Bonjour! Those of us who adore Beauty and the Beast — both the actual kids and kids at heart — know how magical Enchanted Tales with Belle in Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom can really be.
And after an extended closure, it’s back!
During the pandemic, the attraction shut down for almost three years, finally reopening on February 19, 2023 and bringing back another beloved character experience.
The New Fantasyland addition to the park that opened in 2012 was focused largely on the Disney Princesses, and along with the very popular Be Our Guest restaurant came this kid-friendly attraction that allows guests to visit some iconic scenes from the 1991 movie.
Whether you’re dreaming of stepping into the world of Beauty and the Beast in real life or you’re dreaming of spending 20 minutes in the air conditioning on a hot Florida day, boy, do we have the attraction for you.
Keep reading for our complete guide to Enchanted Tales with Belle.
Enchanted Tales with Belle Quick Facts
Description: Enchanted Tales with Belle gives guests the chance to walk through Belle’s cottage and Maurice’s workshop before being magically transported to Beast’s castle, thanks to an enchanted mirror. In the iconic library from the movie, guests can help Belle tell the story of the night she and Beast fell in love. The experience ends with a meet and greet opportunity with Belle.
Location
You’ll find Enchanted Tales with Belle in the New Fantasyland part of the park, right next to Be Our Guest (with the Beast’s castle looming in the distance).
If you’re walking into the area from behind Cinderella Castle, you’ll see Belle’s cottage on your left, right across from Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
Here’s the location on the map:
How to Experience Enchanted Tales With Belle
Enchanted Tales with Belle has a Standby Line and a Lightning Lane. There is no Single Rider line, since this is more of a show/experience than a ride.
Wait times for this attraction will vary throughout the day.
While it’s true of all attractions that the lines will be shortest during the first hour or so it’s open, this one doesn’t need to be a rope drop priority — you can visit throughout the day and expect a wait under an hour long, unless you’re visiting during one of the busiest times of the year.
Keep in mind that this attraction doesn’t always open with the park. Sometimes, the first show of the day will be an hour or so after opening, so check showtimes in the My Disney Experience app before making the trek over.
Do I Need To Use Genie+ For Enchanted Tales with Belle?
Given the fact that this attraction usually has pretty short wait times, it would be a better use of your Genie+ selections (and your time in the park) to pick a more popular ride or show.
That said, if you are traveling with a young child who doesn’t do well waiting in line and this attraction is a priority for you, it might be worth it to grab a Lightning Lane for it later in the day, after you’ve visited more popular attractions that are likely to sell out on Genie+.
It’s also important to note that this is the only place in Magic Kingdom where you can meet Belle, outside of dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table (though the princess lineup there is never guaranteed).
For more advice on using the Genie+ system, check out our touring strategies for Magic Kingdom.
Rider Switch/ Child Swap
Since Rider Switch is typically only used at attractions that have a height requirement, it’s not available at Enchanted Tales with Belle. Guests of all ages can enjoy this one.
However, many other attractions at Magic Kingdom do use this service, so here’s what you need to know about Rider Switch before you hit the park.
What to Expect When You Visit
Queue
The queue for Enchanted Tales with Belle is a pretty adorable one, especially for fans of Beauty and the Beast.
It starts off outside, winding through the garden of Belle and Maurice’s cottage, so you will spend at least a little time exposed to the sun and elements while you wait for your turn to go inside.
Once you’ve made it into the cottage, you’ll spot a lot of cool details that you’ll recognize from the movie.
Then, you’ll end up in Maurice’s workshop, where an enchanted mirror will transport you back to the night Belle and Beast fell in love, and the experience will begin!
Accessibility Information
Guests using an ECV must transfer to a wheelchair in order to enjoy this attraction.
Handheld captioning is available for guests with hearing disabilities, which features assistive listening technology. Audio description is also available on these devices for guests with visual disabilities.
PhotoPass Photos
At the end of Enchanted Tales with Belle, you’ll have the opportunity to take a photo with the princess herself.
There are PhotoPass photographers on hand to capture the moment.
