Magic Kingdom is the heart of Walt Disney World. No Disney World vacation is complete without seeing Cinderella Castle, riding the Haunted Mansion, and smelling the sweet aroma of The Main Street Confectionery! The park first opened over fifty years ago, on October 1, 1971. Since then, Magic Kingdom has continued to grow, consistently ranking as the most visited theme park in the world.
As we walk through all Magic Kingdom attractions, restaurants, entertainment, and gift shops together, you can determine which experiences should be on your must-do list! Below, you can find an overview of everything you can find in Magic Kingdom.
Explore Magic Kingdom
- Magic Kingdom Lands
- Magic Kingdom Dining
- Magic Kingdom Shopping
- Magic Kingdom Entertainment
- Magic Kingdom Transportation
Magic Kingdom Lands
Adventureland
Adventureland is home to…well, adventure! Here you’ll find iconic Disney attractions such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Jungle Cruise. In Adventureland, you can explore faraway lands with interesting characters, or simply grab a delicious DOLE Whip treat! Learn more about Adventureland.
Fantasyland
Fantasyland, home to Disney World’s premier icon, Cinderella Castle, is the go-to spot for family-friendly attractions. If your little ones love Disney Princesses and classic Disney films or simply aren’t (yet) a fan of thrills (aside from Seven Dwarfs Mine Train), Fantasyland should be at the top of your family’s must-do list. Learn more about Fantasyland.
Frontierland
Frontierland is where you’ll find the wildest ride in the wilderness, as well as the opportunity to take an adventure with Princess Tiana! Home to thrill rides, as well as an immersive experience on Tom Sawyer’s Island, Frontierland is a popular part of the park for all ages. Learn more about Frontierland.
Liberty Square
Hear ye, hear ye! Liberty Square is a one-of-a-kind land—literally! Of all Disney Parks around the world, the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World is the only one to have a “Liberty Square.” And with its colonial theming, teaching of American history, and a fan-favorite attraction, it’s a must-do for the whole family. Learn more about Liberty Square.
Main Street, U.S.A.
As you “walk right down the middle of Main Street, U.S.A.,” it feels like you’ve stepped into Marceline, Missouri, Walt Disney’s hometown, from the early 20th century. Main Street, U.S.A., is the best place to watch parades (or cavalcades), Happily Ever After, and appreciate Cinderella Castle’s beauty. Be sure to look up at the windows above each of the storefronts on Main Street, U.S.A. On the windows, you can find unique tributes to many Imagineers and key contributors to Walt Disney World. Learn more about Main Street, U.S.A.
Tomorrowland
When speaking about Tomorrowland at Disneyland, Walt Disney once said, “The Tomorrowland attractions have been designed to give you an opportunity to participate in adventures that are a living blueprint of our future.” Here at Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom, that vision still holds true today. The land is home to thrilling attractions like Space Mountain and TRON Lightcycle / Run, as well as family-friendly attractions like Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. Learn more about Tomorrowland.
Magic Kingdom Dining
Magic Kingdom offers a variety of dining options with all kinds of different tastes and dining preferences, ranging from quick-service snacks to upscale sit-down meals. You can choose from:
- Quick-service restaurants, which offer speedy, time-saving meals you can order and carry to a table of your choosing (or enjoy on the go)
- Table service restaurants, which offer a more traditional dining experience, with servers; these typically require an advance dining reservation
- Snack carts and stands located throughout the park, including popcorn and churro carts
Magic Kingdom Quick-Service Restaurants
For guests looking to grab a quick bite, Magic Kingdom provides tons of quick-service restaurants. These are convenient and generally budget-friendly options that offer a variety of foods such as American classics, healthy salads, pizzas, and sandwiches. Just a few notable quick-service locations include:
- Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe: In Frontierland, known for its Tex-Mex offerings.
- Columbia Harbour House: In Liberty Square, offering seafood, sandwiches, and salads.
- Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café: In Tomorrowland, a popular spot for burgers and sandwiches, featuring entertainment by Sonny Eclipse, an animatronic alien.
Check out each of our land pages for more information on each of the restaurants offered.
Magic Kingdom Table Service Restaurants
Those looking for a sit-down meal with table service will find several great options within Magic Kingdom, including these:
- Cinderella’s Royal Table: Located inside Cinderella Castle, this restaurant offers a fairy-tale dining experience with character visits from Disney princesses.
- Be Our Guest Restaurant: Set in Beast’s Castle from Beauty and the Beast, this unique venue serves French-inspired cuisine.
- The Crystal Palace: A Victorian-style greenhouse restaurant where guests can enjoy a buffet meal alongside Winnie the Pooh and friends.
Check out each of our land pages for more information on each of the restaurants offered.
Magic Kingdom Snack Spots, Carts, and More
Magic Kingdom is also famous for its wide range of snacks and treats, which are perfect for guests who need a quick energy boost without a full meal. Iconic snack options include:
- Dole Whip at Aloha Isle in Adventureland, a fan-favorite pineapple-flavored soft-serve dessert.
- Mickey Pretzels and Mickey Ice Cream Bars are available at various snack carts throughout the park.
- Cheeseburger Spring Rolls at the Spring Roll Cart in Adventureland are a fan-favorite
Check out each of our land pages for more information on each of the restaurants offered.
