ORLANDO, Fla. – Disney will lead members of the media on a hard hat tour of one of its biggest makeovers in Walt Disney World history.
The theme park is expanding Fantasyland. The park's expansion will bring jobs to Central Florida and boost tourism with more parkgoers.
Local 6 went on a hardhat tour of the new Fantasyland, which will be split into four worlds. The Storyland Circus with the new Dumbo ride is now open. The enchanted forest-themed around Beauty and the Beast will open later this year, which will have an under the sea journey with princess Aeriel as well as walk-through homes for both Beauty and Beast.
Construction is underway at Princess Fairy Tale, which opens in 2013 and then in 2014 the Seven Dwarfs Mine ride will open.
Imagineers say when they are done Fantasyland will be the crown jewel of the whole park. The "Fantasyland Forest" area -- the heart of the Fantasyland expansion -- will open in time for the holidays, according to Disney officials.
Animal Kingdom will also be getting an upgrade to the Kilimanjaro Safaris Tour.