The Simple Guide to Disney Planning

The Magic Kingdom2019-08-07T12:42:18-04:00

Guide Shortcuts

“Here you leave today- and visit the worlds of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy.”  –Walt Disney

The Magic Kingdom is the heart of Disney World, literally embodying the stuff dreams are made of, and home to princesses, pirates, and lots and lots of pixie dust.

The Magic Kingdom is divided into five lands arrayed around Cinderella’s castle, its majestic towers visible from nearly every angle in the park. You begin at Main Street, lined with shops, restaurants, and Disney photographers waiting to take that iconic photo of you in front of Cinderella’s castle. If you visited as a kid, a wave of nostalgia may very well wash over you with your first step onto Main Street.

Don’t Miss:

 Happily Ever After Fireworks at park close

 Disney’s Festival of Fantasy Parade

 Move it, Shake it, Dance & Play it! Street Party

Download Park Map

Main Street

Enter the Magic Kingdom by strolling down Walt’s recreation of a small town main street, at the turn of the century, inspired by Walt’s mythologized childhood home in Marceline, Missouri.
Who You’ll See
  • Meet Mickey Mouse at Town Square Theater
  • And Tinker Bell too!
  • The Dapper Dans barbershop quartet
  • Main Street Trolley Show dancers
What You’ll Do
  • Reserve a curbs-side seat, 30 minutes or more, to watch Disney’s Festival of Fantasy Parade
  • Escape the heat by strolling through the interconnected, heavily air-conditioned shops on Main Street, U.S.A. — and resist the urge to buy all things Disney.
  • Sign up at the Fire Station to apprentice for Merlin in the Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom interactive, card-trading game that leads you on a digital scavenger hunt through the park.
Treats You’ll Eat
  • Starbucks and a breakfast sandwich at the Main Street Bakery
  • Bottomless ice cream shakes parlor treats at the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor
  • Chili-Cheese All-Beef Foot Long Hot Dog and loaded french fries at Casey’s Corner

Liberty Square

This Americana land of yesteryear serves as a main pathway between Cinderella’s castle and Frontierland, is where you board the Liberty Square Riverboat and has sporadic seating opportunities for viewing parades.
Who You’ll See
  • A live Muppets street show (performed by in-house puppeteers) humorously recounting Great Moments in American History from a very muppety point of view.
  • Meet Tiana and Naveen from The Princess and the Frog at the Liberty Square Bridge.
What You’ll Do
  • Cool down in the Hall of American Presidents, which isn’t a bad place for the little ones (and their parents) to catch a quick nap.
  • Ride a “Doom Buggy” through the Haunted Mansion on a charmingly morbid tour that features enduring special effects and the delightfully spooky soundtrack.
Treats You’ll Eat
  • Sweet and spicy chicken waffle sandwich or a Mickey waffle with strawberries and whipped cream at Sleepy Hollow
  • Lobster roll or fried shrimp platters at Columbia Harbour House
  • Giant smoked turkey leg and whole, fresh fruit at the Liberty Square Market

Adventureland

Adventureland is a lush oasis where intrepid explorers will discover classic Disney rides like the Pirates of the Caribbean, the Jungle Cruise, and Swiss Family Treehouse.
Who You’ll See
  • The legendary Captain Jack Sparrow
  • Aladdin and Princess Jasmine
What You’ll Do
  • Experience one of Disneyland’s original attractions, Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, where the room comes to life as you’re serenaded by a flock of animatronic birds.
  • Join the Pirates League, where you’ll be transformed into a swashbuckling buccaneer, and go where dead men tell no tales on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.
  • Venture deep into faraway lands while trying not to laugh at some of the corniest jokes ever told, on the Jungle Cruise, followed by lunch at the ride-inspired Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen.
Treats You’ll Eat
  • The fabled Pineapple Dole Whip or Dole Whip float at Aloha Isle.
  • The super refreshing Citrus Swirl, a blend of frozen orange juice slushy and vanilla soft-serve ice cream at the Sunshine Tree Terrace.
  • Hot Dog topped with Chipotle Barbecue Short Rib and Citrus Slaw and a fruit punch slushy at Tortuga Tavern.

