By When Walt Disney planned The Happiest Place on Earth, he shared his vision with his loyal Imagineers.
Uncle Walt imagined a series of standalone worlds, each of which would tell its own immersive story.
The premise worked similarly to Disney cartoons, which saw Mickey and Minnie Mouse go skiing one day, visit the circus the following day, and then climb a beanstalk on the third.
Since imagination fueled all these tales, there was no limit to where each one could go. The same premise applies to the themed lands at Disney theme parks.
Each one exists in its own realm, wholly distinct from its next-door neighbors, so much so that Walt Disney himself declared an ultimatum.
No costumed Cast Member from any themed land should ever be seen in another themed land lest they ruin the illusion.
So, when you visit a Walt Disney World themed land, you’ll be fully immersed in your surroundings.
This statement has remained true since Disneyland’s opening day in 1955, but a few recent Walt Disney World themed lands have perfected the concept.
Still, we’ll start with Magic Kingdom, whose themed lands have remained the same since 1971. That’s the timeless nature of a Disney vacation personified.
Welcome to Main Street, U.S.A.
Walt Disney marveled over how much society changed during his lifetime. The creator sought to encapsulate those changes at his theme park and likely would have done the same had he lived long enough to work on Walt Disney World.
In Uncle Walt’s absence, his faithful Imagineers, led by his older brother, honored his legacy by augmenting his ideas.
You’ll know this for a fact once you step on Main Street, U.S.A. for the first time. People often reference the good ol’ days, an undefined moment when everything in life seemed better. People smiled and waved to one another as they walked down the street, and everyone knew their neighbors’ names.
Society almost assuredly romanticizes these halcyon days of yore, yet the purity of the concept exists on Main Street, U.S.A.
You’ll feel the warming glow of this place the moment you pass through the entrance at Magic Kingdom. Your first glimpse of your surroundings will transport you back in time to a simpler era.
Cynically, you may read those words and immediately reject them, but once you’re standing on Main Street, U.S.A., you’ll know them to be true. This place defines Disney magic, overwhelming you with its sights, sounds, and even smells.
Without giving away any of Imagineering’s secrets, Disney employs devices that pipe in certain scents, ones that make you hungry but also happy.
The opening area at Main Street, U.S.A. provides you with plenty of room to move, yet it feels just right in size. This is the incarnation of small-town Americana.
We know that we sound like we’re gushing, but this place justifies that sort of devotion. When we first set foot on Main Street, U.S.A., that’s when our Disney vacation truly begins.
The Attractions
An oddity about Main Street, U.S.A. is that you really don’t visit this area for the attractions. We think of it as an introduction to a Disney vacation. The pull of the so-called Disney Bubble never feels stronger than when we’re walking through Disney’s de facto Town Square.
Still, this themed land technically hosts two rides and a couple of other entertainment experiences. The true ride is The Walt Disney World Railroad, an architectural marvel that transports guests around a 1.5-mile track.
Ralph E. Broggie, sometimes called The First Imagineer, developed this train system, just as he did with Disneyland’s version. You’re riding a piece of Disney history when you board The Walt Disney World Railroad, and you’re paying tribute to Walt Disney as well.
The founder’s love of train sets has been immortalized over the years, and he even had a functioning train in his backyard! The Walt Disney World Railroad honors that system, the Carolwood Pacific Railroad, and is somehow older than Magic Kingdom itself!
Disney restored some steam engine trains built in 1916-1928 and made them an integral part of Magic Kingdom, which didn’t open until 1971. These trains aren’t the only Disney attraction older than the park, either. We’ll discuss another oddity at Fantasyland later in this guide.
You’ll find railroad stations right above the entrance at Main Street, U.S.A., as well as at Frontierland and Fantasyland, both of which we’ll discuss in a bit. In terms of usefulness, Disney has indicated that the railroad transports 3.7 million guests annually.
Since Magic Kingdom hosts about 18 million annual tourists, more than 20 percent of them take a train ride. You should be one of them, as it’s a charming way to explore the park. Even better, you’ll save yourself the stress of walking.
That’s one thing you’ll quickly learn at Walt Disney World. You should always minimize your walking whenever possible. Even then, busy guests could feasibly walk ten miles in a day.
The Walt Disney World Railroad will drop you off right by Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Frontierland and/or Storybook Circus at Fantasyland.
Recently, Disney has added Stitch to the train’s narration, which makes the experience more family-friendly. We don’t know how permanent this change is, though.
