Trip to Disney - Part 2 - NEW FANTASYLAND

As I said, the awesomeness that is the New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom deserves its own post! We really didn't think we'd even be seeing it yet, because it's not even open!!

BUT they were doing a "soft opening" for Annual Passholders, and since Anil & I had just bought our APs and Mel & Neil are APs, we were IN!!! Here we are proudly showing off our bracelets that got us in. :-)

 

The BEST part about a soft opening? Almost no lines!!! So, what's new in Fantasyland? Probably my favorite thing was Belle's cottage and the Beast's castle.
 We walked straight into the wonderland that is Belle's cottage. It looks just like the movie! I won't spoil it for you, but some of the special effects (like the magic mirror) are really incredible.

If you know me, you know that Belle is my FAVORITE princess, so I was like a little kid, getting to sit in a room with her. :-)

 

They pick out audience members to play certain "roles" and this cutie-pie was the Beast. I can just see Jackson up there one day!

I WILL share this kinda cool video of when Belle first enters...the "magic" that is Lumiere is very impressive.

Then it was on to the Beast's castle...which Disney has made into the Be Our Guest restaurant. At lunch, it's walk-in, but at dinner, it's reservation only. I hear it's COMPLETELY booked for the next 3 months, so we were grateful to get to try it out!

Lunch was quite yummy (mostly French-themed food, but not over-the-top), and inside, you get to pick one of three dining rooms.
There's the main one, the "Ballroom", which has a gorgeous chandelier and "snow" falling outside the windows...

There's the "West Wing" (where Belle wasn't allowed to go in the movie): This is the one we chose...complete with the Rose and portrait of the Prince, whose face turns into the Beast when it thunders...kinda cool!!

And, finally, there's "Belle's Library", full of beautiful paintings from movie scenes and a large music-box of Belle & the Beast.

 

After lunch, it was off to the new Little Mermaid ride. I wasn't able to get too many pics b/c of the darkness, but here's a good one of Ursula...love her!

Next up: Gaston's Tavern!! He's such a funny (and pompous!) character from the Beauty & the Beast movie, and seeing him "in person" was hilarious! This guy was the epitome of Gaston!

Mel & I headed inside for a new special drink (complete with souvenir mug) that Disney created just for the tavern...yum!!

I managed to drag Anil in for a quick picture in Gaston's enormous chair. :-)

We waited until night-time to visit the rest of the new Fantasyland (after all, we were there all day!). And I must say, the new Dumbo section (complete with TWO Dumbo rides!) looked spectacular, all lit up for the evening!

 

We made sure to take a few "couple" shots. :-)

And Mel joined me in a stationary Dumbo for a "souvenir" shot.

Many of you know that one of my last memories of my Dad is being at Disney & the Dumbo ride, so this one is always extra-special for me. The last time we were there with Jackson, it was closed, so I'm counting the days until I get to ride it with him in January!

Finally, Mel and I took a moment to "soak it all in." She and I had chill-bumps walking through the new Fantasyland.

 

Well, that's it for now...At least until our January trip!!

I'm such a lucky girl...I got to visit my favorite place on earth with some of my favorite people on earth...my hubby, my Mel-Mel, and her husband Neil. I count my blessings!!!