New Fantasyland is NOW OPEN in the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World! Home to exciting new attractions, delicious eateries and fairytale theming that goes beyond anything ever done before, New Fantasyland allows you to experience Disney storytelling at its finest, giving you the chance to interact with characters in ways they never dreamed possible.

Enchanted Tales with Belle
Enchanted Tales with Belle is an interactive character meet-and-greet location. Guests start in Maurice’s workshop, then they step through a magical mirror straight into the Beast’s library, where they meet Belle and Lumiere and experience an interactive fairytale. Guests play the parts of the characters to really become part of the story.

Be Our Guest Restaurant
Be Our Guest Restaurant is on the Disney Dining Plan, as a quick service credit for lunch and a table service credit for dinner. The restaurant’s three dining rooms serve 550 guests in the elegant ballroom setting, the mysterious West Wing of the Beast’s castle or the stunning Rose Gallery. Counter service is available during the day, and the restaurant becomes table service at night. However, lunch is unlike any other quick service location on property in that you order your food and then have it delivered to your table on china plates instead of the usual paper.

Gaston’s Tavern
The manliest of manly places, Gaston’s Tavern serves up satisfying snacks such as breakfast, fruit, carrots and celery, and hummus. Plus, enjoy refreshing beverages, like LeFou’s Brew—the restaurant’s signature non-alcoholic drink.

Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
Ariel and her friends take guests along on all their adventures — both under the sea and above! This is a classic “dark-ride” type attraction where guests sit in clam-shaped vehicles along an Omnimover track moving through the different scenes of The Little Mermaid film. There are a number of special effects with lighting and temperature changes making guests feel as though they have actually gone under water into Ariel’s world. In addition, state-of-the-art audio-animatronics bring some of the classic characters such as Ariel, Sebastian, and Ursula to life. All of this is set to a musical score that will have everyone singing along.

NASA has officially released the details of its newest astronauts spacesuit prototype, with the real ones expected to be used in 2015 expeditions. This spacesuit is unlike any other, however, for it looks oddly familiar to many Disney Pixar film fans as NASA based this suit off of the attire of Toy Story’s original space ranger Buzz Lightyear. There are many purposes to this recreation, but to many it seems it is the best method to get children interested in space travel of the future.

Buzz Lightyear-inspired NASA spacesuit

 The new “Z-1” suit was specially designed to be more flexible, maneuverable, and lightweight compared to previous designs such as the Apollo A7L (1969-72) or the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) (1982-Present). All spacesuits must be designed for the hardships faced before, during, and after the endeavours to the moon or mars.

NASA will continue testing this suit to ensure that it is able to maintain stability in a multitude of environments in order to keep astronauts safe. Desert research is the most common form of testing for the variety of suits in order to deem them safe for space travel. In the desert, subjects are asked to pick up rock samples to ensure that the suit is flexible enough to allow for bending and reaching.

The Z-1 has many new exciting features that definitely allow it to stand out including:

• A bubble helmet to allow for a larger range of degree measure.
• A new shoulder design to allow for greater mobility
• An upgraded life support system that actively removes Carbon Dioxide from the suit and replaces it with oxygen to keep a steady stream of breathing air supplied to the astronaut, therefore ending the need for canisters of CO2-absorbing lithium hydroxide.
• A Buzz Lightyear design with a white background and neon green stripes on the suit itself to resemble the space ranger himself.
• Reduces the chance of injury due to lighter equipment, therefore less pressure, and enhanced mobility in the legs and shoulder.
• One of the biggest improvements this suit acquires is its one-piece design that allows for easy access through a rear-entry hatch. This way, instead of being worn like clothing, the Z-1 is entered through its hatch in the back, as though it were a piece of spacecraft.This hatch can then be docked to an external port on a rover or space vehicle which makes switching between these two items easy and efficient.