You’ll find one other ride in this area. It’s Main Street Vehicles, a throwback attraction in the best possible way. Technically, you’ll enjoy your choice of a fire engine, a horse-drawn trolley, a jitney, or an omnibus.
We know that there’s a real chance that you don’t know what two of those are, but it doesn’t really matter. These are fun, old-school forms of transportation you can hop on to enjoy Main Street, U.S.A. from a different perspective.
However you define a thrill ride, these Main Street Vehicles are the exact opposite of that. Parents pushing double-strollers will pass you as if you’re standing still. You don’t ride Main Street Vehicles for their speed.
No, you’re picking the most stylish rides imaginable at the front of Magic Kingdom. You’re making a splashy entrance when you hop on one of the Main Street Vehicles.
In terms of other experiences at Main Street, U.S.A., the most popular one is undoubtedly the Dapper Dans. Part of the timeless nature of this area is its barbershop quartet, a group of singers who perform a cappella renditions of your favorite Disney songs.
You’ll hear these gentlemen long before you see them, but they’re also easy to identify because of their striped vests, bowties, and straw hats. We warmly encourage you to stop and spend ten minutes watching the Dapper Dans perform. They exemplify the upbeat atmosphere at Main Street, U.S.A.
Finally, the place where you’re most likely to stop is right by the entrance on the right side of Main Street, U.S.A. You’re searching for Town Square Theater, and it’s so easy to find! Even better, Mickey Mouse lives here!
Disney hosts a permanent character greeting with Mickey Mouse at Town Square Theater, and it’s one of our favorites. Mickey dresses as a magician, and we need to be clear. He is NOT Sorcerer Mickey but rather just a magician. It’s such an adorable outfit.
The other experiences here aren’t exclusive to Main Street, U.S.A., although you may find that they’re better here. I’m speaking of the parades, Cavalcades, and nighttime fireworks presentations. You’ll discover that fans stake out seats as much as an hour before some of these events, especially the fireworks, begin.
The Restaurants
You’ll find four restaurants and one baker at Main Street, U.S.A. And if you’re anything like us, the siren song of the bakery will lure you every time. So, let’s start with it.
Main Street Bakery and Main Street Confectionery hypnotize guests with those tantalizing fragrances we mentioned earlier. These are the first places you’ll smell when you enter Magic Kingdom, and that’s by design.
Disney wants you sniffing fresh-baked goods so that you’ll immediately grow hungry and start spending money the instant you enter the park. When you think of the great American bakery, Main Street Confectionery is the place in your mind’s eye, a dream that has somehow come true.
Cast Members happily serve you all the candied apples – they’re safe, Snow White! – you could want plus countless flavored popcorns, lollipops, and other sugary treats. We feel like we need to diet just walking by this building…but we always go inside anyway!
At Main Street Bakery, Disney’s finest chefs craft some impossible concoctions, such as Mickey-shaped Cinnamon Rolls and decadent character-themed pastries. This is also the place where you’ll get your STARBUCKS® Coffee fix. Most of Disney World sells Joffrey’s coffee brands instead, but Main Street Bakery is all about branding.
Seriously, two of the best times to grab food during a Magic Kingdom visit are when you first get there and when you exit. So, Disney’s placement of Main Street Bakery and Main Street Confectionery demonstrates S-tier precision.
Everyone inevitably winds up here at some point during a Magic Kingdom day. And we’re happy about that!
Then, the first Table Service restaurant you’ll spot at Main Street, U.S.A. is Tony’s Town Square. Disney has themed this eatery after the movie The Lady and the Tramp. In that film, the charming Italian chef who sings Bella Notte is named Tony.
So, Tony’s Town Square is ostensibly the place where The Land and the Tramp enjoy their first noodle-mouthed kiss. That’s reason enough to want to eat here. For fans of Italian food, the kitchen here will definitely serve you the food you crave.
As a word of caution, Tony’s Town Square has earned its reputation as one of the most overpriced restaurants in Orlando. Disney knows that the combination of the theming and the location guarantees a steady flow of traffic. So, a meal here costs a lot, while the reviews are decidedly mixed. Honestly, you can do better at Disney.
However, this is an instance of “Do as we say, not as we do,” as we eat here quite often. The bread is delicious.
Should you walk down Main Street U.S.A. on the same side of the road as the Main Street Bakery and Tony’s Town Square, you’ll eventually reach The Plaza Restaurant. Here is another example of Disney charging a lot due to the location. The Plaza Restaurant overlooks Cinderella Castle Courtyard, the action spot at Magic Kingdom.
