AA Mom And Kids Mickey Ice Cream Bar; DinoLand U.S.A.; animal kingdom
  • On Oct 12, 2012
    Barbara from NC Asked Note: This answer was provided prior to the change to planDisney and may still contain references to Disney Parks Moms Panel.

    Experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    Coming to WDW 10/19 - 10/25....what will we get to experience and see in the new Fantasyland expansion? I have read and seen lots of things.....soft openings....but can't quite figure out what we might see and do. Thanks!

    Barbara,

    I am coming right after you, and I started thinking the same thing!

    So typically Disney will have a "soft opening" that can run for days or weeks prior to a "grand opening". The time of the soft opening can vary based on whether the opening in question is for a restaurant, an attraction, or in our case, an entire land. These soft openings can be uninterrupted right up to the grand opening, or they can be open one day, closed the other.

    The bottom line here is that this is a dress rehearsal. Disney won't announce what days they are, or are not, open. In many cases it is because they don't know for sure themselves until the see what happens. It is likely that this opening will not run the duration to the grand opening date in early December, as they may close to make adjustments based on what they learn during the soft opening. But you just won't know if it is open until you arrive. And expect that you may arrive and while the land itself may be open, select parts of it (restaurants, attractions, etc.) might be closed.

    I wish I could give you a better crystal ball reading on it, but I think you and I will be in the same boat. But here is some sound advice;

    1. Go there first thing in the morning, and find any cast members in the area. Ask them what parts might be open, and when.
    2. Visit the restaurants and try to get in, if they are of interest to you. There are likely to be no pre-set reservations for the Be Our Guest restaurant, but they may not run the restaurant at full capacity as they get their processes in order.
    3. Don't come expecting it to be open. My wife and I are not telling our girls, for fear they would get their hopes up and then find the area closed. Keep it a secret that might make even greater memories for your trip!
    Have a magical vacation!
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Meet the Panelist: Doug, Indiana

I am one of the Dads on the planDisney Panel, and I love to help parents plan their vacation, with a focus on showing them how it can be fun for them too. I am also here to help Dads plan some nice surprises for the Moms in their life (they deserve it!). Learn More About Doug

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