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The Magic Kingdom [1] is part of the Walt Disney World Resort in Central Florida.

The Magic Kingdom is the "main" park at Walt Disney World, based on the original Disneyland in Anaheim, California, and the one most people think of first when they think of Walt Disney World. It is organized around the central landmark of Cinderella Castle, with various "lands" arrayed around a central hub. The lands are, starting from the main entrance and going clockwise around Cinderella Castle: Main Street USA, Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, Fantasyland, Mickey's Toontown, and Tomorrowland.

The park is the oldest, most popular, and the most child-friendly, although many adults love the escapism as well. Adult visitors who do not enjoy rides such as "it's a small world" where you sit in vehicles that take you in a circle through a tunnel, and listen to childlike delight and screams, may want to visit Epcot or Hollywood Studios instead.

Though the FastPass system works well, it is not available for all attractions, and lines there can be endless but always keep moving. Food and merchandise can be pricey, but not too bad considering where you are. Plan accordingly for a trip and expect to spend at least $100 per person for a visit.

Despite it all, most people would agree that the lines, the crowds, and the prices are worth it for the magical Disney experience that makes all adults 'children', if even only for a day.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By car or hotel shuttle

The Magic Kingdom is at the northernmost reaches of the Walt Disney World property. You'll take World Drive north to the massive parking lot, which is actually quite a distance from the park. No problem, though—once you park your car, a tram will take you to the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC). That's also where hotel shuttles from non-Disney resorts will drop you. You're now looking across the Seven Seas Lagoon at the Magic Kingdom. From here, simply get on a big ferryboat or the express monorail to the Magic Kingdom. Either way you go, enjoy the scenery along the way—Goofy has been known to waterski around the ferry from time to time, and the monorail route passes directly through the lobby of Disney's Contemporary Resort.

Parking at the Magic Kingdom is $14.00 per car, although Disney resort guests can park for free—just show your Key to the World card at the toll gate.

[edit] By Disney transportation

[edit] From Magic Kingdom-area resorts

The monorail is the most obvious choice here. The resort monorail (inside track) travels clockwise around the Seven Seas Lagoon, stopping inside the Contemporary, and then at the TTC, the Polynesian, and the Grand Floridian, coming back around to the Magic Kingdom. Due to the direction of travel, Contemporary Resort guests might want to consider walking to the Magic Kingdom; it's the only resort from which that is possible.

Unfortunately, Fort Wilderness and the Wilderness Lodge are not on the monorail route, but they do have buses available. Also, all five resorts have water taxis that travel between their docks and the Magic Kingdom gates; they can be a fun, scenic way to start your visit.

Shades of Green has its own shuttle buses that take guests to the various parks. Guests can also walk to the Polynesian to take the monorail or water taxi, but it's a five-minute walk with no sidewalk; use caution.

[edit] From other on-property resorts

From other areas of the property, simply go to your resort's bus stop and wait for the Magic Kingdom bus to arrive. You will be dropped off in front of the Magic Kingdom gates, not at the TTC.

[edit] From Epcot

Take the Epcot monorail to the TTC and then transfer to the monorail or ferryboat to the Magic Kingdom.

[edit] From Disney's Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom

You could take the TTC bus and then transfer to the monorail or ferryboat to the Magic Kingdom; however, as this service is infrequent, the recommended alternative is to take the bus to the Contemporary, Grand Floridian, or Polynesian and then take the monorail or ferry.

[edit] From Downtown Disney

There is no direct bus service to the Magic Kingdom from Downtown Disney. In this case, you should first go to any resort (preferably Saratoga Springs or one of the monorail resorts) and then change modes of transportation.

[edit] See and Do

Here today, gone tomorrow Over time, the Magic Kingdom has seen numerous changes, more than the other three parks at Walt Disney World. Too much of the time, however, very popular attractions have given way to less popular ones, or even worse, nothing. A look at the worst offenders: 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea (Fantasyland) - This submarine ride, based on Walt Disney's 1954 film adaptation of the Jules Verne classic, closed in 1994 and was replaced by a Winnie the Pooh children's play area. Skyway - An aerial tramway linking Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, it was dismantled in 1999, allegedly due to violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act. Why they couldn't just install elevators and replace the small vehicles with larger ones simply isn't clear. Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (Fantasyland) - This was one of the original attractions back in 1971, and it appealed to both children and adults alike. In 1999, it was replaced by "The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh", and now has a fan base dominated almost entirely by children. If You Had Wings (Tomorrowland) - An aviation-themed dark ride sponsored by Eastern Airlines, later renamed "Dreamflight" when sponsorship shifted to Delta Airlines, this ride eventually became "Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin".