You’re paying for the privilege of convenient access and possibly even a modest view of the castle. Only a few tables offer any sort of good view, though. In terms of dining options, The Plaza specializes in comfort foods such as burgers, deli sandwiches, BBQ, and chicken.
This restaurant shares space with a connected ice cream parlor, which means you should always plan on ordering dessert here. The Plaza Restaurant Sundae is one of Magic Kingdom’s most famous sweet treats.
Across the street from The Plaza Restaurant, you’ll discover one of Magic Kingdom’s best value options. Casey’s Corner celebrates the national pastime, baseball, with its highly detailed theming. You’ll feel like you’re ordering on your way to the big game (if the game were set in the days of Joe DiMaggio), and the menu leans heavily into this fact.
You should only choose Casey’s Corner if you like hot dogs or corn dog nuggets, which the restaurant currently calls Mini Corn Dogs. Seriously, this place offers some of the cheapest food at Walt Disney World, and for baseball fans like me, the theming is perfect.
This place embodies peasant food done right, and you’ll sometimes find a Hot Dog of the Month option, too.
Just to the left of this restaurant, you’ll find The Crystal Palace, the first character meal we’ll discuss. This shiny dining room more than lives up to its name, as the glass windows and lighting here truly brighten the place.
There’s a vibrant energy to a meal here, augmented by the excitement for the characters. You’ll interact with several residents of Hundred Acre Wood, the characters from the Winnie the Pooh stories. This buffet-style restaurant features several serving stations.
So, you’ll grab a plate (or two!) and fill it with food. Then, you’ll sit down at your table and wait for the magic to happen. Winnie the Pooh and his friends Eeyore, Piglet, and Tigger will visit you during your meal. They’ll happily play with you and take a few pictures. So, you’ll feel like the guest of honor at a special Hundred Acre Wood feast.
Kids in particular adore meals at The Crystal Palace, which is why we’d recommend it over Tony’s Town Square if you’re picking one. Generally speaking, unless you’re a hot dog fan, we’d encourage you to travel deeper into Magic Kingdom to find a place to eat a meal, though.
The Shops
Since there aren’t any “real” rides at Main Street, U.S.A., Disney fills most of this space with shops, and you’ll be grateful for that. During your park visit, you don’t want to lug around packages the whole time.
So, you can wait until you’re ready to leave the park and then do all your impulse shopping on the way out at night.
The priority location is The Emporium, which is frankly hard to miss. It takes up nearly an entire street, and it also connects to Casey’s Corner. This is the mega-store at Magic Kingdom, a place that offers all the Disney merchandise you could ever possibly want.
That’s why we consider The Emporium the priority compared to the shops we’re about to discuss. Still, each one fills a niche.
Uptown Jewelers provides one-stop shopping for PANDORA jewelry and all sorts of handbags. When you want an upscale gift, this is the place.
You’ll also find The Art of Disney on Demand here. It’s ideal when you want to buy something to decorate your house, although you can find variants at Disney hotels, too. These places are generally less crowded than the one at Magic Kingdom. So, we prioritize the in-hotel art-on-demand offerings.
Main Street Cinema formerly showed black-and-white Mickey Mouse cartoons. Those were the days. Now, Disney has converted the space into a generic store that sells artwork and collectibles. It looks more interesting from the outside than it actually is.
Crystal Arts sells, well, crystal jewelry. Sure, the concept is basic, but you should see the delight on someone’s face when they realize they can buy an authentic Disney Princess tiara. Kim bought one here from Disney World’s 50th anniversary, and she keeps it in a special place.
Box Office Gifts has become less popular in recent years. This is a shop for photography enthusiasts, and most people just use their phones to take pictures now. However, those of you who are photographers can find camera supplies here. And there’s one other purpose.
If you didn’t purchase Memory Maker/PhotoPass but want to buy a picture, you can do it here. Box Office Gifts resides to the right of Tony’s Town Square.
Finally, while it isn’t really a shop, we’ll add that you should learn the location of the Main Street Chamber of Commerce. It’s on the Emporium’s side of the park near the entrance.
This is the name Disney uses for Magic Kingdom’s primary Guest Services facility. So, when you have any problems during your visit, the Cast Members here will help you fix them.
Frontierland
You can’t help but notice the theming at Frontierland.
Disney has recreated the Gold Rush era, so much so that the backstory of its iconic roller coaster, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, details a flash flood in a mining town.
