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Magic Kingdom

» Navigation » Disney World Vacation » Disney Magic Kingdom

» Overview of the Magic Kingdom » Attractions » Dining » Shopping » Characters

The Magic Kingdom is Walt Disney World’s flagship park. To many first-time visitors it is simply “Disney World.” However, Disney World actually refers to the entire property, while the park is the Magic Kingdom. The heart of any Walt Disney World vacation is the Magic Kingdom as it is the most attended theme park in America. It is perhaps because that the Magic Kingdom is the original Disney park, and is equally popular among all ages. There's a certain kind of atmosphere to the Magic Kingdom that is specifically Disney. The sight of the soaring spires of Cinderella Castle, the gleaming woodwork of the Main Street shops, and the crescendo of music that follows the parades never fails to have its effect. There are few families who do not have a child who has always dreamed of walking through Cinderella Castle. The Magic Kingdom’s overall theme is that of childhood fantasy. From pirates to princesses, flying elephants to flying rockets, the Magic Kingdom is where dreams come true.

Park Map - Listed below is a park map from the Magic Kingdom. Visitors enter the park through Main Street USA. From there, seven lands offer fun filled attractions for the entire family.

Magic Kingdom Map

 

» Main Street USA:

Upon entering the gates, you will find yourself on Main Street USA, designed to look like an early 20th century town plaza. Shops and restaurants of all types abound here, along with Stroller and Wheelchair Rental, Guest Relations, Photo Pass redemption, lockers, and other services.

Attractions

  • Main Street Vehicles - Old-fashioned vehicles that take riders down Main Street U.S.A and to Cinderella Castle.
  • Magic Kingdom Railroad Station - Steam locomotive that circles the entire park, stopping at Frontierland and Mickey's Toontown Fair.

Entertainment

  • Welcome Show - Every morning before the Magic Kingdom opens there is a special ceremony to open the park.
  • Trolley Show - Disney dancers come down the Horse-Drawn Trolley and perform a short show in the middle of Main Street.
  • Dapper Dans - Barbershop quartet performs classic turn-of-the-century hits.
  • Casey's Corner Pianist - Ragtime piano.
  • Flag Retreat - Every night at 5:00 p.m the American flag on Main Street USA is taken down with the help of military veteran.

Shopping

  • Emporium - The largest Disney store in any of the theme parks, Emporium is your one stop shop for Disney merchandise including apparel, housewares, toys, games, stuffed animals, and souvenirs.
  • Exposition Hall - Home to camera equipment and the location to pick up Photopass pictures.
  • Main Street Cinema - Quests for Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom website and toys

Dining

Quick service (Fast food)

  • Main Street Bakery - Delicious pastries, coffees and as well as an extensive breakfast menu.
  • Main Street Ice Cream Parlor - Ice cream in many flavors available as sundaes or on a cone.
  • Casey's Corner - Hot dogs, chili and french fries.

Full service (Sit-down dining with waiter)

  • Tony's Ristorante - Italian favorites in a restaurant themed after the one in the film Lady and the Tramp.
  • Plaza Restaurant - Assorted sandwiches including rueben, grilled cheese and hamburgers.
  • Crystal Palace - Character buffet with Winnie-the-Pooh characters.

Characters

You'll nearly always find characters at the Mickey floral at the front of the park and on Town Square. Characters often found on Main Street U.S.A are:

  • Chip and Dale, Pluto, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse from classic Disney animated shorts
  • Gepetto, Gideon, Pinocchio and Foulfellow from Pinocchio

Touring Tips

  • Catch the train here to the back of the park.
  • Don’t miss the Town Square Exposition Hall, where you can sit in air-conditioned comfort and watch classic Disney film clips, or take pictures with Disney props.

Main Street USA ends at the central Hub, located just in front of Cinderella’s Castle. To your left is Adventureland. To your right, Tomorrowland. Straight ahead and through the Castle, is Fantasyland.

 

» Adventureland:

Turning left at the Hub takes you to the jungles of Adventureland. Adventureland’s theme is exotic lands and is one of the most landscaped areas of the Magic Kingdom.

Attractions

Entertainment

  • Captain Jack Sparrow's Pirate Tutorial - Join Jack Sparrow as he teaches audience members basic pirate training.

Shopping

  • Agrabah Bazaar - Aladdin merchandise including costumes, toys and souvenirs.
  • Pirates Bazaar - A huge selection of Pirates of the Caribbean merchandise.
  • Island Supply - Fashionable clothing including Roxy and Tommy Bahama.

