Changes

When Fantasyland was originally being designed for Walt Disney World, Imagineers decided that they did not want to simply make a recreation of Disneyland’s dark rides. Instead Imagineers wanted to replace the Disneyland dark rides (Snow White’s Adventure, Peter Pan’s Flight, and Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride) with new attractions, based on different movies. They came up with three new dark rides, one based on Sleeping Beauty, one based on the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and one based on Marry Poppins. Although proposed later (in 1977), another planned attraction for the Magic Kingdom was Enchanted Snow Palace. The attraction would have been a dark boat ride through a magic snow world. Due to the extra cost, and perhaps Roy Disney’s disapproval, it was eventually decided to recreate the Disneyland dark rides in the Magic Kingdom. Fantasyland opened along with the rest of the Magic Kingdom on October 1,1971. On opening day Fantasyland had more attractions then any other The land in took its inspiration from the parkDisney movies themselves. The opening day attractions for Fantasyland were: Dumbo the Flying Elephant, the Mad Tea Party, Snow White’s Adventure, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Cinderella’s Golden Carousel, the Mickey Mouse Revue, “it’s a small world” and the Skyway to Tommorowland were all operational. Within the next month, Peter Pan’s Flight and the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage would also open , giving Fantasyland an astounding ten attractionsby late 1971. Unlike Disneyland’s Fantasyland, which had more of a whimsical theme, the Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland took its a lot of inspiration from European villages, where many of the Disney movies themselvesstories were originally written. In Fantasyland remained largely unchanged until 1980 when the Mickey Mouse Revue was closed and eventually moved to the new Tokyo Disneyland. The Fantasyland Theater which had housed the revue remained unused until 1987 when the attraction, Magic Journeys moved in. Magic Journeys was a 3D show which allowed guests are immersed to see “the world through the eyes of a child”. The film had previously been shown in Epcot, Disneyland, and Tokyo Disneyland before finally making its way to The Magic Kingdom. In the movies early 1990s, Fantasyland underwent a series of changes. In 1993, Magic Journeys was closed and replaced with The Legend of the Lion King. The new attraction was based on Disney's The Lion King and it used puppets, animation and special effects to tell the movies come story. Further change came Fantasyland in 1994, when the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage was closed. Although the exact reasons for the attractions closure remain unclear, 20,000 Leagues was not closed due to life through lack of popularity. Instead it may have been closed because the ride was not handicap accessible, broke down frequently, had a small max capacity and cost a lot to maintain. After the ride had closed the lagoon which housed it remained empty until 2001. Also in 1994, Snow White's Adventure was redesigned to be more like the Disneyland version of the attraction. When Snow White's Adventures reopened it was renamed Snow White's Scary Adventures. The reason for the name change was that the attraction had often scared younger children and the Imagineers felt that some warning was necessary.Another opening day attraction closed in 1998 when Mr. Toad's Wild Ride was removed. Disney thought that a more known character would be better suited for the large building that housed the attraction. The ride was still popular however, and when news of the attractionsclosure spread, a “Save Toad” campaign was started. Despite the campaign Mr. Toad's Wild Ride closed on September 7, 1998. The attraction was replaced by the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, which opened in 1999. Also in 1999, the Skyway to Tommorowland was closed. The decision to close the attraction came after a Disney World employee was killed while cleaning a platform on the attraction. Although Disney said that the accidental death had nothing to do with the ride closing, the Skyway would never open again.The former location of the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage finally began to change in 2001. A new attraction, riel's Grotto (a little Mermaid meet and greet) opened in the 20,000 Leagues queue area. Then, in 2002 the Fantasyland Theater was once again changed. The Legend of the Lion King was closed and removed from the theater, thus paving the way for a new attraction to open. The new attraction designed for the Fantasyland Theater, was a 3D show named Mickey’s PhilharMagic. The show features Donald Duck traveling through many famous Disney movies looking for Mickey’s “Sorcerers Hat” (Which he of course used without permission). Songs and characters from classic Disney movies also appeared in the show. Movies included were Beauty and the Beast, Fantasia, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Peter Pan, and Aladdin. Also getting a new attraction was the former 20,000 League Lagoon, which was transformed in 2005 into Pooh's Playful Spot. The new attraction was an outdoor play area for children which eventually closed In 2010. Another minor change came in 2010 when Cinderella’s Golden Carousel was renamed the Prince Charming Regal Carousel, although the ride remained the same.

