Best Magic Kingdom Attractions and Ride Guide

in Walt Disney World

magic kingdom

Credit: Disney

When Guests visit Walt Disney World, one of the most exciting parts is getting to go to the parks. Everyone has their own favorite when it comes to Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but there is one that often feels more “classically Disney” than the rest.

magic kingdom
Credit: Disney

Magic Kingdom was the first-ever Walt Disney World Resort theme park, and with Cinderella Castle greeting Guests as they walk down Main Street, U.S.A., U.S.A., it really is a magical feeling you cannot explain.

Aside from the magic that comes with the atmosphere, the attractions in the area are cause for a lot of the immersion and experience as well. Magic Kingdom is the Disney World Park with the most attractions, so there is always something Guests can pick to ride next to on their visit.

carousel with cinderella castle
Credit: Disney

By reading this guide, you will become an expert on all things Magic Kingdom attractions! This means, the next time that you are visiting Magic Kingdom with your family or friends, you will be the go-to guide for all the rides. We will learn about classic Magic Kingdom rides, learn about the newest rides at Magic Kingdom, and learn about the most popular rides for the whole family at Magic Kingdom.

Classic rides at Magic Kingdom.

What are the main classic rides at Magic Kingdom?

If we are looking at only the classic attractions at Magic Kingdom, this is a question that can be seen in various ways. Perhaps classic may mean something that was Walt’s concept; another might just hold a lot of nostalgia to you. Really, the definition is classic Disney ride is not so defined, so today, we will consider classic to be attractions that opened with Magic Kingdom in 1971. 

With 50 years fast approaching, below is a full list of all the rides that opened at Magic Kingdom in 1971, which Guests can still enjoy to this day. Of course, attractions have been refurbished from time to time, but the core of the ride has always remained the same!

Hall of Presidents at magic kingdom
Credit: Disney
magic kingdom
Credit: Disney

Even in this list, we are missing attractions such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, and so many other attractions that some Guests would typically deem as a classic!

How many rides are there in the Magic Kingdom?

As we mentioned, Magic Kingdom takes the cake for most attractions of all four Disney World parks. With Main Street, U.S.A., Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, and Adventureland taking up the Kingdom, there are plenty of areas that hold attractions in which you can enjoy.

dumbo at disney world magic kingdom
Credit: Disney

Magic Kingdom has a whopping 32 attractions, which truly means that you can be at the Park all day long and still have more to experience. Below is a full list of all the attractions at Magic Kingdom, divided by their land.

Adventureland

Enchanted Tiki Room
Jungle Cruise
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Pirates of the Caribbean 
Swiss Family Treehouse

Fantasyland

The Barnstormer
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Enchanted Tales with Belle 
“it’s a small world”
Mad Tea Party (there is spinning, so make sure everyone enjoys that!)
Mickey’s PhilharMagic
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Peter Pan’s Flight
Prince Charming’s Regal Carrousel
Princess Fairytale Hall
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

magic kingdom crowds
Credit: Inside the Magic Kelly C.

Frontierland

Big Thunder Mountain
Country Bear Jamboree
Tom Sawyer Island
Splash Mountain

Liberty Square

The Hall of Presidents
Haunted Mansion 
Liberty Square Riverboat

magic kingdom halloween face masks
Credit: Disney

Tomorrowland

Astro Orbiter
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Carousel of Progress
Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
Tomorrowland Speedway (smaller Guests can ride in the passenger seat)
Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
Space Mountain
TRON Lightcycle/Run (TBA)

tomorrowland-sign

What are the different themes in the Magic Kingdom?

As we mentioned, Magic Kingdom comprises multiple lands that all co-exist in this world of fantasy. Main Street, U.S.A., Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, and Adventureland are the six areas that Guests will visit while they are at the theme park.

tomorrowland speedway holiday overlay
Credit: Disney

Most popular rides for the whole family at Magic Kingdom

What are the most family-friendly attractions at Magic Kingdom?

When Guests visit Disney World, a lot of the time, you will see a family enjoying their visit. With Guests in the same party that fit a variety of ages and sizes, it is important for Disney World to have rides that the whole family can comfortably ride together so that they can continue their magical experiences.

Haunted Mansion at night
Credit: Disney

At Magic Kingdom, there are a lot of omnimover vehicles that only require a lap bar and are slow-moving and fitting for Guests of all ages.

Below, we will once again list the Magic Kingdom attraction in order of land but will only include those we believe are more family-friendly!

Adventureland

Enchanted Tiki Room
Jungle Cruise
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Pirates of the Caribbean (no lap bar, but there is a small drop)
Swiss Family Treehouse

Fantasyland

The Barnstormer
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Enchanted Tales with Belle 
“it’s a small world”
Mad Tea Party (there is spinning, so make sure everyone enjoys that!)
Mickey’s PhilharMagic
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Peter Pan’s Flight
Prince Charming’s Regal Carrousel
Princess Fairytale Hall
Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid

Ariels Undersea Adventure
Credit: Disney

Frontierland

Country Bear Jamboree
Tom Sawyer Island

Liberty Square

The Hall of Presidents
Haunted Mansion (it can get a little spooky)
Liberty Square Riverboat

Tomorrowland

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Carousel of Progress
Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
Tomorrowland Speedway (smaller Guests can ride in the passenger seat)
Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover

Of course, each ride varies depending on size, but all of the attractions listed above will not be overly thrilling and will allow your party to ride together!

What’s the most popular kid-friendly ride at Magic Kingdom?

When kids visit Magic Kingdom, there are a few things that are very popular. Although meet and greets are not currently being held due to the pandemic, Guests are often excited to see characters! Wait times to meet Mickey Mouse, Tinker Bell, and the princesses at Princess Fairytale Hall can often climb to well over an hour, as that is something even a newborn baby is able to enjoy! (Or, at least the baby’s parents!)

peter pans flight
Credit: Disney

Aside from those, below is a list of all of the most popular kid-friendly rides at Magic Kingdom!

What is the cheapest month to go to the Magic Kingdom with kids?

If you are looking to save money on a Disney World vacation, your best bet is to visit during a slower month and not peak season. Hotel costs will be higher during the summer, holidays, and any school breaks, and parks will be more crowded. Disney also offers different hotel deals depending on the time of year. I suggest checking out the parks after the first week of January or during early November.

magic kingdom ferry boat
Credit: ITM

Related: VIDEO: Santa Claus Cavalcade at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Another way to ensure you are getting the best price is to book with an expert. Travel agents cost you no money, and they will always be working hard to get you the best deal when it comes along. Click here to book with our favorite today! 

Best rides to FastPass (or now, Lightning Lane) at Magic Kingdom

For over a year, Disney World Guests were wondering what the fate of the FastPass+ system would be. Now that Disney Genie has been announced, we know that FastPass+ will be no longer; however, a new system will be taking its place.

Disney Genie+ will be a paid system that will charge Disney World Guests $15.00 per person per day to utilize the Lighting Lane, which will be the old FastPass+ queue. Guests will be able to pick one return time at a time for select attractions and skip the lines when their turn arrives.

disney genie
Credit: Screenshot via Disney Parks Blog

There will also be another option for Disney Genie, allowing Guests to purchase single experience passes for more coveted attractions such as Rise of the Resistance or Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at an added cost. These rides will have their own a-la-carte cost, which will differ depending on the day and attraction, and are not included in your Disney Genie+ purchase if you decide to purchase that offering as well.

Disney genie
Credit: Disney

What are the best rides to use Lightning Lane at Magic Kingdom?

If you are only visiting Magic Kingdom for a day, purchasing Lightning Lane will definitely be the move for many! You can make one pass at a time, so snagging the ones with a high wait will help you make the most of your Lightning Lane pass. Remember, Disney Genie+ does not include all of the most popular attractions, such as Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, so you will need to purchase the separately ticketed pass if that is something you are looking to ride.

lightning lane
Credit: Kyle Pallo

At Magic Kingdom, below is a list of attractions I would want to skip the line for if I had to only pick a few!

Adventureland

Jungle Cruise
Pirates of the Caribbean

Fantasyland

Peter Pan’s Flight
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Frontierland

Big Thunder Mountain
Splash Mountain

Liberty Square

Haunted Mansion

Tomorrowland

Astro Orbiter
Space Mountain

Of course, the goal is to ride as much as possible, but these are some attractions that can typically climb to a much higher wait time.

How much is an unlimited Fastpass at Disney?

As we mentioned, FastPass is now Lightning Lane with two tiers. Disney Genie+ will be a paid system that will charge Disney World Guests $15.00 per person per day to utilize the Lighting Lane, which will be the old FastPass+ queue. Guests will be able to pick one return time at a time for select attractions and skip the lines when their turn arrives.

There will also be another option for Disney Genie, allowing Guests to purchase single experience passes for more coveted attractions. These rides will have their own cost, which will differ depending on the day and attraction, and are not included in your Disney Genie+ purchase if you decide to purchase that offering as well. We do not yet have the costs for those options.

disney genie plus
Credit: Screenshot via Disney Parks Blog

Lucky for you, we have already broken down the cost of Disney Genie+ if you choose to use it, depending on party size! Click here to take a look. 

Well, now you are the ultimate expert when it comes to all things Magic Kingdom attractions! When you visit, be sure always to check the My Disney Experience app for wait times so that you can structure your day accordingly, and most of all — have fun!

What is your favorite attraction at Magic Kingdom?

in Walt Disney World

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