So, think about everything you know about the 19th century American frontier and expect to see visual cues while visiting. This era was one of pioneers, cowboys, and poker games at saloons. Frontierland includes the Disney-fied version of those themes.
Frontierland undoubtedly qualifies as the most challenging themed land to describe right now. We’re not fully aware of what it’s going to be yet.
In 2025, Walt Disney World shuttered three of its oldest attractions, ones that date back to the 1970s. We lost the Liberty Square Riverboat, the Rivers of America, and Tom Sawyer Island.
While we’re still awaiting some key details, we know that Disney intends to landlock parts of where we once admired the Rivers of America. Disney will reclaim this land to add attractions, and we know what those are.
Disney intends to expand Frontierland with a Cars themed area. Imagineers are building Piston Peak National Park as we speak.The current estimate suggests an opening in 2027, although such ambitious projects often run late.
The anchor attraction at this area won’t be a duplicate of Disney California Adventure’s most popular ride, Radiator Springs Racers. Imagineers have chosen an offroad thrill ride instead.
You’ll hear Lightning McQueen say, “Kachow!” as he drives around a gorgeous, natural, outdoor setting.
Disney World will also host a family-friendly Cars ride at Piston Peak. So, Disney World will fully reinvigorate Frontierland in the not-too-distant future.
In the interim, things are a bit messy here. In 2025, Magic Kingdom temporarily closed Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Imagineers have relaid the tracks, providing more space on the other side of the mountain for the upcoming Disney Villains themed land.
The roller coaster will return in 2026, possibly by the time you read this.
Attractions
Until then, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure claims the honor of being the only operational ride in Frontierland.
On the bright side, we love everything about Tiana! It’s the kind of ride we want to see Disney make. Disney World has employed state-of-the-art magic tricks to tell a rich, optimistic story about the business queen of New Orleans.
We strongly encourage you to ride Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. The one caveat involves Rope Drop. We don’t even mention it as a possibility in our conversation because we can’t stand getting cleaned up in the morning just for the splashdown to drench us.
We know some people who disagree with this. When they’re at Disney World, they head straight to the former Splash Mountain location first thing in the morning. This strategy isn’t for us, but it may work for you.
Frontierland does host another attraction, and a recently revitalized one at that.
Country Bear Musical Jamboree stars many of the same bears from the original show. The difference centers on the soundtrack. Disney has created country versions of many of its classic songs, such as Shakira’s “Try Everything.”
We are absolutely in love with the new version of the show and consider it a must-do during a park visit.
One other ride does venture into Frontierland. The Walt Disney World Railroad makes a stop here. So, when you want to avoid walking across the entire park, hop on the train at Main Street, U.S.A., and head to Frontierland.
You’ll find yet one other experience at Frontierland. Disney Vacation Club members can visit an exclusive location called McKim’s Mile House – A Member Lounge.
Disney describes this location as “a cozy and convenient retreat for members to share stories and recharge during their day of fun.”
We’ll confess that we haven’t done much story sharing here, but it is a great place to refuel during a hectic Magic Kingdom Day. Plus, free beverages and snacks are provided to members.
Restaurants
As far as meals go, the one restaurant in Frontierland is an okay Quick Service spot. On hot days, it can be an oasis, though. You can mobile order a snack and both get off your feet and cool down.
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn serves Mexican food like nachos and rice bowls, but we especially enjoy their Mini Churros with chocolate sauce. The seating here isn’t super comfortable, but it’s a decent option when you’re in a hurry.
Shops
We’ll cover these shops in their own shopping section later, but here’s a quick rundown. Big Al’s sells coonskin caps for the Davy Crockett fan in your life (are there still Davy Crocket fans?) and cowboy hats.
Frontier Trading Post sells some Western clothing and accessories, but most visitors to this shop are there for the pins. You can trade and sell pins at this location.
The final Frontierland shop is one Kim appreciates as she loves a stylish chapeau. Prairie Outpost & Supply sells fedoras, cowboy hats, and even some customized headwear.
Adventureland
Walt Disney conceptualized Adventureland as a way to transport Disneyland guests to faraway lands. When Magic Kingdom opened, its Adventureland mirrored this concept by recreating vast jungles from exotic locations in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean.
Walt Disney planned “to create a land that would make [his] dream [a] reality.” According to Uncle Walt himself, every trip through Adventureland transports you far from civilization. Adventureland proved undeniably popular from day one at Disneyland and then again at Magic Kingdom.