The 1990's brought a series of changes to ==Fantasyland. In 1993 Magic Journeys was closed and replaced with The Legend of the Lion King. The new attraction was based on Disney's the Lion King and used puppets, animation and special effects to tell the story of the Lion King. Further change came to Fantasyland in 1994 when the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage was closed. 20,000 leagues was not closed due to lack of popularity, but because the ride was not handicap accessible, broke down frequently, had limited capacity and cost a lot to maintain. After the ride had closed the lagoon remained empty until 2004 when the lagoon was finally renovated. Also in 1994, Snow White's Adventure was redesigned to be more like the Disneyland version of the attraction. When Snow White's Adventures reopened it was renamed Snow White's Scary Adventures. The reason for the name change was that the attraction had often scared younger children and the  Imagineers felt that some warning was necessary. Another opening day attraction closed in 1998 when Mr. Toad's Wild Ride was removed. Disney thought that a more known character would be better suited for the large building that Mr. Toad's Wild Ride was housed in. The ride was still popular however, and when news of the attractions closure spread a “Save Toad” campaign was started. Despite the campaign Mr. Toad's Wild Ride closed on September 7, 1998. The attraction was replaced by the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, which opened in 1999. In 1999 the Skyway to Tommorowland was also closed after a Disney World employee was killed while cleaning a platform on the attraction. Although Disney said that the accidental death had nothing to do with the rides closing the Skyway would never open again. Expansion==

The former location of the 20In 2009 Disney announced that Mickey’s Toontown Fair would be closing,000 Leagues Under and that Fantasyland would be expanding into the Sea: Submarine Voyage finally began previous Toontown location. The expansion is expected to change in 2001 when Ariel's Grotto (a little Mermaid meet and greet) opened. In 2002 double the previous size of Fantasyland Theater was once again changing. The Legend first part of the Lion King was closed and removed from the theater. This paved the way for a new 3D show expansion to openwas Storybook Circus, Mickey's PhilharMagicwhich opened on March 12, 2012. The new show featured Donald Duck area is themed to look like a traveling through many famous Disney movies looking for circus, similar to the “sorcerers hat” (Which he of course used without permission). Songs and characters from classic Disney movies also appeared one seen in the showDisney movie, Dumbo. Included were As part of the expansion the [[Dumbo the Flying Elephant]] attraction was moved, Beauty and the Beast, FantasiaBarnstormer (from Mickey’s Toontown Fair) was re-themed, becoming The Little Mermaid, Barnstormer Starring Goofy as The Great Goofini. Lion KingThe former Toontown train station was also re-themed,Peter Paneventually reopening as the Fantasyland Train Station. Two other attractions, Pete’s Silly Sideshow and Aladdinthe Casey Jr. Also getting a new attraction was the former 20,000 League Lagoon, which was transformed in 2005 into PoohSplash 's Playful Spot. The new attraction was n' Soak Station are expected to join Storybook Circus at a outdoor play area for children and closed In 2010. Another minor change came in 2010 when Cinderella’s Golden Carousel was renamed the Prince Charming Regal Carousellater date.

==Other parts of the “new” Fantasyland Expansion==are set to house a variety of attractions based on Disney movies. The first addition should be Under the Sea- The Voyage of the Little Mermaid which is set to open in late 2012. This new attraction is based on the Disney Movie The Little Mermaid and will be a dark ride type attraction. Ariel's Grotto is also expected to re-open in the Fantasyland expansion near the new Little Mermaid ride.

In 2009, it was announced that MickeyAlso expected to open in late 2012 is Beauty and the Beast Village (featuring the new Beast's Toontown Fair would be closing Castle), a Belle meet-and-greet and Fantasyland would be expanding into the previous Toontown locationBe Our Guest restaurant. The expansion is expected to double the previous size of Fantasyland. Part This entire part of the expansion will be called Storybook Circus which will begin opening in early 2012. This section of Fantasyland will be themed like a circus and will include new attractions such as Casey Jr. and based on the Great Goofini Coaster. Casey Jr. is expected to be a water play area for kids featuring Case Jr. from the 1941 popular Disney movie DumboBeauty and the Beast. The Great Goofini Coaster, is a re-temed version final part of Goofy's Barnstormer which was previously located in Mickey's Toontown Fair. Storybook Circus the expansion is also expected to house two Dumbo the Elephant rides (open in late 2013 with the old ride moving from its current location) and the Fantasyland Train StationThe Seven Dwarfs Mine Coaster. In 2013 it is expected that Storybook Circus This roller coaster will be completed with based on the addition of Pete's Silly SideshowDisney Movie Snow White.

