Disney World Magic Kindom Theme Park Guide

Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom, the first Walt Disney World Resort park in Florida, opened in 1971. The Park follows the same basic layout as the original Disneyland park in California.

If you have small children, this is probably one of the best places to take them. As well as all the attractions, you can meet some of their favorite Disney characters like Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Donald Duck, and many others.

Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom is the most popular theme park in the world with an estimated 20.4 million visitors.

To get to Magic Kingdom, you must park at the Walt Disney World Resort Ticket and Transportation Center. You then take one of two monorail trains or a paddle-boat ferry across the Seven Seas Lagoon.

Note that a monorail service also connects the Ticket and Transportation Center to Epcot.

Disney World Magic Kingdom Lands

Radiating from the central hub of the castle are six separate themed ‘lands’ representing different aspects of life in America. Reading clockwise they are:

Main Street USA

At the entrance to the Walt Disney World Resort Magic Kingdom, there is a Stroller Shop on the right. Here you can rent single or double strollers (pushchairs/buggies), wheelchairs and electric convenience vehicles.

At the far end of Main Street USA is Cinderella’s Castle. From here
you can access the other ‘lands’ in the Walt Disney World Resort Magic Kingdom

You actually enter the Magic Kingdom by walking underneath the Main Street Railroad Station. You will find lockers for a small fee where you can leave heavy bags or valuables to save carrying them around with you all day.

Main Street Station

The Magic Kingdom narrow gauge steam railroad runs in a clockwise direction for about one and a half miles around the outskirts of the Magic Kingdom. It’s a pleasant diversion from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the park. There are three stations – Main Street Station, Frontierland, and Mickey’s Toontown Fair and a complete circuit takes around 21 minutes.

You can board or exit the train at any of the stations so if you are feeling a bit weary, it is an ideal way to get from one side of the park to the other. If all four engines are running then you can expect a train about every 5 to 10 minutes. Note that you cannot take Disney strollers or electric convenience vehicles onto the train; if you can fold up your own stroller you can take in on board. If you have a Disney stroller, make sure you keep your name card and get a new one when you get off.

Main Street Town Square

As you enter the Town Square on Main Street USA you will see the fairy tale Cinderella’s Castle ahead of you in the distance. To your left are the City Hall, Fire Engine Station House No. 71 and the Harmony Barbers Shop where you can actually get a haircut. To your right is the Town Square Exposition Hall and Tony’s Town Square Restaurant.

City Hall

At the City Hall you can pick up a map, check the Guest Information Board to get information on show times, which rides are running with current waiting times to help you plan your day and make any restaurant reservations.

Town Square Exposition Hall

The Town Square Exposition Hall is a photographic centre where you can buy film and get your own films processed. You may also get to meet Disney characters on the veranda.

Main Street Shops

On both sides of Main Street USA are a number of shops including the Emporium and Disney Clothiers selling a large range of Disney merchandise, a cinema and food outlets. For a bit of nostalgia, consider taking a ride down Main Street on a horse-drawn trolley, an omnibus or fire engine. Watch out for the tram rails in the street, it is easy to get your stroller caught in one of them!

At the top of Main Street you will see the Crystal Palace Restaurant to your left and the Plaza Restaurant to your right.

Eating in Main Street USA

There are a number of restaurants in Main Street, mostly table service.

Tony’s Town Square Restaurant serves Italian style lunches and dinners. Table service, no reservations.

The Crystal Palace serves American buffet style character breakfasts, lunches and dinners. This is an ideal place to meet some of your favourite Disney characters. Table service, reservations.

The Plaza Restaurant serves American style lunches and dinners including burgers, soup and sandwiches plus delicious ice cream desserts. Table service, reservations.

Casey’s Corner is a quick service lunch and dinner restaurant serving take-out food like hot dogs and fries.

There is also the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor and Main Street Confectionary.

Adventureland

Adventureland draws its inspiration from the exotic lands of Africa, the Far East, Polynesia and the Caribbean. This is reflected in the sights and sounds as you walk around.

If you are short on time make sure you don’t miss Jungle Cruise
and Pirates of the Caribbean

Adventureland is one of the less visited lands at the Walt Disney World Resort Magic Kingdom. The land does however have some good family rides.

Jungle Cruise

The Jungle Cruise takes you on a boat ride through the waterways of three different continents. Along the Nile in Egypt, the Congo in Africa, the Amazon in South America and the Mekong in Cambodia.

The wait is undercover but the queues can be deceptively long. You snake back and forth outside the offices of the Jungle Cruise company.

