By Juliana Octavini
Go to Orlando and do not know Magic Kingdom Park It's like not knowing Disney. After all, he is Orlando's main amusement park and the tourists' sweetheart.
Yes, that's where Cinderella's dreamy castle and staged the best pictures of her trip! So enjoy!!!
Magic Kingdom was the first theme park built in Orlando in 1971, designed and designed by Walt Disney who failed to see his dream come true because he died even before the park opened.
Walt had an ambitious vision for Magic Kingdom and the entire Walt Disney World Resort. He wanted to create a place where families could have fun together, immersing themselves in a world of fantasy and imagination and not just a park but an entertainment destination where people could escape reality and feel transported to magical stories and exciting adventures.
And so is the whole Disney complex.
Magic Kindom is divided into six areas (also called “lands“: Main Street, Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. And each of these areas has a peculiar climate, with its own sets and music that makes the park so magical!
Main Street
Just past the park's box office, you're already facing Main Street and you can see Cinderella Castle in the background. And it is at this time that, for many, the chart falls: “Yes, I am at Disney!”. It is surreal the coldness in the belly that gives and no matter how old you are and how many times you have visited the park: it is undeniable the emotion you feel!
Main Street already shows us how charming Magic Kingdom is! It was designed by Walt Disney himself and was all based on where Walt lived throughout his childhood.
She's stuffed with shops, coffee and restaurants. And while Main Street has no attractions, it's where you can find Mickey and Minnie at Town Square Theater and also take a train ride through the park at Walt Disney World Railroad.
Tomorrowland
On the right side of the castle is Tomorrowland, a futuristic region of the park. Walt Disney had a passion for innovation and exploration of the future and he wanted this area to reflect that interest.
Thus, the Tomorrowland was conceived as a land of technological wonders with a futuristic architecture reflected in metallic buildings and a modern design.
In this area you will find the following attractions:
- Space Mountain: a roller coaster in the dark that simulates an exciting journey through outer space.
- Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin: An interactive attraction where visitors can embark on a space mission to defeat Zurg the villain, using laser guns to shoot targets and score points.
- Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMove: A train where you have a panoramic view of the entire Tomorrowland. It's one of those attractions for you to go when you're tired of walking all over the park! Rsrs
- Carousel of Progress: It is a kind of theater, which takes visitors on a journey through the 20th century, highlighting how technology has evolved over time. Another attraction that people usually look for when they want to take a break.
- Tron Lightcycle Run: this is undoubtedly the best and most competitive attraction of the park. Opened in April 2023, it is a futuristic roller coaster. Just to get an idea, it's 32 meters tall, 1,200 lights, 910 meters long, and its pullout reaches 95 km/h. It is one of the most “radical” attractions of the park and, no doubt, it is worth the visit! However, it is worth noting that Tron is super competitive and only works with a virtual queue, i.e. to get to these attractions, you will need to go to the park app, My Disney Experience, and, punctually at 7:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m., make your reservation there.
Fantasyland
Fantasyland is one of the most magical and charming areas of Magic Kingdom, designed to transport visitors to Disney's fairy tales and classic stories. Inspired by imagination and fantasy, Fantasyland is a place where dreams come true and where visitors of all ages can dive into a world of magic and adventure. But it is also one of the park's most crowded areas and where the attractions are well run!
Inside Fantasyland, you will find a variety of attractions and experiences that celebrate Disney's iconic films and characters. Some of the most popular attractions include:
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train: An exciting roller coaster that takes visitors on a journey through the Seven Dwarves' mines while reliving moments of Disney's classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.
- Peter Pan's Flight: A classic attraction where visitors embark on a magical flight over London and Neverland, recreating unforgettable scenes from the film "Peter Pan".
- “it’s a small world”: a kind of enchanted mountain that takes visitors on a musical journey around the world, celebrating cultural diversity.
- Enchanted Tales with Belle: An interactive experience where visitors have the opportunity to enter the story of "Beauty and the Beast" and participate in a theatrical presentation with Belle herself.
- Prince Charming Regal Carrousel: a traditional carousel and one of the children's favorite attractions.
- Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid: a lovely stroll down the seabed and the story of the Little Mermaid.
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train: The roller coaster of the 7 dwarfs.
In addition to these, Fantasyland also has attractions from the films Dumbo, Winnie the Pooh, Alice in Wonderland, as well as meeting with characters like Donald, Margarida, Goofy, Merida and Ariel. Therefore, the area is very requested by parents and small children, but still, it is super worth visiting every attraction!
Liberty Square
Liberty Square is an area of Magic Kingdom that celebrates the history and spirit of colonial America. Inspired at the time of the American Revolution, Liberty Square transports visitors back in time to the first days of the nation, with architecture and details that reflect the heritage and fundamental values of the United States.
Within Liberty Square, visitors will find attractions and experiences that highlight American history and culture. Some of the attractions you will find there are:
- The Haunted Mansion: An iconic attraction that takes visitors on a haunted tour of the scary mansion, where ghosts and spirits play and scare visitors with humor and special effects. Seriously, it's super worth it!
