The Magic Kingdom, Orlando

How can anyone resist a trip to the happiest place on earth? The imaginative rides, eye-popping attractions, remarkable landscaping, and exceptional attention to detail, will please kids of every age. No matter who you are or where you're from, the Kingdom that set the standard for theme parks everywhere will enchant you from the moment you set foot inside.

A visit to the Magic Kingdom is a trip like no other. Upon entering the Disney gates, guests are transported to a world of fantasy and adventure. With seven lands of fun and fantasy, the Magic Kingdom offers something for everyone. There is no magic like the magic of Disney, and no trip to Florida - no lifetime in fact! - is complete without a trip to Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.

The interactive map below allows you to explore the different lands - click an area.

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Main Street USA

Main Street USA is the gateway to the Magic Kingdom. Upon entering the Magic Kingdom, guests step back in time to turn of the century America, complete with old-time Town Hall, Fire Station, and small-town staples such as barber shops, bakeries, and post office. There are plenty of restaurants and souvenir shops for refueling and exercising your shopping muscles. And at the end of the street lies the most widely recognized symbol of Walt Disney world, the breathtaking Cinderella Castle.

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Fantasyland

Enter Fantasyland through Cinderella's Castle and check out the intricate mosaic murals and the Disney family coat of arms. Emerge into Fantasyland and visit some classic Disney rides and attractions.

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It's a Small World - The song will stay in your head forever after you've been on this ride, but it's a classic, and a trip to the Magic Kingdom simply isn't complete without it. Younger kids will love this leisurely boat ride that passes through the countries of the world. 300 audio-animatronic dolls dressed in the traditional costumes of the represented countries sing the catchy melody as they dance and twirl.

Mad Tea Party - Don't be fooled- this is not a tame ride. Riders of all ages sit in giant pastel-colored teacups set on saucers that careen around a circular platform while everything spins round and round. Control how fast your cup spins during the maddest tea party in Wonderland! But be careful, spin it too much and it can be a bit nauseating.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant - A favorite of the under-6 set, it might be a little tame for older kids. Riders sit in large Dumbo vehicles that fly around in a circle while gently rising up and dipping down. It may not be the wildest ride, but the little ones will adore it.

Peter Pan's Flight - This relaxing ride is a pleasure for kids and adults alike. Riders will fly through the sky, beginning at the Darling children's nursery and ending up all the way in far-off Neverland. Familiar characters like Tinker Bell, the Lost Boys, Princess Tiger Lily, and Tick Tock the Croc all make appearances as you fly over the nighttime cityscape of London.

Adventureland

Part jungle, part tropical island, part desert oasis, Adventureland is all over the map. While it may be a bit of a mishmash of themes, it's home to some of the Magic Kingdom's most popular attractions.

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Jungle Cruise - Sail through dense foliage as you brave wild animals and exotic ruins. Don't worry, your guide will keep you safe (and in stitches!) as he or she offers some colorful and corny commentary during this zany ride through Asia, Africa, and South America.

Pirates of the Caribbean - A Disney favorite for years, this attraction is more popular than ever thanks to the successful films it inspired. Guests board a boat that takes them through dark caves and right into a pirate battle. Keep an eye out for Captain Jack Sparrow who pops up in all sorts of unexpected places.

The Magic Carpets of Aladdin - Similar to the Dumbo ride in Fantasyland, Aladdin has guests board a magical flying carpet that travels around a giant Genie lamp. This ride will entertain young kids who can make their individual carpets go up and down.

Frontierland

Visit the old-time Wild West in this section of the park that focuses on America's pioneer homeland. As if the clapboard houses, gingham clad cast members, and amazing attention to detail wasn't enough, there are also some super rides and attractions.

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Big Thunder Mountain - This roller coaster is reminiscent of a runaway train set loose in a gold mine. Authentic mining equipment is scattered around, and riders will encounter falling rocks and even an earthquake. There are no loops or crazy tricks, but riders will get tossed around in this wild ride.

Splash Mountain - Inspired by the 1946 Disney movie Song of the South, this flume ride packs a big, wet punch. The final drop is a 52-foot plunge, and there's a good chance you'll get wet. On hot days the lineups can get very long, but at almost 12 minutes long, the ride is worth the wait.

Country Bear Jamboree - Country Bear Jamboree is a good old-fashioned hoedown performed by a jolly band of backwoods bears in Grizzly Hall Theater. While it's usually more popular with the younger and older crowds, it's worth folks of all ages checking it out, as it was one of the first attractions that debuted at Walt Disney World back in 1971.

Tom Sawyer Island - Tom Sawyer Island is a lushly landscaped outdoor playground/walking attraction where kids can let off steam by running around and exploring, and adults can take a breather amidst the giant oaks, maples, and sycamores. Accessible only by raft, it's a great place to relax and watch the hustle and bustle of the Magic Kingdom from across the lake.

Liberty Square

Visit colonial America in Liberty Square. Here you can check out three famous Disney attractions.