The boats are canopied launches modelled on the African Queen. It’s steered by a Disney Cast Member who keeps up a witty (if somewhat corny) banter throughout the trip.

As you pass through jungle scenes, on the banks and in the river itself you come across various animatronic animals and people. Watch out for hostile natives and the elephants who may get you wet.

Apparently when the ride was first introduced, it was a serious ride (based on Walt Disney’s True Life Adventure Series). Over the years more and more humour has been introduced which gives it its charm today.

Swiss Family Treehouse

The Swiss Family Treehouse is based upon the story of the Swiss Family Robinson who found themselves shipwrecked on a deserted South Seas island.

It takes about 10 to 15 minutes to walk through the giant banyan tree house complete with running water, or more accurately up and down as this involves a lot of steps (but no ropes or ladders). The banyan tree has around 300,000 polyethylene leaves on more than 1400 branches.

Pirates of the Caribbean

This is a very popular ride and features in all the Disney parks (the one in Disneyland Paris is actually better) and the title has now been made into a very funny feature film starring Johnny Depp. The wait is undercover and you walk down cool tunnels through caverns containing long lost prisoners.

Like Jungle Cruise you are in a boat but this time you are indoors and encounter lots of swashbuckling pirates along the way. At one point you get caught in the cross fire when a pirate galleon attacks a town and the pirates run amok. This is classic Disney animatronics at its best with yet another song you will have trouble getting out of your head.

It is quite dark in places and some of the sights and sounds might frighten small children; there is also a small drop whilst in the boat.

The Magic Carpets of Aladdin

This ride is quite new and is similar to the Dumbo ride in Fantasyland only this time each car takes four people. It is based upon the Disney cartoon ‘Aladdin’ and you soar around on a magic carpet over the town of Agrabah. There is a lever in the front which controls the height and a lever in the back which controls the pitch forwards and backwards.

Like Dumbo, this ride appeals to small children so expect long queues.

Enchanted Tiki Room

This is an attraction you will either love or hate. On our first trip to Disney World, ‘friends’ of ours said what ever you do you mustn’t miss the Tiki birds. To this day we have not forgiven them !!

The Enchanted Tiki Room has been updated, hence the ‘under new management’ sign and now includes Iago from Aladdin and Zazu from the Lion King. The show lasts for 20 minutes and features a number of songs performed by a multitude of birds, flowers and mythical tiki gods from the Polynesian Islands.

Small kids will love it.

Access to other Lands from Adventureland

As you walk up Main Street towards Cinderella’s Castle, there is a large circular plaza with a number of paths leading off it. If you take the path on your left, you cross a bridge and enter the lush world of Adventureland.

From Adventureland you can walk into Frontierland past the Pirates of the Caribbean or you can cut through a ‘breezeway’ by the restrooms into Liberty Square next to the Island Supply shop.

In fact the Liberty Square end of this corridor is a good place to watch the parade from and then you can quickly slip back into Adventureland.

Eating in Adventureland

There are not many places to eat in Adventureland but because Adventureland tends to be quieter than other lands in the park it can be a good place to eat.

The El Pirata Y el Perico Restaurante (The Pirate and the Parrot) across from the Pirates of the Caribbean ride serves Mexican food including tacos, nachos and taco salads. Counter service with lots of under cover seating.

If you just need a drink or a dessert then both the Sunshine Tree Terrace and Aloha Isle serve hot and cold drinks including juices and floats plus ice creams and yoghurts.

Frontierland

As its name suggests, the theme of Frontierland is the old wild west and the pioneer days. The cast members are dressed as cowboys and girls and the buildings have a Southwestern rustic look to them with wooden sidewalks and clapperboard frontages.

Frontierland is home to two of the three ‘mountain rides’, namely Splash Mountain and the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and both have a height restrictions of 40″ (102 cm) or taller

After the lush vegetation of Adventureland, Frontierland is more desert like with cactus, yucca, prickly pear and mesquite trees.

Splash Mountain (Lightening Lane available)

Splash Mountain is a 10 minute log flume ride based around the tale of Brer Rabbit’s escape from Brer Fox and Brer Bear and is one of the most popular rides in the Magic Kingdom so expect long queues.

Spots to Take The Best Splash Mountain Photos

There are two great photo spots for Slash Mountain, slightly to the left of the coaster, as shown in the image above. Secondly, if you dare, just as you are coming out of the mountain and ready to drop down the big slide. This is a great spot that overlooks the park and with a hint of imminent danger. Be careful to keep hold of your camera though.

How Big is The Splash Mountain Drop

It will appeal to kids of all ages as you travel in a log boat through a number of scenes including caves, swamps and bayous as you are regaled by numerous AudioAnimatronic animals singing songs at every opportunity including the unforgettable ‘Zip-A-Dee-Do-Da’.

