Expansions coming to Fantasyland!

I saw this article over on Abby's blog and wanted to post it.  It's a list of some of the changes we can expect during the big Fantasyland Expansion.  Here are the outlined points:


* Groundbreaking on the three-year project will take place this spring.
* The first phase will be finished in late 2012.
* The entire project is expected to be finished by 2013.
* It is the largest expansion project in Magic Kingdom history.
* Say goodbye to Toontown. It will now be home of part of the Fantasyland Forest.
* The meet and greet opportunities currently available in Toontown will be moved to Exposition Hall.
* The Pooh-themed play area, opposite The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and Ariel’s Grotto will be closed.
* The remaining classic Fantasyland attractions will remain.
* Guests will be able to have more immersive encounters with Disney princesses in each of their own themed villages within Fantasyland Forest. 
* At Dreams Come True with Cinderella, guests can meet Cinderella face to face in her country chateau, share a dance or train to be a royal knight.
* At a Birthday Surprise for Sleeping Beauty, guests will be able to take part in a surprise birthday party with the princess.
* An “enchanted mirror” will move guests from Belle’s father’s cottage to Beast’s castle for a storytelling performance. (This will replace Storytime with Belle near Tomorrowland.)
* Also, the new district will feature the Be Our Guest Restaurant, one of three dining rooms inside Beast’s castle.  And just outside the castle in Belle’s Village will be Gaston’s Tavern (though the “tavern” will be dry - the Magic Kingdom is a dry park), another themed eatery. 
* Taking the place of the old 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction will be “Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid” attraction. It will be the same attraction located in Disneyland.
* Dumbo fans, fear not. “There will always be a Dumbo ride operating,” Sedlock said. However, when all is said and done, Dumbo’s Flying Circus will provide twice the size of the classic attraction.  Inside a stylized tent, guests will enjoy midway games and other fun-filled experiences while waiting in line. Because if you want to ride Dumbo, you gotta wait in line. 


I'm a bit excited about the Beauty and the Beast-themed restaurant!   Although I will miss Toontown Fair.  That area has gone through so many changes since I was a kid.  I still remember the show featuring Darkwing Duck, the Rescue Rangers, and Ducktales that used to be there!


And it will be pretty interesting to witness some of this change first-hand (well, as much as they allow a lowly CP :-D) during my time there!