A Guide to Disney’s Magic Kingdom Theme Park in Orlando

By Lauren Tjaden

Enchantment comes to life at Magic Kingdom® Park at Walt Disney World® in Orlando, with its lavish fantasy worlds, scream-inducing coasters and beloved characters. Soar high on a playful flight aboard Dumbo the Flying Elephant®; fall under the powerful spell of the Cinderella Castle during a fireworks spectacular; and meet the Disney Princess that inspires you most.

Parades, rides, shows, classic attractions, special events and tours and restaurants and dining experiences combine to make your visit to Magic Kingdom unforgettable and filled with special memories.

Here are some of the must-do experiences in Magic Kingdom® Park, along with some information about how to plan your trip.

COASTERS AND CLASSIC ATTRACTIONS

There are reasons why Magic Kingdom® Park at Walt Disney World® Resort is the most-visited theme park in the world, and a big part of that is its rides and attractions. Here are a few you shouldn’t miss on your Sunshine State getaway.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Race through the diamond mine from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on a swaying family coaster ride. At the summit, feel the wind across your face as you navigate hairpin turns and head deep into the mine shaft—your creaky cart teetering back and forth. Soon, the dark sparkles with glittering jewels and you encounter the Seven Dwarfs, whistling and singing while they work.

Space Mountain®

The roller coaster, with big drops and in total darkness, invites daredevils to blast off on a rip-roaring rocket into the furthest reaches of outer space. You’ll have galaxies of fun soaring past shooting stars, satellites and wayward meteors before you’re sucked into a spinning wormhole.

Splash Mountain

Splash Mountain warns passengers "you will get wet,’" and since it features 950,000 gallons of water, three dips and a five-story drop, that’s a promise you can count on. Accompanied by the carefree Br’er Rabbit, this enchanting musical cruise drifts through a vivid Southern bayou populated by audio-animatronics geese, frogs, raccoons, possums, bees, alligators and other critters singing classic Disney ditties before its splash-happy conclusion. If you’re yearning to get soaked, sit in the front. Kids too small to ride the attraction – under 40 inches – will enjoy the Laughin’ Place, a bright and breezy play area situated close to the Splash Mountain exit.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant®

Based on the 1941 Disney animated masterpiece Dumbo, this classic attraction lets you hop atop everybody’s favorite circus elephant as he discovers he can fly. Dumbo’s faithful friend Timothy Q. Mouse helps keep you aloft with his “magic” feather. As the jubilant organ melody begins, lift off for a graceful cruise around (and around and around) Storybook Circus.

Haunted Mansion®

Climb aboard a gloomy Doom Buggy for a grave journey through a labyrinth of haunted chambers. The Haunted Mansion is dark and contains some mildly frightening scenes, but there is no gore, the ghostly residents are friendly and the ride is slow-moving.

More Magic

Stay tuned; you’re just getting started on Magic Kingdom® Park’s attractions. Check out more favorites, including:
·         Cinderella Castle: Complete with imposing spires and lavish turrets, and surrounded by a moat, the Castle stands at the gateway to Fantasyland, a symbol of Disney’s magic and majesty.
·         Under the Sea - Journey of The Little Mermaid: Board a clamshell to delve into Ariel’s world on a musical adventure rich with spectacles from the beloved animated film.
·         The Hall of Presidents: Presidents of the United States are showcased in this inspiring show chronicling the nation’s history.
·         Here’s where you can find a complete list of Magic Kingdom® Park rides and attractions.

Tips to Enjoy Magic Kingdom® Park's Rides and Attractions

Disney Genie Service lets you use the Lightning Lane entrance at select attractions and experiences at the Walt Disney World Theme Parks. On average, guests can enter 2 to 3 attractions or experiences per day using the Lightning Lane entrance if the first selection is made early in the day. You may make one selection at a time, starting at 7:00 AM on the day of your visit (experiences are subject to limited availability). If your Theme Park ticket includes the Park Hopper option, you can select Lightning Lane arrival windows across multiple Theme Parks.

Make sure to download the My Disney Experience app; it gives you attraction wait times, showtimes for fireworks and parades, and finds Character Greeting locations and times.

The app offers other nifty features, too, including browsing restaurant menus, making dining reservations and placing mobile orders at select quick-service restaurants.

And you’ll never get lost when you use the ‘Get Directions’ function.

Disney’s planning page can help you answer other questions.

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Be a princess for the day at Bibbi Bobbidy Boo in Disney's Magic Kingdom.

CHARACTERS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Spectacular parades! Dazzling fireworks! Disney Princesses! Magic Kingdom® Park features them all and more. Here are a few experiences you’ve got to try.

Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade

Enchantment and pageantry are on vivid display in this parade that showcases the stories of Fantasyland and its occupants, marching through the park in a glittering combination of floats, action and music. Your favorite Disney Characters, performers on stilts and a fire-breathing dragon promise a gala your family will love.

Disney Enchantment

Discover the newest nighttime spectacular at Magic Kingdom Park! With immersive projections, stunning fireworks, captivating music and favorite Disney friends, Disney Enchantment is a celebration of the magic inside us and the dream that started it all.

Meet Cinderella and a Visiting Princess Fairytale Hall

Enjoy a dazzling encounter with Cinderella and a visiting Princess in an enchanting royal setting.

Mickey's Magical Friendship Faire

It takes a whole enchanted kingdom to put on this show—and you’re cordially invited. Look for Tiana and friends from The Princess and the Frog and Rapunzel and Flynn from Tangled. Mickey even recruits Olaf, Anna and Elsa from Frozen to join in!