Dining

Quick service (Fast food)

  • Aloha Isle - Home of the famous Dole Whips, a soft serve pineapple dessert that is wonderfully refreshing.
  • Sunshine Tree Terrace - Coffees, frozen juices and soft serve vanilla ice cream.
  • Pirata Y El Perico - Mexican favorites such as tacos and nachos. Open seasonally

Characters

  • Rafiki and Timon from the Lion King are often found next to Aloha Isle at the entrance of Adventureland.
  • Robin Hood and Friar Tuck from Robin Hood are often found in the breezeway connecting Adventureland to Liberty Square.
  • Aladdin, Jasmine and the Genie from Aladdin are found in Agrabah Traders near Magic Carpets of Aladdin.
  • Peter Pan, Wendy, Captain Hook and Mr Smee are found across from the Pirates of the Caribbean entrance.

Touring Tips

  • Try a Dole Whip at Aloha Isle. This pineapple float, with your choice of vanilla or pineapple ice cream, is budget and calorie-conscious, and a great way to beat the heat.
  • Fan of Jack Sparrow? Be sure to check out the latest rehab of Pirates of the Caribbean. Your favorite pirate and his arch-nemesis Barbossa now reside permanently inside the attraction.

 

» Liberty Square:

This Colonial era town square celebrates the beginnings of America.

Attractions

  • Liberty Belle Riverboat - Old fashioned steamboat that takes riders on a leisurely voyage down the Rivers of America.
  • The Haunted Mansion - Slow moving ride filled with eerie illusions and special effects.
  • The Hall of Presidents - Theater attraction featuring Audio-Animatronic versions of all the presidents in American history.

Entertainment

  • There is no scheduled entertainment in Liberty Square beyond the parades that travel through the area.

Shopping

  • Ye Olde Christmas Shop - Every kind of Christmas decoration is available year round in this dazzling store.
  • Heritage House - Patrotic merchandise including books and flags plus a kiosk where you can research your families crest.
  • The Yankee Trader - This shop sells housewares including mugs, dishes and even Mickey Mouse cooking utensils.

Dining

Quick service (Fast food)

  • Sleepy Hollow - Funnel cake and other snacks.

Full service (Sit-down dining with waiter)

  • Liberty Tree Tavern - Sit-down dining in a Colonial setting featuring American favorites such as turkey and dressing. Dinner is a character meal with Goofy, Chip and Dale, Minnie Mouse and Pluto.

Characters

  • Pocahontas and Meeko can be found near the Christmas shop

Touring Tips

  • The Hall of Presidents and Liberty Belle Riverboat are never crowded and both attractions are on a set scheduling to start on the hour and half-hour. This is great during midday when lines are at their longest.

 

» Frontierland:

Explore the old west in this frontier mining town on the edge of the Rivers of America.

Attractions

  • Country Bear Jamboree - Theater attraction featuring a cast of singing and dancing Audio-Animatronic bears.
  • Splash Mountain - Log flume ride that tells the story of Brer Rabbit before plunging down a 52 foot drop.
  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad - Roller coaster type ride on a runaway mine train through a desert mountain range.
  • Tom Sawyer Island - Play area for children with caves to climb in, creeky bridges to cross and wilderness to explore.
  • Magic Kingdom Railroad Station - Steam locomotive that circles the entire park, stopping at Main Street U.S.A and Mickey's Toontown Fair.

Entertainment

  • The Notorious Banjo Brothers and Bob - Musical trio including two banjo players and a tuba player perform wild west classics as well as Disney songs.
  • Frontierland Hoedown - Guests may participate in this dance party in the center of Frontierland with the Country Bears.
  • Woody's Cowboy Camp - Woody, Jessie and Bullseye lead a western hoedown complete with singing and dancing.

Shopping

  • Prairie Outpost and Supply - Candy and chocolates to satisfy any sweet tooth.
  • Briar Patch - Walt Disney World souvenirs.
  • Splash Mountain Gifts - Splash Mountain souvenirs including apparel and keepsakes.

Dining

Quick service (Fast food)

  • Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe - American fast food staples such as hamburgers, sandwiches and french fries are served here. Take advantage of the elaborate "fixins" bar with sauteed mushrooms, onions and a large selection of condiments.
  • Turkey Leg Stand

Characters

  • Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox and Brer Bear from Song of the South are found near Splash Mountain.

Touring Tips

  • Ask a Cast Member about the paint brush hunt on Tom Sawyer’s Island. This fun game has a real prize—a FASTPASS.
  • Try some of the snacks in Frontierland from the carts. A loaded baked potato and smoked turkey legs are large enough for a meal for one or a snack for two.
  • Frontierland is the least crowded area of the park to watch the Magic Kingdom parades.

 

» Fantasyland:

Located through Cinderella Castle, Fantasyland is home to the classic stories of childhood.

