Walt Disney World Resort

Magic Kingdom Park

Magic Kingdom_® Park is the classic Disney World theme park — Cinderella Castle, six themed lands, and more rides than any other park at Walt Disney World_® Resort. It is the park most families picture when they think of a Disney vacation.

Six themed lands fan out from Cinderella Castle, each with its own rides, shows, and restaurants. Magic Kingdom rides range from gentle dark rides to roller coasters, plus live shows, character meet-and-greets, and enough to fill a full day — or two.

The six lands

Magic Kingdom Park is built around a central hub in front of Cinderella Castle. Six themed lands branch out from there. Each one has its own style, attractions, and dining.

Main Street, U.S.A.

Main Street, U.S.A. is the first thing you see when you enter the park. It is a turn-of-the-century American town lined with shops, sweet treats, and ice cream. The Main Street Confectionery and Plaza Ice Cream Parlor are popular stops. The Walt Disney World Railroad station sits above the entrance. Town Square Theater is where you can meet Mickey Mouse.

The Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away parade travels between Frontierland and Main Street, U.S.A. The Happily Ever After fireworks light up Cinderella Castle at the end of the night. Both draw big crowds — claim a spot along the parade route or in front of the castle 30-45 minutes early for a good view.

The shops along Main Street, U.S.A. stay open after the park closes, so you can browse and grab a last treat on your way out.

Adventureland

Adventureland_® feels like a tropical jungle village. Thatched roofs, wooden bridges, and dense greenery surround you as soon as you step in. The rides here lean into exploration and storytelling.

• Jungle Cruise._® A boat ride with corny jokes from your Skipper and some surprisingly good scenery.
• Pirates of the Caribbean._® A classic dark ride through pirate scenes — cool, shaded, and a nice break from the heat.
• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin. A spinner ride that works well for younger kids.
• Swiss Family Treehouse. A walk-through attraction with views of Adventureland.
• Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room. An air-conditioned show featuring Audio-Animatronics_® figures of tropical birds. A good spot to cool off and rest your feet.

Frontierland

Frontierland_® is the Wild West corner of the park — wooden stockade fences, red-rock scenery, and turkey legs the size of your forearm. It has some of the park’s most popular rides.

• Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. The newest attraction here — a log flume ride that follows Princess Tiana through the bayou with music, characters, and a big drop at the end. It replaced Splash Mountain and has become one of the most popular attractions in the park.
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad._® A runaway mine train coaster. It is currently closed for refurbishment and expected to reopen in spring 2026 with upgraded effects.
• Country Bear Musical Jamboree. Updated in 2024 with Disney songs performed in country music styles. A sit-down show in an air-conditioned theater — a solid rest stop.

Liberty Square

Liberty Square is a small land themed to colonial America. Brick walkways, a replica Liberty Bell, and an old-growth Liberty Tree give it a quieter feel than the lands around it. It has fewer attractions, but don’t skip it — Haunted Mansion is one of the best rides in the park.

• Haunted Mansion._® A dark ride through a haunted estate that is more fun than scary. Kids who are nervous about the name usually love it once they are inside.
• The Hall of Presidents. An Audio-Animatronics show featuring every U.S. president. A good air-conditioned break, especially on hot afternoons.

Fantasyland

Fantasyland_® has the most rides of any land in the park, and most of them are built for families with young children. Storybook castles, spinning teacups, and gentle dark rides fill the area — plan to spend a good chunk of your day here.

• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. A gentle family coaster through the diamond mine from Snow White. It has one of the longest standby waits in the park. Ride it during Early Theme Park Entry, at rope drop, or buy a Lightning Lane Single Pass.
• Peter Pan’s Flight. You fly over London and Neverland in a pirate ship. The ride is short, but kids love it. Waits are long all day.
• “it’s a small world.” The classic boat ride through scenes of children from around the world has been charming families since 1964. A new final verse — written by Richard Sherman before his passing — was added in 2025, celebrating unity and inclusion. The queue moves fast and the ride is a nice cool-down.
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant. A spinner ride that lets kids control how high Dumbo flies. The indoor play area in the queue helps pass the wait.
• Under the Sea~ Journey of the Little Mermaid. A clamshell ride through scenes from The Little Mermaid with music, animatronics, and colorful sets. Wait times are usually short, and the air-conditioned queue building is a relief on hot days.
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. A gentle dark ride through the Hundred Acre Wood with Pooh, Tigger, and the rest of the crew. The scenes are sweet and the ride is calm — a good pick for the youngest kids in your group. The interactive queue has touch screens and honey walls that keep little ones entertained while you wait.
• The Barnstormer. A short, mild coaster themed to Goofy’s stunt plane. It lasts about a minute, but for kids who are nervous about bigger coasters, it is a good first step. 35-inch height requirement.
• Enchanted Tales with Belle. An interactive storytelling experience inside Beast’s Castle. Kids get chosen to play characters from the story, and the Lumiere animatronic that introduces the show is one of the best in the park. Allow 20–25 minutes for the full experience.
• Princess Fairytale Hall. A dedicated character meet-and-greet with Disney Princesses. Two separate lines offer different princess pairings — check the My Disney Experience app to see who is meeting that day. Expect 30–60 minute waits for the most popular pairings.
• Mickey’s PhilharMagic._® A 3D film in an air-conditioned theater with in-seat effects and scenes from classic Disney movies. It runs about 12 minutes and rarely has a long wait — walk in almost any time of day.
• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Princess and knight makeovers for kids ages 3–12. The transformation includes hair, makeup, nails, and a costume. Reservations are required and book up quickly — it is one of several enchanting extras worth booking early.

