Next Stage of Fantasyland Expansion Set for Grand Opening 12/6, Previews to Begin 11/19
By Dave Shute
OPENING DATE SET FOR DISNEY WORLD’S FANTASYLAND EXPANSION
The Disney Parks Blog announced here that the Grand Opening of the next stage of New Fantasyland will be on Thursday December 6, 2012. (I’d thought it would open by 12/8–see this.)
Previews will begin on November 19.
The Grand Opening on December 6 will include Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid, Be Our Guest Restaurant, Enchanted Tales with Belle, Ariel’s Grotto, Gaston’s Tavern and Bonjour! Village Gifts.
During “previews” Under the Sea may not be operating all the time, and may start after the park opens or close suddenly. But since it’s a dupe of a fairly simply ride system that’s been in operation for a while in California, previews should be pretty clean.
12 comments
Hi,
When disney say “previews” does that mean anyone can “sign up” to attend the previews or is something that will be offered to some particular groups of people? I only ask as Nov.19 is my second last day staying at the Resort and it would be amazing if I was able to have a chance to attend a preview on the new fantasyland section of Magic Kingdom.
Thanks in advance for help and advice.
Hi Lyra–from what I hear, I suspect it will be a bit of both–there will be formal ticketed or narrow audience previews for e.g. Disney passholders, and also all-comers no-sign up previews which will be for everyone…
Hi Dave,
Thanks for the information. Fingers crossed we get a chance to see the new expansion!
🙂
Will Be Our Guest be available for reservations during the preview time?
Hi Amy, from what I’ve read, it looks like it will be–and you will be able to begin reserving it later this month…
Looks like I got info on the opening prior to it being posted on the blog (this never happens, LOL). Here are the current talking points:
Dinner reservations at Be Our Guest Restaurant may be booked beginning at noon on Monday, Aug. 20. The first available dinner will be for Monday, Nov. 19. Reservations can be made by calling 407-WDW-DINE, or visiting any Guest Relations theme park location or Guest Services desk at a resort. Online reservations will be available beginning Aug. 22 by visiting http://www.disneyworld.disney.go.com/reservations/dining.
Located at the base of the mountain below Beast’s castle, this themed venue transports diners to the magical world of “Beauty and the Beast.” By day, Be Our Guest Restaurant serves up quick-service cuisine with no reservations required. By night, it becomes a traditional table-service restaurant where Guests can reconnect with family and friends over satisfying fare. The restaurant will immerse Guests in three uniquely themed dining rooms: The mysterious West Wing, featuring an enchanted rose. The Castle Gallery with twirling, larger-than-life figures of Belle and Beast (available during the lunch period only).The Ballroom, elegantly styled with a domed ceiling, twinkling chandeliers and views of softly falling snow.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q1. What will be on the menu at Be Our Guest Restaurant? Be Our Guest Restaurant features French-inspired cuisine, with items the whole family will love. Dinner selections include the usual favorites like steak, poultry and fish; but with a French flair befitting of the environment. Grilled strip steak with pommes frites (French fries), French onion soup and thyme-scented pork chop are just a few of the things found on the dinner menu. For lunch, you’ll be able to enjoy salads like the tuna Nicoise and sandwiches such as the Croque Monsieur (ham and cheese) and grilled steak sandwich with garlic butter spread. There will also be heartier fare, like braised pork and vegetable quiche.
Q2. Will discounts be available for Be Our Guest Restaurant? This location will participate in the Tables in Wonderland program. No other Guest discounts will be available. A 20% Cast Member discount will be available (excluding block-out periods). Cast Member dining discounts are currently blocked out Nov. 20-26, 2011 and Dec. 18, 2011-Jan. 2, 2012. Additional restrictions apply; see The Hub >> Disney Difference for more information.
Q3. Will Be Our Guest Restaurant be included in the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, on the Disney Dining Plan, Be Our Guest Restaurant is one quick-service entitlement for lunch and one table-service restaurant entitlement for dinner.
Q4. Will a credit card guarantee be required for dinner reservations at Be Our Guest Restaurant? Will people be charged if canceling their reservation?Yes, when booking a reservation at Be Our Guest Restaurant, Guests will be required to provide a credit card to hold a reservation and will be charged $10.00 per person if a cancellation isn’t made at least one day in advance. This helps ensure that more Guests can enjoy the dining experiences available at Walt Disney World Resort restaurants.
Q5. Can people specify which dining room they would like to be seated in when making their reservation? No, Guests will not be able to note a dining room preference when making reservations usual, they can inquire at the podium when they check in.
Q6. Will there be character dining at Be Our Guest Restaurant? Be Our Guest Restaurant will not feature character dining. For Guests looking to dine with royalty in the Magic Kingdom Park, Cinderella’s Royal Table will continue featuring the Disney Princesses. The Crystal Palace, A Buffet with Character is also available for Guests to dine with friends from the Hundred Acre Wood.
Q8. Will Lumiere be in the dining room? Lumiere will not be at the restaurant, as he will instead be nearby assisting Belle with the telling of her story at Enchatned Tales with Belle.
OTHER IMPORTANT NOTES·
For Be Our Guest, this location features table service for dinner and the new GFF quick service experience for lunch. This new process allows the guest to place the order and then find a table and the food will be brought to them when it is ready.
Thanks!!!! See this: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2012/08/15/be-our-guest-phone-reservations-begin-noon-est-820-online-822/
Dave,
You are truly magical!!! I do hope this information is true. I’ll be dialing WDW Dining at about 1250 on the 20th. Any hints for getting a BOG ADR for Nov 26 – Dec 2 trip? I’m a Disney Vet, and I still look at your site many times each year – as I plan the next trip or just love all things Disney. Again, thanks for helping me plan at least my last five trips, maybe more…can’t remember exactly when I first discovered your fabulaous site.
Hi Mitzi, and thanks so much for all your kind words! I don’t have any more hints than what you’ve come up with…except to note that I hope you meant 1150 eastern…
Thanks for the great information Dave. I think the opening of this restaurant has been one of the number one questions asked of me over the past month. It’s been a big topic and people are so excited to have another dining option at the Magic Kingdom.
One thing I was curious about was the children’s menu, after seeing what was available for adults. But I think Disney will have some happy little guests when trying the whole-grain macaroni with marinara, carved turkey sandwich, and grilled chicken or steak to name a few. I’m sure the phone lines will be busy that day so let’s be patient when calling or making reservations on-line. I’m sure it will be worth it!
Hi Kim! I agree with you about busy phone lines and the need for patience next week!
Leave a Comment | Ask a Question | Note a Problem