Walt Disney World has officially opened the long-awaited New Fantasyland area of the Magic Kingdom, part of the park's largest expansion ever.
Following a grand opening ceremony Thursday morning in front of Cinderella Castle, the newest section of Fantasyland, the Enchanted Forest, opened to the public.
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Two big stars helped open New Fantasyland. Ginnifer Goodwin, who plays Snow White on the ABC series "Once Upon a Time," and pop star and "American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks took part in the grand opening ceremonies filled with favorite Disney characters, daytime fireworks and timeless melodies from classic Disney films.
"Walt Disney once promised that Disneyland, and by extension all of our parks, would never be complete as long as there is imagination left in the world," said Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. "New Fantasyland is a spectacular addition to the Magic Kingdom that delivers on Walt's promise. We're thrilled to take guests beyond the walls of Cinderella Castle to discover new worlds featuring iconic Disney characters and stories in ways that are more imaginative, more interactive and more immersive than ever before."
Visitors to the Enchanted Forest will find Belle from "Beauty and the Best" and Ariel from "The Little Mermaid," along with new attractions and experiences inspired by both classic films.
The first phase of New Fantasyland, Storybook Circus, opened earlier this year. The complete expansion is set to be finished in 2014.
But the Enchanted Forest alone has tripled the number of castles in the Magic Kingdom.
Cinderella Castle remains the park's iconic centerpiece, but just past its walls now sit Beast's Castle, high atop a snow-dusted cliff, and Prince Eric's Castle, part of the new dark ride "Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid."
Beneath Beast's Castle is the new Be Our Guest Restaurant, featuring French cuisine and beer and wine at night.
Just outside the castle is a cottage that serves as the entrance to "Enchanted Tales with Belle," a new character interaction experience that magically whisks guests away to the enchanted library at Beast's Castle.
Elsewhere inside Belle's Village is Gaston's Tavern, home of the new signature treat LeFou's Brew, a frozen apple juice with a hint of toasted marshmallow and passion fruit-mango foam.
East of Belle's Village is Prince Eric's Castle and the "Under the Sea" attraction, in the lagoon that was once the home of "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea."
At Storybook Circus, some old favorites have been improved. An additional Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride was added, and the Barnstormer roller coaster was remodeled, now featuring "The Great Goofini."
Two of Fantasyland's highlights have yet to open. A ride called the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is still under construction, as is Princess Fairytale Hall, where guests can go to meet all of their favorite Disney Princesses at once.
Disney officials said the princess experience will open next year, and the Mine Train ride is expected to open in 2014.
When it's all finished, the expansion will double the size of Fantasyland.