There are a number of small drops but the ‘high spot’ of the ride is a 5 storey plunge down a 45 degree water slide where you reach a speed of 40 mph and you will get wet no matter where you sit thanks to extra water jets aimed at you. Just before the log boat starts its descent, look up to take in a breathtaking view of the park.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Lightening Lane available)

By modern standards this is a pretty tame roller coaster but in true Disney style it is still great fun. You are in a runaway mine train that careers out of control through an old mining village full of special effects such as falling rocks, waterfalls, geysers and an earthquake.

During the 3 and 1/2 minute ride look out for dinosaur bones sticking out of the rocks and the various Animatronic characters and critters such as chickens and donkeys alongside the tracks. This ride is more about the scenery than an out and out white knuckle ride but if you’ve never been on a roller coaster before then this is a great introduction before you think about tackling Space Mountain or some of the much bigger coasters in Florida.

Tom Sawyer Island

If you are looking for an opportunity to get away from all the thrill rides for a while why not take a raft ride across the Rivers of America to the dock at Tom’s Landing.

Here you can explore Injun Joe’s Cave, wooded trails, an abandoned mine, Harper’s Mill, Fort Langhorn, Potter’s Mill, Tom Sawyer Scavage Fort and cross swinging suspension and floating barrel bridges. This is a great escape for families with small kids who want to explore.

Liberty Square Riverboat

The Liberty Belle riverboat is modelled on an old Colonial stern paddle wheel riverboat that you might have seen on the rivers of the Southern states like the Mississippi back in the 19th century. Originally called the Richard F. Irvine, it was renamed Liberty Belle in 1996.

It normally runs about every 30 minutes but to cater for the Tiana’s Riverboat Dessert party, its stops its regular service two hours before the afternoon parade starts at 3 p.m. until about one hour after the parade ends.

The Liberty Belle hold about 450 guests spread over four decks and though it has a working steam engine that drives the paddle wheel, it steers via a track buried in the bottom of the “river”.

As it travels the 1/2 mile around Tow Sawyer Island, you can see many of the other attractions in Frontierland as well as animatronic creatures and various buildings on the island itself.

Country Bear Jamboree

The Country Bear Jamboree is a sort of hoe-down with lots of AudioAnimatronic bears singing country music accompanied by banjo strumming, harmonicas and fiddles.

Teenagers will probably by bored by the 15 minute show but it can be a great break from the heat of the day, especially if the queues are short. Look out for the stuffed animal heads on the wall.

Frontierland Shootin’ Gallery

The Frontierland Shootin’ Gallery is a state-of-the-art fairground shooting gallery where you can test your shooting skills against a range of pop-up, moving and stationary targets. The whole thing is wrapped up with the sights and sounds of a Boot Hill graveyard.

Vintage buffalo rifles conceal infrared targeting systems with electronic triggers. This is one of the few attractions that you need to pay for separately.

Access to Other Lands from Frontierland

From Frontierland you can walk into Adventureland past the Pirates of the Caribbean or you can carry on past the Country Bear Jamboree into Liberty Square.

You can also board the Disney Railroad to take you on to Mickey’s Toontown Fair and Main Street USA but it tends to be busy.

Eating in Frontierland

The lasting impression of Frontierland is the smell of smoked turkey legs wafting from roadside carts.

The Pecos Bill Cafe is near to the Country Bear Jamboree and across from Splash Mountain. It is a counter service restaurant serving cheeseburgers and hot dogs, wrapped sandwiches, salads and root beer floats.

If you are on Tom Sawyer Island then you can try Aunt Polly’s Dockside Inn. There is a selection of picnic food including turkey, cheese and ham sandwiches, cookies, ice cream and soft drinks.

Note that it can take a while to get off Tom Sawyer Island as the only means of exit is the raft ride.

Liberty Square

Liberty Square joins Fantasyland to Frontierland and has an 18th century Colonial American revolutionary-era feel to it. You can also get back to Main Street USA via a bridge to the central hub by Cinderella’s Castle.

In the distance you will hear the sounds of wolves howling from the Haunted Mansion mixed with the hooting of the horn of the Liberty Belle Riverboat

The buildings are of clapper board and brick with beautiful gardens full of azaleas. In the square is a 140 year old oak tree known as the “Liberty Tree”.

The Haunted Mansion (Lightening Lane available)

This is a Disney classic; a ghost train ride that is more entertaining than scary set inside a gothic styled mansion house. As Disney themselves describe it – make yourself at “tomb sweet tomb” in the home of 999 happy haunts, where there’s “always room for one more.” Inside, hop on a Doom Buggy to get in the “spirit” of things.