The other part of In conjunction with the “new” Fantasyland is set to house a variety of attractions based on Disney movies. The first addition should be Under expansion and the Sea- The Voyage creation of the Little Mermaid which is set to open in late 2012. This new attraction is based on the Disney Movie The Little Mermaid and will be a dark ride type attraction. ArielMine Coaster, Snow White's Grotto is also expected to re-open in the Fantasyland expansion at some pointScary Adventure will close on May 31, 2012.

'''[[Prince Charming Regal Carousel]]'''- Ride along to classic Disney tunes on this 90 seat carousel. Originally built in 1917, the Carousel is the oldest ride on Disney property. This attraction was known as Cinderella's Golden Carousel from 1971 until 2010.  '''[[Dumbo the Flying Elephant]]'''- Soar through the clouds with Dumbo on this kid friendly ride. Inspired by the movie of the same name. Dumbo is one of the most popular attractions in all of Walt Disney World! '''[["it's a small world"]]'''- Allows guests to take a cruise with kids from around the world. Guest board boats and visit many different cultures all while listening to the classic Disney song, “it's a Small World”.

'''[[Mad Tea Party]]'''- This ride allows guests to spin along in tea cups as they celebrate their unbirthday. Based on the 1951 animated film Alice in Wonderland and located near Tommorowland, this ride can cause motion sickness.

'''[[Mickey's PhilharMagic]]'''- Join Mickey, Donald, Ariel, Aladdin and others in this 3D musical show. Sit back and relax as you are taken Donald Duck travels through a series of musical numbers from famous various Disney moviestrying to recover Mickey’s Sorcerer Hat.

'''Pooh's Playful Spot'''- Was Pooh's Playful Spot was an outdoor playground for little kids. Based on the popular Winnie the Pooh cartoons and movies, this attraction opened in 2005 and closed in 2010.

'''Snow White's Scary Adventure'''- Was Snow White’s Scary Adventure was a dark ride based on the 1941 Disney Movie. movie Snow White's Scary Adventures . The attraction allowed guests to Ride ride along through the story of Snow White. The ride was Snow White’s Scary Adventure based on the 1941 movie Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.It opened with the park in 1971 and closed in May 31, 2012.

'''Mr. Toad's Wild Ride'''-Was Mr. Toad's Wild Ride was a dark ride based on the 1955 Disney movie the Wind and the Willows. In this attraction guests road along with Mr. Toad on a crazy, jerky ride. Mr. Toad's Wild Ride opened with the park in 1971 and closed September 8, 1998.

'''20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage'''- Was am an opening day attraction that allowed guests to submerge in the Pacific Ocean and view the deep sea with Captain Nemo and his crew. The attraction took up about ¼ of Fantasyland. 20,000 Leagues but closed October 14, 1994. It was based on the the 1952 live-action Disney movie.

'''The Skyway to Tommorowland'''- The Skyway allowed guests to travel from Fantasyland to Tommorowland via gondola lift. The attraction opened with the park in 1971 and closed on November 10, 1999.

'''Magic Journeys'''- Was Magic Journeys was a 3D show located in the Fantasyland Theater. The show showed guests the world through the view of a child. The attraction opened December 1, 1987 and closed December 1, 1993.

'''The Legend of the Lion King'''- Was The Legend of the Lion King was a musical show that opened on June 15, 1994 and closed February 23, 2002. The Legend of the Lion King show was housed in the Fantasyland Theater. The show used puppetry, animation and special effects to tell the story of Disney's 1992 movie The Lion King.

'''Casey Jr. RoundhouseSplash n Soak'''-Will be an outdoor water area for young kids. Located in Storybook Circus this attraction is based on the 1941 Disney movie Dumbo. Expected to open in early 2012.  '''The Great Goofini Coaster'''- Will be a mild roller coaster located in Storybook Circus. The Great Goofini will be a re-theming the summer of the former Toontown attraction Goofy's Barnstormer. Expected to open in early 2012.