The Walt Disney Company has announced detailed plans for the expansion of the Magic Kingdom theme park at its Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.

The new area at the park will nearly double the size of the park’s Fantasyland area and includes four new zones or neighborhoods to explore. The new area will be built as a large ‘village’ with attractions based on Disney’s story-book characters.

Scheduled to open in phases, beginning in late 2012, the four new zones include Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid, during which guests will travel with Disney’s mermaid character Ariel and her friends through adventures above and below the waves against a musical backdrop of songs from the classic film.

Another new addition will be Enchanted Tales with Belle. The adventure begins in Maurice's workshop, where a magical mirror is the doorway to a storytelling experience – guests are transported to the Beast's library to meet Belle and Lumiere, and share in an interactive attraction.

Elsewhere, The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train will take guests on a musical ride into the mine "where a million diamonds shine." The coaster will feature a train of ride vehicles that swing back and forth, responding to every twist and turn of the track.

Other new additions include the Castle of the Beast, consisting of a retail area and a restaurant with seating for 550 and three family attractions – Princess Fairytale Hall, a Dumbo-themed flying carousel and Storybook Circus, a classic Barnstormer roller coaster.