As you approach the mansion, don’t forget to look at the collection of humorous tombstone inscriptions. Once inside you are met by cast members dressed as ghostly butlers and maids who play the part and escort you into a waiting room where the floor and ceiling appears to move. Very reminiscent of the Adams Family. The ride itself lasts around 8 minutes and you will see some great special effects culminating in a ghost joining you in your car.

You may find the lines very long particularly if the Liberty Belle riverboat has just docked or the The Hall of Presidents show has just finished.

The Hall of Presidents

This combination of life sized Audio Animatronics®, wide-screen cinema and story telling takes you through all the American presidents from George Washington right up to Donald Trump. Each president is dressed in historical costume and they nod, whisper and fidget throughout the performance.

The show lasts for 23 minutes and it is heavy on patriotism and the American Constitution so you might find it a bit too long for young children but it does offer an air conditioned escape for half an hour.

Lines can appear long but the theatre holds over 700 people so generally you only have to wait for the current show to end.

The Hall of Presidents shut in December 2016 for a nearly a year long refurbishment to update the audio-animatronic technology with high quality sound, lighting and projection on a 180 degree panoramic screen.

It re-opened on December 19, 2017 including the Donald Trump, the newest and controversial 45th President of the United States. There had been a lot of conjecture as to whether he would get a speaking part and it turns out he does like every president since Bill Clinton.

Liberty Square Riverboat

The Liberty Belle is an authentic replica of an old stern wheel paddle riverboat and it circles around Tom Sawyer Island on the Rivers of America.

The boat holds 450 passengers on three decks and is a pleasant way to spend 15 minutes viewing the riverside scenery if you have the time to spare.

Eating in Liberty Square

There are a couple of good places to eat in Liberty Square.

The Liberty Tree Tavern offers both character dining and ordinary table service.

You can join Minnie Mouse and her friends dressed in Revolutionary War-era garb to feast on roasted turkey, marinated flank steak and other colonial favourites with all the trimmings.

Alternatively the table service restaurant offers traditional roast turkey, freshly prepared seafood, poultry, salads and sandwiches plus a colonial dinner featuring carved meat and traditional accompaniments.

The Columbia Harbor House offers a counter service selling sandwiches, salads, clam chowder and fish and chicken baskets.

The Sleepy Hollow sells snacks such as baked goods, fruit and beverages.

Fantasyland

Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom is centered on Cinderella’s castle and is home to many of the young children’s favorite rides including Dumbo and It’s a Small World. Disney has undertaken a major expansion of Fantasyland to create a New Fantasyland, nearly double the size. Some rides have been closed and others have been relocated.

Because of the large number of children friendly (and in the most part slow loading) rides Fantasyland tends to get very busy

Cinderella Castle at Fantasyland Magic Kingdom

A fairy tale castle that has become one of Disney’s trademarks, it is often decorated for various anniversary events such as the 25th anniversary of the Walt Disney World Resort. In the castle, Cinderella’s Royal Table is where you can dine and see Cinderella herself.

Mad Tea Party

Alice in Wonderland’s Mad Tea Party is a waltzer-type ride where you sit inside a giant tea cup and control the speed at which it tilts and spins around by turning a wheel in the center of the cup. I hate to admit it but this innocuous-looking ride makes me feel sick; give me a roller coaster any day!

Like the other non-continuous loading rides in Fantasyland, queues can be long as it takes time to load and unload.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant

This is a real favorite of small children and because it has a relatively small capacity, queues can be long. Sixteen dumbo-shaped gondolas circle around a central hot air balloon while gently going up and down. The ride only lasts two minutes but loading/unloading times are slow. This ride has been relocated to Storybook Circus and now consists of two rides.

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (Lightening Lane available)

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh replaced Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride in 1999. It’s a four-minute ride in a golden honey pot car through storyboards from the Hundred Acre Wood. Along the way you meet Winnie and all his friends including Eeyore, Tigger and Piglet.

This ride has Lightening Lane and you would do well to use it as the queues are always long.

Peter Pan’s Flight (Lightening Lane available)

Peter Pan’s Flight is a four-minute ride that takes you in a pirate ship across a night-time London. You travel from Wendy, John, and Michael’s nursery to Never-Never Land to the sounds of “You Can Fly”.

As you glide silently over the skylights of London, you will re-experience the excitement and nostalgia of flying along with Peter Pan and Wendy on their flight to Neverland.