Tomorrowland

Tomorrowland_® is home to the park’s biggest thrill rides. The land has a retro-futuristic look — all sleek curves, neon, and metallic surfaces — and it lights up beautifully after dark.

• Space Mountain._® An indoor coaster in near-total darkness. The track is not intense by modern coaster standards, but the darkness makes it feel faster. 44-inch height requirement.
• TRON Lightcycle / Run. You lean forward on a motorcycle-style vehicle and launch into the Grid. The ride is short but intense. 48-inch height requirement.
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. An interactive dark ride where you shoot at targets and rack up a score. It is currently closed for updates and expected to reopen in spring 2026 with new effects and ride vehicles.
• Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor. A live interactive comedy show where the audience plays a role. The jokes change every time and the performers play off the crowd, so no two shows are the same. Air-conditioned and fun for all ages.
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover. A slow-moving ride that loops through Tomorrowland on an elevated track. Wait times are almost always short. It gives you a break from walking and a peek inside Space Mountain.
• Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress. A rotating theater show that walks you through 100 years of technology. It is the longest-running stage show in American theater history. Disney has announced that an Audio-Animatronics figure of Walt Disney himself will be added to the show’s opening scene.
• Astro Orbiter._® A spinner ride on an elevated platform — the views are great but the line moves slowly.
• Tomorrowland Speedway. A go-kart-style ride on a track. Kids love it. Adults may find it basic, but it is a rite of passage for young drivers. 32-inch height requirement to ride, 54-inch to drive alone.

How to plan your day

A full day at Magic Kingdom Park starts with arriving early and ends with fireworks. Here is how to make the most of it.

Start with the busiest rides

The Magic Kingdom attractions with the longest waits are Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, TRON Lightcycle / Run, Peter Pan’s Flight, and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Riding one or two of these first thing saves you an hour or more of standing in line later.

If you have Early Theme Park Entry, head straight to Fantasyland for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train or to Tomorrowland for TRON. These two attractions are only available as Lightning Lane Single Pass purchases — they are not included in Lightning Lane Multi Pass. Early morning is the best time to ride them without paying extra.

If you do not have Early Theme Park Entry, arrive at least 45 minutes before the park opens. Once the gates open, head to Tomorrowland for TRON or Space Mountain while most of the crowd goes toward Fantasyland.

Use Lightning Lane for the midday rush

Standby lines peak between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM. This is when Lightning Lane Multi Pass saves the most time. Magic Kingdom Park uses a tier system:

• Tier 1. Choose one. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (when it reopens), Jungle Cruise, Peter Pan’s Flight, Space Mountain, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
• Tier 2. Choose two. The Barnstormer, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin (when it reopens), Country Bear Musical Jamboree, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Haunted Mansion, “it’s a small world”, Mad Tea Party, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Mickey’s PhilharMagic, Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor, Pirates of the Caribbean, Tomorrowland Speedway, Under the Sea~ Journey of the Little Mermaid

Book your Lightning Lane Multi Pass as early as your window allows. Disney Resort hotel guests can book seven days before arrival at 7:00 AM Eastern. All other guests book three days before their park visit.

Take a midday break

Early afternoon is a good time to ease off the big rides and enjoy the park at a slower pace. Watch a show like Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress, Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor, or Country Bear Musical Jamboree. Grab a meal at an air-conditioned restaurant. Browse the shops on Main Street, U.S.A. Standby lines pick back up later, but you will be rested and ready.

Stay for the nighttime shows

The evening is when Magic Kingdom Park is at its best. Temperatures drop, the castle lights up, and the crowds spread out.

