Big changes in store for Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland

Fantasyland at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom will be undergoing its biggest renovation since the park opened in 1971, with new rides, more princesses, and a few fairies.

While favorite attractions such as the signature Cinderella Castle, Cinderella's Golden Carousel and the Mad Tea Party will remain in place, the Disney Princesses will be even more front-and-center as Disney adds a new ride based on Ariel in The Little Mermaid, and an even greater emphasis on Cinderella, Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) and Belle (Beauty and the Beast). The Ariel ride, using a working title of "Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid" is also being constructed at Disney's California Adventure Park. There will also be a new Beast's Castle that will include a restaurant called Be Our Guest, from the song made famous by the Beauty and the Beast movie.

According to Disney officials, the Dumbo attraction will be relocated and expanded to include a three-ring circus grounds around the popular ride, while Tinker Bell and the other fairies of Pixie Hollow will have a new, larger meet and greet area for photos. The Pixie Hollow fairies were introduced last year in a meet and greet area adjacent to Mickey's Toontown Fair.

Well known for its storybook characters and tie-in to classic Disney movies, the Fantasyland refurbishment is scheduled for completion by 2013, although the Mermaid ride and princess areas are scheduled to open as early as 2012. Most of Mickey's Toontown Fair will be razed to accommodate the new attractions, or re-themed to match the new Fantasyland expansion.