Magic Kingdom Introduction

I can’t quite explain the feeling I get when I first step foot onto Main Street U.S.A. in the Magic Kingdom- the smell of popcorn and baked treats, the sight of dozens of helium-filled Mickey Mouse balloons floating high overhead, the enchanting turn-of-the-century (to 1900!) music, and finally- Cinderella Castle in all of its beauty and grandeur standing tall and graceful. It’s enough to bring a tear to even the biggest Disney non-believer.

(Cinderella Castle- the focal point of the Magic Kingdom)

When asked my favorite theme park, it’s always very hard for me. I truly love each theme park for different reasons- but with that said, the Magic Kingdom is just that- it’s simply a magical place. It’s the first thing most people think of when one mentions Walt Disney World. And for those who don’t visit often (and perhaps even for those that do), fully exploring the Magic Kingdom will take at least a few days. The Magic Kingdom is broken up into six lands- Main Street U.S.A., Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland. Personally, I love Fantasyland best- it’s a beautiful land full of wonder and whimsy, and for me, it is full of nostalgia- though after New Fantasyland was built a few years back, I developed some new favorites as well!

(Riding Dumbo with my son in Fantasyland)

Let me lead you through my favorite attraction of each land, as well as my Top 2 quick-service and Top 2 table-service dining spots in the Magic Kingdom- and I’d like to give you some tips along the way. Let’s go!

Main Street U.S.A.

(My husband and I on Main Street U.S.A. in the autumn season- notice the cute fall decorations in the background!)

Dana’s Favorite Attraction: The Walt Disney World Railroad is a nostalgic way for me to tour the Magic Kingdom, or to easily get to either Frontierland or Fantasyland, the two other stops on the Railroad. Personally, I love taking the full-circle tour of the park. Now that my son is older and has a love for trains, I have a feeling that for a while, the Walt Disney World Railroad is going to be a do-not-miss attraction for our family!

(The Walt Disney World Railroad- photo from wdwlive.com)

Mouse Tails Tip: My family is full of night owls, and we enjoy checking out the shops on Main Street U.S.A. after grabbing dessert upon the park’s closing in the evening. Do not let the cast members scare you off- last year, my family was finishing our dessert at some outdoor tables after the park closed, and a janitor came up and told us that if we were staying at a Disney Resort, that we’d better hurry out of the park in order to catch a bus back to our resort. We knew better, and after finishing our dessert, we lingered in some of the shops on Main Street before finally making our way out of the park to an ample number of busses. Disney Transportation will NEVER leave you stranded- there will always be a bus to take you back to your resort!

(One of my favorite treats can be found at the Ice Cream Parlor on Main Street U.S.A.)

Adventureland

(Walking into Adventureland)

Dana’s Favorite Attraction: This is really difficult for me, as I love both Pirates of the Caribbean and The Jungle Cruise, but I think I’d have to say The Jungle Cruise. I LOVE the silly scripted humor of the skippers, I enjoy being in a boat on the water (though you are on a track), and this is another nostalgic attraction that I remember riding with my family as a small child.

(A nice late-February cruise through the jungle)

Mouse Tails Tip: DO NOT MISS Aloha Isle and the infamous Dole Whip served here- pineapple ice cream, and if you get the float variety, it is served atop cool Dole pineapple juice. You can use a snack credit for this yummy treat, and for my family, it is one that we look forward to months before our trip!

(My family enjoying our Dole Whip Floats)

Frontierland

Dana’s Favorite Attraction: Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad both hold spots in my heart as favorites, but my #1 in Frontierland would be Splash Mountain, simply due to the cute storyline of this attraction. Join Brer Bear, Brer Fox, and everyone’s favorite, Brer Rabbit on their adventures through Splash Mountain- it’s a lot longer of a ride than one would expect, and there are multiple drops leading up to the big one at the end!

(Chick-A-Pin Hill, aka Splash Mountain- photo from wdwtourguide.com)

Mouse Tails Tip: A great dining spot, Pecos Bills Tall Tale Inn & Café is located in Frontierland- my family tries not to eat here (or anywhere!) at peak times, which are between 11 and 1 for lunch, and 5 and 7 for dinner. If possible, I’d recommend eating earlier or later if possible in order to avoid the mealtime rush. There are plenty of delicious snacks to tide one over, or if you’d prefer, a later brunch coupled with an early dinner (plus maybe a snack in the afternoon) is a great way to dine through your day!

(Pecos Bills Tall Tale Inn & Cafe- photo from disneyworld.com)

Liberty Square

Dana’s Favorite Attraction: Even though I am not a fan of anything scary, I always enjoy The Haunted Mansion. I don’t find it too scary, it’s intriguing and fun, and you’ll be singing the ride’s song, ‘Grim Grimming Ghosts’ long after you walk off the ride!