Attractions

Entertainment

  • Fantasyland Woodwind Society - Saxaphone quartet play classic Disney melodies.
  • Storytime with Belle - Belle reads the story of Beauty and the Beast with the help of some volunteers from the audience.
  • Dream Along with Mickey - Join Mickey and the gang in front of Cinderella Castle for this high energy show filled with dancing an even an appearance from the Disney villains.

Shopping

  • Sir Mickey's - Disney clothing for men and women including t-shirts, sweatshirts and hats.
  • Tinker Bell's Treasures - A large selection of Disney Princess merchandise, including toys and clothes.
  • Mickey's Philharmagic Shop - Donald Duck t-shirts and plush.
  • Pooh's Thotful Shop - Winnie-the-Pooh merchandise including toys, plush, apparel and keepsakes.

Dining

Quick service (Fast food)

  • Mrs. Potts Cupboard - Ice cream sundaes and cones.
  • Pinocchio Village Haus - Pizza and hamburgers.
  • Scuttle's Landing - Frozen beverages and fruit slushes.
  • Enchanted Grove - Fruit juices and slushes.

Full service (Sit-down dining with waiter)

  • Cinderella's Royal Table - Dine with the princesses inside Cinderella Castle. If you want to eat breakfast here, keep in mind that reservations usually fill up after only a few minutes of them becoming available. If you want to try your luck, you'll need to call first thing in the morning exactly 180 days before your dining date.

Characters

  • Winnie-the-Pooh and Tigger can often be found across from The Many Adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh.
  • Ariel is found inside Ariel's Grotto near Dumbo the Flying Elephant.

Touring tips

  • Fantasyland is most crowded around midday.
  • If you love pyrotechnics, this is the closest view of the Wishes fireworks. While you will miss some of the lighting effects on the castle, you will be surrounded by close-up fireworks in every direction.

 

» Mickey’s Toontown Fair:

Children of all ages will enjoy the street fair atmosphere, as well as the ability to visit Mickey in his own home!

Attractions

Entertainment

  • There are no entertainment events in Mickey's Toontown Fair

Shopping

  • County Bounty - Inside the large tent you'll find a huge selection of Disney character merchandise, as well as a Mr. Potato Head station where you can customize your own Mr. Potato Head with special Disney parts.

Dining

Quick service (Fast food)

  • Hot Dog Stand

Characters

Characters are all over Mickey's Toontown Fair, and you never quite know who you'll find. Some of the more commonly found chracters are:

  • Mickey Mouse in the Judges Tent
  • Pluto near Minnie's House
  • Aurora, Belle, Cindrella and Snow White in the Princess line inside Toontown Hall of Fame
  • Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Chip and Dale, Donald Duck and Goofy in the Disney Friends lines inside Toontown Hall of Fame.

Touring Tips

  • If planning on visiting the characters, you may want to get to Mickey's Toontown before it opens. Often, Mickey's Toontown Fair opens an hour after the rest of the park. If you arrive 15 minutes before opening, you can be first in line to meet the characters and avoid the over 30 minute lines that soon develop.
  • With its playgrounds and open spaces, this is an excellent place to relax with children. Let them run around to burn off some energy, then move to a shady spot for a short nap.

 

» Tomorrowland:

Drawing from the science fiction elements of 1950s-1970s futuristic chic, Tomorrowland provides a fun look at past ideas about the future. More modern characters are also represented here, with both Buzz Lightyear and Stitch featured in their own attractions.

Attractions

Entertainment

  • There are no regular entertainment events in Tomorrowland, but sometimes you'll find a Magic Music Day (high school group) performance at the Galaxy Palace Theater.

Shopping

  • Merchant of Venus - Stitch souvenirs including clothing, mugs, toys and figurines.
  • Buzz Lightyear Cart - Buzz Lightyear toys.
  • Tomorrowland Light and Power Company - Arcade games and High School Musical merchandise.
  • Mickey's Star Traders - Magic Kingdom souvenirs including clothing, mugs, toys and keepsakes.

Dining

Quick service (Fast food)

  • Auntie Gravities - Fruit smoothies and speciality coffees.
  • Lunching Pad - Turkey legs, pretzels and frozen beverages.
  • Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe - The largest quick service restaurant in the Magic Kingdom with chicken, hamburgers, deli sandwiches and other fast food favorites.

Characters

  • Buzz Lightyear and Stitch can be found near Monsters Inc Laugh Floor.

Touring Tips

  • The Tomorrowland Transit Authority is a slow-paced ride through Tomorrowland. In addition to allowing you to preview certain attractions such as Space Mountain, it also provides a comfortable place to rest and talk. There is seldom a line, and you may be permitted to take a second trip.
  • Space Mountain is an indoor dark roller coaster. It is, however, significantly more tame than its MGM cousin, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and does travel upside-down.

 

» Parades

All parades travel through Frontierland, Liberty Square and Main Street U.S.A. Frontierland is usually the least crowded area to watch the parade, and Main Street USA is the most crowded.

