Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom has expanded and changed greatly in its 46 years on the planet. Disney fans love to go on and on about what’s gone and what’s coming. But for people who don’t visit very often, they want to know what is in the park right now.
So, here’s a “101” (* starred items are Pop In team member favorites).
Attractions
Adventureland
Swiss Family Treehouse (Opened Oct. 1, 1971)
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin (Opened May 23, 2001)
Jungle Cruise (Opened Oct. 1, 1971)
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room (Opened Oct. 1, 1971 as Tropical Serenade)
Pirates of the Caribbean* (Opened Dec. 15, 1973)
Frontierland
Splash Mountain* (Opened Jul. 17, 1992)
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad* (Opened Sep. 23, 1980)
Tom Sawyer Island (Opened May. 20, 1973)
Country Bear Jamboree (Opened Oct. 1, 1971)
Liberty Square
The Hall of Presidents* (Opened Oct. 1, 1971)
Liberty Belle Riverboat (Opened May 20, 1973 as the Richard F. Irvine)
Haunted Mansion* (Opened Oct. 1, 1971)
Fantasyland
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel* (Opened Oct. 1, 1971)
Mickey’s PhilharMagic* (Opened Sep. 30, 2003)
Peter Pan’s Flight* (Opened Oct. 3, 1971)
it’s a small world* (Opened Oct. 1, 1971)
Enchanted Tales with Belle* (Opened Dec. 6, 2012)
Under the Sea-Journey of the Little Mermaid (Opened Dec. 6, 2012)
The Barnstormer* (Opened Oct. 1, 1996)
Dumbo the Flying Elephant (Opened Oct. 1, 1971)
Mad Tea Party (Opened Oct. 1, 1971)
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (Opened Jun. 5, 1999)
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (Opened May 28, 2014)
Tomorrowland
Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor (Opened Apr. 2, 2007)
Stitch’s Great Escape (Opened Nov. 16, 2004)
Tomorrowland Speedway (Opened Oct. 1, 1971)
Space Mountain* (Opened Jan. 15, 1975)
Astro Orbiter (Opened Nov. 28, 1974)
PeopleMover* (Opened Jul. 1, 1975)
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress* (Opened Jan. 15, 1975)
Buzz Lighyear’s Space Ranger Spin* (Opened Oct. 7, 1998)
Food Venues
Main Street, U.S.A
Tony’s Town Square: Italian, sit-down restaurant themed to Lady and the Tramp
Main Street Bakery: Star Bucks cafe and bake shop
Plaza Ice Cream Parlor: Quick service ice cream shop
Plaza: Turn of the century, sit-down restaurant serving comfort foods
Casey’s Corner*: Quick service location serving hot dogs and fries
The Crystal Palace: Character dining-buffet
Adventureland
Sunshine Tree Terrace: Quick Snacks
Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen*: African, sit-down restaurant with Adventurer’s Club memorabilia
Aloha Isle*: Home of the famous Dole Whip
Tortuga Tavern: Quick service comfort foods
Golden Oak Outpost: Chicken Fingers
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café*: Mexican, Quick Service
Westward Ho: Quick Snacks
Liberty Square
The Diamond Horseshoe: A western saloon restaurant serving comfort foods
Liberty Tree Tavern*: A colonial themed, sit-down restaurant serving American holiday fare
Sleepy Hollow*: A wildly popular quick service location serving meals and snacks
Liberty Square Market: Quick snacks
Columbia Harbour House*: A colonial themed, quick service restaurant serving New England fare
Fantasyland
Cinderella’s Royal Table*: A castle themed, character dining, sit-down restaurant serving high end entrees.