Unlike many of the other prototypes now being tested at NASA, the Z-1 can be used by astronauts both on no-gravity surfaces such as the moon, but also in space itself. The suit port allows astronauts to slide directly into the spacesuit from within the space rover or other vehicle with ease. Along with the astronaut now situated within the suit, the suit detaches and brings along with it a hatch cover and portable life support system (PLSS). Earlier prototypes required that the astronauts pull on many separate parts and then manually attach them all together. This, however, was difficult, slow, and very risky. The suit appears to be very heavy according to many specialists in NASA, but once inflated it helps to support itself.

Written by Miranda Suhrbier, Teen Writer.

Splash into fun in AquaLab! This new addition to the Disney Fantasy is located on Deck 12, Aft on the Disney Fantasy near the entrance to the AquaDuck water coaster. This 1,800-square-foot water play area is designed to delight young Guests and their families, and features:

• Unique design details depicting Donald Duck’s nephews
• Pop jets, geysers, bubblers and other interactive elements

The Story of the AquaLab
As the story goes, AquaLab was created by Donald Duck’s nephews—Huey, Dewey and Louie—and features a variety of water “experiments” designed to drench the entire family. Children entering the AquaLab will see that the nephews are away for the time being, leaving the young cruise Guests in charge of AquaLab!

Interactive Experiences in AquaLab
AquaLab features exciting, interactive touches at every turn, including:

• Moving wheels and levers at 3 wacky aqua stations, which allow kids to “control” the speed and temperature of the AquaDuck water coaster
• Pop jets and geysers, which offer hands-on fun for little ones
• Pipes that can be used to manually control the water supply—and stop Uncle Donald’s row boat from filling with water
• The excitement is seemingly endless during this splashtacular experience!

Other Pool Amenities Near AquaLab
Also on Deck 12, Forward, Guests can enjoy additional pool amenities, including:

• A wading pool with a fountain water feature
• Shaded lounge chairs
• Whatever poolside pleasures you seek, Deck 12, Forward offers something to satisfy every age and interest.

Animator’s Palate on the Disney Fantasy is a wondrously themed, Rotational Dining restaurant located on Deck 3, Aft that serves contemporary Pacific Rim cuisine with an American flair for dinner and features 2 amazing shows, “Animation Magic” and “Undersea Magic.”

Animator’s Palate Dinner Shows
Celebrate the magic of Disney animation in a whole new way, surrounded by favorite Disney•Pixar characters, with the following dinner shows:

• Animation Magic: An experience that’s exclusive to the Disney Fantasy, Sorcerer Mickey leads the fun as black and white explodes into color and “Be Our Guest” reaches new heights. Don’t be surprised if your own hand-drawn characters join the colorful production!
• Undersea Magic: Guests are transported to the underwater world of the Disney•Pixar film Finding Nemo. As you dine, enjoy a visit from favorite Finding Nemo characters—and even converse with Crush!

Design
Animator’s Palate is a spacious, stylized restaurant filled with everything you’d expect to find in an animator’s studio, including:

Tools of the animation trade, like character sketches, maquettes, light boxes, paint brushes, colored pencils and computer work stations
Wall art of scenes and characters from popular Disney films

Dinner
Dinner is part of the Rotational Dining that occurs nightly during your cruise. Check the dining tickets that can be found in your stateroom for assigned seating time, restaurant schedule and table number.

Although the menu at Animator’s Palate is currently being finalized, you can be sure the restaurant will feature a selection of culinary delights that are sure to appeal to the palates of everyone in your family.

Dress Code
The dress code for dinner at Animator’s Palate changes nightly. Check the Personal Navigator—the Disney Cruise Line daily newsletter detailing all there is to see and do—for more information while onboard. However, you are requested to not wear tank tops, swim wear or shorts for dinner.

Child’s Menu
For the most discerning child’s palate, Animator’s Palate is proud to offer a large selection of classic children’s food favorites.

