LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Nov. 10, 2012 – Mickey Mouse and a few of his best pals opened the gates of Magic Kingdom a little early this morning to welcome dozens of Central Florida kids to be among the first to experience New Fantasyland.

During a special sneak peek organized just for them, members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida walked beyond the walls of Cinderella Castle into the Enchanted Forest and found themselves inside the pages of some of their favorite stories. They got to experience the new Enchanted Tales with Belle and Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid, as well as toast Gaston with a frozen mug of Le Fou’s Brew.

“We wanted to share some of the excitement of New Fantasyland with members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida who have something in common with Belle – a love for learning,” said Nancy Gidusko, director of Community Relations for Walt Disney World Resort. “As a company committed to making a difference in the lives of children in Central Florida, what better way to start than by creating new memories with local kids as they enjoy Fantasyland.”

New Fantasyland represents a significant milestone for Walt Disney World Resort. The expansion doubles the size of the most popular land in the most popular theme park in the world. This latest example of Disney storytelling connects guests with beloved Disney characters and stories in new ways that are more imaginative, more interactive and more immersive than ever before.

At Enchanted Tales with Belle, guests pass through a magic mirror, interact with a talking wardrobe and join Lumiere to be part of Belle’s story.
Guests enter Prince Eric’s Castle to discover Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid and become part of Ariel’s world through games and interactions with mischievous animated characters and adventures.
Beast’s castle will feature Be Our Guest Restaurant, a lavish dining experience that includes an elegant ballroom, gallery and mysterious “West Wing” of the castle. The restaurant will seat up to 550 guests and will offer fast casual service during the day and elegant table-service dining at night.

The grand opening of New Fantasyland is scheduled for Dec. 6. Since construction began in 2010, Fantasyland has created 700 construction jobs with an additional 800 operational jobs coming online over the next two years. Jobs range from attraction hosts to management positions.