Disney World Magic Kingdom 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. In addition to all the attractions, you can meet some of their favorite Disney characters, such as 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.

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

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

Disney World Magic Kingdom: A Guide to Its Magical Lands

Radiating from the central hub of the castle in the park, the six lands represent the core structure of the park, divided into different themed areas. These six lands highlight the park’s interconnected layout, forming an essential part of the design and attractions of the park.

Main Street USA

At the entrance, you step into an imaginary world. On the right is a Stroller Shop where you can rent single or double strollers (pushchairs/buggies), wheelchairs, and electric convenience vehicles.

At the far end of Main Street USA, the view opens up to Cinderella’s Castle, the iconic symbol of the most magical place on Earth. From here, you can access the other ‘lands’ in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom park.

You enter the park by walking underneath the Main Street Railroad Station. Here, amidst the excited atmosphere that greets visitors, 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 narrow-gauge steam railroad runs clockwise for about one and a half miles around the outskirts of the park. 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 run, you can expect a train to run about every 5 to 10 minutes. Note that you cannot take Disney strollers or electric convenience vehicles onto the train; you can take them on board if you can fold up your stroller. If you have a Disney stroller, 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, a majestic structure inspired by classic fairy tales and the iconic Disney characters that live there. To your left are the City Hall, Fire Engine Station House No. 71, and the Harmony Barbers Shop, where you can get a haircut. The Town Square Exposition Hall and Tony’s Town Square Restaurant are to your right.

City Hall

At the City Hall, you can pick up a map and check the Guest Information Board to get information on show times and 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 center where you can buy film and have your films processed. You may also meet Disney characters on the veranda.

Main Street Shops

On both sides of Main Street USA are shops, including the Emporium and Disney Clothiers, selling an extensive range of Disney merchandise, cinema, and food outlets. For nostalgia, consider riding down Main Street on a horse-drawn trolley, an omnibus, or a 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 on your left and the Plaza Restaurant on your right.

Eating in Main Street USA

There are several restaurants on 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 favorite 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 areas at the park. However, it does have some excellent 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 modeled 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, you come across various animatronic animals and people. Watch out for hostile natives and the elephants who may get you wet.

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 humor 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 many 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). 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 many swashbuckling pirates. At one point, you get caught in the crossfire when a pirate ship 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 pretty dark in places, and some sights and sounds might frighten small children; there is also a slight drop while on the boat.

The Magic Carpets of Aladdin

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

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, our friends said that whatever 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 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

Walking up Main Street towards Cinderella’s Castle, you will see a large circular plaza with several 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 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, and then you can quickly slip back into Adventureland.

Eating in Adventureland

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

The El Pirata Y el Perico Restaurant (The Pirate and the Parrot) is across from the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. It serves Mexican food, including tacos, nachos, and taco salads. It has counter service and lots of undercover seating.

If you just need a drink or a dessert, Sunshine Tree Terrace and Aloha Isle both serve hot and cold drinks, including juices and floats, plus ice cream and yogurt.

Frontierland

As its name suggests, Frontierland is set in the Old West and the pioneer days. The cast members are dressed as cowboys and girls, and the buildings have a Southwestern rustic look, 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 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 on the tale of Brer Rabbit’s escape from Brer Fox and Brer Bear. It is one of the most popular rides, so expect long queues.

Spots to Take The Best Splash Mountain Photos

There are two excellent 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 giant 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. You travel in a log boat through several scenes, including caves, swamps, and bayous. You are surrounded by numerous AudioAnimatronic animals singing songs at every opportunity, including the unforgettable ‘Zip-A-Dee-Do-Da.’

There are several tiny drops, but the ‘high spot’ of the ride is a five-story plunge down a 45-degree water slide, where you reach a speed of 40 mph. Thanks to extra water jets aimed at you, you will get wet no matter where you sit. 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 it is still great fun in true Disney style. You are in a runaway mine train that careers out of control through an old mining village entirely of special effects such as falling rocks, waterfalls, geysers, and an earthquake.

During the three 1/2-minute ride, look for dinosaur bones sticking out of the rocks and 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, this is an excellent introduction before you tackle 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 based on an old Colonial stern paddle wheel riverboat that might have been seen on the rivers of Southern states like the Mississippi in the 19th century. Originally called the Richard F. Irvine, it was renamed Liberty Belle in 1996.

