This is where all the magic happens.

Magic Kingdom is my happy place. The entrance under the train station obscures the view of the park until you enter under the tunnel. Then there it is. Main Street USA. Instant Joy. The sights. The sounds. The crowds. Take time to take it all in. Then moving into the park brings the castle into view. Pictures do not do it justice. The view of the castle is majestic. Every night ends with spectacular fireworks. The theme and music change yearly. But the show happens every night. Like the best fireworks you have ever seen, every single night.

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Magic Kingdom Layout

Magic Kingdom is basically a half circle. Guests enter the park through Main Street USA. This leads to the center of the park and Cinderella’s Castle. The center is surrounded by the different lands. Each land is distinct and fully immersive. When I’m in Tomorrowland, my brain can not fathom that in a short walk I could be transported to Liberty Square. And each section of the park boasts iconic attractions. The Walt Disney World Railroad encircles the park. There are stations at Main Street USA, Fronteirland and Fantasyland. The railroad doubles as a ride and a mode of transportation. It is a relaxing and enjoyable way to go across the entire park. It is way underutilized for this purpose. Veteran Disney Dads will notice when the train is approaching with a short line and activate Dad mode to get the family across the park quickly.

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Main Street, USA

Main Street is home to many shops and restaurants. Main Street Confectionery sells sweets and baked goods. Vault Collection contains great artwork among other things. Town Square Theater hosts Mickey Mouse. There is sometimes another character as well, so make sure to check the My Disney Experience App. Walt Disney World Railroad has a station at the entrance. Main Street is the best place to watch parades. It might be the best place in the world to take pictures. There is the iconic Mickey and Walt statue. There are flowerbeds, waterways and gorgeous trees. And, of course, there is Cinderella’s Castle.

Dining

• Quick Service
  • Casey’s Corner
  • Plaza Ice Cream Parlor
• Table Service
  • Tony’s Town Square Restaurant
  • The Plaza Restaurant
  • The Crystal Palace (Dad’s Pick)

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Fronteirland

Fronteirland has only 2 rides, but they are big ones. It is located at the back left of Magic Kingdom, in relation to the entrance. It’s also a dead end and the only land with only 1 path leading in and out. You must get there from Adventureland. The rides are Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Both rides have a height restriction of 40 inches. Disney designs rides to be the most thrilling rides that can be build for little ones. And the little ones absolutely love these rides. Splash Mountain is a classic. Big Thunder Mountain feels like a top coaster. They are about as scary as a kid’s ride can be. Both rides are well worth the wait. And they are long rides. These aren’t quick hitters. The lines at both these rides vary greatly. Guests should frequently check Disney Genie for wait times. Sometimes I have been able to sneak over to Fronteirland at a down time and save 20 to 30 minutes in wait times. Fronteirland is also home to Country Bear Jamboree. It’s a fun little show with singing animatronic bears. Not much else to say about it.

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Adventureland

Adventureland is compact and packed with (ugh) adventure. It is home to fan favorite attractions and the legendary Dole Whip.

Attractions

There are 3 rides, a show and somewhat of a playground in Adventureland. Jungle Cruise takes guests on a comedic river tour. Children enjoy the ride and the scenery. Dads will be amused as the tour guide rolls of continuous clever dad jokes. Moms are usually all set with this ride. But of course they will venture along with the family regardless. Pirates of the Caribbean is another fun boat ride which inspired the hit movies, which then reinspired the ride. It is a (rum)barrel of fun. The classic tune will leave me satisfied every time. The Magic Carpets of Aladdin is honestly more fun than it looks. Appearing to be a boring kiddie ride, the ride actually provokes inexplicable joy. Combining a cool view of the park, camel water splashing and Disney Magic, Aladdin doesn’t disappoint. Full disclosure, the ride is not as lengthy as a usually Disney experience. The outdoor queue can get pretty steamy as well. The Enchanted Tiki Room is a fun little experience with music. If I can time it just right to stop in as it is about to begin I would do that. Otherwise I am skipping it. Swiss Family Treehouse is a fun little walkthrough, but again is something I regularly skip. There is just too much to do in Magic Kingdom to hit these 2 experiences.

Dining

• Quick Service
  • Tortuga Tavern
  • Aloha Isle
  • Sunshine Tree Terrace
• Table Service
  • Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen

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Liberty Square

Attractions

Liberty Square Riverboat looks amazing. There are awesome views of the park from the boat. But I must warn you, the ride moves incredibly slow. Like so slow it gets a little annoying at the end. And then the kids get annoying. This is best to avoid with little ones. Hall of Presidents seems like an avoid with kids, but they actually enjoy it. And its nice and cool. Disney Dads, as unpatriotic as it might be, can use the time to rest. The final attraction in Liberty Square is the Haunted Mansion. This isn’t even scary for little ones. It is a little rough to start, but the fear subsides once everyone is in the ride car.