Frontierland

Evoking the rustic experience of the gold rush, pioneers and the wild west, this land snakes around the Rivers of America waterway and is home to Splash Mountain, Thunder Mountain Railroad, the Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade, and the Country Bear Jamboree. Most parade routes begin here.
Who You’ll See
  • Meet Chip and Dale
  • Country bears from The Country Bear Jamboree, a classic that endures, despite having the phrase “blood in the sand” featured repeatedly in the lyrics.
What You’ll Do
  • Get soaked on Splash Mountain
  • Ride a runaway train on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
  • Take a motorized log raft to Tom Sawyer Island and explore mined caves, a fort, suspension bridges and more, inspired by Mark Twain’s classic novel.
Treats You’ll Eat
  • Frozen lemonade slushy or cold brew coffee at Westward Ho.
  • Tacos 3 Ways or Veggie Nachos at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe
  • Chili queso fries, jalapenos poppers and a Desert Pear Lemonade Slushy at the Golden Oak Outpost

Fantasyland

Home to the classics such as Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Peter Pan, and the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, the significant expansion of “New Fantasyland,” in 2014, terraformed the back of the park and created views of Belle, Ariel, and Rapunzel’s castles on the “horizon” while adding more soon-to-be classics, including the petite coaster, the 7 Dwarfs Mine Train, an interactive Enchanted Tales with Belle, and Under the Sea–Journey of the Little Mermaid.
“Here is the world of imagination, hopes, and dreams. In this timeless land of enchantment, the age of chivalry, magic and make-believe are reborn – and fairy tales come true. Fantasyland is dedicated to the young-in-heart, to those who that when you wish upon a star, your dreams come true.” –Walt Disney at the Fantasyland dedication ceremony in Disneyland Park, July 17, 1955
Who You’ll See
  • Cinderella and her fairy godmother
  • Disney Princesses, including Ariel, Merida, Tiana, Rapunzel, Elena of Avalor
  • The brawny and braggadocios Gaston
  • Mickey & Pals as circus stars
  • Tigger and friends
  • Alice in Wonderland
  • Peter Pan
What You’ll Do
  • Spin yourself silly in a giant tea cup at the Mad Tea Party.
  • Make all their dreams come true at the Princess Fairytale Hall meet and greet.
  • Ride the newest thrill ride, the 7 Dwarfs Mine Train — making sure to reserve your FastPass+ to avoid its really long lines.
  • Ride a boat through it’s a small world, originally showcased at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair, whose theme was Peace through Understanding.
Treats You’ll Eat
  • A Ham, Brie and Grain Mustard Sandwich, giant cinnamon roll and LaFou’s Brew, an addictive frozen apple juice slushy topped with passion fruit-mango foam at Gaston’s Tavern
  • Braised Pork (Coq Au Vin Style) paired with a glass of French wine, followed by a triple chocolate or lemon meringue cupcake at Be Our Guest Restaurant.
  • Ice cream sundaes and floats at Storybook Treats

Tomorrowland

“Tomorrow is a heck of a thing to keep up with.” —Walt Disney
Reflecting a view of the future from the 1950s, Tomorrowland is a quaint flashback to yesterday’s tomorrow, where you can blast off on Space Mountain, an indoor roller coaster in pitch black, help power Monstropolis with laughter, at the Monsters Inc. Laugh Factory and more.
Who You’ll See
  • Buzz Lightyear — to infinity and beyond!
  • The Incredibles are making special guest appearances this summer — see Mr. Incredible, Frozone, and Edna Mode
  • Stitch alien encounter
What You’ll Do
  • Interact with the monster comedians performing at the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
  • Battle Zurg in Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
  • Marvel at the leaps in technology chronicled in the Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
Treats You’ll Eat
  • BBQ platter and frozen strawberry lemonade at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe — while enjoying the musical stylings of the animatronic crooner, Sonny Eclipse.
  • Warm Mickey pretzels, stuffed with cheese or barbecue pork sandwich at the Lunching Place
  • Blackberry-Lavender Jam Crêpe or strawberry smoothie at Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies
Epcot