Beverages
The following beverages are available at Animator’s Palate for an additional charge:
Bar drinks/Cocktails
Bottled Water
Specialty Coffee
Wine

The following beverages are complimentary at Animator’s Palate and require no additional charge:
Coffee
Soda
Fruit Juice
Tea (Iced/Hot)

Your entrance into Africa is through the friendly, welcoming village of Harambe. Harambe is Swahili for “come together”. Interestingly enough, this village is a combination of a number of some of the favorite places in Africa found by Disney Imagineers whilst on a scouting trip for Animal Kingdom’s Africa. Some of these snippets include a fortress found in Zanzibar and a faux water-stained, crumbling old building and private home that were originally seen in Kenya. The thatched huts found throughout this community were constructed by thirteen Zulu craftspeople from South Africa. The quaint village area was designed to resemble an East African port that caters to tourists prior to their safari excursions (i.e. Kilimanjaro Safari). This bustling port includes a “hotel”, restaurants, an outdoor bar complete with live entertainment and the marketplace. Cast Members/villagers are dressed in colorful, authentic African costumes to add to the atmosphere.

Your Disney safari experience will take you on a journey chasing poachers as you cross the savannah dotted with 34 different species of birds and animals. Following your safari, tour the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail and be entertained by the silverback gorillas.The Wildlife Express steam-powered train cuts through the savannah to Conservation Station where you’ll find an interactive center designed to educate as well as entertain. Points of interest along the train route include the buildings where the animals are kept at night so that they may be checked out medically and fed. The 1.2-mile train ride is wheelchair accessible. Assistive Listening Devices are available for guests who are hearing impaired, check with Guest Services for more information.

As per the village atmosphere of Harambe, there are a number of refreshment/dining establishments. Tusker House Restaurant offers a buffet for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. At Mr. Kamal’s Burger Grill, you can grab a hamburger and beverage for a quick bite. Specialty coffees and delicious baked goods are served at the Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery. Fresh fruit and juices are found at the Harambe Fruit Market. The Tamu Tamu Refreshments stand offers frozen treats and drinks. You can be entertained by live African music as you sit enjoying cocktails and munching on snacks at the “Dawa Bar”.

No village would be complete without its marketplace and shops, and the Mombasa Marketplace/Ziwani Traders” will not disappoint you. Kilimanjaro Safari souvenirs and apparel, T-shirts, hats, gourds, carvings and jewelry, are but a few of the many gifts and souvenirs offered here.

Newly imagined and now a magical reality at sea, the Disney Fantasy has come true—and is now sailing to spectacular ports of call!  The new Disney Fantasy is embarking on exciting itineraries in 2012 and 2013 — reserve your place today!

At night, the pool deck becomes spectacularly lit check it out here!

Overview
Building on the classic style of her sister ship, the Disney Dream, the Disney Fantasy™ is the regal fourth cruise liner in the expanding Disney Cruise Line fleet. This 130,000-ton vessel offers:

• 14 towering decks
• 1,250 staterooms
• The capacity to comfortably accommodate 4,000 passengers—along with the over 1,450 Cast and Crew Members who tend to the needs of every cruise Guest each day
• Total ship length of 1,115 feet and a maximum width of 125 feet

Building on the classic style of the previous ships, the Disney Magic, the Disney Wonder and the Disney Dream, the Disney Fantasy is a majestic sailing vessel where early 20th-century design—recalling the golden age of cruising—meets state-of-the-art technology. The cruise liner is designed with families in mind, combining sleek style and convenient facilities with splashes of Disney magic.

Year-round, you and your family are invited to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime cruise adventure aboard the Disney Fantasy. Here, you’ll find the vast array of comforts, outstanding service and timeless beauty of a ship that’s sure to capture your heart and imagination.

“it’s a small world,” a gentle boat ride that’s fun for little ones as well as Guests of all ages, is in the Fantasyland area in Magic Kingdom theme park.

Climb aboard and glide past nearly 300 brightly costumed dolls and animals as they sing “it’s a small world” and dance on the shores of the Seven Seaways water canals that embrace this miniature globe.

Dressed in costumes that represent more than 100 nations, the dolls sing the “it’s a small world” song lyrics in 5 languages. Boundaries dissolve and continents are connected by this singular song. After all, this attraction—first designed for the 1964 New York World’s Fair—has Walt Disney’s personal touch.