More Magic

You can meet Merida from Brave at Fairytale Garden, get a hug from Mickey Mouse backstage at Town Square Theater, or see some favorite Disney pals as they make their way through Magic Kingdom Park on a grand adventure! Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade features the most characters of any cavalcade to date, including Mirabel from Encanto and Miguel from Coco—plus so many more!

Here’s a complete list of Magic Kingdom® Park's entertainment, meet-and-greets, parades and entertainment.

Tips

Check the Entertainment Schedule, My Disney Experience app or the Times Guide at Magic Kingdom® Park for the schedule and showtimes. Be aware that outdoor parades and events may be cancelled due to inclement weather, and that showtimes are subject to change.

Mickey in a Christmas ugly sweater in front of Disney Magic Kingdom castle

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a holiday gala brimming with Disney characters, holiday treats and festive surprises around every corner.

- Matt Stroshane

SPECIAL EVENTS AND TOURS

Magic Kingdom® Park at Walt Disney World® Resort in Orlando spreads its pixie dust even further with extraordinary experiences, special holiday events and behind-the-scenes tours. Discover some special events here:

Disney’s Keys to the Kingdom Tour

This 5-hour walking tour explores the creation and remarkable growth of one of the most beloved parks at Walt Disney World Resort! Explore secret locations you’ve always wondered about and get the inside scoop on some of your favorite attractions.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

Imagine the look on your little girl’s face when she’s transformed into a princess. The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, nestled inside the fantastical Cinderella Castle, is a one-of-a-kind beauty salon where girls and boys are turned into princesses and knights. Reservations are limited.

Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom® Park

On select nights, Magic Kingdom® Park stays open for an extra three hours for guests with tickets for Disney After Hours. The benefit for night owls is that the wait times for popular attractions and Character Greetings are short. Ice cream, popcorn and select beverages are included with admission.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Here comes Santa Claus—and Mickey! Your whole gang will love this gala, brimming with Disney characters, holiday treats and festive surprises around every corner. Savor delectable yuletide goodies, enjoy event-exclusive dining options, and get in the spirit of the season with events like the ‘Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.’

More Magic

Here’s a complete list of Magic Kingdom’s special events and guided tours

RESTAURANTS AND DINING EXPERIENCES

Yearning for a quick snack to refuel, an indulgent candlelight dinner made for romance, or a sit-down meal with a princess? With almost 40 ways to satisfy your hunger, Magic Kingdom® Park restaurants and dining are certain to deliver. Here are some yummy options:

Cinderella's Royal Table

Turn lunch or dinner into a fairytale at Cinderella’s Royal Table, encircled by towering stone archways, medieval flags and extravagant stained-glass windows. The feast begins with a variety of cured meats and cheeses, followed by a main course offering choices for adults that include roasted chicken breast, beef tenderloin or the fish of the day. The kids can enjoy favorites like chicken nuggets or mac and cheese. Save room for dessert: the restaurant’s signature ‘The Clock Strikes Twelve,’ a dark chocolate mousse complete with a dark chocolate ganache served with raspberry coulis, is worth every sinful calorie.

The Crystal Palace

Inspired by Victorian greenhouses of the late 1800s, The Crystal Palace brims with light, topiaries and tropical palms. It's an enchanting spot to dine in the heart of Magic Kingdom Park with views of Cinderella Castle and Main Street, U.S.A. Bountiful buffets feature American favorites prepared before you in the onstage kitchen. For lunch and dinner, choose from mouth-watering favorites like roasted carved meats, freshly prepared pastas, delicious salads and beyond. And delight in such desserts as warm seasonal cobbler, butterscotch pudding, strawberry shortcake and soft-serve ice cream—the perfect ending to your lunch or dinner. All menu items are subject to change without notice.

Tip: If someone in your group has a birthday or anniversary, make a note of it on the reservation, because the characters will help you celebrate.

Be Our Guest Restaurant

Step into the Beast's enchanted castle to spoil yourself with a scrumptious three-course meal starring French-inspired dishes that are très délicieux in any language. Offerings include decadent options like pan-seared sea scallops, seasonal risotto with wild mushroom and butter sauce and dark chocolate truffle filled with dark chocolate Grand Marnier ganache. the restaurant encompasses three dining areas, each highlighting the intrigue and passion of Beauty and the Beast. They are:
·         The Grand Ballroom –This magnificent ballroom lives up to its name, with a soaring ceiling, Gothic arches resplendent with snow and decadent chandeliers.
·         The West Wing – Try to spot The Beast’s enchanted rose – and fall under its spell—in exotic West Wing study.
·         The Castle Gallery – The spirit in Belle’s private library is pure romance, complete with larger-than-life figures of Belle and Beast dancing.

More Magic

In a hurry? You don’t have to sit down at an elaborate restaurant to refuel; here are 13 Great Disney Snacks at Magic Kingdom® Park. Popular quick service restaurants include the Columbia Harbour House, offering fare like fried fish, New England clam chowder and grilled salmon, as well as Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe, an old-West saloon serving Tex-Mex.

Special experiences that are especially tasty include Ferrytale Fireworks, a cruise party that lavishes guests with wickedly delicious desserts and eyepopping water views of Magic Kingdom’s fireworks.

Didn’t see what you want on this list? Don’t worry; Magic Kingdom® Park probably has what you’re looking for. Here’s a complete list of Restaurants and Dining Experiences.

Tips

In addition to a confirmed dining reservation, in-park dining at table-service restaurants requires a park reservation and valid admission for the same park on the same date for each person in your party ages three and up. Dining reservations don’t guarantee admission to the park.

Make sure to make reservations, and make them early. Dining reservations can be booked online up to 60 days in advance.

The My Disney Experience app lets you browse restaurant menus, make dining reservations and place mobile orders at select quick-service restaurants