Candles and Antlers and Dragons, Oh My!

If you are among the living you have at least some knowledge of this “New Fantasyland” everyone has been talking about. The official opening ceremony for the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history got underway with help from Tom Staggs (Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman), Ginnifer Goodwin (the actress who plays Snow White on the ABC show “Once Upon A Time”) and American Idol singer Jordin Sparks. Mickey was, of course, dressed to the nines in a brand new outfit designed especially for the occasion.

The media hullaballoo of New Fantasyland was of course accompanied by our favorite Disney friends in their new royal attire and the voices of our pasts with Jodi Benson (the voice of Ariel), Paige O’Hara (the voice of Belle) and my personal favorite, Jo Anne Worley (voice of the Wardrobe).

“Dancing with the Stars” pros Tony Dovolani (this season’s winner!) and Chelsie Hightower twirled around the ballroom floor inside of Be Our Guest restaurant making the way for Belle and Beast to do likewise.

New attractions featuring The Little Mermaid, Belle and Dumbo are now open and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is under heavy construction and expected to be operational in 2014.

Join Belle and special guest Lumiere (and his fellow candlesticks) in the library for Enchanted Tales with Belle and then head over to Gaston’s Tavern for La Few’s Brew. This non-alcoholic frozen apple cider is the sweetest of treats and you can grab a manly meal such as a pork shank or turkey leg and have a seat in the tiny tavern where you’ll be surrounded by antlers, he uses them in all of his decorating!

As a special treat for the official opening of New Fantasyland a fire breathing dragon flew over the Magic Kingdom. While it was quite a sight to behold the story is the dragon will only appear for special occasions and won’t become a regular part of the nightly Magic Kingdom routine. When asked about the appearance of the dragon Creative Director of New Fantasyland, Chris Beatty, stated “All I’ll say is Imagineers are always trying new things and new technologies to bring stories to life. And the dragon was just sort of a little sneak peek into some of our technology and new things we’re trying.”