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All in the Details: Tinkering in Maurice’s Cottage at New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park

Jennifer Fickley-Baker

by , Editorial Content Manager, Walt Disney World Resort

We’re back this week with another inside look at an attraction that’s coming to New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park.

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This time, Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) has shared a glimpse inside Maurice’s Cottage, which is the room that welcomes guests to the Enchanted Tales With Belle meet-and-greet experience. Here, guests can explore the tinkerer’s humble cottage and workshop. According to our WDI friends, a few of Maurice’s unique inventions even decorate the place!

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What do you think? Which “Beauty and The Beast” experience are you looking forward to most when New Fantasyland opens this holiday season: Enchanted Tales With Belle, the Be Our Guest Restaurant, or Gaston’s Tavern?

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*Many of you asked, in the comments section of last week’s post, about openings. Here’s the most updated info we have at this time:

Keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog and follow @WaltDisneyWorld on Twitter for the latest on the New Fantasyland expansion. While you’re on Twitter, join in the conversation by using the hashtag #NewFantasyland.

Look below for more “All in the Details” from Walt Disney Imagineering:

Destinations: Walt Disney World Resort

Comments

  • I am so excited for our upcoming Nov 4,2012 trip! I am keeping an entire day open for my ADR just in anticipation that Be our Guest will be open. Everytime I read your Fantasyland updates I start planning for future visits so we can make sure to experience everything! So, for now the wait continues and the excitement builds!!

  • do u when we will be able to book reservations at be our guest restaurant? we will be at disney during the holidays.

  • We are excitedly planning our May, 2013 visit. I wanted to order our Park Maps for this visit– but when will they be updated with all the new Fantasyland additions? I know you can’t order but one map every six months– so I want to know when it will be updated and show the New Fantasyland.
    Any idea when this will take place?

  • Im a huge fan of Beauty and the Beast and I was just wondering… Will the Beauty and the Beast area look similar to Belle’s Enchanted Village in Fantasyland at Disneyland Paris? I love all the little shops there and I love the fountain where Belle reads her book!

    • I haven’t been to Disneyland Paris for years, so I’ll have to ask.

  • I cant wait to see how everything fits in and works together everything when the whole of the New Fantasyland opens. This really looks like “Inventions” resteraunt in The Disneyland Hotel in Disneyland Paris. I love it when you notice similarities between parks!
    Thanks for the Great pics!!!

  • I would like to add that the disney imagineers have overdone themselves, once again, with fantasyland and Disney Art of Animation resort. We all appreciate their hard work and dedication, and they should know that their work will be ‘ooooed’ and ‘awweeed’ at for years and years to come, just like the rest of WDW and WDL.

    • I agree, Natalie. Both projects look absolutely amazing!

  • Without a doubt I am most excited for the ‘be out guest resturante’! The cottage and Tavern come at a close secound. =)

  • I was wondering when in July the circus area will open. My sister and I will be in Orlando for 2 weeks at the end of July from Omaha, Nebraska. We are looking forward to visiting Disney!!

    • I can finally share that two more pieces of Storybook Circus were unveiled today. Casey Jr. is open for business and the “second” Dumbo can be viewed now.

  • Appreciate all the information you provide. Even though the Mine Train ride is estimated to be 2014, please try to dig up some more details about it. Thrill seekers just can not wait to hear more about it.

  • My favorite is the kids cupcake at Mama Melrose: looks like spaghetti with a meatball on top. Will try some of these out during my trip at the end of the month. Thankfully I’ve got travel companions and we’ll be able to share.

  • Too bad you cant be a bit more specific about BOG restuarant. To some people “the holidays” mean Halloween through Three Kings Day. To others it could mean Black Friday to New Years Day. It’s just such a wide range. I did hear, however, they are hoping to have BOG open for Thanksgiving dinner. Any truth to that? Or is it all just wishful thinking from all of us patiently and sometimes, not so patiently waiting?? Lol Thanks for any info!! Hoping BOG will be open for our trip this year!!

  • Sorry if these questions has been asked before….

    Will Gaston’s Tavern be a quick service or a table service restaurant?

    Will Be Our Guest Restaurant be a 1 table credit or 2 table credit restaurant?

    Any news on ADR for either?

    So Excited and Grateful for the information and pics! Thanks.

