Hey Everyone! Today I'm going to be talking about the Magic Kingdom! This is THE park. The one that every
I'm going to give you some fun ideas on how to spend the day at The Magic Kingdom, which I will be referring to as MK. This is not necessarily how you HAVE to spend your day, this is just some suggestions to make it your own. Some people like to have a plan, and others enjoy just taking their time and being spontaneous. This may seem somewhat out of order but just bear with me while I take you through the fun! Let's get started!!
Did you know the Magic Kingdom has its very own "Rope Drop" or Welcome Show? If you're a first time Disney go-er or even a seasoned one, you have to see this! Its guaranteed to get you in the Disney "magical mood" before you even step foot inside the park. MK does this everyday and it usually starts about 15 minutes before the park's opening time! It takes place on the Disney World Train Station Platform at the Entrance of the park. Stand in the middle for a great view of the show or stand to the right or the left near the opening, to be on of the first into the park. I LOVE this show and highly recommend it! The kids will love it too. Make sure you arrive around 30 minutes before, for a good spot!
When you first enter the park, you will be on Main Street USA. This is a nostalgic look at a typical main street in America. Walt even had his very own private getaway on Main Street where his family could stay! In main Street you will find the Emporium, the biggest Disney souvenir store at the MK! You can get everything you need to remind you of your Disney Vacay. Also located on Main Street is the Confectionary. A bakery and candy store that sells lots of yummy snacks and treats. Main Street basically smells like a funnel cake and a hot dog got together and said "Let's Make Magic!" Its one of my personal favorite places in the park, and my favorite spot for a snack before watching the fireworks at the end of the day!
Here's something I bet you didn't know. On the left, when entering the park, you will see the Fire Station. There's a sign that says "Volunteers needed." If you go inside you will be able to take part in a fun Disney secret scavenger hunt, "Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom." You will be given a set of Disney trading cards, each containing a magical power to defeat the Disney Villians throughout the park. The best part is, its absolutely FREE! So, even if you don't want to participate in the scavenger hunt, you can always grab a set of cards for a souvenir, especially if you're a scrapbooker. This is a great item to save for your next project! Some cards are handed out regularly and some are rare! Each person in your party can receive ONE free set of cards per day.
As you continue to walk down Main Street you'll notice a little familiar something ahead of you. Cinderella's Castle!
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Fun Fact: Did you know that in Disneyland, it's Sleeping Beauty's castle? In Disneyland Paris, It's Belle's Castle! (And there's a fire breathing Dragon under it!!) You're welcome.
Cinderella's Castle is the Center of the park. MK is designed like a wheel. Divided into \6 Different "Lands." Main Street USA, Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, Fantasyland (and NEW Fantasyland), and Tomorrowland. Walt designed the park in the shape of a wheel, because not only is this easier for guests to navigate but also to make sure guests could not see any other land from where they were. Walt wanted everyone to get the full Disney experience!
I'll briefly go over each land and things not to miss in each one.
Tomorrowland- A land all about the future, sci-fi, and outer space! You can access Tomorrowland from Mainstreet via the Tomorrowland Terrace or from the main hub in front of Cinderella's Castle. When facing the castle, Tomorrowland is on your right.
Things you can't miss: Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin (get a fast pass, this line is one of the longest at Disneyworld!) Space Mountain, (fast pass if wait is more than 20 mins) Monster's Inc Laugh Floor, the People Mover (AKA the Tomorrowland Transit), and the Carousel of Progress! (my fave...also good if you need a break from walking or some AC!)
Things to skip- Stitch's great Escape. This ride actually replaced Alien Encounter several years ago that was deemed too scary for guests. They replaced it with Stitch. Its not really a "ride" but your are strapped in, in a dark room, and Stitch is running around talking and even burps on you. Don't waste your time. You wont regret this decision.
The Tomorrowland Speedway- The kids will probably see this ride and want to go immediately. Its one of those "drive your own car" rides. Don't waste your time. If the kids really want to do it, do it with little or no wait. If the wait is greater than 20 mins definitely skip. This line can get very long and will take a huge chunk of time out of your day.
Astro-orbiter (much like the flying Dumbo in Fantasyland..but a lot higher up and may be scary for some little ones)
Possible Character Sighting- Buzz Lightyear, Stitch
Fantasyland-you can access this land by going straight through Cinderella's castle or around the castle. This is the land your kids came to see! Lots of little adventures based on Disney Movies and characters. Recently opening in 2012 was "New Fantasyland." This is still part of Fantasyland. It now includes some new rides and attractions for your little ones. Also added or "reinvented" is Dumbo the flying Elephant. Dumbo has been upgraded and there's now two Dumbo rides to entertain large crowds. This is located in New Fantasyland as party of Storybook Circus/ You will also find the kid friendly rollercoaster starring the Great Goofini! This is the same Barnstormer rollercoaster that was formerly located in Mickey's Toon Town Fair which no longer exists.
Things you can't miss: Peter Pan's Flight (you can get a fast pass for this) do not wait longer than 20 minutes!
It's a Small World (prepare to have this song in your head ALL DAY)
Mickey's Philharmagic (Very Cute 3D show)
Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Ariel's Undersea Adventure
Ariel's Grotto (Ariel meet and greet)
Enchanted tales with Belle (only if your child loves Belle..otherwise skip)
Flying Dumbo
Goofy's Great Goofini Rollercoaster
Prince Charming's Regal Carousel
Mad Tea Party (skip if you have motion sickness)
The Seven Dwarfs Mine Coaster (a HUGE replacement to Snow White's Scary Adventure!) This will not be opening until 2014
Pretty much everything in Fantasyland is a win for the little ones! I still love Peter Pan's flight to this day even though its a total little kiddie ride. And I'm not the only one... the line is always packed! If you see a short wait, get on!
