Fantasyland Expansion Update: Aerial photos and video of Walt Disney World – Spring 2011

It’s time to take another look at the construction progress for the Magic Kingdom’s new Fantasyland. Watch the video below and keep scrolling down for more aerial photos of Fantasyland, the former Toontown, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Pleasure Island, Epcot during the Flower and Garden Festival and a unique look at the Haunted Mansion. (Click on any of the photos for a larger version.)

Since our update last fall, plans for Fantasyland have changed. Some of the princess’ houses have been scrapped and a Seven Dwarves Mine Train ride has been added. Also, the Toontown area is now planned to be called Storybook Circus. In the top photo, Voyage of the Little Mermaid is the building on the bottom near the tents. Beast’s Castle, which will house the Be Our Guest restaurant and Belle’s Cottage appear in the top right area of the construction zone. You can see that the Seven Dwarves Mine Train ride construction hasn’t really started yet. It will be in the middle left area of the top photo.

Here’s a video showing the Fantasyland construction area:

---

This angle shows a similar view to that of the artist rendering Disney released. So you can sort of see where everything will be going.

---

Here’s a look at the current state of the former Mickey’s Toontown Fair. You can see that Mickey and Minnie’s houses, Donald’s boat and everything else except the tents and Barnstormer have been torn down. Barnstormer will be rethemed as The Great Goofini.

---

Here’s a closer look at the “Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid” ride.

---

This is the start of Beast’s Castle, Belle’s Cottage, Gaston’s Tavern and Bonjour! Village Gifts.

---

Moving away from Fantasyland, here’s a look at the construction of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. On the right side of the photo – across the lake – is Disney’s Pop Century Resort.

---

This is the view of the ongoing construction to turn Pleasure Island into Hyperion Wharf. The dirt area on the left is where the Motion and Rock ‘n’ Roll Beach Club nightclubs used to stand. This area will become a grassy, tiered, open air performance area facing the lake.

---

There’s no construction here. We just thought this was a great way to see Epcot during the Flower and Garden Festival. From above you can really see the many floating planters in the lake.

---

We’ll end with this unique look at the Haunted Mansion at the Magic Kingdom. Right below the red tarps you can see the Haunted Mansion is actual two halves put together. But the actual building you ride through, bottom left, is much larger than what you see from the outside.

Thanks to Mauiva Aerial Tours.