The popularity of this ride is high due to the lack of a height requirement and it being a main attraction at Disney World. The experience combines a mix of classic storytelling and amazing set designs to make Peter Pan’s Flight a family favorite Disney World experience. Because of its broad appeal, getting a Lightening Lane for this ride is generally a good strategy for avoiding long queues.

Prince Charming Regal Carrousel

A genuine vintage merry-go-round that was originally built in 1917 and operated in Maplewood, New Jersey. It make a beautiful picture at night when it is all lit up.

There are 72 white horses that travel around to the sound of an organ playing your favorite Disney tunes. This two-minute ride is another ride with a limited capacity so expect long lines.

It’s a Small World

If you want to avoid singing the theme tune inside your head all day. Make sure you do It’s a Small World late in the day. This is an 11-minute boat ride that people either love or hate. The ride was created for the UNICEF pavilion at the 1964 New York World Fair. It was created as a tribute to the children of the world and features brightly decorated dolls representing the different cultures of the world all singing the same song.

It’s a Small World has recently undergone a long renovation but the ride (and the song!) remains essentially unchanged.

Mickey’s PhilharMagic

Mickey’s PhilharMagic opened in Fantasyland in October 2003 replacing the “Legend of the Lion King”. The 3-D production is projected onto a 150-foot-high wraparound screen and features a number of Disney characters including Ariel, Aladdin and Simba as they try to help Donald Duck retrieve Mickey’s sorcerer’s hat.

Fantasyland Magic Kingdom Expansion

In the largest development at Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Disney undertook a major expansion of Fantasyland which will saw the introduction of new rides, attractions, restaurants and gift shops. Because of the scale of the expansion, it was undertaken in a series of phases and when completed it nearly doubled the size of Fantasyland.

The first phase of New Fantasyland, called Storybook Circus based on the Dumbo film, includes Barnstormer – Starring the Great Goofini, the Casey Jr. Splash & Soak Station and Dumbo the Flying Elephant, all of which opened to guests in July 2012.

The second phase, called Enchanted Forest brought together the classic Disney films, The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast and opened in December 2012. Attractions include Under the Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid, Be Our Guest Restaurant, Enchanted Tales with Belle, Ariel’s Grotto, Gaston’s Tavern and Bonjour! Village Gifts.

These attractions plus Big Top Souvenirs and Pete’s Silly Sideshow in the Storybook Circus opened at the official Grand Opening of New Fantasyland on December 6, 2012 with the preview starting on November 19, 2012.

The third phase in 2013 saw the introduction of the Princess Fairytale Hall on the site of the former Snow White Scary Adventure, where guests now get the opportunity to meet and greet all of their favorite Disney princesses.

The final phase included a new “mountain” roller coaster ride coming to Disney’s Magic Kingdom in the shape of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in 2014, themed on the classic Disney film of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

To make way for the New Fantasyland, several of the original attractions in Fantasyland including Snow White Scary Adventure were either closed down or relocated. The whole of Mickey’s Toontown Fair closed down in 2011 to make way for Storybook Circus.

Access to other Lands from Magic Kingdom

Fantasyland leads into Liberty Square on one side and into Mickey’s Toontown Fair and Tomorrowland on the other side.

If you make your way back to the central hub near Cinderella’s Castle you can also reach Adventureland and Main Street USA.

Eating in Fantasyland

The dining highlight in Fantasyland is Cinderella’s Royal Table in the medieval royal dining hall inside Cinderella’s Castle. Reservations are required.

Cinderella’s Royal Table offers a character breakfast, the “Once Upon a Time Breakfast”. The “all-you-care-to-eat” style breakfast includes eggs, potatoes, meats and French toast.

For the rest of the day, you can eat lunch or dinner with specialities like prime rib, steaks and fresh seafood.

The Pinocchio Village Haus is a counter service restaurant offering cheeseburgers, hot dogs, french fries with toppings and crisp salads.

The Enchanted Grove serves drinks including slushes, juices and swirls.

At Mrs. Potts’ Cupboard you can get soft serve ice cream, floats, sundaes and shakes.

You can also get drinks at Hook’s Tavern.

Tomorrowland

The original Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom was more like Epcot in terms of how mankind and technology might develop but it quickly became very dated. It has now changed to be much more a mixture of nostalgia and science fiction featuring aliens and robots as well as humans.

Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom is home to the other ‘mountain ride’, namely Space Mountain and has a height restrictions of 44″ (113 cm) or taller

One of the best attractions in my opinion the “ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter” closed in 2004 having scared too many people and has been replaced by “Stitch’s Great Escape!”.