Mouse Tails Tip: Be sure to check out a restaurants lunch and dinner menus if you are planning on eating a meal there- at several restaurants in Walt Disney World, the lunch and dinner menu varies greatly, and at some spots, the type of service is even different! For instance, at Liberty Tree Tavern here in Liberty Square, dinner is a family-style, all-you-can-eat meal that reminds me of a yummy Thanksgiving dinner- lunch, however, is a traditional order-off-a-menu meal. Another spot located nearby, Be Our Guest in Fantasyland, is quick-service for breakfast and lunch, but for dinner, this dining location turns into a table service eatery.

(Camden enjoyed his quick-service breakfast at Be Our Guest in Fantasyland!)

Fantasyland

(Babies love many of the whimsical attractions in Fantasyland!)

Dana’s Favorite Attraction: Oh how do I choose? I could probably spend a full day in this beautiful, colorful land- and if you are traveling with young children, you just may find yourself doing just that! Although I am a big fan of the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train roller coaster, my favorite is probably Peter Pan’s Flight. This attraction is unique in that the ride’s track is above you rather than below, and I just love the sensation of flying through London and Neverland. I remember riding this attraction as a kid; and now as an adult, I just adore taking my son along for the fun ride!

(My son Camden's first flight through Neverland at eight months)

Mouse Tails Tip: A lot of the queues in Fantasyland have lots to offer children- at Dumbo, you are given a pager rather than waiting in a traditional line, and kids are allowed to play in a fun, indoor circus-themed area until your pager goes off. At The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, there are lots of interactive activities for kids to play with while in line. Sure beats the days of waiting in a plain old boring line when I was a kid!

(Our friend's sweet daughter having fun while we waited to ride Dumbo the Flying Elephant)

(Kids love the interactive features that many of the ride queues now have- here is my son in line for The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh)

Tomorrowland

Dana’s Favorite Attraction: Call me crazy, but I just LOVE the Tomorrowland Transit Authority (TTA) in all of its simplicity. There is rarely a wait for this attraction, it’s a nice, relaxing ride that leads you throughout Tomorrowland (Camden has been known to nap through this one!), and I enjoy the trek through Space Mountain (although they’ve boarded off a lot of what you used to be able to see). For our family, it’s a basic, but do-not-miss attraction!

(Enjoying our ride through Tomorrowland on the TTA)

Mouse Tails Tip: If you are a breast-feeding mother, or have young children that just need a break, an indoor show can be a great respite from the craziness of the parks. Several times, my family would head into attractions like Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress here in Tomorrowland so that I could nurse Camden in a cool, dark place while still enjoying the attractions of the park. He’d often fall asleep after nursing, and after the show, we could simply put him in his stroller or carrier and be on our way!

(If you are unable to find a dark ride to nurse baby in, there is a Baby Care Center at each theme park which features nursing lounges, changing tables, bottle warmers, and more!)

Dana’s Top 2 Quick Service in the Magic Kingdom

1. Be Our Guest (Breakfast and Lunch)- I just love the atmosphere here, which is, of course, inspired by the movie Beauty and the Beast. There are three different rooms to dine in- the Ballroom, the West Wing, and the Rose Gallery. The food is delicious, and one feature I love is that the drink stations here are self-serve (atypical at the Disney theme parks), so you may help yourself to all of the beverages you like while dining here.

(Having lunch at Be Our Guest in Fantasyland)

(Yum! Turkey sandwich, fries, and dessert at Be Our Guest)

2. Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café (Dinner)- There are three different bays here, which means lots of variety- rotisserie chicken, burgers, salads, and barbecue pork sandwiches are just some of the offerings. My favorite spot to sit is by the window close to the castle at dusk- watching the castle begin to light up for the evening is simply breathtaking!

(I enjoyed my Angus bacon cheeseburger, fries, and carrot cake at Cosmic Rays Starlight Cafe)

(I know this is a blurry photo thanks to the rain and the window, but I wanted to showcase the beautiful view you can enjoy from Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe)

Dana’s Top 2 Table Service in the Magic Kingdom

1. Liberty Tree Tavern (Dinner)- I just love the all-you-can-eat family-style dinner here, which includes salad, turkey, pot roast, ham, mashed potatoes, veggies, and more. We love the Colonial theming, including the mementos hanging around the rooms. And a cute touch is that when your table is ready, the cast members make a spectacle of it, announcing your name and what state you are from!

(My wonderful husband waiting to be seated at Liberty Tree Tavern in Liberty Square)

2. Crystal Palace (Breakfast)- If you can score a reservation here before the park opens, then you can get some pretty fantastic photo opportunities of a nearly-empty theme park! Pooh and friends visit guests here, and the all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet will fill you up for a busy morning in the park! The restaurant is pretty and airy, and even includes four topiaries of the characters you will meet here!

(The Crystal Palace is just beautiful- photo from disneyworld.com)

Thank you for joining me on our tour through the Magic Kingdom. As always, feel free to email me with any questions or comments at dana_aimee@hotmail.com. Happy Travels!