Park size: 142 acres (57 hectares)
Time: One to two days
Start/End: Main Street, USA
Points to note: Arrive early, especially if you only have one day here. Be at the gates at opening time and you’ll be able to walk on to many rides with little or no wait.
As far back as 1959, Walt Disney began scouting for a location to build another theme park, one that would augment Disneyland in California and be more accessible to visitors in the eastern half of the country. In Orlando he found what he was looking for: warm weather, an inland location protected from hurricanes, the intersection of two major highways, and an airport. In fact, in 1965 he said, ‘Here in Florida, we have something special we never enjoyed at Disneyland... the blessing of size. There’s enough land here to hold all the ideas and plans we can possibly imagine.’
Familiar faces pose on the steps of Cinderella’s Castle
Walt Disney World Resort
Disney began buying up land in secret, fearing that prices would skyrocket if word leaked out about his plans. He eventually acquired 47 sq miles (122 sq km) for his ‘Florida Project’, but it took years to transform the swamp and scrubland into a resort. Walt didn’t live to see the realization of his dream. He died in 1966, five years before the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s first Florida park, opened.
There’s no one best way to tour the Magic Kingdom. The route you take will depend on whether you have children (and their ages), love thrill rides, are a first-time visitor, or have more than one day to spend. The best advice for everyone is to arrive early and head for the attraction you most want to see first (if you don’t have a FastPass+ reservation for later –for more information, click here). There is only one entrance, which leads into Main Street, USA. From here, our route proceeds clockwise through the other five ‘lands,’ or themed areas, of the park. However, if you have young children you may want to start in Fantasyland, and if you have teenagers you’ll probably head straight to the roller coasters in Frontierland or Tomorrowland – although Fantasyland has its own thriller now too. FastPass and FastPass+ times will also determine how you organize your day. Use the My Disney Experience mobile app to check up-to-date wait times for each attraction.
This route takes in the highlights of each area, but the park has many more shows and attractions besides. Some have different operating hours from the park, so pick up a Times Guide along with a park map at the entrance (or elsewhere around the park), and utilize the My Disney Experience app. You won’t be able to see everything in one day, so use this route to help you prioritize the attractions most appealing to you.
Be sure to take a break at 3pm to watch the upbeat Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade. Then again, if you skip it, you’ll find the rides a little bit emptier than usual. The park practically clears out once the parade ends.
Christmas is a magical time
Walt Disney World Resort
Main Street USA
The stroll down Main Street USA is great for setting the tone of the Magic Kingdom. The neat-as-a-pin storefronts, horse-drawn trolleys, and upbeat background music evoke a small Midwestern town of a century ago, and if it’s a bit nostalgic it does the trick of taking you out of your stressed, modern mindset to a simpler place where Disney’s imaginary world takes over.
Disney World ABCs
For information on the Magic Kingdom and all Disney World experiences, keep these numbers and websites handy:
Disney information: www.disneyworld.com
General park information: 407-824-4321 (automated) or 407-824-2222
Disney vacation packages: 407-939-7675, www.disneyworld.disney.go.com/plan/my-disney-experience/vacation-packages
Special events and tours: 407-WDW-TOUR (407-939-8687), www.disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours
Restaurant reservations: 407-WDW-DINE (407-939-3463), www.disneyworld.com/dining
Opening hours at Disney theme parks vary widely according to the season, the day of the week, and special events. They also differ from park to park. Always check the website, mobile app, or phone ahead when planning your visit. During super-busy seasons, smaller parks, especially the Magic Kingdom, occasionally fill up, so be sure to arrive early. Times for parades, shows, and night-time displays also change frequently. Each park prints a weekly Times Guide for these events. Guests staying at a WDW resort should ask about the Extra Magic Hours program, which gives early or extended admission to selected parks on certain days.
Walt Disney World Railroad
You may want to hop aboard the steam-powered Walt Disney World Railroad 1 [map] for a 20-minute ride around the park. It’s a good way of seeing the various lands, or taking a quick route through the crowd to its other stops at Frontierland and Fantasyland. Otherwise, Main Street, USA is mostly lined with shops and eateries.
