Fantasyland

Fantasyland
Designer WED Enterprises
Attraction type Themed land
Theme Disney's animated fairy tale films
This is an article about a themed land at Disneyland, Magic Kingdom, Disneyland Park (Paris), Tokyo Disneyland, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Shanghai Disneyland Park in 2016. Fantasyland is one of the "themed lands" at the many Magic Kingdom-style parks run by The Walt Disney Company around the world. Each Fantasyland has a castle as well as several gentle rides themed after Disney movies. In the words of Walt Disney: "Fantasyland is dedicated to the young at heart and to those who believe that when you wish upon a star, your dreams come true."

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Disneyland

Fantasyland
Disneyland
Opening date July 17, 1955

Fantasyland is one of the original themed lands at Disneyland. Fantasyland at the original Disneyland features a central courtyard dominated by King Arthur's Carrousel, in front of which sits a sword in an anvil; several times each day a costumed Merlin helps a child pull the sword from it. Walt Disney said, "What youngster has not dreamed of flying with Peter Pan over moonlit London, or tumbling into Alice's nonsensical Wonderland? In Fantasyland, these classic stories of everyone's youth have become realities for youngsters - of all ages - to participate in."

In 1983, Fantasyland received a major facelift (dubbed "New Fantasyland")[1] and the attraction facades changed from a Renaissance motif to a fantasy mock up of a Bavarian village. Fantasyland's main entrance is through Sleeping Beauty Castle. The entrance also contains a separate walk through attraction that opened in 1957 but was closed from 2001-2008 for security concerns after the September 11, attacks. The new attraction re-opened in May 2008.

The plaque in the castle courtyard marks the spot where the Disneyland Time Capsule is buried. Sealed on the 40th anniversary of the park, it contains different things from Disney parks history. It is scheduled to open in the year 2035, 40 more years after it was first sealed. The "Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks" show was introduced in 1956, but Tinkerbell's first flight wasn't until 1961. The first Tinkerbell was Tiny Kline, former circus aerialist.

Dedication

"Fantasyland is dedicated to the young, and the young at heart and to all those who believe that when you wish upon a star, your dreams do come true."- Walt Disney

Attractions and Entertainment

Former Attractions and Entertainment

Restaurants

Former Restaurants

Shopping

Former Shopping

The Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom
Opening date October 1, 1971

Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort has ten main attractions. Cinderella Castle contains a mosaic depicting the story of Cinderella, and features Cinderella's Royal Table restaurant.

Expansion

The land is currently undergoing a large expansion and renovation. "The New Fantasyland will be constructed in phases with most new experiences open by Fall 2012."[2]

Recent conceptual artwork for the expansion shows several new additions and changes.[3] Included is a new dark ride themed to Disney's 1989 film The Little Mermaid (also located at Disney California Adventure), and an area themed to Disney's 1991 film Beauty and the Beast featuring the Beast's Castle with a new dining experience, Gaston's tavern, and Belle's cottage.[3]

Snow White's Scary Adventures will be removed and an area themed to Disney's 1937 film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will be built. It will feature the dwarfs' cottage and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Princess Fairytale Hall, a new Disney Princess meet and greet, will be established where Snow White's Scary Adventures currently exists.[3]

Mickey's Toontown Fair closed permanently in February 2011 in order to make way for the expansion.[4] Some elements of Mickey's Toontown Fair will be demolished and others will be re-themed to a new Storybook Circus area. An expanded Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride will be built with an interactive queue. The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm will be re-themed to The Great Goofini.[3]

Attractions and Entertainment

Future Attractions and Entertainment

Restaurants

Future Restaurants

Shopping

Tokyo Disneyland

Fantasyland
Tokyo Disneyland
Opening date April 15, 1983

Tokyo Disneyland has two original attractions among the usual dark rides: Cinderella Fairy Tale Hall, which features the story of Cinderella in a walk-through style and Pooh's Hunny Hunt, which uses a trackless ride system.

Attractions and Entertainment

Former Attractions and Entertainment

Restaurants

Shopping

Disneyland Park (Paris)

Fantasyland
Disneyland Park (Paris)
Opening date April 12, 1992

The fourth Fantasyland to open was in France, at the Euro Disneyland theme park (now called Disneyland Park). Themed around a fairy tale village, this specifically notes the European origin of many classic Disney film's source material. A unique attraction for the park was 'Les Pirouettes du Vieux Moulin'. It is a ferris wheel based on Walt Disney's original animated film, The Old Mill. The concept was originally projected for Disneyland in 1954, but was discarded then, only to be reconsidered and built at Disneyland Park more than 35 years later. The ride is now retired, but still standing.

Attractions

Entertainment

Restaurants

Shopping

Hong Kong Disneyland

Fantasyland
Hong Kong Disneyland
Opening date September 12, 2005

Hong Kong Disneyland features Sleeping Beauty Castle, as well as the Fantasy Gardens where costumed Disney characters can be met.

Attractions and Entertainment

Former Attractions and Entertainment

Restaurants

Shopping

Shanghai Disneyland Park

Fantasyland
Shanghai Disneyland Park
Opening date 2016

Shanghai Disneyland Park features a traditional Fantasyland. The castle will be Enchanted Storybook Castle which will represent all Disney Princesses and will possibly also be the tallest.[5]

Future Attractions and Entertainment

References