Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Theme Park in Bay Lake, Florida, right outside of Orlando, has been described as one of the most magical places on the planet. Any adult that remembers taking a family vacation there in their formative years might attest to this and everyone wants to know the best things to do at Magic Kingdom.
Over the years, Magic Kingdom has been given some major additions and overhauls that have made it even more of a magical experience than you might recall from any previous visit. And if you’ve never been before, you’re in for a real treat as the creative minds that have helped develop this fantastic park have spared no expense when conjuring up this veritable wonderland of sensory experiences.
From castles to princesses to flying elephants to everyone’s favorite mammalian mascot, Mickey Mouse, there is nothing that screams Disney more resoundingly than spending a day or few at the Magic Kingdom. The park is home to some of Disney’s absolute best attractions. Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbeans, Peter Pan’s Flight, and It’s a Small World are just a few of the iconic, memory-making attractions that you can expect to find at this world-famous theme park.
Now, for the uninitiated, just going in blind might be a bit intimidating. That’s why, to help you get the most bang for your buck, we’ve decided to clue you in on what we think are the best things to do at Magic Kingdom has to offer. So, buckle up and put on your Mouse ears because this is one Disney rundown you won’t want to miss.
Space Mountain
We might as well get this one out of the way, because it is one attraction that appears on absolutely everyone’s list in best things to do at Magic Kingdom. If you consider yourself a roller coaster fan, then you absolutely must give this one ago. But it’s far more than your standard coaster.
First of all, it starts out in the dark, which creates a feeling of suspense as you have no way of knowing what’s ahead of you on it’s track. You won’t have any clue which direction you’ll be heading next or if a dip or rise is approaching. Plus, the ride makes these abrupt turns, changing direction quickly.
Riders will have to be at least 3 ft. 8 in. tall to ride, but as long as they meet that criteria, this a wonderful ride for kids and adults of all ages. After boarding a rocket ship-shaped car, riders are blasted off into space. After two and half minutes of zipping about, riders are then returned safely back to Magic Kingdom.
Over the decades that it’s been operational, Space Mountain has undergone several major renovations. The cars, for one, have been replaced entirely twice in the ride’s lifespan. The queue has also had several significant cosmetic changes as the sponsors that have backed the ride have changed numerous times over the years. Even with these changes, Space Mountain is still just as exhilarating – and rough – as it has always been.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Here’s another one for all of your coaster lovers out there and the best things to do at Magic Kingdom. Located in Fantasyland, this extensively themed coaster weaves together several elements from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs into a ride that is one part dark ride and one part thrill ride.
The coaster is exceptionally smooth, so if Space Mountain was a little too jostling for you, you shouldn’t have any problems here. That being said, it’s not the most intense ride either. It’s perfect for families visiting with younger children who might not quite be ready yet for more spirited coasters.
This ride is easily one of the most popular rides at the park. To avoid long waits, try and get there earlier in the morning or at the end of the day when the crowds aren’t as big.
Monster’s Inc Laugh Floor
If you and your children are fans of the Disney Pixar Monsters Inc films, you will love this show. While you’re waiting in line, you’ll be asked to submit a joke to the world of monsters.
Once passing through the doors of the theater will be greeted by all of your monsters from the films onscreen. Not only will you see all your favorites, but you’ll also be treated to a few new ones as well.
Since the monster world runs off laughter now, they need to make the audience laugh in order to keep the lights on so to speak. The show is also interactive. Monsters will talk directly to various members of the audience. Overall, the entire experience is hilarious. Even if you were to see the show more than once on a trip, you still wouldn’t see the exact same show.
The Haunted Mansion
An oldie, but definitely a goodie, The Haunted Mansion is one of the oldest rides at Magic Kingdom. Set in an old Victorian-style house with a particularly creepy vibe, this ride does a good job at providing guests with a touch of fright without ever getting too intense for younger visitors.
As guests make their way to the entrance of the ride, they’ll walk past an old family graveyard complete with a pet cemetery. The closer you get to the mansion, the more signs you’ll see indicating that this is no ordinary home. Thunder crashes and a dog can be heard howling off in the distance.
Guests then find themselves in a chamber where they’ll have to figure out if the floor drops out or the ceiling raises. After you’ve figured that out, you’ll board a ‘doombuggy’ which will take you on a spine-tingling tour of the mansion grounds.
Throughout your journey, be on the look out for all of the eerie little details that make The Haunted Mansion such a ghastly wonderful experience. The Imagineers clearly had a lot of fun when designing this one.
The People Mover
Above Tomorrowland you’ll find this iconic ride. There is no better way in our opinion to get a photo-worthy view of Tomorrowland, Space Mountain, and the castle.
The ride is a relatively slow-moving train. While being toted around, you’ll get to put your feet up, enjoy a little AC, and listen to a recorded message that gives you a tour of Tomorrowland through a nostalgic lens. You’ll even get a chance to take a peek inside Space Mountain.
It’s A Small World
This indoor boat ride is a pretty lengthy one. For over 15 minutes, riders will pass by over 300 animation characters singing the ‘It’s a small world’ song in dozens of different languages. It’s a nice, classic ride, although that song has been known to drive some people up the wall. It might not seem like anything special, but it’s one of those attractions that shines because of its nostalgia alone.
Peter Pan’s Flight
The parks most popular Fantasyland dark ride, Peter Pan’s Flight is an especially beloved attraction for families with young children. It’s also incredibly enjoyable because you get to fly in your vehicle seemingly up high while seeing various scenes from the Peter Pan film from that perspective.
It’s a really fun ride, but keep in mind that the line often gets pretty long. So, much like some of the other popular attractions at the park, you would benefit by trying to see it earlier in the morning if possible.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
This outdoor roller coaster is themed like an old abandoned mine car in the American Southwest. It’s one of the parks best roller coasters and not surprisingly one of the most popular rides at the park as well.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad can be found at the far end of Frontierland, next door to Splash Mountain. Speeds reach up to 30 mph as you are whipped around through numerous twists and turns, dips and dives.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
This family-friendly ride is a lot of fun, but expect it to have a long line. Fortunately, the line tends to move at a pretty steady pace. When you board the ride’s cars, you are effectively deputized as an honorary space ranger. You’re tasked with shooting all of the Z stickers to thwart the nefarious efforts of Evil Emperor Zurg. As you are carted around, you’re car can turn from side to side and even rotate. If you’re visiting the park with a group, try and beat each other’s high scores!
Mickey’s PhillarMagic
This show will take you on a 3D tour of some of the most beloved, classic Disney films. The backstory of the ride involves Mickey Mouse, of course, who has lost his magic hat and has to get in back in time for the show. To help his friend out, Donald Duck goes on a journey to find Mickey’s hat while traveling through several Disney movies.
Not only is the show 3D, but arguably it’s 4D. When you are taken to the Dining Hall from Beauty and the Beast, you can actually smell the food. And when you visit the world of the Little Mermaid, you are splashed with water.
Pirates of the Caribbean
Another classic Disney boat ride that deserves a mention is this Pirate-themed masterpiece. And recently, the ride was updated to include various elements from the Pirates of the Caribbean films. Now, you’ll get to see Captain Jack Sparrow, Captain Barbosa, and Davy Jones in all of their glory. The ride begins with a big drop before taking riders to Port Royal, just as pirates are taking over. You might get a little wet on this ride, but it’s not one of those boat rides that will leave you soaked.
Well, that about covers all of our favorite Magic Kingdom attractions, but we know that you probably have a few favorites of your own. Let us know in the comments what your favorite Best things to do at Magic Kingdom attractions and rides are. If you’ve never been to the park before, share with us what you’re most excited to see on your upcoming trip.