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Disney World's Fantasyland to get a makeover

Park adding space to meet Disney princesses, new rides

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The Associated Press
updated 1/18/2011 5:45:04 PM ET 2011-01-18T22:45:04

ORLANDO, Fla. — Walt Disney World says a new indoor roller coaster and a new place to interact with Disney princesses will be part of the largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history.

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Disney announced details of the plans Tuesday that will double the size of the theme park's Fantasyland section.

The coaster, dubbed the "The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train," will feature vehicles that swing back and forth along a twisting track. And in "Princess Fairytale Hall," Aurora, Cinderella and other Disney princesses will greet guests in a new royal court.

Another new indoor ride with a "Little Mermaid" theme will be like one opening at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., later this year.

The new Fantasyland will open in phases beginning in late 2012.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Photos: Magical kingdoms

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  1. Fit for a princess

    Visitors to Disneyland can walk through Sleeping Beauty Castle and see 3-D scenes from the classic film, originally released in 1959. (Paul Hiffmeyer / Disneyland) Back to slideshow navigation

  2. Whip, hat not included

    Fans of the "Indiana Jones" movies can travel back to 1935 and tour the mysterious Temple of the Forbidden Eye. (Disneyland) Back to slideshow navigation
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    Birthday girl

    Singer Miley Cyrus performs at the "Miley's Sweet 16 Share the Celebration" party at Disneyland in October, 2008. (Mario Anzuoni / Corbis) Back to slideshow navigation
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    Boo! in Big Easy

    This New Orleans Square attraction opened August 9, 1969 and is the home of 999 happy haunts. As Disney's Web site suggests, "make yourself at 'tomb.' " (Disneyland) Back to slideshow navigation

  5. Time for supper

    Ghosts dine inside Disneyland's Haunted Mansion. Disney classifies the ride as gentle, but warns younger children could be frightened by its special effects. (Disneyland) Back to slideshow navigation
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    Fifty and fabulous

    Fireworks explode over The Sleeping Beauty Castle as part of the "Remember ... Dreams Come True," the biggest fireworks display in Disneyland's history. The display took place during the Disneyland 50th Anniversary Celebration back in 2005. (Frazer Harrison / Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
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    Shiver me timbers!

    Villainous pirate Barbossa is hot on the trail of the eccentric Captain Jack Sparrow in Disneyland's Pirates of the Caribbean ride. The classic attraction re-opened following an extensive 3-month enhancement and featuring new characters and elements from Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean" films. (Scott Brinegar / Disneyland) Back to slideshow navigation

  8. Around the world

    Walt Disney World's It's a Small World ride is a great option for youngsters, and lets visitors sing along with the famous song while visiting countries around the world. Hong Kong Disneyland opened the classic boat ride in 2008 in an attempt to boost sluggish attendance at the theme park. (Disney) Back to slideshow navigation

  9. My, what big ears you have

    Dumbo the Flying Elephant takes riders over Fantasyland, and lever controls let them fly at their desired altitude. (Disney) Back to slideshow navigation
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  10. Eating under the sea

    Larger-than-life replicas of prehistoric sea creatures combine with giant aquariums of exotic fish in the lounge area of "T-Rex: A Prehistoric Family Adventure, at the Downtown Disney Marketplace in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The 600-seat restaurant, operated by Landry's Restaurants, combines table-service dining and retail in an interactive prehistoric environment built around water, fire and ice. (Gene Duncan / Disneyland) Back to slideshow navigation

  11. Mickey hops the pond

    Roy E. Disney, nephew of Walt Disney, poses with Mickey, Minnie and Pluto, in front of the Sleeping Beauty castle during a press preview of Euro Disneyland, now called Disneyland Paris, in Marne La Vallee, France. The site opened in 1992. (Eric Feferberg / AFP - Getty Images file) Back to slideshow navigation

  12. Dive! Dive!

    The original submarines from the Disneyland Submarine Voyage, a popular attraction for many years at the California theme park, have been extensively refitted for the 21st Century adventure of Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage. The attraction now takes explorers on an undersea voyage where they'll have close encounters with the fish characters from the Disney-Pixar movie, "Finding Nemo." (Paul Hiffmeyer / Disneyland) Back to slideshow navigation

  13. Fun after dark

    Downtown Disney is a promenade that offers shopping, dining and other activities. The avenue shown here leads to both Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure. (Disneyland) Back to slideshow navigation

  14. Should've seen it in color

    Circa 1955, Crowds are seen walking around the Disneyland theme park in Anaheim, Calif. (Archive Photos / Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation

  15. A visionary's vision

    In front of an early rendering by Disney legend Peter Ellenshaw, Walt Disney unveils his plans for Disneyland to a national television audience during the premiere of "Disneyland," the television show, on October 27, 1954. (Disneyland) Back to slideshow navigation

  16. Blank canvas

    Originally covered with orange groves and made up of parcels of land owned by 17 different people, Walt Disney purchased 160 acres in Anaheim to build his dream of a place where parents and children could have fun -- together. (Disneyland) Back to slideshow navigation

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