Possible character sightings- Cinderella's mice, Lady Tremaine and the evil stepsisters, Snow White, Fairy Godmother, Ariel, Winnie the Pooh and friends, Donald and Minnie (Storybook Circus) Belle, Gaston
Liberty Square- This is a small land celebrating the heart of the American Revolution. There aren't too many attractions here but I would suggest a few:
Things you can't miss-The Haunted Mansion (not necessarily scary, but if your child is afraid of the dark, I'd skip it)
The Hall of Presidents-Ok a lot of people skip this! I LOVE THIS ATTRACTION! All of the presidents are represented and they are EXTREMELY lifelike.Pay attention to their movements. Amazing. If you have smaller kids, they may not enjoy this as much, but its a great place to come for a break and AC. We never miss it!
Liberty Square Riverboat-A nice relaxing boat ride is always fun!
Possible Character sightings: Princess Tiana and Prince Naveem
Frontierland- Taking us back to the days of Davy Crockett and the good ol' Wild West!
Things you can't miss- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Splash Mountain (you will get wet!)
Things to skip-The Country Bear Jamboree. This show is extremely outdated but can be somewhat entertaining if you need to get out of the rain or the heat.
Possible character sightings- Woody and Jessie from Toy Story
Adventureland- Your little pirate lover will love this one!
Things you can't miss-Pirates of the Caribbean (see if you can spot Captain Jack Sparrow...he's in the ride 3-4 times and was added when the movie became a hit!
Jungle Cruise (do not wait more than 30 mins)
Things to Skip-The birds of the Enchanted Tiki Room. (You'll thank me later)
Magical Carpets of Aladdin (do it if your kid insists, but this is basically like Dumbo in Fantasyland)
Possible Character Sightings: Aladdin and Jasmine, Captain Jack Sparrow, Pirate Goofy, and Tinkerbell and friends. Rare sightings include Peter Pan
You can also meet various characters in the Town Square on Main Street USA throughout the day. A few popular ones are, Pluto, Daisy, Mary Poppins, Tigger. You can meet the princesses in Town Square theater as well as Mickey himself! (The princesses will be moving to a permanent spot in New Fantasyland in 2014.
Fun Fact: If you've ever been to Disneyworld, have you ever noticed why you haven't seen a Tomorrowland Cast member in Fantasyland, or a Fantasyland Cast member in Adventureland? Maybe you've never noticed or don't really care. Well in case you HAVE noticed or you were curious, Disney thought of EVERYTHING. Disney has another "Magic Kingdom" under the MK. Disney has hallways and tunnels called the "Utilidoors" that cast members can access throughout various locations in the park. That way, the wrong character wont be seen in the wrong part of the park and children will never see the same character twice. For example, Disney is set up in such a way that Mickey will not be seen dancing on stage in front of the castle while another one is taking a picture with a guest in front of the castle. Your child will never see the same Disney Character twice...or at the same time. Make sense?
Personal Tips for MK:
When most guests enter the MK, they tend to veer to the right towards Tomorrowland or straight to FantasyLand. Less people will go to the left. Head that way and make your way around towards Adventureland and Frontierland. You will avoid congestion.
Get Fast Passes! If there's a ride that you MUST RIDE and will most likely have a wait, get a fast pass. A fast pass is a machine that will take your Disney Ticket and pop out a ride time for you to come back and ride later so you will not have to wait. For example. A fast pass for Space Mountain. The wait is an hour and you decide not to do it. Grab a fast pass. It will tell you a specific time to come back. An example would be to come back between 12:45 and 1:45. Each person can get one Fast pass Per ride Per Hour. Some rides will allow you to come back and do the fast pass line if you hour has passed. They have the option to say no, but usually they will let you redeem them.
Lines that you will most likely need fast passes for:
Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Ariel's Undersea Adventure, Peter Pan's flight
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Go to Adventureland and get a Dole Whip. Do it! You'll thank me later.
Buy a poncho before you go! The weather is crazy at Disney. Buy them cheap at Walmart so you don't have to pay a ton for them in the Disney Park. Get a color you wouldn't normally see so you stand out like a sore thumb and can identify your family in a sea of Disney Ponchos.
Bring a towel from your hotel room in your bag. Use it to wipe water off of wet rides, something to shade your child in their stroller, or to sit on the ground while watching a parade.
Arrive to Wishes Fireworks, Mainstreet Electrical Parade and Celebrate the Magic Castle Show EARLY. I cannot stress this enough. Grab a snack and sit down in a spot around the castle or on main street to watch the show. You wont regret it.
Pack Snacks. Disney will let you bring snacks into their parks. Save a buck and pack some fruit snacks, cheese sticks, fruit or crackers instead of going for the Mickey Bar or Pretzel... (or buy one anyway!:) Who am I to judge??
Don't wait till the end of the night to buy souvenirs. The lines are insane. Buy throughout the day. You don't have to carry your bags around. Disney will send the bags to the front of the park for pickup when you leave, or they'll have them shipped straight to your Disney Resort hotel room!
Enjoy your day! Don't stress. If you miss something don't beat yourself up. I do recommend for those with small children to take at least two days in the MK to see and do everything. Also, character lines are very long at MK. Keep in mind that all the parks have character meet and greets and some of those are a lot shorter and have more characters in a single meeting.
I hope this helped! If you have any questions about the MK or any Disney Park- feel free to post a comment or question! Also if anything I said in here is untrue or has changed, feel free to let me know as things change in Disney quite often!
See ya Real soon! :)
