A lot of excitement was generated today, as expansion plans for Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom were officially announced by Jay Rasulo at the D23 Expo today.

This expansion will double the size of the existing Fantasyland.

The first image shown is a bird's eye view representation that Disney published today as part of the expansion announcement.

The next image is that of the blueprints for the Fantasyland expansion that surfaced on the internet a few week's ago. At first glance the blueprints appear to have been pretty accurate.

The expansion will involve the area that currently holds: Mickey's Toon Town Fair, Pooh's Playful Spot Play Area, Dumbo, and Ariel's Grotto. The expansion will also reclaim the area that was previously occupied by the Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea attraction.

The newly expanded area will not open until 2013, but as you can see from the drawings the changes are significant.

Comments from Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo included:

"Meeting a Disney princess is always a very special highlight of any visit to the Magic Kingdom and now those visits are going to be more entertaining than ever! You'll be meeting princesses in their own fairy tale worlds. You'll be immersed in the sights, sound and magic that made every princess story so memorable."

By 2012, guests will be able to enter a country chateau and share a dance with Cinderella to help her prepare for the ball, go to a surprise Sweet 16 party for Sleeping Beauty at her cottage with the Good Fairies or join Belle in her villa at her father's cottage to help with a comical retelling of Beauty and the Beast. And of course, you don't want to miss the chance to dine in the Beast's castle in the Be Our Guest Restaurant or at Gaston's Tavern where, as he says, he uses antlers in all his decorating! If the amazed oohs and ahhs from the audience in the arena are any indication, reservations are going to fill up quickly!

The beloved Dumbo ride will also be doubling in size surrounded by a new interactive, three-ring circus tent, and by 2013 fans will be able to meet Tinker Bell and her friends in the magical world of Pixie Hollow.In addition, the beloved Dumbo ride will also be doubling in size surrounded by a new interactive, three-ring circus tent, and by 2013 fans will be able to meet Tinker Bell and her friends in the magical world of Pixie Hollow. Ariel will also be finding a new home in her own underwater attraction both in the Magic Kingdom and in Disney's California Adventure (2011).

This is certainly the type of news that we have been waiting to hear from Disney. This will be a major expansion to the Magic Kingdom, continuing to cement it as Disney World's most popular theme park.