Tron Lightcycle Run at Magic Kingdom

Take on the futuristic journey of the Tron Lightcycle Run with it’s high-speed rollercoaster experience Inspired by the Tron film series. For this ride, you climb aboard your own lightcycle and race against fellow competitors in a fast-paced coaster experience, designed with cutting-edge technology.

Walt Disney World’s Tron Lightcycle Run positions itself as a centerpiece in Tomorrowland’s space with it’s outstanding design. The ride also represents a push for innovation, signaling Disney’s continuous push to improve and attract new visitors to the park.

Tron Ride Experience

The Tron Lightcycle Run is a fantastic experience for thrill riders who are looking for a more adventurous ride at Magic Kingdom. With the state-of-the-art technology, it re-creates that high-speed grid race you get to love in the films through digital technology. Fans of the films will also love the soundtracks heard in the queues and on the ride as it makes you feel like on the movie set.

The ride is one of the fastest coasters in Disney World, accelerating you from the grid at high speed as you hit the corners with a significant G-force. If you aren’t prepared for the take-off you will certainly get a shock from how quickly the ride goes. There’s a nice set of post-ride experiences as you jump out of your pods back into reality, with lots of photo opportunities and the Tron shop to explore.

Tron Lightcycle Run Queue

The Tron Lightcycle Run queue is likely the busiest ride across all the parks. Because of this, booking a lightning lane might be worthwhile if you value your time outside the queues. With this being such a popular ride experience, queues have been known to reach the two-hour mark and that could be a big chunk of your day if you haven’t planned for this wait.

Space Mountain at Disney World

Space Mountain is an indoor roller coaster (in fact there are two tracks) set in the darkness of outer space and the ride lasts about 3 minutes. Because it was one of the first generation of the indoor roller coasters, it is a bit dated by today’s standards but is a good progression from the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Frontierland if you are trying to move up the excitement ladder.

Space Mountain doesn’t go that fast (only 28 mph) but it feels faster because of the darkness and it has bigger drops and turns than Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. For the ultimate Disney roller coaster you need to try the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Disney-MGM Studios.

Space Mountain wait times aren’t as high as they used to be due to the release of other new rides in the park, but queues are still built for the ride. If you have the Genie + Pass you may not opt for this ride as one of your main selections due to the popularity of other rides but it makes for a good backup. You may also opt for an additional Lightening Lane pass if you wish to use that option. Lightening Lane passes are an additional cost and for a good reference, you may want to look at the wait times for Space Mountain for the same day, a week before you go to check whether it’s likely to be worth the use of a queue jump.

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

You get to pilot a Star Cruiser on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin as you battle to save the toy universe from the evil Emperor Zurg. You can control the spin of your cruiser and you have a laser cannon that you can fire and score points; it is just like a giant video game.

It is a similar ride to Men in Black Alien Attack at Universal Studios but it is geared to a younger audience. Great fun to try and beat the score of your friends.

Astro Orbiter

The Astro Orbiter is similar to the Dumbo ride in Fantasyland and the Magic Carpets of Aladdin in Adventureland. You can control your height as you ride in a rocket which rotates around the central tower.

Like the other similar rides, loading and unloading is very slow so the lines get very long.

The Timekeeper

The Timekeeper originally debuted in Disneyland Paris and was brought over to Tomorrowland as part of the updating of Tomorrowland; if you look carefully you will see most of the actors are actually speaking French and have been dubbed into English.

The show is hosted by an Audio-Animatronic mad scientist/robot (voice of Robin Williams) and features a flying droid called 9-EYE. You have to stand for the whole of the 20 minute show which incorporates 360 degree CircleVision and IMAX footage on 9 screens as seen through the eyes of the time machine 9-EYE. Along the way you meet Jules Verne and H. G. Wells and see famous historical figures like Mozart and Leonardo da Vinci.

It is only open seasonally (busy periods) so check when entering the park.

Tomorrowland Indy Speedway

Tomorrowland Indy Speedway really only appeals to young children (12 and under) as they get the chance to drive a ‘real’ car. It takes about 4 minutes to drive slowly around the whole track and side barriers prevent you from colliding with other cars though you will probably get rear-ended when someone behind you fails to brake.

To ride on your own you must be 52″ tall (132 cm), otherwise you need an accompanying adult. You will probably have to wait a long time to get into your car and an equally long to get out again.

Tomorrowland Transit Authority

The WEDway People Mover is now the Tomorrowland Transit Authority. You get a short overhead tour of Tomorrowland including a peak inside of Space Mountain.

The small five car trains have no engines and are powered by electromagnets (linear induction motors). Can be a fun way to see Tomorrowland if you have the time.

Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress

The Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress is another of the original 1964 New York World Fair attractions (also Its a Small World in Fantasyland) and it shows!!

This 22 minute revolving theatre takes a nostalgic view of how the lives of American families have changed through the twentieth century. The last time we went on it, progress appeared to have stopped in the 1970’s; not sure if time has moved on yet. A good place to go if you want to rest your feet for 20 minutes and reflect on the life of your parents/grand parents.

It is only open seasonally (busy periods) so check when entering the park.

Stitch’s Great Escape!

Stitch’s Great Escape! opened in 2004 as a replacement for the ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter which was deemed too scary when a alien was accidentally teleported into the darkened room whilst all the guests were restrained in their seats and unable to escape. I don’t think I’ve ever heard so many people scream at one time before.

Stitch’s Great Escape! is meant to be a more light hearted version of the Alien Encounter but some small children may still find it too intense; just stand in the gift shop when they exit for a good idea of the scare factor.

You must be 38″ (95 cm) or taller to see this attraction (because of the shoulder restraints). It features Audio Animatronics and special effects including lights, sounds and smells.

Eating in Tomorrowland

Tomorrowland offers several counter service restaurants.

At Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe you can enjoy a Blast-off cheese burger, Cosmic roast chicken, pizza, sandwiches, Starlight soup and salads. It is a very busy restaurant but you should always be able to find a table.

The Plaza Pavilion serves individual pan pizzas, fried chicken strips, speciality sandwiches and fresh salads. Like Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe it is also busy but again there are enough nooks and crannies to find a empty table.

If you want a frozen yoghurt, smoothies or a drink, try Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies.

The Lunching Pad at Rockettower Plaza serves snacks including hot dogs, smoked turkey legs and drinks.

You can also get snacks and drinks at the Cool Ship near Space Mountain.

Access to other Lands from Tomorrowland

Tomorrowland leads into Fantasyland on one side and Mickey’s Toontown Fair on the other side by the Mad Tea Party.

You can also get back to Main Street USA by the central hub at Cinderella’s Castle.

Mickey’s Toontown Fair

Mickey’s Toontown Fair was the smallest of the lands and the only one not present when the Magic Kingdom first opened. Previously called Mickey’s Starland, it was renovated in 1996 and reopened as Toontown Fair with a cartoon look to it. In 2011 it closed to make way for the major expansion of New Fantasyland. Some of the attractions have been removed and other re-themed as part of the Storybook Circus.

It was one of the best places to meet many of your favourite characters including Mickey Mouse himself. One of the easiest ways to reach Mickey’s Toontown Fair was by riding on the Magic Kingdom Railroad.

Mickey’s Toontown Fair has been replaced by Storybook Circus, part of the New Fantasyland

The Barnstormer at Goofy’s Wiseacre Farm

The Barnstormer is a mini roller coaster that only lasts for one minute. You ‘fly’ in an out of control crop duster as it swoops and twists and turns over the cornfields. Just watch the Audio-animatronic chickens as you fly right through Goofmeister’s barn.

It is very tame by roller coaster standards so should appeal to small children; in fact some adults might find it a bit of squeeze. There is 35 inch (89 cm) minimum height restriction.

Donald’s Boat

Donald’s Boat, the “Miss Daisy”, is great fun for children. A mini water park where jets of water shoot up unexpectedly through the floor of this leaky boat. Children can steer the boat and ring its bell or play in the fountains and generally get very wet!

Minnie’s Country House

Every small child (and some not so small) wants to meet Mickey and Minnie Mouse. The pink and lavender Minnie’s Country House is a walk through attraction where you can listen to Minnie’s answering machine, and watch the antics of the cake in the oven and the popcorn in the microwave.

You can meet Minnie in the gazebo in the back yard.

Mickey’s Country House

The bright yellow Mickey’s Country House is also a walk through attraction where you can see inside his house, see Pluto’s doghouse, play inside his garage and the garden where Mickey shaped pumpkins grow.

From here you can visit the Judge’s Tent where you can meet Mickey Mouse.

Judge’s Tent

Inside the Judge’s Tent you get the opportunity to meet Mickey in person. Needless to say the queues can be very long but it is worth it if you have children of a certain age.

Toontown Hall of Fame

The Toontown Hall of Fame is where you get the opportunity to meet some of Mickey friends, the princesses and the villains like Captain Hook and the Sheriff of Nottingham. There are three separate lines, one for each group.

Like the Judge’s Tent, expect long queues.

Eating in Toontown

The only place to eat in Mickey’s Toontown Fair is the Toontown Market where you can buy snacks, ice cream and drinks.