    • No problem – ask away! I’m not sure about Gaston’s, I’ll have to look into it. No word yet on Disney Dining Plan details.

  • These look amazing! I particularly like the second picture. It’s awesome. Thanks for sharing these with us, Jennifer. I can’t wait ’till this holiday season.

  • Hi Jennifer – Thanks for the great information. Do you know if Be Our Guest Restaurant will take one sit down credit on the dining plan or two for the evening? How about Gaston’s Tavern? Can’t wait till ADR’s are announced. We will be at MK on December 9, 2012 and would love to eat at one of the restaurants.

    • I don’t have any info yet on how the Disney Dining Plan will apply to this area. I have asked the question, I’m just waiting to hear back on that and a lot of other dining info.

  • I would love to see some more of Gaston’s Tavern. I imagine it being as “burly and brawny” as its namesake. After all, Gaston is “everyone’s favorite guy” 🙂

  • Do you know who will be taking the places of the princesses at the Main Street meet and greet? With all of these new spots to visit, it would seem that Mickey would be left all by his lonesome!

    • Not at this time. Princess Fairytale Hall won’t open until sometime in 2013, so which princess (or character) appears where probably won’t be decided until closer to time. If I hear anything, I’ll be happy to share.

  • Jennifer —

    I love all these details and am excited to take my son and daughter to the new Fantasyland when it’s all open (even though they are in their 30s, they are still Disney kids at heart…and maybe my daughter will give me a grand baby by the time this is all open!).

    I am really curious as to why Disney bas not released any concept sketches for the construction going on by Peter Pan and Small World where the Skyway station used to be. My husband Earl said that he heard Peter Pan was going to get a new queue, but I never believe anything Earl says because he mishears things.

    Can you give any insight into what’s happening where the old Skyway used to be? Can this be the topic of your next construction update?

    Thank you,

    • Hi Patricia- I’m happy you’re so excited about the expansion. I sure am, too!
      Yes, that area is actually going to be a bathroom, so I’m not sure you want a whole post on it! If there’s anything notable about the building, I’ll be happy to share.

  • I can’t wait! It’s going to be amazing and we’re going to enjoy every minute of it. Thanks for the response Jennifer!

  • I am so, so looking forward to seeing all this when we (hopefully!) get to return in 2014! Last year, my then almost-3yo daughter made Mummy cry (with joy!) when she got to dance with Belle and the Beast, which had been her dream, and I think we’ll both be beside ourselves to see Fantasyland when the expansion is all finished 🙂 She’s gone to bed singing “Tale as old as time” and talking to herself about how she’s “not afraid of Beastie any more”…she’s a total Belle obsessive! I can’t wait to see it all finished!

    • Sounds like you two will really enjoy the area. 2014 will come faster than you think!

  • We may have to roll my daughter out on a gurney if she actually gets to see all of this and sit to eat here. This is her favorite movie. She will be turning 4 on January 8, 2013 but since we visit the Magic Kingdom in December yearly we plan to celebrate her birthday early this year. We are spoiling her rotten this year with reservations at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique where she’ll be dolled up as Belle (her favorite princess), dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table and if we can make a reservation at Be Our Guest for Dinner I truly don’t think she’ll be able to contain herself. I’m tearing up just thinking about it!

    • The first part of your comment actually made me laugh out loud! Sounds like you have an excellent trip planned for her. I’m sure you’ll have a great and memorable time. Just for clarity, Maurice’s cottage is separate from Be Our Guest restaurant. Maurice’s is the first room guests enter in Enchanted Tales With Belle (an enhanced meet-and-greet experience). So you’ll really have two amazing Beauty & The Beast experiences to share together!

  • I do so wish I was there right now walking along Main Street towards the teacups in back and taking in all the sights,sounds,good smells of those sugared almonds and so much more!

    • Main Street is my favorite part of any Disney Park! I love the sounds, sights and smells – especially of the candy shop!!!

  • Jennifer thanks so very much for these teasers. I never cease to be amazed by the Imagineers creativity and attention to detail. Very few destinations can continue to draw folks year after year as does Disney. I hope that the Imagineers know how very much we appreciate them. Can’t wait to see what surprise you have for us on next weeks post.

    • Thanks so much, Cheryl. I love sharing these amazing photos. They really help us dream about all the fun we’ll have when the area opens, don’t they?