It usually runs about every 30 minutes, but to cater for the Tiana’s Riverboat Dessert party, it 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 holds about 450 guests on four decks. 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 other attractions in Frontierland, such as animatronic creatures and various buildings on the island itself.

Country Bear Jamboree

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

Teenagers will probably be bored by the 15-minute show, but it can be a great break from the day’s heat, 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 accompanied by 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 requires a separate payment.

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 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 the Country Bear Jamboree and across from Splash Mountain. It is a counter-service restaurant serving cheeseburgers, hot dogs, wrapped sandwiches, salads, and root beer floats.

On Tom Sawyer Island, you can try Aunt Polly’s Dockside Inn. It offers a selection of picnic food, including turkey, cheese, and ham sandwiches, cookies, ice cream, and soft drinks.

Getting off Tom Sawyer Island can take a while as the only exit means is the raft ride.

Liberty Square

Liberty Square joins Fantasyland to Frontierland and has an 18th-century Colonial American revolutionary-era feel. You can also return 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 made of clapperboard and brick, and the gardens are 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-style 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.” Hop on a Doom Buggy inside to get in the “spirit” of things.

As you approach the mansion, remember to look at the collection of humorous tombstone inscriptions. Once inside, you are met by cast members dressed as ghostly butlers and maids. They play the part and escort you into a waiting room where the floor and ceiling appear to move, reminiscent of the Adams Family. The ride lasts around 8 minutes, and you will see some significant 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 Hall of Presidents show has just finished.

The Hall of Presidents

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

The show lasts 23 minutes and is heavy on patriotism and the American Constitution, so it might be 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 closed in December 2016 for 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 reopened on December 19, 2017, including 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 did, 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 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 favorites with all the trimmings.

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

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

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

Fantasyland

Fantasyland is a cornerstone of Disney’s theme parks, 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. As part of the ongoing development and innovation within Disney’s theme parks in Florida, Disney has undertaken a significant expansion of Fantasyland to create a New Fantasyland, nearly double the size. This expansion reflects the broader efforts to enhance and grow Disney’s theme parks, including introducing advanced Audio-Animatronics in new rides and developing new attractions such as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Some rides have been closed, and others have been relocated. Because of the many child-friendly rides (and, for the most part, slow-loading), 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 in which 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 sick; give me a roller coaster any day!

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

Dumbo the Flying Elephant

This is an absolute favorite of small children, and because it has a relatively small capacity, queues can be extended. Sixteen dumbo-shaped gondolas circle a central hot air balloon, 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. You meet Winnie and all his friends along the way, including Eeyore, Tigger, and Piglet.

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

Peter Pan’s Flight (Lightening Lane available)

Peter Pan’s Flight is a four-minute ride on a pirate ship across nighttime 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 London’s skylights, you will relive the excitement and nostalgia of flying with Peter Pan and Wendy on their journey to Neverland.

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

Prince Charming Regal Carrousel

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

Seventy-two white horses 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 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 renovation, but the ride (and the song!) remains 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 several 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 the park, Disney undertook a major expansion of Fantasyland, which will introduce 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 Fantasyland’s size.

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, 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 in the shape of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in 2014, themed on the classic Disney film 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 Mickey’s Toontown Fair and Tomorrowland on the other.

If you return 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” breakfast includes eggs, potatoes, meats, and French toast.

You can eat lunch or dinner with specialties like prime rib, steaks, and fresh seafood for the rest of the day.

The Pinocchio Village Haus is a counter-service restaurant that serves 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 was more like Epcot in terms of how humankind and technology might develop, but it quickly became very dated. It has now changed to be a mixture of nostalgia and science fiction featuring aliens and robots as well as humans, drawing inspiration from franchises like ‘Star Wars.’ This influence is evident in Disney’s theme park expansions, including the addition of ‘Star Wars’ Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios. Tomorrowland is home to the other ‘mountain ride,’ namely Space Mountain, and has a height restriction of 44″ (113 cm) or taller. Tomorrowland also showcases Disney’s push for innovation with attractions like the Tron Lightcycle Run, further cementing its reputation as a hub for futuristic adventure.

