(Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom expansion - Fantasyland.)

Walt Disney World in Orlando is singing some serious money into some new attractions and improvements.  With Universal Studios Orlando's planned Harry Potter attraction (it's going to be huge) planning a late 2010 opening, they are trying to compete.  Disney World's project is said to be the largest in the park's 38 year history.  The renovations to Magic Kingdom and the Harry Potter area of Universal Orlando should start up the Orlando tourism market again.  It's hit a little snag with the economy and these new additions are all 'must sees'.  I'm glad that Disney is putting some money into updating a few of their rides.  Now...they just need to sink some money into EPCOT's Future World area.  Some of the rides are showing their age.



Here are some of the items on Disney World's list:

-A new ride in the Magic Kingdom Park's Fantasyland section based on The Little Mermaid.  Said to be the largest item on the overhaul list, the attraction will feature an enclosed ride that takes visitors through Ariel's underwater world.  It will resemble the cars from the Haunted Mansion ride and will feature characters and songs from the popular 1989 movie. 

-An expansion of the popular Dumbo ride at Magic Kingdom.  No details have been leaked yet.

-New 'cottages', castles and chateaus at the Magic Kingdom that will allow children to interact with Disney Characters during park hours.  They will be able to take pictures, play and dance along side their favorite characters.  At The Beast's castle, a replica of the castle in the 1991 film Beauty and the Beast, will also have a new restaurant...of course having a unique theme.

-At Disney's Hollywood Studio Park, the Star Tours ride (based on Star Wars) will be getting a much needed face lift and update.  The ride has been open since the park's opening in 1989 and this is the first major update.  Plans include new video footage and dialog sequences recorded by George Lucas' production company Lucasfilm.  There will also be new 3-D effects that will bring characters from the three Star Wars prequel movies.

If everything goes according to the schedule...the first phase of the Fantasyland expansion (with the Little Mermaid ride) will open in 2012, while the Star Tours attraction will be completed in 2011.  Fantasyland should be completely finished by 2013.