The original Pirates of the Caribbean ride
Walt Disney World Resort
Adventureland
Like spokes on a wheel, paths lead out from the hub in front of the castle to the themed lands. Turn left and cross over the bridge to Adventureland, with its atmospheric, semi-tropical setting. Stop off for a bite at Jungle Navigation Co. LTD. Skipper Canteen, see 1, if you’re peckish early on.
There are some gentler options
Getty Images
Jungle Cruise
On your left, past the massive Swiss Family Treehouse, is the entrance to the Jungle Cruise 2 [map]. This silly safari takes you down a tropical river past a delightful array of animatronic animals, from giraffes, lions, and zebras on the banks to a roaring hippo and a family of elephants bathing in the water. You’ll also escape a head hunter or two and sail through a hidden temple. Despite the corny commentary from the captain, or because of it if you’re keen for puns, it’s an amusing ride, so jump on board early when the lines are still short.
Braving Splash Mountain
Walt Disney World Resort
Pirates of the Caribbean
From the number of youngsters sporting red-striped bandanas and pirate hats with dangling dreadlocks, it’s not hard to guess that one of the most popular attractions is right next door. You’ll board another boat for Pirates of the Caribbean 3 [map], this time for a swashbuckling sail through the booming cannons of a pirate raid on a small island town.
This ride into the rollicking world of a pirates’ den is a Disney classic, each scene loaded with imaginative detail – watch for the drunken pigs joining in the celebrations. You’ll also spot a familiar face among the remarkably lifelike pirates: Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow. This attraction was in fact the inspiration for the blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean movies, and the animatronic Depp was added later. The kids can get their buccaneer on at the nearby Pirate’s League, offering swashbuckling adornments from temporary tattoos to full Captain Hook costumes.
Frontierland
Walk through the covered passage into Frontierland, which re-creates rustic settings from America’s 19th-century frontier. Two of the park’s best thrill rides are located here.
Splash Mountain
Splash Mountain 4 [map] starts off innocently enough as you ride a log flume past brightly colored scenes from Song of the South. Suddenly you emerge at the top of the mountain and plunge down into Brer Rabbit’s Laughin’ Place with a mighty splash. Those in the front and on the right are sure to get soaked, but it’s a great way to cool off on a hot day.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
More thrills await at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad 5 [map] across the way. The train cars whip around tight curves, through dark tunnels, and down into canyons beneath the mountain’s red rock spires, said to be modeled after Bryce Canyon in Utah. This ride is exciting but not as terrifying as the big roller coasters, so it’s a good option for more timid souls.
Liberty Square
The Magic Kingdom’s smallest land harks back to colonial times, with an old-fashioned riverboat and 18th-century architecture. Here is one of Disney’s best-loved attractions, the Haunted Mansion 6 [map]. The ghoulish fun is more clever than scary, full of creepy illusions, gallows humor, and animated apparitions, from the diners at a ghostly banquet to the ghost who hitches a ride in your doom buggy.
The eerily realistic Hall of Presidents
Walt Disney World Resort
The Hall of Presidents
More in keeping with the theme of Liberty Square 7 [map] is The Hall of Presidents. Even if you’re not patriotic, the show is worth seeing for the authentic detail employed to create animatronic figures of all 45 American presidents, from their period dress to their mannerisms. You can almost believe America’s long line of Chief Executives really has assembled on stage for this roll call.
Fantasyland
Continue around the back of Cinderella Castle 8 [map] to Fantasyland, in many respects the essence of the Magic Kingdom. Due to a massive expansion (so big the area is often referred to as ‘New Fantasyland’), this heart of the park is bigger than ever and filled with more to see and do. If you choose to stop and step inside the castle (and you should!), exquisite mosaic murals recount the story of Cinderella along the main corridor walls. Also housed here is Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique – if you’re traveling with aspiring princes and princesses, let their once-in-a-lifetime wish come true with a complete transformation. For little girls, make-up, nails, accessories, and a new wardrobe (depending on the package you choose) will turn her into her favorite Disney heroine. Boys will become brave knights. You can also dine in the restaurant, Cinderella’s Royal Table, see 2.