One of the best attractions, the “ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter,” closed in 2004 after scaring 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, a high-speed rollercoaster experience Inspired by the Tron film series. For this ride, you climb aboard your Lightcycle and race against fellow competitors in a fast-paced coaster experience designed with cutting-edge technology.

With its outstanding design, Walt Disney World’s Tron Lightcycle Run positions itself as a centerpiece in Tomorrowland’s space. 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 looking for a more adventurous ride. With state-of-the-art technology, it recreates the high-speed grid race you 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 they make you feel like you are 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 be shocked by 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. The ride lasts about 3 minutes. Because it was one of the first generation of indoor roller coasters, it is a bit dated by today’s standards. Still, it 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 feels faster because of the darkness. It has more significant drops and turns than Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. For the ultimate Disney roller coaster, 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 extra 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 your cruiser’s spin and 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. It’s great fun to try to beat your friends’ scores.

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 while riding a rocket that rotates around the central tower.

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

The Timekeeper

The Timekeeper originally debuted in Disneyland Paris and was brought to Tomorrowland as part of its updating; if you look carefully, you will see that most of the actors are 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 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 vehicles, though you will probably get rear-ended when someone behind you fails to brake.

To ride independently, 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. Visitors can take a short overhead tour of Tomorrowland, including a peek inside Space Mountain.

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

Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress

Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress is another of the original 1964 New York World Fair attractions (also It’s 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 1970s; I’m not sure if time has moved on yet. It’s a good place to go if you want to rest your feet for 20 minutes and reflect on the life of your parents or grandparents.

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 an 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 cheeseburger, 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, specialty sandwiches, and fresh salads. Like Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe, it is also busy, but again, there are enough nooks and crannies to find an empty table.

If you want frozen yogurt, 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 park opened. Previously called Mickey’s Starland, it was renovated in 1996 and reopened as Toontown Fair with a cartoon look. In 2011, it closed to make way for the major expansion of New Fantasyland. Some of the attractions have been removed, and others have been re-themed as part of the Storybook Circus.

It was one of the best places to meet many of your favorite characters, including Mickey Mouse. One of the easiest ways to reach Mickey’s Toontown Fair was by riding on the 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, 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 it should appeal to small children; in fact, some adults might find it a bit of a squeeze. The minimum height restriction is 35 inches (89 cm).

Donald’s Boat

Donald’s Boat, the “Miss Daisy,” is great fun for children. It is 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, 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 backyard.

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 see 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 can meet Mickey in person. 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 can meet some of Mickey’s friends, the princesses, and 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 park’s most popular activities is the 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 approaching, you would be an excellent place to stay.

Parade Route in Liberty Square

The main parade 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 go the full length of Main Street. 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 parade goes through Frontierland, which can be a good place to watch them. If you are not bothered by the parade, then parade time can be a good time to try riding Splash Mountain or the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Magic Kingdom Fireworks

One of the highlights of a Magic Kingdom visit is the nighttime spectacular shows that include a fantastic 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 Castle, where the story will be told, and later, the fireworks show will take place over the castle. It’s worth noting that the nightly shows run on a schedule, which can vary based on a seasonal calendar (e.g., Christmas show) that you can find on the official Disney site.

Magic Kingdom Rides And Attractions

Magic Kingdom is not only a very family-friendly theme park but also holds the title of the most visited theme park in the world, with plenty of attractions that appeal to all ages. This status underscores its global popularity and the number of visitors it attracts annually. Here, you can find fun rides, family-friendly adventures, captivating shows, and opportunities to meet your beloved Disney characters.

Rides and Rollercoasters

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is one of the all-time classic Disney World rides. It 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 Disney World’s flagship park. It caters to families of all ages, so you can enjoy most of the park’s experiences together. We take a look at some of the best rides for kids, which are a must-visit for your next park 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 park, there will be two monorail queues: one signposted Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC) and the other signposted 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 first (it actually goes right through the middle of the hotel) and is generally less crowded, as most people automatically queue in the TTC line.

You enter the park under the Main Street Station and walk up towards the trademark Disney Cinderella’s castle.