- Hall of Presidents: An audiovisual presentation that highlights the presidents of the United States throughout history, culminating in an animated ceremony that presents a representation of each president in the form of an animatronics.
- Liberty Square Riverboat: A relaxing ride aboard a steamboat that sails through the waters of the Rivers of America, offering panoramic views of Liberty Square and the adjacent areas of the park.
In addition to the attractions, Liberty Square also features a series of details and thematic elements that honor American history and values. Visitors can explore replicas of historical landmarks, such as Liberty Bell and Liberty Tree, while strolling through the cobblestone streets of the area.
Adventureland
Adventureland is an area of Magic Kingdom that transports visitors to exotic destinations and exciting adventures around the world. Inspired by the tropical jungles, deserts and mysterious islands, Adventureland invites visitors to explore unknown lands and venture into hidden treasures and encounters with legendary characters.
Some of the main attractions include:
- Pirates of the Caribbean: A classic attraction and one of the most popular in the area that takes visitors on an exciting journey through the Caribbean seas, where they find pirates, treasures and epic naval battles.
- Jungle Cruise: A boat ride guided by a charismatic captain who takes visitors on an expedition through exotic jungles, offering glimpses of wild animals, ancient ruins and lush landscapes.
- The Magic Carpets of Aladdin: An air travel attraction that allows visitors to fly on magical carpets through the fictional city of Agrabah, from the film "Aladdin", while controlling the height and inclination of their carpets.
- Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room: a theatrical piece of approximately 30 minutes where visitors are transported to a tropical land full of lots of music and animation!
Frontierland
Finally, Frontierland is an area of Magic Kingdom inspired by the Old American West, which invites visitors to dive into the era of cowboys and Native American Indians.
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: An exciting roller coaster that takes visitors on a run through the rocky mountains of the Old West, passing through dark tunnels, narrow canyons and stunning landscapes.
- Country Bear Jamboree: An animated musical show featuring a series of animatronic animals, including bears, elk and lynx, who gather for a fun and lively jam session country.
- Tom Sawyer Island: It is an almost forgotten attraction of the park and it rarely has queues. It is an island that is only accessible through a ferry that you catch on Frontierland (whose platform is close to “Big Thunder Mountain Railroad”) and brings several attractions to the young children. There, small explorers can enter caves, secret passages, pass on wooden bridges and even find a gold mine. It's kind of a playground for the little ones and you can stay as long as you want on site.
What else you need to know about Magic Kingdom
- Shops and restaurants
In all areas of the park you will find restaurants and theme shops that are super worth exploring!
- Stay tuned for schedules
When you schedule your visit to this park, keep an eye out for the schedules of the parades and the fireworks!
“Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade“It’s a stop that happens only once a day and seriously visit Disney and not see this parade will be frustrating, go for me! It begins through several areas of the park, starting with Frontierland, Liberty Square and ending on Main Street and that's where you'll be able to see all the Disney characters in super animated floats from close by!
Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire: Mickey, Minnie and her friends welcome the audience with a charming musical show on the stage at Cinderella Castle. Another unmissable attraction, especially if it's your first time at Disney!
Happily Ever After: the famous castle fireworks show, also unmissable! An hour before it happens, people usually get in front of the castle so I recommend you keep an eye on the schedule so you don't miss the show!
- Children can become princes and princesses!
Yes! Inside Cinderella Castle there is Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, a beauty salon that makes all this magic happen, making hair, makeup, nails and adding accessories that leave the children totally enchanted! But it's worth saying that he's extremely competitive so it's super worth getting here early if you want your kids to have this experience. The service is offered to children from 3 to 12 years old and prices range from US$ 19,95 to US$ 450!
- Get here early!
Remember that Magic Kingdom is one of the main parks of the Disney complex and one of the most sought after. So the lines of some attractions are usually quite large! So, if you can, get to the park early – preferably at the time of its opening – to make the most of it and especially those attractions whose queues are larger. Consider even visiting it more than two days if possible so that you can make the most of the toys as well as the parades and fireworks.
- Download the park app
Be sure to download the park app, the My Disney Experience (available for IOS and Android) that will help you a lot during your visit to the parks. There you will have all the schedules of the shows, you can see how long the queues of the attractions are, ask for food, view pictures taken by the official photographers of the park as well as those taken inside the toys, besides, of course, being located!
- Wear comfortable clothes
Seriously, come with comfortable clothes and especially tennis! Avoid wearing new clothes and shoes that might bother you and hurt you. After all, no one wants to have a frustrating experience on such a magical and long-awaited day, do they?
Be prepared to walk a lot (very much indeed!) and, depending on the time you visit the park, bring a blouse because, especially at the end of the afternoon and night, during the fireworks show, it can wind and the temperature drops.
The rest, folks, is to rest well the day before and prepare the phone to take lots of pictures! I'm sure it'll be an amazing day!
Here, below, is the map of the park so you can check all of his attractions! =)