Dining

• Quick Service
  • Sleepy Hollow (Dad’s Pick)
  • Columbia Harbour House
  • Liberty Square Market
• Table Service
  • The Diamond Horseshoe
  • Liberty Tree Tavern (Dad’s Pick)

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Fantasyland

Be prepared to spend a lot of time in Fantasyland. And walking through Fantasyland. Again. And Again. And Again. There are so many great things to do.

Attractions

It’s a Small World is the classic boat ride that takes guests on a voyage around the world. It might be the most unique Disney ride because it is so loved and so hated. It’s an ok ride. Everyone should experience it once, if time allows. Peter Pan’s Flight and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh are similar treks through the respective stories. Both are fun for kids and adults alike. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a fun coaster that kids only need to be 38 inches to ride. It is fun and a newer ride. Sadly, I don’t think it is worth the wait. This ride is so disappointing and is a rare miss. It is much shorter than other major attractions. It is enjoyable, but not wait the wait times surpass 45 minutes. The Barnstormer is similar in that it is a short ride, but is a fun coaster. The wait times don’t get nearly that high, but I wouldn’t wait more than 20 minutes. Under the Sea uses the same ride cars as Haunted Mansion and The Seas with Nemo and Friends. It is a leisurely trip through The Little Mermaid. Mickey’s PhilharMagic is a perennially underrated musical adventure. The wait time is usually much shorter than advertised. Even when the crowds swell, the wait is never too long. Without spoling the attraction, it is a performance in a theater filled with laughter, excitement and more than a few surprises. It is a must see.

As if that is not enough enjoyment, Fantasyland also offers several character meetings. Various Princesses visit Princess Fairytale Hall directly behind the castle. Check My Disney Experience for characters and wait time. Ariel can also be found by her Under the Sea ride in Ariel’s Grotto. In Pete’s Silly Slide Show, characters including Donald and Goofy can be found there.

Dining

• Quick Service
  • Pinocchio Village Haus
  • The Friar’s Nook
  • Storybook Treats
  • Prince Eric’s Village Market
  • Gaston’s Tavern
  • Cheshire Cafe
• Table Service
  • Cinderella’s Royal Table
  • Be Our Guest Restaurant

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Tomorrowland

Welcome to the future. Tommorrowland is themed for space travel. There are no table service options, but plenty of snacks, treats and a few quick service options. Characters including Buzz Lightyear and Stitch can be located on the stage near the Carousel of Progress at various times. A dance party or two will break out on stage.

Attractions

Tomorrowland Speedway is mostly just a generic motor car ride. The cars are on a fixed track and guests “drive” around the raceway. The queue gets very hot, and smells of exhaust. I would only recommend this ride with a short wait. Astro Orbiter is a fun one. Guests travel in a spaceship in a circle. It is elevated and it moves faster than it looks. Disney Dads prone to motion sickness should skip this one. Carousel of Progress should be a national landmark. It is a journey through time periods of the 20th century. There is almost never more than a 5 minute wait and is a must see. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is unfortunately rapidly becoming dated. I wouldn’t wait more than 30 minutes for this ride. Recruits fire their laser gun at targets for points. It is a primitive version of Toy Story Mania in Hollywood Studios. Space Mountain is an amazing rollercoaster. A 44 inch minimum height prohibits younger guests from the voyage. This may be Disney World’s best coaster. The music, the darkness and the flashing lights combine for an amazing experience. The queue is very dark as well and it is long and uphill. Be aware if you might need assistance, don’t be afraid to ask a cast member. Space Mountain is always worth the wait, even when it gets to be over an hour. Finally, Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover is a relaxing and enjoyable ride through Tomorrowland. This one earns a Dad’s Pick award. The line usually moves faster than the wait time indicates. The ride car features benches that face each other. This allows for a rare opportunity for a family to really enjoy conversation while on a ride. Monster’s Inc Laugh Floor is a comedy show. It’s probably a skip for families with kids under 4. Otherwise, it’s a fun event in the AC, no other spoilers here. The newest ride in Magic Kingdom is here in Tomorrowland. Tron Lightcycle Run is a thrill ride for bigger kids with a 48″ minimum height requirement.

Dining

• Quick Service
  • Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe (Dad’s Pick)
  • Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant
  • Cool Ship
  • The Lunching Pad
  • Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies