Florida Guide > Disney Parks
Fantasyland and Fastpasses
On our recent visit to Magic Kingdom we spent the whole time in Fantasyland. This really is a very magical place when you have younger children – or even if you are a big kid yourself!
You will find it situated behind Cinderella Castle, in the northernmost area of Magic Kingdom. It is a castle courtyard in the times of princes and princesses. You will see the castle’ s mosaic murals, you can ride a magical carousel horse, or sit on a flying elephant even pull a sword from a stone, or fly over the rooftops of London.
It is essential to plan how and when you get your Fastpasses in Fantasyland and be sure to get a Fastpass for your favourite ride as soon as you enter Fantasyland, as there are three Fastpass rides here. These are Mickey’s Philharmagic, the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and Peter Pan’s Flight. We usually check the waiting times for all three and then get our first Fastpass for the show with the longest line.
Approaching Fantasyland from Cinderella’s 190 feet high Castle, you will immediately see the Golden Carrousel. There are 90 brightly coloured horses and the Disney music will keep you smiling as you enjoy this gentle ride. The line circles around the carrousel, and your group can watch the riders enjoying themselves while they are waiting. As the ride is only 2 minutes long the line moves very quickly. If you want to have photos taken make sure you sit on the outside horses.
Visit Ariel’s colourful grotto just beyond Cinderella’ s Golden Carrousel, which is decorated with starfish, coral, and waterfalls. Here you can meet Ariel who is usually at her grotto from 10 a. m. until park closing. Since mermaids have difficulty walking on land, Ariel will greet you from her chair draped with seaweed -- young mermaid fans can sit right next to her for their parents to take their photo. There is also a small play area here.
Younger children enjoy the Mad Tea Party that is a two-minute ride in a whirling, spinning oversized teacup.
Mickey’s Philharmagic is a real treat for all ages. When the movie begins, you’ ll meet some of Disney’ s most loved characters (Flounder, Ariel, Simba, Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Aladdin, Jasmine, Iago, Mickey, and, of course, Donald) and hear some of Disney’s greatest songs. The 3D effects are brilliant, and even our youngest who is terrified of 3D effects has been persuaded to put her glasses on! I do not know when or how it happens but sometime during the show the movie is projected on an almost 180-degree screen, one of the widest in the world.
We had not been to the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh until a couple of years ago and as our niece insisted on three visits to MK we found we had time to include it. We hopped aboard our own 4 people Hunny Pot and joined Pooh and his friends on a short adventure in search of the pot of hunny! A storm breaks out and the waters rise in Hundred Acre Woods. Owl, Baby Roo, Tigger, Eeyore, Kanga and Rabbit all join together to save Piglet from falling over Floody Place Falls. We really enjoyed this gentle ride.
Although the lines can be long for It’ s a Small World as it is a continuous ride it moves quite quickly. It shows children from around the world and is a simplistic yet charming, whimsical, gentle boat ride. Small boats glide along the international waters and dancing dolls, animals and flowers very quickly surrounds you, singing that now almost infamous song, " It’ s a Small World. "
Snow Whites Scary Adventures is not for young children or those scared of the dark. You go aboard the wooden diamond mine cars and follow Snow White as she wanders through the Enchanted Forest, meets the Seven Dwarfs, and encounters the Wicked Witch during the 3-minute ride. The ending is a happy one as Snow White and the Prince live happily ever after.
Peter Pan’ s Flight is my favourite ride in Fantasyland. As you wind your way through the exterior queue, you will watch guests loading onto their pirate galleon, suspended from the ceiling. Once aboard, Tinker Bell will sprinkle pixie dust your way and you swoop high above London in the moonlight -- right into the animated movie Peter Pan! For about three minutes you’ll glide through the skies in the dark, illuminated by with black lights and fibre optics.
You will revisit scenes like Old London Town, Big Ben, Never Land, Mermaid Lagoon, and Skull Rock. As you listen to music from the movie, you’ ll watch the story unfold below. Of course, Captain Hook and Mr. Smee are around. . . as well as the ever-present ticking Crocodile, still hungry for another taste of the pirate captain. Great ride!
If you, like us, spend many hours in Fantasyland you will see the Sword in the Stone Ceremony. Merlin challenges young guests to pull the sword from the stone several times during the day. You will need to check your guide for the ceremony times.
Enjoy your day in Fantasyland, and dont forget to use your Fastpasses to your advantage.
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