Attractions - Magic Kingdom
Updated: Jul 23
Learn about the different attractions that the Magic Kingdom has to offer. This will help you be better informed when selecting which rides and shows will be most exciting to you and your family. Make sure to check out closing and refurbishment list here before you go.
Main Street U.S.A.
Walt Disney World Railroad
The Walt Disney World Railroad exists to pay homage to Walt Disney more than anything else. In addition to his many other interests, Walt loved trains. He even had a rideable miniature train in his backyard. This is a great way to sit for a while while taking in the sites of the Magic Kingdom. There are three places to get on/off the train: at the main railroad station at the front of Main Street, USA, over in Frontierland near Big Thunder Mountain, and in the Storybook Circus area of Fantasyland. Note: while there are multiple stops for the train we don’t recommend this as a method of travel around the park.
Adventureland
Swiss Family Treehouse
If you are looking for a place to escape some of the crowds and get some fun views, Swiss Family Treehouse is worth checking out. It’s a walk through attraction where you will climb, by way of many stairs, up into the tree and then back down. If you have mobility issues, it is probably best to skip this one.
Jungle Cruise
Before there was Animal Kingdom, there was the Jungle Cruise. Walt Disney loved animals and wanted to bring them to his park. Unfortunately, providing a safe way for guests and animals to coexist in a park had not yet been invented, so animatronic versions were innovated for this classic ride. Hop aboard a boat with your skipper who will keep things punny and light while you tour the major rivers of the world. This is a popular attraction so be prepared to try to ride it early in the day, toward park closing, or with a Lightning Lane Multi Pass reservation. Otherwise you may find yourself waiting in a hour long line.
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
For families with small children who love Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Disney has introduced a couple other similar attractions with different theming. The Magic Carpets of Aladdin is one of these. Instead of Dumbo you will get to hop on a magic carpet and fly above Adventureland.
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room is another fun example of the use of early animatronics as animals. Here you will be treated to a “live” show of birds and flowers, singing and dancing along to the "Tiki tiki tiki tiki room." It is an earworm, you will need to accept that going in. This roughly 17 minute show is a good place to escape the crowds and the heat if needed, but the seats don’t have backs so it’s not as restful as some of the other shows around the park.
Pirates of the Caribbean
"Yo Ho Yo Ho a pirate's life for me!" Fun fact, the Pirates of the Caribbean ride predates the movie franchise by quite a bit, and was in fact the inspiration for the movies. The ride has since been updated to more fully reflect the movie with the inclusion of Captains Jack Sparrow and Barbosa, but the core essence of the ride has held true throughout the years. This is a popular classic ride that can get long waits during crowded times and/or in the middle of the day, but if you aim to ride it early in the morning or late in the evening, you will likely have little to no wait. Also, the beginning of the ride is a bit dark and ominous, plus there is a little drop, be prepared to get a little wet. These can make the beginning of the ride a little scary for small kids even though there is no height requirement.
Frontierland
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad touts itself as "the wildest ride in the wilderness!" While it is a roller coaster with a height requirement, and it is on the rough side throwing passengers about, it is one of the easier coasters on property and least scary. Rarely do people get motion sick from this ride, though if you are very sensitive it is possible. If you are hesitant about roller coasters, or have a kid who meets the height requirements but is a novice at roller coasters, we think this is great beginning coaster experience.
Tiana's Bayou Adventure- ***new This newly reimagined log flume ride explores the next chapter of The Princess and the Frog. Join Tiana, Eudor, Louis and Naveen as they search through the bayou for musicians to entertain at Tiana’s celebration. The ride culminates in a 50 foot drop and a grade finale which includes an original musical number “Special Spice” written just for the ride. Little ones must be a least 40 inches tall to ride. ***Warning - you will get wet, especially in the front of the log! Tiana's Bayou Adventure is currently only available with a virtual queue, considerably easier said than done, or with the purchase of Lightning Lane Multi Pass.