Happily Ever After is the main fireworks show. It combines fireworks, lasers, and projections on Cinderella Castle. It typically starts at 9:00 PM, but the time shifts by season — check the My Disney Experience app for your date. Claim a spot on Main Street, U.S.A. or the hub in front of the castle 30-45 minutes before showtime.

Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away is a nighttime parade with floats, characters, and lights. It runs twice on most nights — an early showing and a late showing. The late showing is less crowded.

After the fireworks, ride lines drop. This is a great time to re-ride favorites or catch attractions you missed during the day.

Dining at Magic Kingdom Park

Magic Kingdom Park has dozens of places to eat — from quick service counters to table service restaurants. Order ahead with the My Disney Experience app to skip the line at quick service locations.

Quick service favorites

• Sleepy Hollow. In Liberty Square, known for the fresh fruit waffle and the spicy chicken waffle. One of the most popular quick service spots in the park.
• Columbia Harbour House. Also in Liberty Square. Seafood-based menu with a quieter upstairs seating area that most visitors miss.
• Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe. In Frontierland, serving Tex-Mex style food. The topping bar lets you customize your meal.
• Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café. In Tomorrowland. The largest quick service restaurant in the park with burgers, chicken, and salads. An animatronic alien lounge singer named Sonny Eclipse performs on stage while you eat.
• Casey’s Corner. On Main Street, U.S.A., serving hot dogs and corn dog nuggets. Outdoor seating with a view of the castle.

Table service restaurants

Table service dining reservations open 60 days before your visit, and the most popular spots fill up fast.

• Be Our Guest Restaurant. Inside Beast’s Castle in Fantasyland. The theming is spectacular — three dining rooms inspired by Beauty and the Beast. Reservations are among the hardest to get in the park.
• Cinderella’s Royal Table. Dining inside Cinderella Castle. You meet Cinderella on arrival, and other princesses visit your table during the meal. It is one of the top experiences at the resort. It is also one of the most sought-after dining reservations at Walt Disney World Resort.
• The Crystal Palace. A character buffet with Winnie the Pooh and friends. The food is plentiful and kids love the character visits.
• Skipper Canteen. In Adventureland, with clever theming tied to Jungle Cruise. The food is better than most theme park restaurants. One of the easier reservations to get.
• Liberty Tree Tavern. In Liberty Square, serving a family-style American meal. Thanksgiving-style dinner every night — turkey, pot roast, and all the sides.

Characters at Magic Kingdom Park

Magic Kingdom Park has more character meet-and-greets than any other park. You can meet classic characters throughout the day in all six lands.

• Mickey Mouse. Town Square Theater on Main Street, U.S.A. This is a dedicated meet-and-greet with a reasonable wait.
• Disney Princesses. Princess Fairytale Hall in Fantasyland has two lines with different princess pairings. Check the My Disney Experience app for who is meeting that day. Ariel has her own spot at Ariel’s Grotto.
• Parade characters. Many characters appear during the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade and Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away. Watching the parade is an easy way to see characters without waiting in line.

Character lineups change without notice. Always check the My Disney Experience app on the day of your visit for current times and locations.

Special events

Magic Kingdom Park hosts separately ticketed special events throughout the year. These events take place after normal park hours and include exclusive entertainment, character meet-and-greets, and themed extras.

• Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Select nights from August through October. Trick-or-treating, a Halloween parade, and special fireworks. Costumes are allowed. A separate event ticket is required, and popular dates sell out months in advance.
• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Select nights in November and December. A holiday parade, fireworks, holiday treats, and snow on Main Street, U.S.A. A separate event ticket is required.
• Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom Park. Select nights year-round. The park stays open late with very low crowds, shorter ride lines, and complimentary snacks and drinks. A separate event ticket is required.

If one of these events falls on your Magic Kingdom Park day, the park closes early to regular guests. Check the calendar before picking your park day to avoid a shortened visit — or buy a ticket to the event and enjoy both.

Tips for your visit

• Wear comfortable shoes. You will walk 20,000 or more steps. Blisters can end a park day early.
• Bring a portable charger. Between the My Disney Experience app, photos, and wait time checks, your phone battery drains fast.
• Use the app constantly. Check wait times, show schedules, mobile ordering, and Lightning Lane availability throughout the day. The My Disney Experience app is essential.
• Mobile order your meals. Use the My Disney Experience app to place food orders at quick service restaurants before you are hungry. Your meal will be ready when you arrive — no standing in line during the lunch rush.
• Grab a Dole Whip. Aloha Isle in Adventureland serves the iconic pineapple soft serve that has been a fan favorite for decades. The line moves fast and it is the perfect treat on a hot day.

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