Ask Mel Wednesdays: Fantasyland Expansion

Question: When does the new Fantasyland expansion open?

Answer: We all seem to be waiting, not so patiently, to see what is behind those pesky construction walls at the Magic Kingdom. Well, put on your mouse ears and listen up because here is the information concerning the dates for openings (and closings) in Fantasyland.

The first openings are scheduled for the end of March 2012. Although this week has witnessed a soft opening, since the official dates are not until the end of the month – don’t plan on it being open until that point, just look at it as a happy surprise if it is open. The first openings will be elements of the Storybook Circus area, including a new and improved Dumbo, the Barnstormer starring the Great Goofini, and the Fantasyland Station for the Walt Disney World Railroad.

The next date to remember is May 31. That will be the last day for Snow White’s Adventures. Snow White will be returning to Fantasyland at a later point in the expansion in a new ride, which most of the blogosphere is calling The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. This is not an official announcement from Disney so the name of the ride could change.

Most of the remainder of the Fantasyland expansion will  be available for guests to enjoy in the fall of 2012 with a few attractions that will not open until 2013. The exact dates for these openings will not be announced until we are much closer to the anticipated time frame, fall. Stay tuned and I will be sure to bring you updates as Disney makes them available. And please proceed with caution if someone claims to know the exact dates on the future opening – they have not been released by Disney and you CERTAINLY don’t want to plan a vacation around unofficial dates and internet speculation!