Tom Sawyer Island
For families with squirrelly kids who need a place away from the crowds to let them run about, Tom Sawyer Island was made for you. A quick raft ride, which you will pick up near Thunder Mountain, across the Rivers of America, the waterway next to Liberty Square and Frontierland, and you will find yourself on Tom Sawyer Island. This is actually a fairly large area with lots of winding paths and bridges that eventually lead to a full size fort where kids, and adults if you were so inclined, can explore and play. Tom Sawyer Island is not a popular location, so it’s very rarely crowded. In fact, there is a good chance if you head that way, you will feel like you are alone on the island. Tom Sawyer Island will be closing soon to make way for a reimagined Cars Land featuring two new brand attractions.
Country Bear Jamboree
If you are walking from Liberty Square toward Thunder Mountain you might notice Country Bear Jamboree situated off to the side between some shops and dining options. This is a cute 11 minute show featuring some animatronic bears who sing classic Disney songs and tell corny jokes. The wait time for this is generally only for the previous show to finish, so it’s a good option to sneak in an extra attraction with virtually no wait and will get out of the crowds and heat for a few minutes.
Liberty Square
The Hall of Presidents
Over in Liberty Square you will find The Hall of Presidents.The 25 minute show will take you from the founding of our country and highlight some of the most famous presidents our nation has had. It’s a moving show with some fun animatronics, and as a nice bonus it’s air conditioned and has comfy theater seats.
Liberty Square Riverboat
Another great way to escape the crowds for a bit is to hop in the Liberty Square Riverboat. This is an old fashioned steam-powered sternwheeler boat that takes guests on a tour around the River of America. On board you will get some excellent views of Tom Sawyer Island, Thunder Mountain, and the Haunted Mansion along with some other fun goodies. If you are looking to take part in this voyage, you will likely only have to wait for the boat to return from its current outing.
Haunted Mansion
"Grim grinning ghosts come out to socialize" over at the Haunted Mansion, situated at the top of Liberty Square just before getting to Fantasyland. This dark ride is a perfect combination of scary and funny, offering frights and chills with a dash of whimsy and a catchy song. The Haunted Mansion is a fan favorite but can be too intense for little kids, so bear that in mind when planning a visit. We recommend either trying to ride this ride in the early morning or late evening to avoid the lengthy line that accumulates in the middle of the day. Also, if you ride via the Standby Line, the queue holds a murder mystery to solve. Check out the graveyard busts you’ll pass after entering the actual gates, and then enjoy some interactive fun around the mausoleum
Fantasyland
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel.
There is nothing more perfect for a first time to the parks than riding the Prince Charming Regal Carrousel. Whether the first timer is 2 or 50, there is something magical about taking a spin on one of these regal horses, gliding by Fantasyland on one side and the story of Cinderella on the other. Plus, fun fact, the horses on the carousel are over 100 years old. They were originally carved for “The Liberty Carousel” at Belle Isle Park in Detroit, Michigan. In 1967 they were purchased by the Walt Disney Company, were refurbished and in put in place for Magic Kingdom's opening day. Keep an eye out for Cinderella’s very own horse, you will know it by the gold ribbon in its tail. Note: there is only one rider per horse, but adults are allowed to stand next to a child who is riding.
Peter Pan’s Flight.
Climb aboard your very own flying ship to journey through the story of Peter Pan on Peter Pan’s Flight. This is a hugely popular attraction for families of all ages. Possibly because it elicits an intangible feeling from childhood, when fairies could be real and an adventure was around every corner and we never wanted to grow up. Regardless of why, Peter Pan’s Flight is one of the most popular attractions at the Magic Kingdom. So if it is important to you we recommend tackling it early in the morning or with a Lighting Lane Multi Pass reservation.
Mickey’s PhilharMagic
Often overlooked, Mickey’s PhilharMagic is a fun 3D show featuring everyone’s favorite trouble making duck. In the bustle to get from one main attraction to another in Fantasyland, Mickey’s PhilharMagic is often missed, but it’s really a great little show with lots of Disney music and humor sprinkled throughout. Like many of the shows around Magic Kingdom, your wait time will likely only be the time it takes for the previous show to finish making it a great attraction to do in the middle of the day or while waiting for a Lighting Lane Multi Pass reservation. Plus, as an added bonus the theater has comfortable theater style seats and air conditioning so it’s a great way to relax and cool off in the middle of a hot Disney day.