Pinocchio Village Haus: A quick service restaurant serving Italian fare and themed to Pinocchio
Be Our Guest: A castle themed, sit down restaurant themed to Beauty and the Beast
Gaston’s Tavern*: A quick service snack location with seating
Prince Eric’s Village Market: Quick snacks
Cheshire Café: Quick service cafe and pastry location
Storybook Treats: Quick service desserts
The Friar’s Nook: Quick service meals
Big Top Souvenirs*: Quick service treats
Tomorrowland
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café: Quick service restaurant serving burgers, hot dogs, chicken, etc.
Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies: Quick service desserts
Cool Ship: Quick service hot dogs, churros and drinks
The Lunching Pad: Quick service snacks and hot dogs
Tomorrowland Terrace: Quick service restaurant serving burgers, salads and sandwiches
Shopping
Adventureland
Agrabah Bazaar
Island Supply by Sunglass Hut
La Princesa de Cristal
The Pirates League
Plaza del Sol Caribe Bazaar
Zanzibar Trading Co.
Fantasyland
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
Big Top Souvenirs
Bonjour! Village Gifts
Casey Jr. Railroad Mercantile
Castle Couture
Fantasy Faire
Hundred Acre Goods
Sir Mickey’s
Frontierland
Big Al’s
Briar Patch
Frontier Trading Post
Prairie Outpost & Supply
Splashdown Photos
Liberty Square
Liberty Square Parasol Cart
Liberty Square Portrait Gallery
Memento Mori*
Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe*
Main Street, U.S.A.
Box Office Gifts
Crystal Arts*
Curtain Call Collectibles
Disney Clothiers
Emporium*
Main Street Confectionery
Newsstand
Uptown Jewelers
Tomorrowland
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin Photos
Merchant of Venus
Mickey’s Star Traders
Tomorrowland Light & Power Co.*
Ursa’s Major Minor Mart
Characters
Town Square Theater* (Main Street, U.S.A.)
The Crystal Palace* (buffet with characters, Main Street, U.S.A.)
Enchanted Tales with Belle* (Fantasyland)
Ariel’s Grotto (Fantasyland)
Pete’s Silly Sideshow (Fantasyland)
Fairytale Garden (Fantasyland)
Princess Fairytale Hall (Fantasyland)
Cinderella’s Royal Table* (character dining, Fantasyland)
Times To Know
Grab a map and a “Times Guide” when you enter the park. You’ll want to know what time the parades and Happily Ever After fireworks* will be happening during your visit. Of the two parades, the Festival of Fantasy Parade* is the best. (Even if you don’t want to see a parade or the fireworks, knowing the times is useful because you can take advantage of shorter wait times for attractions while everyone else is watching these events.)
Transportation
You can only get to the Magic Kingdom by bus, ferry, Monorail or walking from the Contemporary Resort. The Monorail* is the most magical. Inside the park, the Walt Disney World Railroad* can transport you easily around, with stops on Main Street, U.S.A., Frontierland, and Fantasyland. At times, Main Street Vehicles also offer one-way rides down Main Street, U.S.A. The vehicles include a horse-drawn street car, jitney, fire engine and omnibus.
Interactive Games
Keep the kiddos entertained throughout the day with Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom* (Main Street, U.S.A.) and a Pirate’s Adventure ( Adventureland).
Dress Up
These stops will cost you (a lot), but if your child wants to transform into a pirate, a princess or a knight, visit The Pirates League-Disney (Adventureland) or the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (Fantasyland).
Other Stuff You May Encounter
- The “Partners” statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse in front of Cinderella’s Castle and the “Sharing the Magic” statue of Roy Disney and Minnie Mouse in Town Square are touching tributes to the Magic Kingdom’s founding fathers.
- Cinderella’s Wishing Well is located between the castle and Fairytale Garden. Thousands of coins are thrown into the fountain each day. Once a large sum accumulates, Disney donates it to a central Florida charity.
- The Frontierland Shootin’ Gallery has been around for a loooong time. It’ll cost you about 50 cents for 25 shots.
- The Purple Wall in Tomorrowland is newly painted. It’s a fan favorite for selfies.
Hope this helps in planning your next trip.
