The new Disneyland Fantasy Faire, where guests can meet, interact, and learn the stories of the Disney princesses, is under construction in the former Carnation Plaza Gardens area of Disneyland. I had the opportunity to preview the new area, which is scheduled to open on March 12, 2013.

Fantasy Faire is located at the end of Main Street between Frontierland and Sleeping Beauty Castle. As you can see in these photos there is still quite a bit of work to be done before opening, but the basic structures are there. This is the exterior of Royal Hall; the Princess meet-and-greet area is inside. The unfinished pedestal in front will be the location of the Tangled Tower sculpture. Rapunzel’s hair will appear to be wrapped around it, and at night her hair will light up with twinkling lights.

There’s also some fun elements, like Figaro (Gepetto’s cat) sleeping in a window, and occasionally waking to interact with a bird, and Clopin’s Music Box, a mechanical contraption where guests can turn the crank and watch a scene from The Hunchback of Notre Dame come to life.

Inside Royal Hall are several areas where guests will be able to meet some of the Disney princesses. (There’s no Fastpass for this – just get in line and wait your turn.)

In the video below,Michel Den Dulk, Creative Director, Walt Disney Imagineering spoke to us about Fantasy Faire and some of the design elements, while Show Director Christopher Utley gave us some details on the shows that will take place in the Royal Theater.

There will be two different shows in the Royal Theater, telling the stories of Rapunzel and Belle. Disney describes the show as “Renaissance vaudeville” featuring a pair of storytellers: Mr. Smythe and Mr. Jones. They play most of the parts, joined by Rapunzel or Belle. After the show the princess will remain for a time to greet guests. The shows are 15-20 minutes long. There will be six shows per day, three for each princess.

The Fairytale Treasures shop will offer princess dresses and other accessories.

There’s a food cart called Maurice’s Treats – with food items inspired by the inventions of Belle’s father Maurice.

There are bread twists, like cheddar cheese garlic and strawberry almond cream (those shown below are samples and not full-size). I tried the cheddar cheese-garlic and it was very good. These will be served hot to order.

There’s also a signature drink – Boysen Apple Freeze (A play on poison apple…) I had a sample of this…It’s similar to the Red’s Apple Freeze served at the Cozy Cones and the Le Fou’s Brew served at Gaston’s Tavern, but I have to say this is my favorite of the three – I really enjoyed the apple-berry flavor. I could do without the foam on the top, though – I don’t think that really adds anything. It is available in a souvenir princess or Gaston cup, or in a regular cup.

We also heard some more details about Mickey and the Magical Map – the new show opening in the Fantasyland Theater this summer.

Michael Jung, Vice President, Theatrical Development, Walt Disney Imagineering describes the show in this video clip.

It really sounds interesting – in addition to newer characters like Tiana and Rapunzel it will also feature some of the characters we don’t see in the parks very often these days, like Pocahontas, Mulan, and King Louie. (Pocahontas and Mulan arguably have some of the best “Princess” songs ever, which will be included in the production.)

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