This themed land also hosts two of Disney’s most iconic attractions. So, let’s quickly discuss each one plus all the other attractions here.
Jungle Cruise anchored Adventureland from the beginning, and it had already evolved into its final form by the time Magic Kingdom’s version arrived. If you’ve seen the Jungle Cruise movie starring Emily Blunt and The Rock, you probably know the jist of Jungle Cruise even if you’ve never been on the ride.
You hop on a boat and somehow explore jungles that are thousands of miles apart. Throughout your journey, a cruise skipper will inundate you with puns. You can think of Jungle Cruise as “Dad Jokes: The Ride.”
Even after all this time, people still love it, and many Cruise Skippers improvise a joke or two of their own to make the experience unique.
Still, as popular and well-known as Jungle Cruise is, it finishes a distant second to its Adventureland sibling, Pirates of the Caribbean. When this attraction opened in 1967, the Audio-Animatronics and special effects proved so realistic that people called the Anaheim Fire Department.
Sure, that seems quaint now, yet it also underscores how much the pirate ride has resonated with guests for 60 years now. Hilariously, the Magic Kingdom version of the ride didn’t open with the park in 1971.
Disney strategists at the time overthought the matter, believing that Pirates of the Caribbean wouldn’t mean as much in an area where those pirates had once sailed.
David once made a bet about the opening weekend for The Blair Witch Project, suggesting that if it opened to a certain amount, he’d run around his backyard naked. He’s lucky he has never faced charges over this, as he missed his estimate that badly. David was closer to correct on the Blair Witch Project than these Imagineers were about Pirates of the Caribbean.
Two years later, Magic Kingdom corrected its mistake by opening the highly anticipated, previously unplanned Pirates of the Caribbean. That was more than 50 years ago, yet Pirates of the Caribbean remains one of Walt Disney World’s most beloved attractions.
The remarkable part about an Adventureland visit is that Jungle Cruise and Pirates of the Caribbean reside a short walk from one another.
Oh, and there’s a third ride, too. The Magic Carpets of Aladdin works as a flat spinner ride.
That’s tech talk for a carnival-style attraction where you get in the ride cart, which then lifts you in the air and flies in a circle. It’s a basic ride, but kids love it because it’s so much fun.
Disney hosts two other iconic attractions here.
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room proved integral to the evolution of theme park design. Whether you know this attraction or not, it was the first one to use Audio-Animatronics to enrich a story.
The Disneyland version opened in 1963, while the Orlando show debuted on opening day in 1971. Ever since then, Fritz, Jose, Michael, and Pierre have entertained guests during this cute show with music written by the Sherman brothers.
You’ll need all of four seconds to learn the lyrics to “The Tiki Tiki Tiki Room.”
This show is dated but charming, and the joke among the locals is that if Disney World ever closes it, they riot.
Finally, parents traveling with young children should make a beeline to the Swiss Family Treehouse. It’s just a treehouse and interactive play area for kids. You’ll sincerely appreciate it for zapping your kid(s) of any excess energy, though.
Liberty Square
The theme at Liberty Square is America!!!
Specifically, it’s Colonial America, the time when George Washington had saved the land, and America had started its Great Experiment.
Apparently, this Great Experiment leans heavily on Clam Chowder, as you’ll discover at Columbia Harbour House.
Now that Rivers of America has closed, you’ll find two attractions here, one of which is a ride.
In Kim’s estimation, it’s THE ride.
Foolish Mortals, you’ll want to head to Liberty Square to ride Haunted Mansion.
This was an attraction 15 years in the making at Disneyland – no joke – but by the time it had opened at Magic Kingdom, Imagineers had already perfected it.
Haunted Mansion somehow marries the disparate concepts of horror and humor in a manner often imitated but never duplicated. You wouldn’t expect to witness a murderous bride gleefully taunting her victims at a Disney ride, but that’s the beauty of Haunted Mansion.
One moment you’re participating in a spooky seance. Almost immediately afterward, you’re humming along to “Grim Grinning Ghosts” in a graveyard.
In 2023, Magic Kingdom’s version of this ride added the Hatbox Ghost, an unsettling bloke who can somehow make his head disappear from his torso and appear in a hatbox.
It’s a remarkable parlor trick, and that dude must be a blast at parties.
The other attraction at Liberty Square circles back to America!!!
It’s Hall of Presidents, a show that celebrates all the people who have served as the President of the United States of America. George Washington and Abraham Lincoln do most of the speaking, but all of your favorites are there, presuming you do have favorite presidents.
