Live Blog: Disney’s “Let the Memories Begin” press event expected to bring new Magic Kingdom Fantasyland expansion details

in Disney, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World

To celebrate the launch of Disney’s new “Let the Memories Begin” promotional campaign, a special media event is being held at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.

The park closes at 6 p.m. today for regular guests, but we’ve been invited to witness the premiere of the new “Magic, Memories and You!” show on Cinderella Castle, during which guest photos will be projected onto the castle along with a variety of special effects.

Prior to the show’s premiere, beginning at roughly 7 p.m., Disney will be giving a presentation inside the Mickey’s Philharmagic theater, offering a glimpse at what’s coming in the near future to Disney Parks. The main topic of the night will, of course, be “Let the Memories Begin” but Disney is also expected to shed light on the new direction of the ongoing Fantasyland expansion, not specifically discussed since its announcement during the 2009 Disney D23 Expo in Anaheim, Calif.

We’ll be covering the event live via Twitter and Facebook, so follow us there for the latest up-to-the-minute information and even a few live photos.

You can also read our event coverage right here, with the live Twitter stream embedded below:

[Live Blog has ended]


Update: It’s not a rumor anymore. The announcement of the “New Fantasyland” has been made, including the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train roller coaster and replacement of the Snow White’s Scary Adventures dark ride with a Princess Fairytale Hall meet-and-greet location. Full details here.


One rumored topic for tonight’s presentation involves the addition of a Snow White and the Seven Dwarves-themed indoor mine roller coaster to be added to Fantasyland, which may ultimately replace the Snow White’s Scary Adventures attraction. In addition, the many Disney Princess meet-and-greets formerly announced as part of the Fantasyland expansion have reportedly been removed or at least reduced in scale, leaving plenty of space to be filled by different new attractions.

Disney already has the media’s attention this week, with the new Disney Dream cruise ship embarking on its Christening Cruise on Wednesday. Tonight’s Magic Kingdom event is an ideal opportunity for them to elaborate on their Fantasyland plans that already include a dark ride based on The Little Mermaid and restaurant set in the world of Beauty and the Beast.

Following tonight’s event, check back here for a full report, with video and pictures, and in the coming days as we sail aboard the Disney Dream.

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