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Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom Park: A Getaway for Children

Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom Park is one of four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort. It's the most popular park and is known for its Cinderella Castle, parades, fireworks, and classic attractions like Space Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean.

If you're going with kids, Walt the Disney Kingdom Magic Kingdom Park is an excellent place to visit because it has many attractions and services for children. Kids can meet their favorite characters, enjoy shows and rides, get their faces painted and watch a parade or fireworks.


Overview

Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom Park is the most visited theme park globally, with over 20 million guests each year. The park is based on Disneyland and has similar attractions, but it's not a replica.

The park is separated into themed lands, including Main Street USA, Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, Fantasyland, Mickey's Toontown Fair, Tomorrowland, and the newest New Fantasyland.


History

Walt Disney built the Magic Kingdom Park in 1971 as the first part of his plans for the Walt Disney World Resort. It was designed to be a family-friendly destination where children could have fun while they learned about history and science.

In the 1950s, Walt Disney began thinking of building a second theme park using his concept of Disneyland. It was to be built in Florida, and he even purchased land for this purpose. However, following his death in 1966, the company decided not to proceed with the project.

In 1965, however, Roy O. Disney (Walt's brother) pushed for this project to resume, and the company purchased additional land that year. Roy died in 1971 before the park opened, but it was named Roy O. Disney Blvd in honor of his contributions to Disney Parks. In 1972, the park was renamed Magic Kingdom Park as we know it today.


View of ICON park entertainment area in Orlando Florida


Attractions

Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom Park has many attractions that are perfect for children. They can meet Mickey Mouse at Town Square Theater or ride Astro Orbiter. Children will delight in meeting their favorite Disney characters throughout the park or in Fantasyland.

Disney World also offers several child-friendly attractions and shows, such as Cinderella's Castle Stage Show, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, It's a Small World, Peter Pan's Flight, Swiss Family Treehouse, and Tomorrowland Speedway.


The Experience

The Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom Park is the only place in the world that has it all. It is a theme park and a combination of various entertainment venues. This is why it is a popular vacation destination among families with kids and adults alike. The Magic Kingdom has different themed lands that provide lots of fun and excitement for kids of all ages!

The first thing you will notice at Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom Park is the massive castle in the middle of the park. This is Cinderella's Castle and where most rides are located. When you enter Main Street USA, you should look to your left at Cinderella's Castle.

It has a large tower that looks like it goes up into outer space filled with stars. To the right of Cinderella's Castle is Fantasy Land with all of its whimsical rides for kids.


The best Magic Kingdom rides for kids

  • Space Rangers Spin - This ride is located in Tomorrowland and is perfect for any toddler. Your child will love shooting the laser guns at targets of different sizes and colors throughout this ride.

  • Dumbo the Flying Elephant - This ride is located in Fantasyland and is a classic Disney ride. Your child will have fun being able to control how high or low they fly by turning a wheel.

  • It's A Small World - Another classic Disney ride has been around since the park opened in 1971! This ride is located in Fantasyland and will have your child singing along to its famous tune. If you get stuck in line with a child who knows the song, they are likely to sing it non-stop until you're finished with the ride! I strongly recommend getting a Fastpass for this one if your child loves it!

  • Mad Tea Party – This is a classic Disney ride that we've been riding since the 1960s. It's a spinning teacup ride inspired by Alice in Wonderland. There are plenty of opportunities to spin the cups faster and slower. Younger kids might need help spinning the teacups, but otherwise, it's a fun ride for everyone.

  • Adventures of Winnie -The-Pooh is another great Magic Kingdom ride for toddlers. It's based on the Winnie The Pooh stories, and it takes you on an adventure with Pooh, Tigger, and friends. They'll probably want to ride this one more than once!

  • Peter Pan's Flight - Take off in a pirate ship to Neverland from Peter Pan's Flight. This is an excellent introduction to flying for your little ones; they'll feel like they're sailing through the sky alongside Wendy, John, and Michael.

  • Pirates of the Caribbean - It doesn't have many scary parts, so even young kids can enjoy this ride. It takes you along an exciting adventure through a pirate town, where you'll see pirates singing and shooting cannons at each other.

The park also has child-friendly restaurants such as Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe, Pinocchio Village Haus, and Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe.

This can be a great place to have lunch or dinner during your visit to Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom Park. To save money and spend time with your family, you may consider having a picnic outside of Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom Park.


Magic Kingdom Park Map

The Disney World theme parks are huge! Before you go on your trip, study the Magic Kingdom Park map to know what's where. You'll want to help your child or children see all their favorite attractions and meet the characters they love. If you need help getting around the park, look for a wheelchair rental center; they also offer strollers for rent.


Transportation

If you to stay at Disney hotel or resort, you can take advantage of complimentary transportation to and from Orlando International Airport or other airports in the area. This includes shuttles and boats, depending on what hotel you are staying at.

You will also receive free transportation to and from Magic Kingdom Park for the duration of your stay if necessary. Visit Disney World's website for more information about transportation to and from the park itself.


Tickets and Passes

A junior pass is required for all kids under the age of 18. Tickets are a bit pricey, but discounts are available for children and seniors. If you buy tickets in advance, you may get additional savings.


When to Go

The best time to visit the Magic Kingdom is during the week, not on weekends, if possible. The lines for Magic Kingdom Park rides are shorter during the week than on weekends. Also, it's less crowded during the off-season months (January through April).


Top must-see

Don't miss this ride: Peter Pan's Flight, which takes guests on a flying journey over London and Neverland aboard their very own pirate ship.

Also worth seeing: The Haunted Mansion and Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin — two of the most popular rides at Magic Kingdom Park.


What to pack

The Magic Kingdom Park is a big place, so you'll need to plan ahead when you go. Here are a few things to pack: sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, a water bottle, and snacks. Please pack a blanket or towel if you plan on sitting on the grass while watching shows at the park.


Takeaway

If you're looking for fun and memorable experiences, make sure to visit Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom Park in Florida today!

Interested in learning about becoming a resident in Florida or moving there? Read more.

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