Tomorrowland
Disney planned Tomorrowland as the world of tomorrow.
When you step into this themed land, you’ll feel like you’ve traveled in a time machine to a day in the not-so-distant future.
That’s the concept, anyway. Over the years, critics have argued that Tomorrowland isn’t as futuristic as Disney intended. It’s David’s favorite themed land anyway, though.
Tomorrowland features a breathtaking skyline, making it an epic place to spend the evening at Disney World. Several of the attractions provide a warming electric glow after dark, and it’s a sneaky good place to watch the fireworks if you don’t need a view of the castle.
You’ll find eight attractions at Tomorrowland, one of which is currently closed for a makeover.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin opened in 1998 and Disney loved it so much that it recreated the experience at all five of its other theme parks. Only two Disney attractions exist at every theme park in the world, so Buzz Lightyear is in rare company.
This indoor attraction comes with a gamified element as you fire laser blasters at targets. Ostensibly, you’re trying to collect batteries to prevent the evil Emperor Zurg from doing whatever Zurg always does to Buzz Lightyear.
Kim loves this game, as she wipes the floor with David at it. However, Disney World closed the original version of Space Ranger Spin in August of 2025. Imagineers are currently modernizing several elements of the attraction, including the lasers, to make them appeal to future generations of kids.
You should expect it to return to Magic Kingdom at some point in 2026.
Five other rides reside in the same general vicinity in Tomorrowland. Astro Orbiter has functioned as the glow center of Tomorrowland. It’s an aerial carousel attraction, which means it’s a lot like The Magic Carpets of Aladdin and Dumbo the Flying Elephant. You enter a spaceship, and then the ride whirls you around in the air for a few minutes.
In our experience, Astro Orbiter is more fun to look at than to ride, but if you’ve never been, you should try it.
Literally right beside Astro Orbiter is the Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover. If you ever see us at Magic Kingdom, odds are one in five that we’re riding the People Mover. We love everything about this attraction, one Walt Disney envisioned as a legitimate form of transportation.
We kid you not that the Houston airport uses this same transportation system. There were big plans for this concept, but now it exists solely at Tomorrowland. In fact, that’s its charm.
Your People Mover tram will carry you through parts of several other Tomorrowland attractions.It’s also one of our favorite ways to watch the fireworks.
When you exit the People Mover, you can walk right across the street 100 feet and enter the line for Space Mountain.
We shouldn’t have to tell you about Space Mountain, the most iconic roller coaster in the world. When Magic Kingdom introduced this thrill ride in 1975, it triggered the Coaster Wars.
Every other theme and amusement park vendor in the world needed a Space Mountain-like ride.
For this reason, Space Mountain has lost a bit of its luster. It’s like being the first hair band. Nobody’s going to remember you after White Lion ruined it for everybody.
As historically significant and great as Space Mountain is, it’s not even the best coaster at Tomorrowland these days.
That honor belongs to TRON Lightcycle / Run. While the competition is fierce, we consider this the shiniest Disney ride in the world. When Shanghai Disneyland opened in 2016, its introduction of this attraction made it the envy of theme parks around the world.
TRON the ride embraces the timeless visuals of the TRON film franchise. While we wish the ride were a little longer, it’s undeniably thrilling and breathtaking.
We would describe Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress as the most historically significant ride at Tomorrowland, including Space Mountain.
At the 1964 New York World’s Fair, Walt Disney retold the story of his life at a pavilion attraction named Carousel of Progress.
This attraction qualifies as a show by any conventional definition, yet its unique design also makes it a ride. Guests enter the theater and sit down, not realizing that they’ve boarded a hidden carousel. The floor beneath you spins from stage to stage. At each stop, Walt Disney details technological advances during his lifetime.
Disney has updated the fourth and final act on several occasions, but it has faithfully left the first three acts intact as a lasting tribute to Uncle Walt. Speaking of tributes to Walt Disney, an Audio-Animatronic of the Disney founder will be added to Carousel of Progress at some point in the near future.
The entire show lasts about 20 minutes, and while we’ll readily admit it’s a bit long in the tooth, it’s an excellent place to cool down and catch your breath while admiring Walt Disney’s legacy.
Once you’re done with all the rides in this circle, you’ll want to head west to find the final ride in this area, Tomorrowland Speedway. Of course, you may not consider it worth the effort. The answer largely depends on whether you have children.