“it’s a small world”
Dancing dolls, a voyage around the world, and the most earwormy song ever created, what’s not to love? “it’s a small world” is a historic Walt Disney ride positioned right across the way from Peter Pan’s Flight. It consequently gets a lot of traffic as people heading toward Peter Pan are deterred by the wait and veer to “it’s a small world” instead. This is a lengthy ride, taking roughly 10 minutes to journey past over 300 dolls and through all 7 continents, so it makes a great place to kick back and relax once you get to the front of the queue.
Enchanted Tales with Belle
If you have a princess lover with you, especially if their favorite is Belle, Enchanted Tales
with Belle is not to be missed. This attraction offers a unique experience where the audience, especially children but adults too, get to play act the tale of Beauty and the Beast with Belle. It is super fun for everyone who gets to be part of the story, and super cute for the audience as well. As a bonus you will get to grab some photos with Belle at the end.
Under the Sea~Journey of the Little Mermaid.
Get ready to sing along to all the fantastic songs featured in the Little Mermaid on Under the Sea~Journey of the Little Mermaid. Here you will hop into a clam shell and follow along with Ariel as she falls in love, becomes human, and then defeats the evil sea witch along with Prince Eric, Scuttle, Flounder and Sebastian. It is a super cute ride tucked in the back of Fantasyland. Consequently, it often has a shorter wait than the other rides in that area.
The Barnstormer
Take a hilariously perilous flight with Goofy over in Storybook Circus on The Barnstormer. This kiddie coaster is great fun for young kids who are too short to ride some of the more intense roller coasters around the park.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Take a ride up in the air with Dumbo on Dumbo the Flying Elephant. This is a great attraction to go on with small kids, it's super gentle and great fun for them to control how high in the air they go throughout the ride. Hugely popular, Dumbo the Flying Elephant got relocated and duplicated back in 2012. Originally it sat in the middle of Fantasyland, but now you will find it aptly placed in Storybook Circus. There is also a play area that is open for kids to play in while each party waits to ride.
Mad Tea Party
We’re all mad over at the Mad Tea Party attraction, where you will get into your very own teacup and whirl around the teapot to some fun festive music. Unless the park is super crowded, The wait for this attraction isn’t usually too bad. It is a great ride to enjoy while waiting for a Lightning Lane Multi Pass reservation. The intensity of your tea cup is up to you. During the ride each teacup gently circles around, but by turning the wheel in the center of your cup, you can create a wild and dizzying ride.
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Hop aboard a honey pot and journey with Winnie the Pooh through "Windsday," protecting your honey from heffalumps and woozles while trying not to be washed away in the rain. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh is an adorable ride that is a must for any Winnie the Pooh fan. Wait time is generally low for the first and last parts of the day. However, since it is located at the front of Fantasyland across from Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, it can end up with a long-ish queue in the middle parts of the day.
Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train
Heigh-ho, heigh ho, it’s off to Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train we go. Aboard a mine train you will take a fun swing through the forest, slowly check out the mines where the seven dwarfs are mining away, join them on their way home, and then swing back through the forest before ending at the dwarf’s cottage for a silly song. This is technically a roller coaster, but we think it is one of the gentlest roller coasters in the parks. One of the defining characteristics of this roller coaster is that the cars actually swing as you ride, causing your car to tilt and sway and you go around corners and over hills. Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train is one of the most popular rides in the Magic Kingdom. Even though it has been open for nearly ten years, wait times often exceeding 100 minutes. If it is important for you and your family to ride, we recommend getting an Lightining Lane Single Pass (LLSP) or be prepared to wait. Many families rope drop this ride, heading here first thing, so the wait time goes up very quickly and stays high until the end of the day. Sometimes it’s possible to slip in line right before park closing and have only a short wait, but occasionally they stop letting people into the line before park closing, so we do not recommend this strategy if the ride is a super important "must-do" for you.
