Walt Disney decided to mark the grand opening of a new Fantasyland on Thursday at the Magic Kingdom park in Orlando, Florida. Patrons will not have to wait too long to be able to see the exhibits, with alcoholic beverages also set to be offered for the very first time.
Disney World says that the opening caps the biggest expansion in the 41-year history of the park, more than doubling the size of Fantasyland and also offering two brand new rides into the bargain. "Fantasyland is the most popular land in the most popular theme park in the world," says Disney spokeswoman Kim Prunty. "It makes perfect sense that this is where we would look to expand the guest experience."
Disney would not disclose any details with regard to the cost of the expansion, which is being widely estimated to be somewhere in the region of $425 million. Company officials also declining to reveal specifics regarding any projected increase in revenue and patronage. Wine and beer is to be made available with dinner in the park's brand new Be Our Guest restaurant, which marks the first time that alcohol has ever been served at the Magic Kingdom. Unlike with some other parks in Disney World, however, hard liquor will not be sold.
The brand new Fantasyland, which has grown from 10 acres of land to 21 acres, is taking over space previously occupied by Mickey's ToonTown Fair, which closed down last year in order to make way for the expansion, and also the space previously occupied by the 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea attraction, which ran for 23 years from 1971 to 1994. Fantasyland will also include previously unused space of an unspecified amount.
