next to Splash Mountain is the second of the three mountain "thrills" found in Magic Kingdom,Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Dodge waterfalls and rockslides as you streak through a haunted mining town on a runaway mine train. Interesting fact: In October 2016 , the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, published a paper in which the author, Dr. Wartinger, performed a study with the permission of Disney proving that riding this ride aids in the passing of kidney stones! The study also found that Space Mountain and Rockin Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith also produced the same result. I always knew Disney was good for your health!!

Named after a character from Disney's Melody Time is one of the most popular quick-service restaurants in Magic Kingdom,Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe. It is PACKED all the time! They offer indoor and outdoor seating which is great for parade viewing. They specialize in Mexican cuisine. The most famous feature of this restaurant is a toppings bar that can't be beat. They have enough toppings to make your meal a mile high!

Travel on log rafts across the Rivers of America to Tom Sawyer Island. You can follow in the footsteps of early American settlers on this self-guided tour of dirt roads, caves, forts and more. The design of the island mirrors the one in Disneyland which was designed by Walt Disney himself. Adults can relax in rocking chairs under the shade trees while kids play at Fort Sam Clemens. You can also check out the working water wheel.

The Country Bear Jamboree is a fun and lively stage show. The band of audio-animatronic bears perform a country music concert with fun help from some of their other animal friends in the audience. Country Bear Jamboree made its debut in Walt Disney World and was so popular it was then added to Disneyland. It also launched a spin-off show in both parks called the Country Bear Christmas Special. It is also another of the famous Disney attractions to inspire its own movie.

For some big kid fun, you can try your skills at the Frontierland Shootin Arcade. Set against Old West backdrops, there are nearly 100 interactive targets. Rifles do not shoot projectiles. They use infrared technology to register hits. An additional fee is required to play. 

If you need a pick-me-up in Frontierland, the Golden Oak Outpost is open seasonally and offers sandwiches, chicken nuggets and fries. Or, stop by Westward Ho for some frozen lemonade, a corndog or other snacks.

Before leaving this land, you can pick up some cute souvenirs at Big Al's or the Briar Patch. Or, you can stop in the Frontier Trading Post for a huge selection of trading pins or to do some pin trading!

Some Frontierland Fun Facts:
*Head up the stairs to the train station in Frontierland and listen closely. You will hear Morse code coming from the telegraph office. It is transmitting Walt Disney's opening day speech at Disneyland. 
*Splash Mountain's proper name is Chick-a-pin Hill
*The waterway between Liberty Square and Frontierland is symbolic of the Mississippi River and is supposed to symbolize the division of the east and west.

*Ever ride Big Thunder Mountain railroad at night? As your train roars past the saloon, take a quick peek at the second floor window and you will see a wild party in progress! But, you won't see it during the day.
*The setting for Splash Mountain is Mississippi, but it was painted with red coloring to compliment Big Thunder Mountain, so its coloring is geographically incorrect.
*Fort Sam Clemens is named for Mark Twain, author of Tom Sawyer. Samuel Clemens is his real name.
*Country Bear Jamboree is a show that was designed by Walt Disney for Disney's Mineral King Ski Resort in the 1960's which was never build after Walt's death.

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