Tomorrowland
Tomorrowland Speedway
For every kid obsessed with driving, but too young to do so, Disney has the Tomorrowland Speedway. Here guests can drive their cars on a rail around a 2000-foot track at death defying speeds of up to 7 miles per hour. There are height requirements; younger kids will need to be accompanied by an adult, but kids 54 inches and taller can put the pedal to the metal all by themselves.
TRON Lightcycle / Run
This is a high intensity roller coaster where guests will join the Grid and zoom around twists and turns on their very own lightcycle. Starting September 9, 2024, TRON Lightcycle / Run will be transitioning from a virtual queue to either a standby line or a Lightning Lane Single Pass (LLSP). Lockers are also being used for the first time at Disney with this attraction. You will find these lockers in the queue, as opposed to outside the queue like at other parks, and you are required to put anything larger than a wallet or phone in them. The locker pairs with your park ticket, either via your magic band, ticketed media (i.e. Apple Watch) or key card and are free to use. Once you finish having the time of your life aboard your lightcycle, you just return to the locker area to retrieve your items, quick and simple
Space Mountain
Get ready to blast off on Space Mountain, Walt Disney World’s first roller coaster. This attraction introduced thrill rides to what was viewed at the time as a kiddie park. Space Mountain is set almost completely in the dark, meaning you have no warning to brace yourself as you experience sharp turns and dips. This can make a roller coaster that only reaches 27 mph more intense and fun, but can also be problematic for people who might experience body aches. Space Mountain often has a long wait, though we expect that will be alleviated some when TRON introduces a standby queue. Right now we recommend either tackling Space Mountain first thing in the morning, or with a Lightning Lane Multi Pass reservation.
Astro Orbiter
Iconic to Tomorrowland is the Astro Orbiter ride. Centrally located in Tomorrowland, this is a Dumbo-like attraction but set even higher in the sky. If you or your kids love Dumbo this is a great attraction to add to your must-do list. The space theming is super fun, you get your own rocket to zoom around on, and there are some fabulous views of the Magic Kingdom. On crowded park days the wait for Astro Orbiter can get long, but often you’ll only be waiting a short time, 20-30 minutes on average, for this ride.
Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover.
Paging Mr. Morrow, Mr. Tom Morrow over at the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover. This attraction is a huge Disney Geek fan favorite, providing a futuristic tour around Tomorrowland with some fun views and corny jokes along the way. This is a great ride to kick back and relax on that often has little or no wait even when the park is crowded.
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress.
"It’s a great big beautiful tomorrow over" at Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress. This 21 minute show takes you through some of the early decades of progress, jumping from living without electricity at the start of the 20th century, to having electricity in the house by the 1920s, to the 1940s and how the progress of technology has created a more fast paced way of life, and then ending with a rather jarring jump to modern day and all the ways technology continues to influence and change our lives. It's a fun show with a catchy song during each transition. As a bonus, it rarely has much of a wait, as it’s a show in the round more guests can join with each turn of the theater, and the seats are theater style, padded and with a back, so it’s a great place to kick back and relax away from the heat and the crowds for a bit.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Try your hand at taking on Zurg over at Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin where recruits are tasked with foiling Zurg’s evil plan by taking out targets with your space laser. At the end you will receive a ranking based on how well you did. This attraction is fun for all ages, and, consequently, can be a lengthy wait at times. It's a great ride to fit in if the line happens to be low, but not worth waiting an extended time for. If you are a big Buzz fan, go here first thing after park opening, it will likely be walk on at that time.
Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
Got a good joke in mind, or just enjoy some corny humor, head over to Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor. The monsters in the show, which are on a screen, rather than animatronic, will wow you with how they interact with the audience in real time. It’s a cute show with the wait generally only equally the length of the previous show. If you have littles, or just need a break from standing in long lines, it is a good way to spend 11 minutes. Though fair warning, the seats are not as comfortable as some others and do not have a back.
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