The best of the new attractions in the Fantasyland Expansion of the Magic Kingdom in Disney World is called Enchanted Tales With Belle.  I was quickly won over by this charming interactive attraction that I was expecting to not like, thinking it was solely for Princess loving young girls.

Enchanted Tales With Belle

The Disney Imagineers are first and foremost storytellers and Enchanted Tales With Belle is a detail laden, interactive adventure that let's the audience become part of the story.  Although it is geared towards the younger guests, fans of all ages will enjoy it.

It all starts with Maurice's Cottage where the attraction is held and the surrounding landscaping.  It is amazing.  The Magic Kingdom receives a level of detail that is not seen elsewhere through the theme park.  Everywhere you look are little details that tell part of the story of Belle.

Once inside the cottage, you find a number of artifacts that point to when Belle was a young girl growing up.  Of particular interest is the large portrait of young Belle reading a book with her mother.
This room forms the transition from Attraction Queue to the start of the adventure.



The attraction begins as you enter a room that is part of Maurice's Woodshop with the rest of the group.  Approximately 30 people go in at a time.  After everyone is inside, what appears to be an ordinary mirror, helps start the attraction.

The mirror opens into a door and now you enter Beast's Castle to find a giant wardrobe.  You soon discover that this wardrobe is enchanted and it starts to talk and address the group.

The cast member opens the wardrobe and passes out props to allow guests to become part of a special production.

After the rehearsal is complete it is time to proceed to the library for a special performance.  Inside you discover Lumiere who helps prepare you for a surprise.

The cast members help direct everyone to their positions.  There are benches for the audience to sit on and the performers go to their places.  The great thing about this attraction is that everyone who wants to be part of the performance can participate, but those who do not, can just be part of the audience.

Now it is time for Belle to arrive.  She greets the guests and then the performance begins.


It does not last long, but everyone that is part of the performance gets to meet Belle at the end and have a picture taken with her.

Different Kind Of Attraction Is A Winner!

Enchanted Tales with Belle is unlike any other Disney World attraction and that is part of what makes it special.  It is well done and judging from the smiles on faces of the guests, I was not the only one that enjoyed it.

Aside from the cute story, the fact that this attraction is interactive and allow for guest participation on a large scale makes it a must do for families and Disney fans of all ages.

The last part that makes this attraction great is the attention to detail.  After multiple visits so far, I am still catching little details throughout the inside and outside of the attraction.  This is what will appeal the most to the diehard fans, that aspect of storytelling that you can only get from Disney.

For the past couple of years, when visitors made their way to Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom of Walt Disney World they were greeted by construction and promises of attractions to come.  Although the construction is not completed, Disney World Guests can now see and experience many of the new attractions that they have been waiting not so patiently for.


The change is remarkable.  This is not the Magic Kingdom Fantasyland that you are used to seeing.  The first change you notice is the presence of the regal gateway that now exists.  Cinderella Castle is now not the only royal landmark in Fantasyland.  This is now the place to visit and experience the Disney Princesses.  The landscaping and detailing do not disappoint!


The first new attraction you will come across is Enchanted Tales with Belle.  This is a totally different attraction than anything else you will experience at the Walt Disney World Resort.  It is a truly interactive attraction that combines technology with live action characters.  My family enjoyed it and I saw happy faces on all that experienced it.  The only question is how it will hold up as a "must do every time" attraction over the long haul.  I give the Disney Imagineers credit for creating this unique attraction that makes the Disney Storytelling both interactive and personal for the Guests.


The other major attraction that has opened is Under The Sea Journey Of The Little Mermaid.  Here you will find Ariel and her friends presented in a classic Disney dark ride attraction.  This attraction is visually impressive from the moment you catch sight of it from the outside.

The ride queue incorporates interactive elements to keep you occupied when times are busy and the lines are long.  For the first time rider there is so much detail to take in, you almost want the wait to be longer so that you can see it all.


On the ride itself you board a Clam-mobile that looks very familiar to the vehicle you ride at The Living Seas with Nemo and Friends in Epcot.  The ride includes characters and audio-animatronics as only Disney can do.  The Little Mermaid story is told as you progress through the ride.  It is a pleasant experience that all Disney fans will love.

After checking out the new attractions, odds are your family will either be hungry or thirsty.  The Fantasyland Expansion has included two new dining destinations that you will definitely want to check out.


The first is Gaston's Tavern.  You will find yourself transported to the world of Belle and the boisterous Gaston, complete with statue of himself.  The Tavern is decorated in Antlers, just as you would expect.  You can get a snack here, try a pork shank (the true alternative to the turkey leg), or try LeFou's Brew (a non-alcoholic beverage).


The dining location that is creating the most buzz is the Be Our Guest Restaurant.  This restaurant changes the mold for Disney World Restaurants.  During lunch hours this is a Disney Quick Service Restaurant that is truly like no other and MUST be experienced.


At night, the restaurant turns into a full Table service restaurant that scandalously serves alcoholic beverages inside the Magic Kingdom.  The 3 different dining rooms each present a different part of the Beauty & The Beast movie and are each amazing in their own respect.

Summary Of New Fantasyland Expansion
The new attractions and dining locations that you will find in Fantasyland of the Magic Kingdom are definitely a big hit!  The Disney Imagineers did a great job designing this area.  They brought in an amazing amount of detail and landscaping that you may not find in the "older" part of Fantasyland.  They get high marks for creating different attractions and dining experiences than you can find anywhere else within Disney World.

Look for the Only WDWorld Blog to review each of these attractions in detail over the coming weeks.