If you are planning a trip to Magic Kingdom it is important to do your homework! This is the most popular Disney World park full of really great rides & attractions, but if you don’t understand the ins & outs of the park, you might miss the best parts. That is why we’ve written this guide to Magic Kingdom.
Our Essential Guide to Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom was the first of the Walt Disney World parks, opening in 1971, some 16 years after Disneyland first opened its gates in 1955!
Similar to all the Disney parks around the world, the centerpiece is a castle. For Magic Kingdom, the main park landmark is Cinderella’s Castle.
The castle is home to Cinderella’s Royal Table restaurant, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, and houses some of the most beautiful mosaics in all of Disney World.
Magic Kingdom Map & Park Layout
Like Disneyland, Magic Kingdom is divided into themed lands.
While they have some similar rides & attractions, there many things that are unique to this park.
Main Street USA
- Walt Disney Railroad
- City Hall
- Fire Station
- Main Street Chamber of Commerce
- Harmony Barber Shop
- Town Square Theater
- Main Street Bakery (Starbucks)
- Plaza Ice Cream Parlor
- Various Stores & Boutique Shops
Adventureland
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Jungle Cruise
- Swiss Family Treehouse
- Enchanted Tiki Room
- The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
- The Pirates League, A Pirate’s Adventure – Treasures of the Seven Seas.
Frontierland
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (formerly Splash Mountain)
- Country Bear Jamboree
- Tom Sawyer Island
- Walt Disney World Railroad Station
Liberty Square
- Haunted Mansion
- Liberty Square Riverboat
- The Hall of Presidents.
Fantasyland
- Cinderella Castle
- “it’s a small world”
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- Mad Tea Party
- Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
- Fairytale Garden
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
- Mickey’s PhilharMagic 3-D movie experience
- Walt Disney World Railroad
- Dumbo, the Flying Elephant in Storybook Circus
- Barnstormer Coaster
- Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station water play area
- Fantasyland Train Station
- Under the Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid
- Ariel’s Grotto
- Enchanted Tales with Belle
- Princess Fairytale Hall
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Tomorrowland
- TRON Light Cycle Run
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
- Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
- Space Mountain
- Tomorrowland Speedway
- Astro Orbiter
- Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
- Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
Magic Kingdom Restaurants
Magic Kingdom is known for having some really amazing restaurants.
Whether you are looking for quick service, table service or character dining, you will find it all in this park!
Be Our Guest Restaurant is a table service restaurant inside Beast’s Castle that has a set menu of French inspired dishes and is also where guests can see Beast.
The Crystal Palace is an all-you-can-eat American buffet with Winnie the Pooh and friends.
Cinderella’s Royal Table is a table service restaurant where guests get to dine inside Cinderella Castle with Cinderella and friends.
Liberty Tree Tavern is located in Liberty Square and features a family style meal that resembles a traditional American Thanksgiving dinner.
Jungle Navigation Co., Ltd. Skipper Canteen is a table service restaurant located across from Jungle Cruise that serves us an eclectic array of dishes inspired from the travels of the skipper himself.
The Diamond Horseshoe is an all-you-can-eat Saloon Feast that features American specialties with live musical performances.
The Plaza Restaurant is an American table service restaurant that makes guests feel as though they are dining in the turn of the century.
Tony’s Town Square is a Lady and the Tramp inspired table service restaurant featuring Italian favorites in a bistro setting.
Casey’s Corner is a small corner hotdog counter service restaurant that pays homage to the poem Casey at Bat.
Columbia Harbour House is located in Liberty Square and serves up New England inspired seafood platters.
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe in Tomorrowland has all your fast food favorites: burgers and chicken tenders along with salads.
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe located in Frontier land has some great Wild West options like Fajitas and Tacos.
Pinocchio Village Haus is the largest quick service restaurant in Fantasyland and serves pizza along with pasta.
There are more counter service restaurants where you can grab a quick bite on the go, but these are the restaurants where you will find full meals with indoor seating.
Magic Kingdom Character Meet & Greets
There is no shortage of characters in Magic Kingdom! Here is who you can see along with where you can find them!
Main Street USA
- Mickey Mouse at Town Square Theater
Tomorrowland
- Buzz Lightyear
- Stitch
Adventureland
- Aladdin & Jasmine at Agrabah Bazaar
- Captain Jack Sparrow (Currently Closed)
Fantasyland
- Alice (and sometimes Mad Hatter &/or Rabbit) in Wonderland at the Tea Cups
- Ariel at her Grotto near Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid ride.
- Minnie, Daisy Duck, Donald Duck, and Goofy at Pete’s Silly Sideshow
- Gaston at his Gaston’s Tavern
- Mirabel at Fairytale Garden
- Peter Pan near the ride
- Rapunzel at Fairytale Hall
- Tiana at Fairytale Hall
- Elena of Avalon at Fairytale Hall
- Cinderella at Fairytale Hall
- Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, and Piglet at Thotful Spot
- Belle at Enchanted Tales with Belle
- Fairy Godmother (or Step Mother & Sisters) Behind Castle in Fantasyland
Frontierland
- Chip & Dale
- Country Bears
Magic Kingdom Parades & Calvacades
Festival of Fantasy is the main parade at Magic Kingdom and features stunning floats and many of your favorite Disney characters.
You will want to get a front-row seat for this parade!
Adventure Friends Calvacade happens each evening and showcases many of your favorite Disney Pixar characters along with some other characters that you won’t see anywhere else!
Magic Kingdom Night Show
Happily Ever After is the nighttime show that takes place at Cinderella Castle. It begins with a state-of-the-art projection show set to music that lights up the castle and Main Street USA!
The night show ends with a magical fireworks extravaganza.
It is something that you won’t want to miss seeing while at Magic Kingdom!
Special Events in Magic Kingdom
Throughout the year, Magic Kingdom puts on special events. Depending on the time of year you visit, you might get to experience one of these:
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Starting on select nights in August through November, Disney’s Halloween party is a chance for the whole family to enjoy celebrating this not-so-scary holiday!
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
From early November through January 1st, Magic Kingdom transforms into a winter wonderland during Disney’s Christmas Party.
On select nights, you can eat free holiday treats, watch a special holiday parade featuring Santa Claus and see a night show full of holiday cheer!
Disney Villains After Hours
This special event runs on select nights Feb-July after Magic Kingdom closes for the day. Guests get to see their favorite Disney Villains and experience unique entertainment.
Is It Possible to do Magic Kingdom in one day?
Magic Kingdom can be done in one day, but if you have the time, I would suggest you plan to spend two days at this park.
There are so many great rides & attractions in Magic Kingdom and you won’t want to miss out on experiencing everything the park has to offer.
The best way to do it all in Magic Kingdom is by using Lightning Lane Service.
This will save you time and get you quick access to the rides with the longest queues.
With two days in Magic Kingdom, you can easily divide the park into 2 areas: Adventureland, Frontierland & Liberty Square for one day and Fantasyland and Tomorrowland in the second.
What to Wear to Magic Kingdom
Before you head to Magic Kingdom, make sure that you have everything you need!
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More Magic Kingdom Tips and Park Information