The denotes rides with safety restrictions. See Stay safe in the main Walt Disney World article for more information.

[edit] Main Street USA

• Main Street Vehicles. Ride a horse car, omnibus, jitney, horseless carriage, or fire engine from the entrance to Cinderella Castle and back.  edit
• Walt Disney World Railroad. A 19th century steam train that circles the park, with stops at Frontierland and Mickey's Toontown.  edit

[edit] Adventureland

• The Enchanted Tiki Room under New Management. Classic Audio-Animatronic show now featuring Iago from Aladdin and Zazu from The Lion King.  edit
• The Flying Carpets of Aladdin. "Tell me, princess, now when did you last let your heart decide?"  edit
• Jungle Cruise. Tour the world's jungle rivers.  edit
• Pirates of the Caribbean. Now features Captain Jack Sparrow and other characters from the blockbuster film series.  edit
• Swiss Family Treehouse. Tour the shipwrecked family's ingenious home.  edit

[edit] Frontierland

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. A roller coaster with a runaway mine train theme.  edit
• Country Bear Jamboree. Live stage show with country music-singing Audio-Animatronic bears.  edit
• Splash Mountain. A log flume ride based on Song of the South, with a terrifying 50 foot drop! If you don't want to get soaked, the best thing to do is buy a rain poncho at a gift shop and wear it onto the ride. Alternatively, females may wear one- or two-piece swimsuits, but must also have appropriate external garments, such as swim trunks or jean shorts.  edit
• Tom Sawyer Island. A fun-filled island playground just for kids.  edit

[edit] Liberty Square

• Hall of Presidents. A course on the history of the presidency, complete with life-size figures of all the Presidents, now including Obama.  edit
• Haunted Mansion. Enter if you dare. Heh heh heh...  edit
• Liberty Belle Riverboat. Ride a steam-powered stern-wheeler into America's past.  edit

[edit] Fantasyland

• Ariel's Grotto. Meet Ariel!  edit
• Cinderella's Golden Carousel. The carousel was built in 1917, making it the oldest ride in the park. Found dilapidated and no longer operational in 1967 in Maplewood, New Jersey, it has been meticulously restored to its splendor.  edit
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant.  edit
• it's a small world. Set sail on the happiest cruise around the world. This was originally Pepsi and Bank of America's pavilion at the 1964 New York World's Fair.  edit
• Mad Tea Party. Spin in a giant teacup.  edit
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. Follow Pooh and his friends on an adventure through the Hundred Acre Wood.  edit
• Mickey's PhilharMagic. A CGI 3D movie featuring musical scores from Fantasia, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and more.  edit
• Peter Pan's Flight. Soar over Neverland.  edit
• Snow White's Scary Adventures. Find your way through the woods to the Seven Dwarfs' cottage. But beware the Wicked Witch!  edit

[edit] Mickey's Toontown

• The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacres Farm. A children's roller coaster. Perfect alternative for those too short to ride Space Mountain or Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.  edit
• Donald's Boat. Children's play area.  edit
• Mickey's House.  edit
• Minnie's House.  edit
• Judge's Tent. Meet Mickey Mouse.  edit
• Pixie Hollow. Meet Tinkerbell and the other Disney Fairies.  edit
• Toontown Hall of Fame.  edit

[edit] Tomorrowland

• Astro Orbiter.  edit
• Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. An indoor dark ride with a laser gun game. Help Buzz Lightyear beat the evil Emperor Zurg!  edit
• Carousel of Progress. A four-part Audio-Animatronic production through a century of technological progress. This show originally debuted as General Electric's pavilion at the 1964 New York World's Fair and holds the record of being the longest-running stage show in history.  edit
• Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor. Comedy show with Mike and Sulley.  edit
• Space Mountain. Space rocket-themed indoor roller coaster. Closed for extended refurbishment until late 2009.  edit
• Stitch's Great Escape!. Try to keep Stitch detained. Be assured, it is not an easy task!  edit
• Tomorrowland Indy Speedway. A driving course.  edit
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority. Round trip sightseeing tour around Tomorrowland, featuring an inside look at Space Mountain. Closed for extended refurbishment until late 2009.  edit