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The Haunted Mansion - Visiting the Haunted Mansion is like a right of passage for Magic Kingdom newbies. While it's not seriously frightening, the special effects and classic Disney attention to detail are fantastic on this 8-minute journey through a haunted house. Don't miss it.

Hall of Presidents - This attraction is for those seeking a bit of American patriotism with a Disney touch. Learn about the creation of the constitution and the formation of the Presidency with the use of film and audio-animatronic figures. What it lacks in excitement it makes up for in education.

Liberty Square Riverboat - Liberty Square Riverboat is an authentic 3-tiered paddlewheel steamship journey that tours the Rivers of America. The leisurely and scenic ride offers a variety of props and scenes along the way.

Tomorrowland

See the future as the sci-fi writers of the 20s and 30s imagined it. Get ready to see lots of neon, steel, and glass. While their imagined future isn't too close to the reality of today, it's fun to see what people were anticipating from the 21st century.

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Space Mountain - Compared to the wild rides that have emerged in the decades since Space Mountain first opened, it doesn't seem as groundbreaking as it used to. But this cosmic roller coaster still packs a punch. Sharp turns and sudden drops rocket riders through this dark and bumpy cosmic journey.

Monsters Inc Laugh Floor - Kids love this show starring "Monster of Ceremonies" Mike Warzowski. He needs to fill the laugh meter and it's up to the audience to help him out. The technology is very impressive and viewers can even text message their own jokes as suggestions in this interactive show.

Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin - Love arcade games? This ride is for you! Riders are literally right inside a video game where they get to shoot lasers and collect points as they pass through thirteen scenes. Loads of fun for every member of the family.

Tomorrowland Speedway - Another Magic Kingdom oldie, the Tomorrowland Speedway lets guests drive their own scaled-down version of a racecar. Drivers must meet the height requirement, but those who don't can be passengers and ride along.

Mickey's Toontown Fair

This is where Magic Kingdom visitors can meet all their favorite Disney characters. A cheerful and colorful part of the park, the little ones will love it.

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The Barnstormer - This is a great introduction to roller coasters for the little ones. Guests fly in Goofy's out-of-control airplane that ends up crashing through a barn! It sounds wild, but it's really quite tame.

Mickey's Country House - Here's your chance to see the real mouse house. Take a self-guided tour through Mickey's sports-themed, masculine abode. In the backyard you can even see Pluto's doghouse. And at the end, visit the Judge's Tent and meet the big cheese himself.

Minnie's Country House - There's a distinctly feminine flair to this pink and lavender house, belonging to Mickey's favorite gal. Take a walk through and check out all the interactive touches in this cozy cottage.

Pixie Hollow - Pixie Hollow is the magical forest where kids can get up and close with Tinker Bell and her fairy friends. For young fans of the mischievous imp, this attraction is not to be missed.

Tips for Visiting the Magic Kingdom

• Make sure to check out at least one parade. While the daytime versions are fabulous, the nighttime light parades are spectacular and shouldn't be missed. Nor should the nightly fireworks shows over Cinderella's Castle.
• Try to visit the Magic Kingdom in the off-season: January and early February, the end of July to the beginning of October, and the week after Thanksgiving to the week before Christmas. The park will be less expensive and less crowded, but keep in mind that the park closes earlier in the off-season.
• Try to stay at one of the Disney resorts. Disney offers an "Extra Magic Hours" deal that allows resort guests to visit the park either an hour early or up to three hours late every day.
• rrive at the park at least half an hour before the scheduled opening time.
• Study a map of the park and decide on a touring plan before your visit.
• If you have young children, visit Fantasyland first, as it's one of the most popular lands, and there can be very long waits for the rides later in the day. If you don't have kids, Fantasyland and Toontown Fair may be worth visiting later at night when most kiddies have fallen asleep.
• Cinderella's Golden Carousel, Mad Tea Party and Dumbo are slow loading rides (the ride has to come to a complete stop to load and unload), therefore long waits are inevitable. Go first thing, or later at night.
• Take advantage of Disney's Fastpass system. Not all rides offer Fastpass, but the ones that do can cut waiting times significantly. When you insert your park ticket into a Fastpass kiosk, you'll get a ticket giving you a window of time to return to the ride. When you return you get to bypass the line.
• To find out the wait times for rides, check out the tip boards located at the end of Main Street near Cinderella Castle, and in Tomorrowland.
• Check the Magic Kingdom Times Guide for show times and Park hours.
• If you don't want to eat in the park, hop on the monorail and visit the Grand Floridian, Polynesian or Contemporary Resorts. You'll find a good choice of places to eat, and have a chance to relax away from the busy park.
• Main Street, USA doesn't close until half an hour after the official closing time, so hang around and enjoy the empty street & shops.
• Measure your child's height before you arrive at the Park so you know which attractions he or she is able to ride. All height requirements are listed on the Disney Web site.

See also International Drive | Disney's Animal Kingdom | Disney's Hollywood Studios | EPCOT Center | The Rest of Walt Disney World | Islands of Adventure® | Universal Studios® | SeaWorld® Orlando | Discovery Cove® Orlando | Gatorland | Kissimmee and Lake Tohopekaliga

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