  • I’m so glad I picked December for our family vacation this year! I sure hope Be Our Guest reservations open up soon! 🙂

    • Visiting during the holiday is always a BLAST. There’s definitely a lot to look forward to this year.

  • I have reservations for May of 2013 on property, just to see the new area. I am trying to get reservations for Be our Guest but they said six month is the earliest I can make them.. I will be calling 6 months to the day to try to get a reservation.

    • As soon as reservations open, we’ll share it right here on the blog! Promise!

  • Thank you so much for all the pictures. I can’t wait to be there in person to see it all. I think I missed something along the way. As I was looking at your list of openings I did not see Pixie Hallow. Is this no longer a part of the expansion?

  • I am curious if the Crank & Gear Chandelier actually rotates?

  • I’m so excited to see it all, but especially the “Be Our Guest” restaurant. Like others, I can’t wait to see the menu. I love Beauty and the Beast and frequently have the songs stuck in my head because I watch the movie too much!! Can’t wait for the Holidays!

    • I bet that restaurant, decorated for the holidays, will be even more lovely.

  • OMG all of it! Beauty and the Beast is my Favorite movie! I can’t even tell you how excited I am to be able to experience it!

    • That’s great to hear, Delana!

  • Looks fantastic. Another family hoping holidays means Halloween! We’re interested in the circus tents in storybook circus. I noticed that they were not on your list of opening dates. When can we expect the entire circus area to be open? It look beautiful now even with the walls!

  • Thanks again Jennifer for the weekly update!! It must be tricky to take these pictures without showing any of the construction equipment and materials, and to show us just enough to keep us wondering and wanting more. Great job!! And as for what I am looking forward the most in the Fantasyland expansion; it is by far “Be Our Guest” restaurant!!

    • Thanks so much, Debra. 🙂

  • Tuesdays are quickly becoming my favorite day of the week! I hope Be Our Guest has some good rustic French food, like cassoulet, coq au vin and ratatouille.

    • You’re making me SO HUNGRY!

  • It’s a toss up as to which we’re looking forward to more: Be Our Guest or Enchanted Tales with Belle. Can’t wait to experience both!

    • I love to eat, so I’m looking forward to Be Our Guest restaurant the most. Can’t wait to see (and share) that menu!

  • I love logging on and seeing all your new posts on the New Fantasyland! Thanks so much for sharing!
    I’m planning my trip from Oct. 2nd – 9th for my birthday, but I don’t think Ariel’s ride will be open at that time =/ bummed

  • Another fantastic blog post! I was just wondering, though… are there any specifics with the term “Holidays”. Might that include Halloween or is that just wishful thinking? Lol…keep up the good work! 🙂

  • Sorry for my ignorance (I am from the UK) but when is “Holiday Season”? Halloween?

  • I am so excited about the new rides/areas opening! We are going at the end of this August…I don’t know if I can wait for the final expansion to be completed in 2014! It will be so exciting once it is all done though!

    • There’s plenty of fun to be had no matter what time you visit. It will be very exciting once this is entirely finished…I wonder what else we’ll be looking forward to in 2014. 🙂

  • I LOVE Beauty and the Beast. So much so I dressed as Belle in her yellow gown for the Princess 1/2 marathon in February. I was wondering what was ment by “holiday season?” I would LOVE to eat at Be Our Guest Resturant on my Birthday, before running the Wine and Dine 1/2 Marathon.

  • Is “Holidays 2012” around Thanksgiving or before Christmas? We want to time our visit just right!

    • I don’t have anything more specific to share right now. As soon as I know, you’ll all know!

  • When will ADRs be open for Be Our Guest? I’ll be coming the first week of December and would love to dine there!

    • No word yet – we hope to have an update soon! Keep checking back.

  • I cannot wait to try the Be Our Guest Restaurant, but I love the sneek peeks you are giving us of all the attraction soon to open. The entire area of the castle and village are looking amazing.

    • Thanks, Sean. We’ll have so much to explore when this new area opens. It’s really amazing!

  • Yay! So excited! Definitely looking forward to the whole Beauty and the Beast area in general, but I think we most want to see the Be Our Guest restaurant!

    • Sara – That seems to be the favorite in this area!

  • I’m a huge Beauty & The Beast fan. I can’t wait!

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