Your great escape: Disney's New Fantasyland

By Grayson Thagard

updated 6:50 AM EST, Fri December 07, 2012

NEED TO KNOW

HLN Meteorologist Bob Van Dillen gets an 'opening day' look at the revamped attraction
New Fantasyland is almost twice as big as before

Your great escape: Disney's New Fantasyland

Opening day of Disney's New Fantasyland

Bob Van Dillen and Minnie Mouse on opening day of New Fantasyland

Dancing with the stars in New Fantasyland

Opening day at New Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom. HLN's Bob Van Dillen and his family were there to take a look at all the new rides and attractions inside the expanded area.

After an extensive re-do, New Fantasyland is nearly twice the size it once was. Disney Imagineers have added several new rides and attractions including the "Under the Sea - Journey of the Little Mermaid" ride and the expanded, iconic "Dumbo the Flying Elephant" ride. Coming soon visitors will be able to board a new coaster in New Fantasyland called "The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train."

Inside the new "Be Our Guest" restaurant beneath Beast Castle Bob found "Dancing with the Stars" pros Chelsie Hightower and Tony Dovolani. Hightower was kind enough to offer Bob a quick ballroom dance lesson (she even let him try a lift).

Morning Express with Robin Meade airs Monday through Friday at 6am ET on HLN. Like the show on Facebook, follow Bob Van Dillen on Twitter: @BobVanDillen.

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