Most of the attractions are based around Disney characters and geared for younger children, but adults are easily charmed by them too. Here you can unashamedly indulge your childhood fantasies.
Going underground on the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Walt Disney World Resort
Mickey’s PhilharMagic
Not to be missed is Mickey’s PhilharMagic 9 [map], arguably the best of the 30 shows in the Disney parks. The 150ft (50-meter) -wide screen is one of the largest of its kind ever made. Don your 3D glasses and enjoy all kinds of special effects popping literally right before your eyes, as Mickey and company make their own comical brand of musical magic.
Peter Pan’s Flight
Next door, Peter Pan’s Flight ) [map] is an enchanting ride over London by night to Neverland, with all the characters of this timeless tale. However, it has one of the slowest-moving lines in the park and much of the charm of this popular three-minute ride is lost after queuing for an hour or more. Get there early, or get a FastPass (for more information, click here).
‘it’s a small world’
Lines move more quickly down the road, as guests board small boats for a leisurely float around the globe in ‘it’s a small world’ ! [map]. This audioanimatronic attraction was created for the 1964 World’s Fair in New York, though it has since been refurbished and updated. It’s still as delightful as ever, with dolls from around the world dressed in bright traditional costumes, dancing and singing the catchy theme tune in their own languages. The 10-minute ride is a good chance to cool off and escape from the rush outside.
Tickets
There are many ticket options for visiting Walt Disney World (WDW) parks, and taking time to think them through is time – and money – well spent. You can buy a single-day ticket (currently $99 to $119 depending on whether you visit during value, regular or peak season), or get tickets for multiple days on a sliding scale; the cost per day drops the more days you purchase. You can then customize your ticket by adding various options: Park Hopper and Park Hopper Plus options allow unlimited visits to multiple parks for the length of your ticket and, in some cases, water park admission. If you have a MagicBand, a sort of electronic key/ID/credit card combo, you can buy a Memory Maker package to include digital photos of yourself. You can also use the Magic Your Way option to purchase packages that can cover hotel stays, meals, and snacks, as you wish. Tickets are non-transferable, and Disney enforces that strictly. You can buy tickets at the park entrances, online at www.disneyworld.com, on the mobile app, by phone (407-824-4321 or 407-934-7639), or by mail. Florida residents get discounted rates and those who visit often can benefit by buying an annual pass. Do not buy tickets from third parties unless they are authorized, such as Visit Orlando (www.visitorlando.com). People can and do get cheated.
Princess Fairytale Hall
Wander on past Prince Charming Regal Carrousel – a real one built by Italian carvers in 1917. Before you get to the slightly frightening The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and the madly spinning teacups of the Mad Tea Party, you’ll happen upon Princess Fairytale Hall @ [map]. This air-conditioned gathering spot for autographs, photographs, and hugs has a regular line-up of headliner princesses.
Unless you have a reservation for a meal at Be Our Guest, see 3, a spectacular French restaurant themed around Beauty and the Beast, stop in for a look at the magnificently adorned Beast’s castle.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
A rickety roller coaster similar to Big Thunder Mountain, the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train £ [map] brings adventurous guests into the world of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Riders in the mine cars pivot back and forth while also climbing up and zooming down in a mine ‘where a million diamonds shine’. At the end, you come to the dwarfs’ cottage, with Snow White dancing inside.
Join Ariel and friends under the sea
Walt Disney World Resort
Under the Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid
Take a leisurely 5+-minute tour through an underground cavern with Under the Sea $ [map] – you’ll be tucked into a pastel clamshell car – to watch Ariel and her nautical friends experience major movie moments to the soundtrack highlights.
Dumbo, the Flying Elephant
Always a super-popular ride with an ultra-slow-moving line, the relocated and expanded Dumbo, the Flying Elephant % [map] brings a duo of rides – both involving tethered airplane-like little elephants riding above Storybook Circus, one going clockwise, the other counter-clockwise. The Circus itself entertains those waiting for their turn with interactive gadgets under a ‘big top’. Bring tots onto The Barnstomer Featuring the Great Goofini, a starter roller-coaster with smallish dips.