Magic Kingdom Shopping
Magic Kingdom offers plenty of shopping experiences, from specialty merchandise to theme park essentials such as Minnie Ears, t-shirts, and other souvenirs. As guests wander through the park, they can expect to encounter numerous shops tailored to the themes of each land. There area. few different types of shops to look out for:
- General Merchandise: Many shops carry a wide selection of Disney-themed clothing, accessories, toys, and collectibles. The Emporium on Main Street, U.S.A., for example, is the largest merchandise store in the park, offering everything from apparel to home decor, making it a one-stop shop for Disney fans.
- Specialty Items: For those looking for something unique, there are specialty shops such as Memento Mori near the Haunted Mansion, where guests can buy ghostly gifts and all things related to the attraction. Similarly, the Main Street Confectionery offers handmade sweets and treats, perfect for those looking to satisfy a sweet tooth with a bit of Disney magic.
Magic Kingdom Entertainment
The park offers an array of entertainment options that are as diverse and dynamic as its rides and attractions. From daytime parades to nighttime spectaculars, and from interactive shows to character meet-and-greets, the park provides endless fun and entertainment to guests of all ages.
Magic Kingdom Parades
Magic Kingdom’s parades are a signature attraction and involve elaborate floats, costumes, and live performances that are designed to entertain and amaze. Each parade is carefully themed to incorporate favorite Disney characters and stories in a lively and engaging way.
- Festival of Fantasy Parade: This vibrant parade occurs in the afternoon and features floats from a variety of Disney films such as Tangled, Peter Pan, and Sleeping Beauty, complete with a fire-breathing dragon Maleficent.
- Seasonal Parades: During the holiday or Halloween seasons, you may see specialty parades during the daytime or special events. For example, Mickey’s Boo to You Halloween Parade happens during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. And Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade happens during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, or on select daytime dates around the holidays.
Magic Kingdom Shows and Spectaculars
Throughout the year, you’ll be able to witness fantastic nighttime spectaculars with projections, fireworks, and music surrounding Cinderella Castle. Here’s what you may find during the year:
- Happily Ever After: The regular nighttime spectacular that takes place daily at Magic Kingdom. Features projections on the Castle and down Main Street, U.S.A., with a soundtrack of Disney hits.
- Seasonal Nighttime Spectaculars: For events like the 4th of July, New Year’s Eve, and during after-hours events, there will often be unique shows at night.
Magic Kingdom Characters
Character interactions are a cornerstone of the Magic Kingdom experience. Guests have numerous opportunities to meet their favorite Disney characters throughout the park, which can be a highlight of their visit.
You’ll find that you can meet characters one-on-one via experiences like:
- Character dining
- Character encounters throughout the park
- Designated character meet and greet locations
Photo by Marisa Alvarado
Here’s more of what you can expect:
- Character Meet-and-Greets: Locations throughout the park, like Princess Fairytale Hall in Fantasyland, offer dedicated spots for meeting characters such as Cinderella and Elena of Avalor. Typically a photographer will be on hand to take pictures of your experience. Character meet-and-greets include:
- Captain Jack Sparrow: Located across from Pirates of the Caribbean
- Aladdin and Jasmine: Located near The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
- Princess Fairytale Hall: An indoor character meeting where you’ll have the chance to interact with Disney Princesses such as Rapunzel, Tiana, Cinderella, and more.
- Fairytale Garden: An outdoor character meeting spot to see Mirabel Madrigal from Encanto.
- The Thotful Spot: Meet Winnie the Pooh and Tigger.
- Ariel’s Grotto: Character greeting to meet Ariel from The Little Mermaid.
- Pete’s Silly Sideshow: Indoor character greeting where you can meet characters like Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and Daisy.
- Big Al, Liver Lips McGrowl, Shaker, Wendell: The Country Bears are occasionally able to meet in the area in front of Country Bear Musical Jamboree.
- Mulan: Meet Mulan occasionally at the gazebo outside Town Square Theater.
- Town Square Theater: Meet Mickey Mouse at this popular meet-and-greet spot on Main Street, U.S.A.
- Character Dining: You also have the opportunity to meet characters through character dining experiences. These include:
- Crystal Palace: Dine with Winnie the Pooh and friends at an all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
- Cinderella’s Royal Table: Dine with Disney princesses inside Cinderella Castle for a royal pre-fixe meal.
- Random Encounters: Besides scheduled meet-and-greets, characters also appear randomly throughout the park, providing delightful surprises for guests as they explore different areas. Here are just a few you may encounter:
Magic Kingdom Transportation
There is a variety of transportation options designed to get guests between the park and other locations within the resort. Whether by bus, monorail, boat or on foot, each mode of transport offers a convenient and enjoyable way to get to Magic Kigndom.
Bus
The bus is one of the most frequently used ways of getting to Magic Kingdom, as it connects guests of all non-monorail resorts to the park. The buses are frequent, usually arriving every 20 minutes, and are designed to accommodate a large number of guests, including those with disabilities, making it a reliable and accessible option for park-goers.
Monorail
The Monorail is a signature Disney transportation mode that offers a scenic ride to and from Magic Kingdom. It connects the park with several resorts and the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC, a.k.a. the Magic Kingdom parking lot), providing not only a practical transport solution but also a unique aerial view of the resort that many guests cherish.
Boat
Boat Services add a nautical twist to park transportation. There are ferryboats operating across the Seven Seas Lagoon, connecting Magic Kingdom with the Transportation and Ticket Center, and smaller boats that link the park with select Disney resorts like Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.
Walking
Walking Paths are available for those who prefer to move between locations on foot. There is a well-maintained walkway connecting Magic Kingdom to the Contemporary Resort and a newer walking path that allows guests to travel on foot between the park and the Grand Floridian and Polynesian Villages (just prepare for a longer walk!).
