7 Reasons Your Toddler (And YOU) Will Enjoy Disney's New Fantasyland

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GEM On The GO! 7 Reasons Your Toddler (And YOU) Will Enjoy Disney’s New Fantasyland

By Ella Rucker / December 18, 2012 / No Comments

Photo: Ella Rucker

GEM On The GO!
7 Reasons Your Toddler (And YOU) Will Enjoy Disney’s New Fantasyland

Hey, guys! I’m back from Disney World. I went to experience New Fantasyland. It was fantastic; the Imagineers outdid themselves with the level of detail they put into Beast’s new castle, Gaston’s Tavern, and the additions to the Dumbo ride. The mind reels, but one of the questions I got an awful lot was, “Isn’t Joelle too young to bring to Disney?” Well, let me see if I can answer that and let you in on some of the Disney magic at the same time.

As I see it, Joelle is the perfect age for Disney for these reasons:

A) HER AGE: She is under the golden number – three. At Disney a lot of what you do including going into the parks is free for those under three. We even went to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Joelle didn’t need a ticket. So just as a cost saving measure it really works out to take your toddler.

B) NEW FANTASYLAND: There’s interactive storytelling with Belle which is perfect for toddlers; the famed It’s A Small World Ride; Ariel’s Grotto; Dumbo with a play area for all age groups to keep her active while waiting in line; a roller coaster, The Barnstormer, she could ride (and did, four times in a row!). And that’s just parts of New Fantasyland. There are several things two year olds can do while you are at Disney.

C) ADVENTURES IN TRAVEL: I’m not saying Joelle is 100% airline friendly, but she knows how to handle TSA (slip on shoes for you and for your toddler), she found a friend for each flight delay (and I learned you should look for other children in the airport), and no one is better at flipping a tray table back into the locked and upright position. She carries her own bag for the most part and is really making me prouder with each trip. Sure, she gets tired and fussy, but I think Disney’s unofficial motto for cranky kids is “There’s a sticker for that!”

D) THE MEMORIES: I don’t know if Joelle will specifically remember this trip, but what if this was her first memory? Wouldn’t that be cool? If not, there are so many priceless times I had with her outside of the routine of getting up for school, eating dinner, and bedtime that I’ll never forget it. And I think that’s definitely worth a trip to see what wonders abound at Disney World.

Now, check out the 7 reasons I think your toddler (and you) will LOVE New Fantasyland!

ARIEL’S GROTTO

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We went Under The Sea where you relive parts of the movie. Love how Disney can give you the story without telling it the same way twice.

PRINCE CHARMING REGAL CARROUSEL

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Joelle rode this carrousel every day we were in the Magic Kingdom. She even kissed the horses when she left them! I worry not about germs; I’m only Good Enough.

MEET THE MAYOR

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I’ve got to say there’s a lot that impressed me about Disney, but nothing more than the people who work there. The Mayor saw me having a problem with Joelle and helped me. That will endear you to this single mother every.single.time.

THE MANY ADVENTURES OF WINNIE THE POOH

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Joelle loved the play area so much she didn’t want to ride the ride. Oddly enough, the ride lines almost went too fast in this case. This was one of those times she wanted to hang out and I don’t know why I tried to force her (you’ve got to have fun this way).

DISNEY’S ART OF ANIMATION RESORT LOBBY

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Toting her own Mickey Mouse carry on, my little one went to find her own adventures while I checked us in. Oh, the bellhops gave her 15 stickers when I carried her out crying and the desk clerk gave her a button for conquering the obstacle course that is apparently the front desk (all the kids try, from what I’m told).

FROGGER

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I didn’t know if I traveled to Orlando or back in time. They have a very full arcade which everyone in the family will love.

**THE DISNEY ART OF ANIMATION RESORT BLUE POOL**

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Three pools. They have three pools! We went in once and just dipped our toes for a few relaxing moments twice. I was very impressed with my daughter who knew we couldn’t go in, but wanted to just sit and observe.

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GEM On The Go: Adventures In New Fantasyland are not over; we have some other things we want to share with you including how to save money and what social media, Disney, and branding have in common. So watch this space! If you have any questions about your toddler or your family checking out New Fantasyland or the resorts or any other part of Disney leave it in the comments. I definitely don’t have all the answers, but I rubbed elbows with a mouse or two while I was there and will use that influence to help GEMnation!

Disclosure: Disney paid for my trip to Disney World’s New Fantasyland so that I could share these memories with you. The views, fun, and implications for endless possibilities, are all my own.