Access to other Lands from Mickey’s Toontown

Mickey’s Toontown Fair leads into Fantasyland on one side and Tomorrowland on the other side by the Mad Tea Party.

You can also board the Disney Railroad to take you back to Main Street USA and onto Frontierland.

Magic Kingdom Parades

One of the most popular activities at the park are the Magic Kingdom parades. These are special Disney events that capture the magical storytelling of the famous books and movies that have been shared with millions.

There are daily parades at the park and they are often classed as a must-see for the die hard Disney fans. Make sure you check the timetable at the park for the parade time and give yourself plenty of time to get a good viewing spot for when the parade starts. Knowing the parade route will help you locate the best viewing point at the park. Having a view down one of the main roads with the parade coming towards you would be a good place to stay.

Parade Route in Liberty Square

The main parades runs through Frontierland, into Liberty Square and onto Cinderella’s Castle and Liberty Square can be a good place to watch it.

Parade Route in Market Square

Remember that the main parades goes the full length of Main Street but because Main Street is the only entrance and exit to the park it can get very busy at parade times.

Parade Route in Frontierland

The main parades goes right through Frontierland and can be a good place to watch it. If you are not bothered about the parade, then parade time can be a good time to try and ride Splash Mountain or the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Magic Kingdom Fireworks

One of the highlights of a Magic Kindom visit is the nighttime spectacular shows that include an amazing light show, a short story, and the world-famous fireworks. By standing with a view towards the castle, you will see the light projections onto the Magic Kingdom Castle where the story will be told and later the firework show will take place over the castle. It’s worth noting that the nightly shows run on a schedule and the shows can vary based on a seasonal calendar (e.g. Christmas show) that you can find on the official Disney site.

Magic Kindom Rides And Attractions

Magic Kingdom is a very family-friendly theme park, with plenty of attractions that will appeal to all ages. You can find exhilarating rides, family-friendly adventures, captivating shows, and opportunities to meet your beloved Disney characters.

Rides and Rollercoasters

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. One of the all-time classic Disney World rides that will have you traveling through a haunted gold mine in search of treasure. Legend says the trains have a mind of their own in this haunted mountain. This ride is designed for both adults and kids but does have a scare element you may want to factor in as it goes fast in the dark and high in places. You may be pleased to know this does not go upside down at any point.

• Splash Mountain
• Space Mountain
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• Haunted Mansion
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Tomorrowland Speedway
• Jungle Cruise
• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• Tron Lightcycle
• Mad Tea Party
• The Barnstormer
• Astro Orbiter
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Meet The Character Experiences

This is your chance to meet all your favorite Disney characters and get your photo taken with them. You can often catch characters roaming around the park for a quick photo but the main characters like Mickey Mouse will you to join a queue. Some of the popular character experiences are:

• Meet Cinderella and Elena at the Princess Fairytale Hall
• Meet Mickey Mouse at the Town Square Theater

Best Magic Kingdom Rides for Kids

Magic Kingdom is the flagship park of Disney World, it caters to families of all ages, so you can all enjoy the majority of experiences here together. We take a look at some of the best Magic Kingdom rides for kids that are a must-visit for your next Magic Kingdom adventure.

Top Fantasyland Rides for Kids

• Cinderella Castle (attraction)
• It’s a Small World
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Best Adventureland Rides for Kids

• Jungle Cruise
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin

Best Frontierland Rides for Kids

• Splash Mountain
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Country Bear Jamboree

Top Tomorrowland Rides for Kids

• Space Mountain (although maybe not suited for younger kids who are afraid of rollercoasters and the dark
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• Tomorrowland Speedway

Best Liberty Square Rides for Kids

• Haunted Mansion
• Liberty Square Riverboat
• The Hall of Presidents (attraction)

Disney World Monorail Service

When leaving the Magic Kingdom, there will be two queues for the Monorail, one sign posted Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC) and the other sign posted Disney Resorts.

If the TTC queue looks long, simply take the Resorts monorail. Both monorails go to the TTC but the Resorts monorail stops at Disney’s Contemporary Resort Hotel (it actually goes right through the middle of the hotel) first and generally is less crowded as most people automatically queue in the TTC line.

You enter the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom under the Main Street Station and walk up Main Street USA towards the trademark Disney Cinderella’s castle.

Disney has offered special Disney After Hours tickets which gives you access to the more popular attractions but with way fewer guests. These are limited-time offers for only a few select nights.

Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom is the most popular theme park in the world with an estimated 20.4 million visitors. That is an average of over 55,000 people every single day of the year but on some days those numbers can easily double.