Disney's Fantasyland debuts a whole new world of attractions

Thursday was a very big day for Disney's Magic Kingdom with the grand opening of Fantasyland.

The massive expansion includes nearly a dozen new attractions and rides.

Guests said the new Fantasyland the characters come to life.

They described it as being in a Disney movie.

The new attraction is double the size of the old Fantasyland and adds the iconic castle from "Beauty and the Beast" to join Cinderella's.

Guests can also see Belle's cottage and her father's workshop. Hungry guests can dine in the "Be our Guest" restaurant.

One ride is a journey under the sea with the Little Mermaid.

"They [children] keep talking about it, that they rode it twice Monday and they are ready to go ride it again now," said visitor Erin Noegel.

Both attractions were built to compete with Disney's counterparts: SeaWorld's Antarctica and Universal's Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

"They are going to tell their friends to come, and it's definitely going to bring new visitors as well as our fans that already come," said Imagineer Eric Jacobson.

The new $425 million addition is expected to bring Central Florida nearly 800 jobs and countless tourists.

The expansion is expected to be complete in 2014.