[edit] Parkwide

• Disney's Dreams Come True Parade. Daytime parade of classic Disney moments inside oversized snowglobes.  edit
• SpectroMagic. Nighttime parade with over half a million electric lights.  edit
• Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams. At park closing there is a fireworks show to send everyone home with a great memory. (Be aware that the best viewing areas generate very crowded conditions).  edit

There is an official tour that can be taken by any Guest over the age of 16 for a cost of (the last time I checked) $75. This cost is in addition to Park Entrance. Go to Guest Relations in City Hall and ask for the Keys To The Kingdom Tour. This tour is not given every day, so call ahead to book a day. If this is your first visit to the Magic Kingdom, don't take this tour. Spend at least two days just enjoying yourself and experiencing the Magic. Also, be forewarned that this will forever change the way that you look at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. It's like pulling apart a flower to see how it grows. You end up knowing more, but in your mind you will never look at a flower the same way.

[edit][add listing] Buy

Main Street, U.S.A., the Magic Kingdom's entrance area, is anchored by The Emporium, which takes up most of the western side of the street and carries a variety of generic Disney merchandise. The other side of the street has more specialty shops, including the Main Street Confectionery, The Chapeau (hat shop), Crystal Arts (glass shop with live glass craft demonstrations), Uptown Jewelers, and more. Other well known shops include:

• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, (inside Cinderella Castle). A fashion salon for young girls. Here they'll receive the best makeover ever - a transformation into a favorite Disney Princess. Space is very limited, call (407) WDW-STYLE to book in advance.  edit
• Mickey's Star Traders, (at the exit from Stitch's Great Escape). While it's not very heavily themed, this Tomorrowland store is widely regarded as one of the best souvenir shops in the park.  edit
• Pirates Bazaar, (at the exit from Pirates of the Caribbean). Rest assured Disney is aware of the current popularity of pirate-themed goodies.  edit
• Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe, (in Liberty Square). Open year round, this store sells holiday-related goods reminiscent of 18th and 19th century Christmases.  edit

The Grand Canyon Concourse on the fourth floor of Disney's Contemporary Resort, underneath the monorail platform, has several specialty shops including shops that sell jewelry, sundries, and housewares.

[edit][add listing] Eat

See Eat in the main Walt Disney World article for information on the Disney restaurant pricing system, character dining, dietary restrictions, and advance dining reservations. The telephone numbers below are for extraordinary circumstances only; for reservations and most health or diet issues, call the main Disney Dining number at +1 407 WDW-DINE (939-3463).

[edit] Counter service

The Magic Kingdom has an abundance of counter service restaurants.

• Casey's Corner, in Main Street, USA. A baseball-themed restaurant, inspired by Ernest L. Thayer's famous poem (and the segment, based on the poem, from the 1946 package film Make Mine Music). $.  edit
• Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe, in Tomorrowland. With three different restaurants serving chicken, sandwiches, and burgers sharing a common seating area, this may be the largest communal dining hall in the park. $.  edit
• Plaza Ice Cream Parlor, adjacent to the Plaza Restaurant. A great place for either a quick bite or to beat the heat, complete with an old-fashioned soda fountain. $.  edit

[edit] Table service

• Cinderella's Royal Table, inside Cinderella Castle. Dine with the Disney Princesses. Young girls will love this experience the best. (Note: This may be one of the hardest, if not THE hardest reservation to get, so make sure to call very early to get a seat; reservations for this restaurant can be made up to 90 days in advance. Additionally, sometimes people cancel their reservations to restaurants, so call back daily for an outside chance to snag a reservation for this dining experience and be flexible with your times.) Somewhat easier to get now with the online reservation system. $$$.  edit
• The Crystal Palace, in Main Street USA, to the left of the Adventureland walkway. A buffet housed in a building inspired by the legendary Crystal Palace in London. $$.  edit
• Liberty Tree Tavern, in Liberty Square. A restaurant inspired by 18th century New England. $$.  edit
• The Plaza Restaurant, in Main Street USA. A restaurant inspired by the Victorian times of the late 19th/early 20th centuries. $$.  edit
• Tony's Town Square Restaurant, in Main Street USA, near the entrance. Order a huge plate of spaghetti and step into the most memorable scene from 'Lady and the Tramp'. $$.  edit

