Disney's Magic Kingdom
As the original attraction in Florida it is most associated with the Walt Disney World. It is probably the best known and most popular with young children. Walt Disney recreated the original California Disneyland with more space, a bigger castle and room to develop. It is truly magical with surprises around every corner and so much to do. You won't want to miss out on original rides like Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Jungle Cruise and Pirates of the Caribbean, but new attractions are being added to entertain using some favourite Disney characters such as Buzz Lightyear and Stitch. There is wonderful entertainment on the Palace Forecourt and a film for all your senses in Fantasyland. For night time entertainment, Spectromagic and Wishes are guaranteed to delight you.
The Year of a Million Dreams also gives guests a chance to win special prizes, the most unique is the chance to spend the night with their family and friends in the Cinderella Castle Suite. If you are the lucky winner you get to stay in the suite after a dinner at the Royal Table restaurant and a private viewing area to watch the fireworks. Imagine being the only guests left in the Magic Kingdom at night and then waking up to another treat, a breakfast with some of your favourite characters! If you are not that lucky then you can still enjoy the Cinderellabration, when Cinderella is crowned and joined by other Disney Princesses. Hurry, the Year of a Million Dreams ends on 31st December 2008.
You need plenty of time just to get in as even when you get to the parking lot you still have a journey before you reach the park entrance. Allow extra time and choose between the Monorail and the Ferry Boat to cross the "Seven Seas Lagoon".
The Magic Kingdom is laid out like a hub of a wheel circled by the Walt Disney World Railroad. You enter at Main Street which leads up to Cinderella's Castle. Around the hub are Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, Fantasyland, Mickey's Toontown and Tomorrowland.
In the Magic Kingdom you can browse the shops in Main Street USA before the opening, but if you want to minimise wait time we suggest waiting at the tape nearest to your first ride then heading straight for a popular ride like Splash Mountain or Space Mountain. If you are travelling with small children head for Dumbo in Fantasyland or Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Adventure in Tomorrowland. The adventures of Winnie the Pooh is a lovely ride for children of all ages!
There are now numerous opportunities for FastPass tickets in the Magic Kingdom and it is always worthwhile using this facility. You could save hours in wait time and enjoy your day far more by picking up a FastPass for the following: Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain, the Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, Peter Pan's Flight, the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Mickey's Philharmagic and Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin.
One of the most popular and oldest attraction but which does not have a FastPass facility is the Tomorrowland Indy Speedway. It is worthwhile arriving early to ride this as lines of an hour are frequent at busy times.
Tinker Bell and friends make their first magical appearance in the theme parks
To celebrate the recently released animated film Tinker Bell, Disney's most famous fairy and four friends are featured in a new experience at "Pixie Hollow" located in the Magic Kingdom® Park. Guests can meet Tinker Bell and her fairy friends Fawn, an animal fairy; Iridessa, a light fairy; Rosetta, a garden fairy and Silvermist, a water fairy.
Mickey's Philharmagic is a wonderful 3-D spectacular featuring the adventures of Donald Duck when he wears Mickey's sorcerer's hat and then becomes a part of some famous Disney animations. Wherever you sit in the theatre, you will enjoy the spectacle of Aladdin's magic carpet flying over your head and all sorts of things flying towards you!
After the sun sets in the Magic Kingdom, there is a special magic. Check your guide for when Spectromagic is parading its display of lights through Main Street, Liberty Square and Frontierland. Wishes, a new firework display above Cinderella's castle is also not to be missed.
You can Magic Your Way to the Magic Kingdom and other Disney theme parks:
Florida
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