To be clear, those who participate are the only ones who are able to take a picture with Belle. But, if there are littles one in the audience who don’t want to participate in the experience, they are allowed to go up and still take a photo with her.
Upon exiting, each group is given a PhotoPass card, which you can use to link your photos to the My Disney Experience app.
Photos will remain available for download in the app for 45 days. They’re included in the purchase of Memory Maker, but can also be purchased individually.
The Experience
Warning: Spoilers for Enchanted Tales with Belle ahead!
The experience begins when you step in front of the enchanted mirror in Maurice’s workshop. Sure, you might be thinking this experience is for kids, but once you see the mirror effect in action, you will realize that the best of Disney parks magic is at work here.
After the Cast Member instructs you to tell the mirror, “Take me back to the day Belle and Beast fell in love,” you’ll be transported into the Beast’s castle, where you’ll come face to face with someone very familiar: the Wardrobe.
She’ll fill you in on what’s going on: You’re going to work together to surprise Belle by retelling the love story from the movie.
This means that some people in the group will be chosen to play different parts in the story, from Maurice trapped behind bars and shivering in the castle’s dungeon, to the Beast himself.
We promise this doesn’t take serious acting chops — even the tiniest participants are welcome to join, and there are usually enough parts for everyone who wants one to go around.
Likewise, anyone who doesn’t want to participate won’t be forced to, so those who prefer to observe are welcome to watch from the audience.
Next, you’ll file into the Beast’s library, where everyone in the audience will find their seats. When everyone’s ready, Lumiere will call Belle in for her big surprise, and what follows is the main event: The performance, which is very adorable and usually pretty funny.
At the end of the experience, participants will take photos with Belle, and other members of the audience are usually welcome to jump in line to meet her, too.
As a parting gift, everyone gets a special bookmark to remember the experience, which is a pretty unique detail about this attraction.
Is Enchanted Tales with Belle Kid-Friendly?
This attraction is just about as kid-friendly as it gets! Though children who are toddler age or in elementary school will probably love this experience most, even older kids who are fans of Beauty and the Beast will enjoy seeing it at least once.
Strollers
If you are using a stroller, you’ll have to leave it outside before joining the queue. Before you enter the attraction, you’ll find a designated stroller parking area to the left.
Remember to check your stroller for any valuables before leaving it behind, and just in case one of those unpredictable Florida rainstorms pops up while you’re still inside enjoying the attraction, it’s a good idea to cover up your stroller to keep it dry.
History
Enchanted Tales With Belle was first opened on December 6, 2012, with the rest of the New Fantasyland expansion in Magic Kingdom. The attraction was originally announced at the D23 Expo in 2009.
A few months ahead of opening, imagineers Chris Kelly, Chris Beatty, and Ted Robledo shared a preview of the attraction for Disney Parks Blog, revealing that it had been five years in the making.
The attraction experienced a near three year closure starting in March 2020, when the parks shut down at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, but finally reopened on February 19, 2023.
Other Fun Details
- A version of this attraction exists in Shanghai Disneyland called Bai Ling Storytime, and is told entirely in Mandarin.
- If your child (or you!) wants a big part in the show, be sure to bring the energy during the beginning of the attraction when the Cast Member is handing out the roles to catch their attention!
- There are 12,000 books on the shelves in the Beast’s library.
- When you first enter the cottage, you’ll see Belle’s height marked on the wall with her ages beside it. Stand next to the chart and see how you measure up!
Other Attractions in Fantasyland
- Cinderella Castle
- “it’s a small world”
- Mad Tea Party
- Mickey’s PhilharMagic
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
- Ariel Meet and Greet, Enchanted Tales With Belle Returning to Magic Kingdom
- Park Hopping Changes & More Coming to Disney World & Disneyland
- TRON Opening April 4, 2023 at Magic Kingdom
- TRON Lightcycle / Run Will Have a Virtual Queue, an Individual Lightning Lane, and a Locker System
- Disney After Hours Returning to Disney World in 2023