New Fantasyland to open Dec 6th

[vinotinto]

From DosneyParkBlog:
Today we’re thrilled to announce that the grand opening of New Fantasyland will take place on December 6, 2012. Attractions included in this opening are Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid, Be Our Guest Restaurant, Enchanted Tales with Belle, Ariel’s Grotto, Gaston’s Tavern and Bonjour! Village Gifts.

Previews of these attractions will begin November 19.
As previously planned, the New Fantasyland expansion will continue with the opening of Princess Fairytale Hall in 2013 and the debut of a new Disney “mountain” in the form of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in 2014.

The Storybook Circus section of the New Fantasyland expansion, which includes Barnstormer – Starring the Great Goofini, the Casey Jr. Splash & Soak Station, and Dumbo the Flying Elephant, opened to guests in July.

 

[tkitty]

So sad that we will miss The Little Mermaid and BOG on our Oct trip. When I first planned it, it looked as though much more would be ready by this time (end of summer). Of course there is no way of knowing but still a bummer.

Of course I can wish for some sort of soft openings but it sounds like Oct. will still be too soon for those.

Sure wish we could go more often but it will be a few years before we can go again.....unless I win a trip??!!

 

[sharibrat]

We will miss the previews by 2 days. I am seriously considering changing our trip date to the first week in December. Do you think everybody will be doing that and it will be crazy crowded???

 

[vinotinto]

We'll miss it too, but you have to see the silver lining - it will be crowded!

Also, I think the preview is only for passholders.

 

[MOM POPPINS]

We arrive on December 14th. I fear bigger than normal crowds for the week. We have been this week in the past and loved it! Here's hoping for a great vacation. We are celebrating DD's 18th birthday so it cannot be changed... however I would have loved to make in November instead for Passholder previews!!!!

 

[Magical Kingdoms]

We'll miss it only by a few days..... I wonder if there will be any soft openings over the course of our trip.... or if we can find out the Passholder preview dates (We'll be starting up our passes again for this upcoming trip!).

 

[MOM POPPINS]

I also am wondering about soft opening before Previews?? I just might make a change of our dates to miss bigger crowds!

 

[Royal Consort]

I'm a bit confused. What does "Previews" mean? We'll be there until Dec 3rd - do you think there's a high chance of being able to see it?

Or is Previews referring to the CM and Annual Passholder first-look?

 

[Silly3mom]

Our trip is planned for Thanksgiving not pass holders, so can we preview or not? If not I am changing our dates into the winter months. Guess I should call and ask Disney

 

[Senator Tressel]

There will be plenty of soft openings before the official opening and they are not limited to pass holders. Don't bother calling and asking because they won't tell you anything.

 

[HHSTigerFan]

We will be there Dec 4-9, have MVMCP planned for the 6th...

 

[Satchmo128]

Oh man....we are planning to fly to Orlando on the 6th and then be in the parks the 7th - 14th (to celebrate my birthday). We haven't booked anything yet......but now I'm fearing the large crowds even more than I was before (we have never been in December)....

 

[RCMommy]

We are visiting December 10th - 17th. We are super excited to see the new attractions but the opening date being only a few days before our arrival day makes me a little nervous about the crowds.

Either way, we cannot have our cake and eat it too !!!!

 

[jtsmom]

The Disney Parks Blog has released the opening dates for the next phase of New Fantasyland. The majority of the new area and the most anticipated will begin previews in November and officially open this December.

The Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid ride, Be Our Guest Restaurant, Enchanted Tales with Belle meet, Ariel’s Grotto meet, Gaston’s Tavern and Bonjour Village Gifts will begin general guest previews Nov. 19, 2012 and they will officially open on Dec. 6, 2012. Previews for cast members, annual passholders and Disney Vacation Club members are expected to begin before Nov. 19.

Big Top Souvenirs and Pete’s Silly Sideshow in the Storybook Circus area will be open in time for the grand opening.

The final areas of Fantasyland will open at unannounced dates in 2013 (Princess Fairytale Hall meet area) and 2014 (Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride).

Stay tuned to Orlando Attractions Magazine for full coverage of the previews and openings.



We are going November 24th and praying that we can do some of these new attractions. Debating changing our dates but afraid of the crowds that are there normally in December. I imagine they will be even more packed with this opening.Does anyone know how they pick people to do the previews? If the site I found is correct and the general public can do previews does that mean everyone can go and try it? Or do they select certain people? Thanks to anyone who can give me some insight, as I am new to Disney

 

[JandCsmom]

Oh man....we are planning to fly to Orlando on the 6th and then be in the parks the 7th - 14th (to celebrate my birthday). We haven't booked anything yet......but now I'm fearing the large crowds even more than I was before (we have never been in December)....

I am fearing it now too. We will be there Dec 10-Dec 17!

 

[Senator Tressel]

It's not going to increase crowds by very much over what they would have been anyway. That area will just be really crowded. The rest of the Magic Kingdom will actually be somewhat less crowded than usual right after it opens.

 

[kerplop]

Woo we're going to be there at that same time! Unfortunately this means it's going to be croooooooooooowded

 

[Raenstoirm]

We will miss the previews by 2 days. I am seriously considering changing our trip date to the first week in December. Do you think everybody will be doing that and it will be crazy crowded???

We leave for home on the 4th too. Debating pushing it back a bit!

 

[LaurieN]

Our trip ends on Dec 1st, I'm so sad I'm going to miss it Was really hoping it would be open for Thanksgiving!
Laurie

 

[dawnmichele]

We are arriving on the 6th! Good timing Disney!

I'm not going to let myself get worried about the crowds. There's nothing we can do about it since we're making a work trip into our Disney vacation, so why worry. I'm sure it will still be less crowds than later that month when Christmas and New Year's visitors show up. I'm just going to focus on being excited that I will get to ride new rides and see new attractions on the day they open! I feel lucky.

Do any of you Disney veterans and experts think they might add extra hours to the Magic Kingdom that night (or week)?