Earlier this week, we shared with you our first official look at Beast’s Castle, which will be added as part of the planned Fantasyland expansionat Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. Today, we are very excited to present even more photographs detailing the construction of the castle, as well as a technique Disney Imagineers are using called forced perspective, which makes the castle appear much larger than it actually is.
Forced perspective can most easily be described as a type of optical illusion. By manipulating the size and scale of a building based …

Disney unveiled details of its ongoing Fantasyland expansion via the Disney Parks Blog today ahead of its scheduled update, which is to take place this evening.
Most of the information had previously been shared, and the announcement provided further details of upcoming attractions.  But one announcement came as a surprise to the Disney community:  Snow White’s Scary Adventures will be closed to make way for a new Princess Fairytale Hall.  The character experience in the shadow of Cinderella’s castle will offer guests access to all of their princess favorites, including new ones to the …

Several rides in Disneyland’s Fantasyland were shut down late last week after smoke was detected backstage.  No one was injured during the incident.
More than 20 firefighters responded to a call just after noon last Thursday regarding smoke coming from an area behind Pinocchio’s Daring Journey.  When firefighters arrived, they opened the wall to find electrical conduits and wood framing within the wall charred.
As a safety precaution during the investigation, officials cut power to the ride, which also resulted in the temporary closure of six other rides, as the attractions all …

One of Fantasyland’s most beloved rides, “The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” has reopened this week at Walt Disney World. 
Visitors to the refurbished attraction can expect to see re-designed load area, as well as “Hundred Acre Goods,” a gift shop just outside the exit that specializes in all things Pooh and friends, including plush toys, collectibles, and apparel.
While the updates continue for another week or so, the entrance has been temporarily relocated to the Fastpass return lane.  Plans call for many interactive elements to be built into the wait area, …

The Internet rumor mill is churning with thoughts of what is on the chopping block vs. what is still a go for the ongoing Magic Kingdom Fantasyland expansion. Do you agree with Disney’s decision to change some of the expansion elements to accommodate for a larger audience?

Taking a spin on “Dumbo the Flying Elephant” has become a rite of passage for children who visit Walt Disney World or Disneyland with their parents. Waiting in Fantasyland under the hot sun for what feels like a lifetime, watching children before you bounce up & down as they sail through the sky, then ultimately declaring “Let’s do it again” when your famous flying elephant touches ground. “Dumbo the Flying Elephant” is as much of a Fantasyland icon as Sleeping Beauty or Cinderella’s Castle.
This week in Disneyland they’re …

A surprise announcement came last week that Disney may be tweaking plans on their ambitious Fantasyland expansion in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. Previously, Disney fans were treated to conceptual art work showing an expanded immersive land where Disney Princesses showcased their environments in a rich forest atmosphere & even conceptual art showing some new dining spots emerged. Fanatics all over the ‘Disney-web’ were abuzz about how heavy the concept seemed to rely on Princesses & could potentially have low appeal to boys, if any. Perhaps Disney reconsidered it’s targeted …

Starting October 15th Rapunzel, from the upcoming animated feature “Tangled,” will be doing ‘meet & greets’ at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. Replacing “Gepetto’s Sweet Shoppe” in Disneyland’s Fantasyland the new area will feature Rapunzel’s 70-foot long luxorious locks draped carefully around the pavilion. Rapunzel’s love interest, Flynn Rider, will also make appearances throughout the day.
The Disney Parks Blog posted the following concept art:

Source
Photos copyright Disney

The Disney Parks Blog is reporting that a new “play and greet” experience based on the upcoming “Tangled” will be replacing “Storytime with Belle” in the Magic Kingdom.
The final “Storytime with Belle” will be on September 12th. Inside the Magic Speculates:
The “play and greet” sounds strikingly like a precursor to what is planned for Disney’s ongoing Fantasyland expansion that will include several new houses, each with their own interactive area for children of all ages to spend quality time with their favorite Disney Princesses.
Many fans may be sad to …

After the “California Department of Occupational Safety and Health” inspectors noted a lack of handrails needed for maintenance crews who work on an elevated segment of the ride, Disney voluntarily shut down the classic “Alice in Wonderland” attraction which debuted at the park in 1958. A crew is currently installing safety barriers that were recommended by the inspectors to prevent workers from falling off the elevated portion of the ride & Disney hopes to reopen the attraction within several weeks. Disney officials note that the closure was voluntary, which took …