When I arrived at the Magic Kingdom on November 2nd the first place I headed was New Fantasyland. Much to my dismay there was a "private event" happening and I couldn't get in. My skin was literally crawling being SO close and yet so far away to New Fantasyland. I was trying to be mature and act like an adult but what I really wanted to do was throw myself at the feet of the Cast Members guarding the gate and bed for mercy and if that didn't work I was prepared to do a full on tantrum-2 year old style.
Thankfully, before my meltdown occurred my dear friends let the cat out of the bag that they had invitations to the preview and I was GOING! They had a 5pm time slot so I was being tortured all day long in the Magic Kingdom because they didn't want to ruin "the surprise". Surprise doesn't begin to cover it and after I pulled myself together from a meltdown of a different kind, I was ready to conquer.
Enchanted Tales with Belle was something everyone wanted to do so we jumped in line. There was about a 30 minute wait but I wasn't taking anything for granted and I was going to see whatever I could see! I was astonished at the detail that went into Maurice's Cottage. Even the wait counter was perfectly detailed! On a side note: Dear Imagineering I would love a mailbox that looks like this, please send one STAT!
The queue wasn't interactive but there was no shortage of things to keep your senses reeling. The sounds of country life, chirping and buzzing, the smell of the earth and little gardens and all of Maurice's gadgets were an amazing sight. Being an inventor, the cottage reflected Maurice perfectly. I think Maurice was of the "waste not, want not" mentality because you'll find random pieces of things patched together at the cottage. Even the light fixtures are a hodge-podge of items. Twine, wood, decorative metal and gears were put together to make this stand for a light fixture that appears to be on a pulley system.
The entire line weaves through the exterior of Maurice's cottage with little odds and ends along the way. When you approach the cottage you'll reach a covered area, look at the ground...it seems the chickens have been scratching! Right before you enter you'll find what appears to be a gate that's no longer in use. That clever Maurice used half of a shutter and an old barrel to put this charming display together.
As you enter the cottage you are essentially walking through the various rooms of Maurice's cottage. I wish the line allowed more time in the various sections of the cottage as there is a LOT to see. The cozy fireplace takes the majority of one of the main walls, which makes sense considering they would need heat in the winter! Other period appropriate decorations lie haphazardly around; a wash basin and vanity, mop and bucket, china dishes and of course stacks of books all over the place!
As you move into Maurice's work space you find more blueprints for his various inventions and some of his smaller inventions are on display in the room. Coo-coo clocks, lanterns and indiscernible objects line the shelves but the can't miss item in this room is the enchanted mirror. As you're watching scenes play out in the enchanted mirror it magically turns into a doorway entrance to the Beast's Castle (which I was too short to get a good picture of!)
Next it's on to the parlor where my favorite character lies...Madam Wardrobe. More fabulous than you can fathom there she stands in all her glory, that hair, those curves, that chest! Her personality is spot on, she will even break out an operatic tune if the mood strikes; just like in the movie. She is interactive and perfectly animated. The facial expressions are flawless and she puts her drawers to good use by holding the props for the story. Various participants are needed to tell Belle's story so this is the time to volunteer.
When everyone participating has their props the door to the library opens and the floor to ceiling books take your breath away. You feel just like Belle must have felt when Beast opened the doors to the library. Lumiere is greeting guests from the mantle above the fireplace and is really a sight to behold. Lumiere greets you as guests with true French flair and introduces the storyteller, Belle herself!
The story proceeds with Belle's assistants (who portray the objects of the story on the cardboard signs they received from Madame Wardrobe) and as the story comes to a close participants are given a bookmark to commemorate their special story time with Belle. A PhotoPass photographer was on site to photograph the participants with the Princess but I don't know if that will be a standard practice or if it was for preview purposes only. The process of photos and bookmarks seemed a bit lengthy for those of us in the "audience" but we had to wait for Belle to make her exit before we made ours.
The story itself is cute, I imagine it will be a bit hit with families with small children, especially the one's who receive that special interaction with Belle.
To me the best part was the trip through the cottage and the transformation of the mirror into the doorway and the detail inside the various rooms. I think the adults can appreciate the attention to detail and the kids will appreciate the story and seeing Belle. It doesn't appear this will be a meet and greet situation so prepare your kids (and yourself) for that going in. Photography was allowed but flash photography was not. All in all it was a great experience and I'd like to spend some one on one time with Madam Wardrobe because my closet is NOT that cool!
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