The Song Heard ‘Round “it’s a small world”
The original concept for “it’s a small world” had the dolls singing the national anthem from each country they represented. A good idea in theory, but everyone singing a different tune resulted in a musical cacophony that clearly weakened the attraction’s theme of harmony.

In the mid-1960s, Walt Disney interrupted staff composers Robert and Richard Sherman’s work on the score for the upcoming Disney film, Mary Poppins, to write the single theme song for “it’s a small world.”

Robert and Richard Sherman’s first version of the “it’s a small world” song was written as a ballad. Walt requested something more cheerful, so the song was sped up and sung as a round, or roundelay.

Because of the repetition and because the Sherman Brothers used a musical technique called counterpoint, where the same chords are played over and over again but with different melodies, the song they wrote is catchy and unforgettable.

At the first presentation to Walt Disney, Robert and Richard Sherman performed “it’s a small world” song while walking through a scale model of the attraction, singing and clapping their hands. Walt was delighted.

In full spirit of international unity, “it’s a small world” song was recorded in various studios around the world. The song was sung by a church choir in London, TV performers in Mexico City, a school chorus in Rome, Italy, and by children from Tokyo, Japan and Burbank, California.

Pirates Night
Available on all Disney cruises, Pirate Night invites landlubbers to embrace the pirate life with a thrilling celebration at sea! The excitement begins with a pirate-themed dinner and continues with a buccaneer bash—starring some favorite Disney Characters—and a spectacular fireworks display.

Dinner Party
Pirate Night festivities start at dinnertime when your servers, dressed in pirate garb, greet you and your family with an, “Ahoy, matey,” and, “Arrr!” in one of the Main Dining restaurants. Once seated, unique offerings await, including:

• A special bandana—tie it on for a little pirate style
• A menu that resembles an old treasure map
• Themed dinner options

Deck Party
After dinner, venture to the pool deck for a treasure trove of Disney entertainment starring some of your favorite Disney Characters bedecked in pirate garb. Kick up your heels for a little line dancing and rock out to pirate-themed tunes.

Just as the fun is in full swing, black lighting, raucous music and skull-and-crossbones projections signal the arrival of Captain Hook, Mr. Smee and a gang of pirates—ready to take over the party. But they’re no match for Mickey and his crew.

Pirate Night Deck Party Games

Fireworks
In a breathtaking finale—complete with awe-inspiring fireworks that can’t be missed—Mickey and friends save day! They protect the ship from Captain Hook and his scurvy scalawags to ensure that it’s smooth sailing for the rest of your vacation.

This spectacular fireworks display is the only one in the world offered by a cruise line. Please note that the fireworks show is weather permitting and may be postponed or canceled due to weather conditions, including high winds.

Please check the Personal Navigator—the Disney Cruise Line daily newsletter detailing all there is to see and do—while onboard for specific show dates

Newly imagined and now a magical reality at sea, the Disney Fantasy has come true—and is now sailing to spectacular ports of call!  The new Disney Fantasy is embarking on exciting itineraries in 2012 and 2013 — reserve your place today!

Building on the classic style of her sister ship, the Disney Dream, the Disney Fantasy™ is the regal fourth cruise liner in the expanding Disney Cruise Line fleet.

This 130,000-ton vessel offers:

• 14 towering decks
• 1,250 staterooms
• The capacity to comfortably accommodate 4,000 passengers—along with the over 1,450 Cast and Crew Members who tend to the needs of every cruise Guest each day
• Total ship length of 1,115 feet and a maximum width of 125 feet

Building on the classic style of the previous ships, the Disney Magic, the Disney Wonder and the Disney Dream, the Disney Fantasy is a majestic sailing vessel where early 20th-century design—recalling the golden age of cruising—meets state-of-the-art technology. The cruise liner is designed with families in mind, combining sleek style and convenient facilities with splashes of Disney magic.

Year-round, you and your family are invited to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime cruise adventure aboard the Disney Fantasy. Here, you’ll find the vast array of comforts, outstanding service and timeless beauty of a ship that’s sure to capture your heart and imagination.

Check out our video of the Sailing Away Celebration!