[edit] Resort dining

[edit] Disney's Contemporary Resort

• California Grill, on the top floor of the resort. California cuisine served with the best view on Disney property on the side. The menu changes frequently, as the chefs vary the tastes according to season and their ingenuity. Priority seating is a must for this restaurant (especially at the time of the Wishes display), and window seats (some with a view of the Magic Kingdom) are not guaranteed. If all seats are taken, another option is the bar, which offers a great selection of wines and sushi. $$$.  edit
• Chef Mickey's. An all-you-care-to-eat character buffet hosted by Mickey Mouse himself. Features a separate buffet with items geared for more adult tastes. Kids will enjoy the setting in the hotel's Grand Canyon Concourse, watching the monorails pass through on their way to the Magic Kingdom. Due to its popularity, reservations can be booked as far as 90 days in advance. $$.  edit
• The Wave. Specializes in health-conscious selections. $$.  edit

[edit] Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground

• Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue. A western-themed dinner theater. $$$.  edit
• Mickey's Backyard BBQ. An all-you-can-eat outdoor picnic with Mickey and Company. $$$.  edit

[edit] Disney's Grand Floridian Resort

• 1900 Park Fare. A buffet where you can have breakfast with characters from Mary Poppins and Alice in Wonderland, or dinner with characters from Cinderella. $$.  edit
• Citrico's. A semi-elegant European restaurant. If you can't afford to dine at Victoria & Albert's, this is an ideal alternative. $$$.  edit
• Victoria & Albert's. Undeniably the best restaurant on Disney property. Victoria & Albert's is a AAA Five-Diamond rated restaurant, the only one in central Florida. Designed for a more intimate dining experience; meaning leave the children at one of the many popular child activity centers and have a night out just for the adults. A menu designed specifically for the party and impeccable service. Wine pairing is also an option. Reservations are accepted a maximum of 90 days in advance. $$$$.  edit

[edit] Disney's Polynesian Resort

• Disney's Spirit of Aloha Show. A South Pacific Luau-themed dinner theater with hula dancers. $$$.  edit
• Kona Cafe. Traditional American fare fused with Asian flavor. $$.  edit
• 'Ohana. The restaurant's name is the Hawaiian word for family. Breakfast features Lilo & Stitch. $$.  edit

[edit] Disney's Wilderness Lodge

• The Whispering Canyon Cafe. Tuck the napkin under your collar, shout as loud as you want, and boo or blow raspberries when the waiter announces that someone is going to SeaWorld or Universal Studios! $$.  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

The Magic Kingdom is a family-oriented environment, and as such no alcohol is served here. On the other hand, the table service restaurants in the resorts do serve alcohol, and there are also bars and lounges at the hotels. California Grill in the Contemporary Resort and Victoria & Albert's in the Grand Floridian Resort have particularly extensive wine lists.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Budget

• Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground, 4510 N. Fort Wilderness Trail, ☎ 407-824-2900. Enjoy camping in an air-conditioned cabin [2], or stay in secluded campsites [3] for tents and all types of RVs. $35 (campsites)–$250 (Wilderness Cabins).  edit
• Shades of Green, [4]. Owned by the United States Department of Defense, part of the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation program. It is open only to active and retired military or National Guard personnel, and civilian employees of the Department of Defense, although persons not meeting the eligibility requirements are welcome to stay with an eligible person. Merchandise sold at Shades of Green is exempt from sales tax, and rooms are exempt from hotel tax. Room rates are based on rank and/or pay grade. $90-130 (depending on grade).  edit

[edit] Splurge

• Disney's Contemporary Resort, 4600 N. World Dr., ☎ (407) 824-1000, [5]. Step in to a modern design and an architectural gem, complete with a monorail running through the Resort's A-Frame tower. $280-2,900.  edit
  • Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort. The latest Disney Vacation Club Resort, connected to the main Contemporary Resort A-Frame tower by an overhead walkway.  edit
• Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, 4401 Grand Floridian Wy., ☎ 407-824-3000, [6]. Undoubtedly the most elegant high-end Disney Resort, with Victorian elegance that pays homage to the golden days of Palm Beach. $400-2,900.  edit
• Disney's Polynesian Resort, 1600 Seven Seas Dr., ☎ (407) 824-2000 (fax: (407) 824-3174), [7]. A tropical paradise that celebrates the spirit and hospitality of the South Pacific. $360-2,900.  edit
• Disney's Wilderness Lodge, 901 Timberline Dr., ☎ 407-824-3200 (fax: 407-824-3232), [8]. Appreciate the rustic charm of the grand lodges of the National Parks of the Old West. $240-1,400.  edit
  • The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, [9]. A scenic woodland retreat. $230-1,150.  edit

[edit] Contact

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!