This is a basic car ride. You get in your vehicle and do a lap. The experience was much more impressive during the Autopia days at Disneyland, or maybe even the 1970s at Magic Kingdom, than it is today.
Still, kids love ramming their cars into other people’s cars, so parents should expect to do this ride at least once. David cautions you that if you’re tall like him, it’s going to be a bit tight.
You’ll find the final Tomorrowland attraction on the road leading back to Cinderella Courtyard. It’s Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor, which is the second best place at Magic Kingdom to hear Dad jokes.
This charming little show takes place in the aftermath of Monsters, Inc.
Now that laughter fuels the town of Monstropolis, Mike Wazowski and his assistants tell jokes for fuel. This is a cute way to spend a few minutes at Magic Kingdom, but we wouldn’t call it a must-do.
If parents just want to have fun with their kids, though, it’s a highly underrated Magic Kingdom option. If you’re lucky, maybe they’ll pick you to be “That Guy.”
Fantasyland
You’ll sometimes hear Fantasyland referred to as New Fantasyland, which reflects the fact that Disney World reinvigorated the space between 2008 and 2014.
What does that mean? Well, Fantasyland got bigger. It’s like a mini-theme park unto itself with multiple sections.
For example, Storybook Circus and “it’s a small world” are technically in the same themed land, but they’re a fair distance from each other. This segmentation extends the magic even more, with Fantasyland hosting a ridiculous number of attractions.
You could spend a substantial portion of your park day here and be quite happy. That’s because you’ll feel like you’re stepping into one of many Disney fantasy stories, such as Beauty and the Beast, Peter Pan, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. One walkthrough attraction takes this idea literally, while you enter the pages of a book in another.
We’ve got plenty to discuss here, so let’s get started with the most iconic ride at Fantasyland.
Name an attraction that represents Disney better than “it’s a small world,” Walt Disney’s Little Boat Ride. Uncle Walt amazed even his own Imagineers by conceptualizing and constructing “it’s a small world” in less than a year.
This ride wowed observers at the 1964 New York World’s Fair, with Disney quickly transporting the full ride to Disneyland Park. You’ll find the original there, while Magic Kingdom offers its clone, but they’re both the same thing.
You hop in a boat and ride around the world in a matter of 15 minutes, as the permanent Sherman brothers song plays on an infinite loop.
Mary Blair designed the costumes for all the puppets, making this attraction a timeless tribute to her artistry. It’s one of Disney’s most gorgeous rides and objectively the most optimistic, too.
Across the street from “it’s a small world,” Disney has cleverly positioned one of its most historic attractions. Peter Pan’s Flight first swept away guests on Disneyland’s opening day in 1955, and it’s an original attraction at Magic Kingdom as well.
During this ride, a Cast Member sprinkles Pixie Dust on your boat, causing it to fly all the way through the London sky to Neverland. Peter Pan takes our breath away with its stimulating visuals, which remain just as impressive today as they were more than 70 years ago.
In the same vicinity as these two rides, you’ll find one of the oldest things at the park. Prince Charming Regal Carrousel dates back to 1917, which is remarkable since Magic Kingdom didn’t open until 1971.
Disney officials acquired the attraction in the lead up to the park’s grand opening, and it remains a splendid albeit basic ride experience today.
In combination, these three attractions comprise the so-called Castle Courtyard area of Fantasyland, along with a show and a character greeting.
We watch Mickey’s PhilHarmagic every time we’re at Magic Kingdom. Every. Time!
This show-based attraction condenses some of the finest moments from Disney animation into a 12-minute show. You’ll hear songs like “Be Our Guest,” “Part of Your World,” and “You Can Fly!” while watching Donald fail horribly at being the Sorcerer’s Apprentice.
We consider this to be one of the most underappreciated attractions at Disney World and warmly encourage you to watch it at least once.
Right by these attractions, you’ll find Princess Fairytale Hall. This building hosts multiple character greetings with Disney princesses.
Your favorites, such as Cinderella, Elena of Avalor, Rapunzel, and Tiana, hold court here and happily chat with you about the trials and tribulations of being a Disney heroine.
Children of all ages are welcome here, but this place is joy-inducing for children.
When you head north from the Castle Courtyard, you’ll enter the Enchanted Forest, home to four excellent family attractions. So, when you just want to stay in one area and have a good time with your loved ones, Enchanted Forest proves one of the best spots in Magic Kingdom.
The most underrated attraction here is Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid, a six-minute dark ride that recounts the story of how Ariel fell in love with the land and Prince Eric.