Dumbo, the Flying Elephant
Walt Disney World Resort
Tomorrowland
The loud revving of race cars tells you that you’ve entered the land of the future. Speed freaks may be disappointed that the Tomorrowland Indy Speedway 4D is not really very fast, but kids love the chance to get behind the wheel.
Space Mountain
Most visitors head straight for Space Mountain ^ [map], and for many this is a once-in-a-lifetime roller coaster – it’s so scary that once in a lifetime is enough. You ride up a 180ft (55-meter) mountain in the dark, through the blackness of outer space with only a few twinkling stars, and as your rocket car soars, dives, and whips round tight curves, it feels much faster than its top speed of 28mph (45kph). It’s the Magic Kingdom’s ultimate thrill ride.
Tomorrowland Transit Authority
Celebrate your return to earth at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café, see 4, before taking a calmer ride on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority & [map]. This gentle (some say boring) PeopleMover takes you round the land – even into Space Mountain – on an elevated track using a low-power, non-polluting motor. You can usually walk right on.
Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger
For more fun in the dark, ride into outer space on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin * [map] to help the Toy Story hero save the toy universe from evil Emperor Zurg’s robots. Fire your laser cannons, racking up points and setting off sight and sound effects when you hit your celestial targets.
The park literally lights up at night
Walt Disney World Resort
Beat the lines
On busy days, waits of 1-2 hours are not uncommon for popular attractions. Use Disney’s FastPass and FastPass+ systems to make the most of your time. To use a FastPass, insert your park ticket into the machine located near the entrance to many rides. The machine will give you a time (usually an hour’s window) when you can return and walk straight onto the ride without waiting in line. FastPass+ allows guests to reserve seats on an attraction up to 30 days beforehand (60 days if they’ll be staying in a Disney World lodging facility). Make your plans online at www.mydisneyexperience.com or on the mobile app.
The park maps indicate which attractions have FastPass options. There are a limited number of FastPasses each day – they can be gone by noon for some attractions – so head for your favorite ride first unless you’ve pre-reserved with FastPass+.
Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
You can see Lilo & Co. in action at Stitch’s Great Escape, which is only mildly entertaining, or have a planetary Dumbo-like experience on the Astro Orbiter. If you’re pressed for time, though, make Monsters, Inc. ( [map] a priority. This laugh-out-loud 400-seat show features one-eyed Mike Wazowski as the MC of a comedy show that, using technology, involves audience interaction. Just hope you’re not singled out to be ‘that guy’.
Night Magic
Stroll back down to Main Street, USA for a bit of shopping, or find a good spot to take in Disney’s night magic – the park literally lights up after dark. First, Once Upon a Time features Mrs. Potts and Chip hosting a montage of cheerful Disney animated film scenes. Then, Happily Ever After, a dazzling fireworks spectacular with lasers and projected images, explodes most nights over Cinderella Castle.
Food and drink
1 Jungle Navigation Co. LTD. Skipper Canteen
Adventureland; $$
Explore the flavors of Africa, Asia, and South America at this Adventureland restaurant, themed around a jungle cruise and playfully tied into Dr. Albert Falls of the nearby Jungle Cruise ride.
2 Cinderella’s Royal Table
Cinderella’s Castle; $$$
Book well ahead to dine at this posh venue in the castle, where you’ll meet Cinderella and her fellow princesses. The experiences include a photo-imaging package, and true princess fans can upgrade to yet more indulgent packages including a glass-slipper engagement.
3 Be Our Guest Restaurant
Beast’s Castle; $$$
Dine in the Beast’s ballroom, West Wing, or Rose Gallery at this grand restaurant, where contemporary French fare (with wine or beer at dinner) brings a turn of elegance within the Beast’s sprawling, richly decorated castle. Lunches are less expensive and easier to access. Still no table? Go around the corner to Gaston’s Tavern for grab-and-go snacks.
4 Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café
Tomorrowland; $
Probably the widest choice for a fast-food meal, from burgers and hot dogs to barbecue ribs and rotisserie chicken, served at three bays. There are healthy options too, including soups, salads, wraps, and veggie-burgers.