Walt Disney World has just announced the opening dates for the Fantasyland Expansion. As you know, half of Dumbo and the new re-themed Barnstormer ride are already open daily. They will open the second half of the Dumbo the Flying Elephant attraction and the Casey Jr. Splash ‘n’ Soak Station in July of 2012.
We should see the openings of Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid, Enchanted Tales with Belle, Be Our Guest Restaurant, Gaston’s Tavern, and Ariel’s Grotto in November of 2012.
Unfortunately we will not see the opening of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train until 2014.
After these dates were announced, I am so glad we have decided not to go to Disney World in 2012. Our next trip is scheduled for the last part of January of 2013. When do you plan to go back to Disney World now that these dates have been announced?
(Thanks Disney Parks Blog!)
Jennifer says
We are going Dec 19-26…I know right during the crazy time! My goal is to have Christmas Dinner at the Be Our Guest Restaurant. I am so excited, I am such a huge Beauty and the Beast fan.
Heather says
My family is going for Christmas and new Years (New Years is also their 30th wedding anniversary)!! I love Belle and want to be her when I “grow up”! :o) ao excited for all the new attractions!
Dawn M says
Sorry, meant to say not unbearable.
Dawn M says
We are going in March 2014. First time back since our honeymoon in 2000. Two kids later and with a m-n-law. Does anybody what the usual crowds and weather are like that time of year? We went in May and it was hot,but unbearable. Thanks!
Wendy says
We are going in Nov. this year. I am excited that most of the rides will be open. We were excited to see them working on it last year. Too bad the mine ride won’t be open for awhile. We are hoping there will be a character dining at Be Our Guest Restaurant.
Susana Mendez says
I plan on going with my boys after thanksgiving weekend when everyone heads off to school. My boys are excited cause they get to miss school for a week, lol. I know im a bad influence but whats one week. Its our first time anyway so I want to make the best of it, I am excited they are opening some of them in November. I do hope to get to eat at the Be Our Guest restaurant. I saw a video on the making of it and its amazing:)
Crystal says
We’re going in late September … almost wish we were going during the holidays, which we had considered. The free dining is hard to resist! I am sure we will be going in 2013 and I can’t wait to see all of the new stuff.
Dawn says
We are going the second week of December. I am so excited that the Ariel ride will be open, and Belle’s castle! All of these dates are weather-dependent, of course, so we’ll cross our fingers for no hurricanes!
Miranda says
We are wanting to go back to WDW in January or September 2013. My little girls favorite princess is Ariel so we will be looking forward to her new venue. My husband hates crowds I thought for sure he would have hated Disney but our first trip was magical and he wants to take us back.
Ashley says
My family has already scheduled our trip for mid-October. Looks like we will just miss most of the openings. :( I am still crossing my fingers at least one of the projected November attractions is completed early.
Cierese says
We are still booked for 2nd week of Oct. The attraction closures aren’t as important to us as finances. So we may see….
Shirley says
We go in September(for the past 10 years) to take advantage of the free dining and no crowds. So we will see some of it but thats OK something to look forward to in 2013.
Kelly says
Fantasyland’s opening dates does not affect our plans and dates to visit WDW, but I am curious, since Magic Kingdom is a dry park (alcohol-free) what will Gaston’s Tavern serve?
Kristin of Couponing to Disney says
I’m not sure, maybe butterbeer!
Andrea says
Going the first full week in November when the kids have fall break. Have not been in 7 years. Hope it is finished by then
Trisha K says
I’m going to Disney World tomorrow for my birthday! :) We were going to not renew our anual passes in July when they expire and take a year off, but I’m not sure if I can not go in November when more opens! It’s so exciting!
Gretchen says
Woo hoo! Thanks for the info! We are going in early December so everything that will be open should be open by our trip. I really can’t wait!
jessica says
Going in September for Night of Joy and but probably will go back March or 2013 gotta see that new castle!!
Ani G W says
We’re going late November 2012, so I hope these will be open!
Asimina souders says
January 2013 too, can’t wait!
michele lane says
we will be sailing on the Dream in feb 2013.. so I think we will sneak over to WDW for a day to check out the new fantasyland!
Lindsay says
We are going in 2014 just to make sure the expansion is all open! And because by then we wont have 2 kids in diapers anymore. :-)
Beth says
We are planning a trip as a surprise for my son for his 7th birthday in December. This just makes is that much harder to keep a secret.
Lisa says
We are going in June of 2013
CRYSTAL says
We always go in September so we’ll miss the new stuff this year…but there’s always next September! (just another reason to go next year,lol)
Glenda says
Going in June so I’ll miss the new openings on this trip but I’ll have them to look forward to in 2013.
Jennifer says
We decided against Disney World this March when we went down for our Disney cruise. We were planning to go back for another Disney cruise in early 2014 and do Disney World then, so this information has made me feel hopeful that everything will be open. Looking forward to seeing a totally different and new Fantasyland when we go!
Shannon says
July 28th 2012. May not be open yet but I usually go twice a year so no biggie.
heather w says
The more being I’m a huge snow white fan and would wait for that ride
heather w says
We went in middle of march this year and enjoyed dumbo and goofini… looks great also… we were talking about mar 2013 but I might b holding out till more opens for us
VB says
Thanks for the info. I was hoping for September was when we would be able to go back but a more realistic time frame was march 2013. So this helped make up my mind to wait till March!