David feels strongly that people sleep on this ride, which plays out like The Little Mermaid’s Greatest Hits.
Also, a couple of the Imagineering tricks wow both of us, as attentive guests will notice the moment your clamshell ride cart submerges under the sea. Details like this one define a Disney theme park visit.
You’ll find Ariel’s Grotto here as well, which is a character greeting everyone will enjoy, because who doesn’t love Ariel, the face of the Disney renaissance?
When you exit this ride, you should consider Enchanted Tales with Belle, a walkthrough attraction and show with guest participation.
The narrators will recount the story of Beauty and the Beast while asking various people on the tour to play certain roles. No, you don’t need to be the star of your school play to participate. You’ll mainly just hold something for a while.
Still, Enchanted Tales with Belle provides an excellent bonding opportunity for parents with small children.
Next, you can go around the corner and choose one of two Disney attractions that face one another.
The line will be shorter at The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, but don’t let that dissuade you from riding this one. You’ll enter a Hunny Pot, and ride into the pages of A.A. Milne’s Hundred Acre Wood stories.
We’re not joking. There’s a giant book and you drive through one of the pages.
The story takes you through several unforgettable moments from the books, including encounters with Heffalumps and Woozles.
This ride isn’t fancy, but it sure is fun.
We’re overly defensive about The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh because it’s often overshadowed by the roller coaster across from it.
We rode a Seven Dwarfs Mine Train sneak preview on our anniversary in 2014, so this attraction will always hold special meaning for us.
We are far from alone in loving the ride, though.
From the time Seven Dwarfs Mine Train opened until the moment a different roller coaster added a standby queue, the Snow White attraction dominated Magic Kingdom in a way we wouldn’t have believed possible.
Even today, it remains a top-two choice at Rope Drop.
So, why is the coaster so popular?
It marries concepts of a dark ride with musical elements and a unique, swaying coaster vibe. Your train cart will rock back and forth, which somehow makes the entire ride experience so much more delightful.
This one’s a true crowd pleaser and in the conversation for best ride at Magic Kingdom.
Finally when you move down the street from here, you’ll find one of Magic Kingdom’s classic attractions, the vomit comet that is Mad Tea Party.
Kim hates this ride more than the movie Gladiator, and if you knew her, you’d realize just how worrisome that is. David factors heavily into this emotional state, as he’s one of those jerks who spins the cart relentlessly.
Mercy is for the weak!
Seriously, some would argue that Mad Tea Party introduced the violent spinner ride concept, and it remains a timeless classic.
Just please never ride this on a full stomach.
Storybook Circus comprises the final piece of the Fantasyland puzzle.
It’s difficult to explain, but you’ll find this one off to the side of the other experiences at the themed land.
Storybook Circus was formerly its own thing, but then got grafted onto Fantasyland. This is a child-friendly area as well, and it’s also a good spot on a hot day.
You’ll find The Casey Jr. Splash ‘n’ Soak Station here, an outdoor play area with all sorts of mild, spraying water. Kids love it here, and it’s the one place parents don’t mind being caught in the crossfire.
Disney has definitely designed the area for kids, but if you walk across it… things happen.
We’d describe Pete’s Silly Sideshow as the anchor experience at Storybook Circus. It’s an indoor character greeting starring Minnie Magnifique and a mysterious fortune teller named Daisy Fortuna.
You’ll also find interactive play elements here, and you can duck inside on days when you need a break from the heat.
Children can also get their first taste of roller coaster life on The Barnstormer. It’s a gentle junior coaster themed to the Great Goofini.
Did you even know Goofy’s a pilot? He’s just full of surprises!
This ride only takes a minute, but we’ll warn you that it can be quite tight for taller people.
Finally, you’ll find the twin of The Magic Carpets of Aladdin within Storybook Circus. Dumbo the Flying Elephant lifts guests in the area and spins them around in a circle for a few minutes.
It’s not fancy, but it’s generally a good time for all.
In terms of approaches to this land, we’d encourage you to go through Cinderella Castle into the Castle Courtyard area, with “it’s a small world,” Peter Pan’s flight, and the others.
Once you’re done there, head to the Enchanted Forest, where the attractions probably won’t require extensive waits. Then, circle back for the Winnie the Pooh/Seven Dwarfs Mine Train/Mad Tea Party trifecta.
You can close it out with Storybook Circus on your way to Tomorrowland. This approach will minimize your walking during Magic Kingdom visits.