  • Dreams Come True Parade - Nostalgic parade with a cast of Disney characters on whimsical floats.
  • Spectromagic - Nightime parade featuring thousands of illuminating lights and all of your favorite Disney characters.

Please check the Times Guide for the show schedule.

The best spot to watch the fireworks is in front of Cinderella Castle. The fireworks are designed to frame the castle and there is also special lighting on the castle as well. The Magic Kingdom’s magical fireworks display is called Wishes. This fantastic and bright display of fireworks is one of the most impressive shows in all of Walt Disney World.

It's nearly impossible to see Magic Kingdom all in one day, but if you have a good strategy you can see the highlights. If you're traveling with young kids, you'll want to hit Fantasyland first. If your group is interested in the thrill rides, you'll want to head over to Frontierland for Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain.

While there are many great attractions at the Magic Kingdom, here are some of the highlights:

• It’s a Small World – a fantastic journey through the many nations that make up this world. And you can’t forget the song that made it all famous; it’s a world of laughter a world of tears.

• Mickey’s Toontown Fair – enjoy a great miniature village of Mickey and Minnie’s home. This area is great for small children.

• Pirates of the Caribbean – Quite simply, this is one of the very best of the Magic kingdom's classic adventures. The beloved ten-minute cruise is a Disneyland original, added to Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom due to popular demand.

• Splash Mountain – In this guaranteed smile inducer, guests enjoy a waterborne journey through brightly colored swamps and bayous, and down waterfalls, and are finally hurtled from the peak of the mountain to a briar-laced pond five stories below.

• The Haunted Mansion – This eight-minute experience is among the Magic Kingdom's most enjoyable. This haunted house steers clear of anything too terrifying, and a good-spirited voice-over keeps the mood light.

• Mickey's Philharmagic – Mickey and his pals (including Donald, Simba, and Ariel) strut their musical stuff in this ear- and eye-popping 3-D production.

• Space Mountain – This attraction, which blasted onto the Magic Kingdom scene in 1975, is a can't-miss crowd pleaser for throngs of thrill seekers. Rising to a height of more than 180 feet, this gleaming steel and concrete cone houses an impressive roller coaster.

 

» FASTPASS

FASTPASS is a free service that enables guests to avoid waiting in some of the longest lines. To get a FASTPASS, simply go to the entrance of the attraction you wish to visit. You will see a sign labeled "FASTPASS Distribution" and machines that you place your ticket into. The machine gives you a FASTPASS, a ticket with a time labeled on it in which you can visit the attraction and avoid the line. Essentially, what FASTPASS does is save your place in line while you have the opportunity to visit other rides and attractions. You are limited in the amount of FASTPASS tickets you can hold at one time, so check the FASTPASS for the time in which you can obtain your next one.

Some FASTPASS attractions get longer lines than others, meaning that some FASTPASS tickets are worth more than others. Here is the order of attractions starting with the most valuable:

  1. Peter Pan's Flight (120 minute wait on busy days)
  2. Splash Mountain (90 minute wait on busy days)
  3. Space Mountain (75 minute wait on busy days)
  4. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (60 minute wait on busy days)
  5. Many Adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh (60 minute wait on busy days)
  6. Jungle Cruise (45 minute wait on busy days)
  7. Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin (40 minute wait on busy days)
  8. Stitch's Great Escape (20 minute wait on busy days)
  9. Mickey's PhilharMagic (15 minute wait on busy days)

 

» Fun Facts of the Magic Kingdom

• It's Not a Small World, After All . . . Covering 47 square miles, and Walt Disney World is about the size of San Francisco or two Manhattan islands. Of the more than 30,000 acres, less than one-fourth has been developed with another quarter designated as a wilderness preserve.

• A Mountain Range? Walt Disney World is home to Florida's two highest "mountains!" In the Magic Kingdom, Big Thunder Mountain rises 197 feet above Frontierland, and Space Mountain in Tomorrowland is 180 feet tall.


Hidden Mickeys are the hidden Mickey ear and face, usually shadowed, which are fun to find through out the mark. They will often look similar to this when seen throughout the parks oOo. Look for extras on your own or ask a Cast Member to see if they will share the secret of the Hidden Mickey.

Some of the Hidden Mickeys that can be seen at the Magic Kingdom are:

  • At the end of Main Street by Cinderella's Castle is a landscaped area where they have a statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse. Around the base of the statue, there are flowers encircled by a rail. The shadow of the detail in the rail forms a hidden Mickey. You can see this hidden Mickey in the morning before noon.

  • At this same statue, there is a Mickey ring on Walt's hand.

  • The bridles on the Trolley Car horses on Main Street have a couple of Hidden Mickey’s

 

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