Your guide to all the rides at Magic Kingdom Park {2024}
When you mention Disney, many people automatically think of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort. The east coast’s answer to Disneyland, the Magic Kingdom offers visitors many iconic rides and attractions plus an atmosphere that defines the ultimate Disney experience.
The Magic Kingdom is where I would recommend any Disney first-timers to visit. If you can only visit one of the Walt Disney World parks (and especially if you haven’t visited any other Disney parks around the world), Magic Kingdom is definitely the place to go.
It’s also our opinion that Magic Kingdom Park is the best place to take younger kids. While the other parks have more thrilling rides, Magic Kingdom has the most rides.
Read on for our list of Magic Kingdom rides and start planning your visit!
Magic Kingdom Park Rides
Magic Kingdom Park is laid out with the traditional Disney “hub.” First, you’ll enter and walk down Main Street U.S.A. (if you’ve been to Disneyland, you’ll recognize it as being very similar), then you’ll reach the hub which branches off into the different lands, including (from southwest and going clockwise) Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland.
Main Street U.S.A. Rides & Attractions
You’ll find lots of shopping and dining along Main Street as you walk toward Cinderella Castle. It’s a great place for some photo ops, and our favorite place to watch the parade.
Just walking down Main Street U.S.A., hearing the music and seeing the sights, is an iconic Disney experience, so try to take in the ambiance even if you’re just rushing off to your first ride!
You may want to visit later in the day when you want a break from rides, but remember that Main Street gets very busy right at the end of the day when the park is closing and everyone is either heading out of the park or watching the fireworks show.
Walt Disney World Railroad
Height requirement: n/a
Thrill factor: 1/5
On Main Street U.S.A., you’ll find the Walt Disney World Railroad. In fact, the train station platform takes center stage at the park entrance. You can take the railroad to get to other areas of the park — there are additional stations in Frontierland and Fantasyland — or just enjoy a round-trip tour of the park!
This ride is perfect if: You love trains, classic Magic Kingdom attractions, or you’re tired of walking and want a lift to your next destination!
Main Street Vehicles
Height requirement: n/a
Thrill factor: 1/5
Need a lift down Main Street? You can hop in a horse-drawn trolley, omnibus, jitney, or fire engine. I know some of those words.
This is almost definitely not faster than just walking, but it is a unique way of experiencing Main Street. You’ll have to go several times to try all the different vehicles!
This ride is perfect if: You want to feel extra special on your journey from the park entrance to the castle.
Theme Park Must-Haves
Visit our Theme Park Must-Haves Amazon Store and make sure you’re equipped for hitting the parks! These are affiliate links — I may earn a commission if you make a purchase.
Adventureland Rides & Attractions
Swiss Family Treehouse
Height requirement: n/a
Thrill factor: 1/5
The Swiss Family Treehouse is a fun walkthrough attraction where you get to see the treehouse made by the Swiss Family Robinson, who were shipwrecked on an island. There are plenty of story elements to keep you entertained through the 116 stairs you’ll have to climb. But don’t worry, because you get a great view from the top!
This attraction is perfect if: You don’t mind stairs! Little ones will probably enjoy the walkthrough but older kids and adults might prefer to skip it in favor of a more exciting ride.
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Height requirement: n/a
Thrill factor: 2/5
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin is a Dumbo-style ride where you ride magic carpets in a circle. There are controls in the front seat and the back seat that respectively control the carpet up-and-down and tilt it forward-and-backward.
This ride is perfect if: You’re a big Aladdin fan, have little ones, or the fireworks are going on (we caught the fireworks while on a magic carpet one night and it was pretty, well, magical!).
Jungle Cruise
Height requirement: n/a
Thrill factor: 1/5
The Jungle Cruise is a calm boat ride that takes you through a jungle filled with animals (mostly not real!). You ride in a large tour boat that is great for fitting big groups of people together.
The ride is made better by the cast member on each boat known as the Skipper. They are known far and wide for their, ahem, hilarious jokes.
This ride is perfect if: You want a calming, sit down ride that’s sure to make you laugh!
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
Height requirement: n/a
Thrill factor: 1/5
The Enchanted Tiki Room is an indoor sit-down attraction where guests can sit to relax while they watch a show put on by the audio-animatronic birds all around the room. The show is fun for people of all ages, and it’s a great place to sit down for a little while.
The audio-animatronics are some of the first of their kind, but they still entertain audiences today.
This attraction is perfect if: You want to sit and be serenaded by birds!
Pirates of the Caribbean
Height requirement: n/a
Thrill factor: 2/5
Pirates of the Caribbean is a dark boat ride with an action-packed pirate adventure story. The ride itself is pretty calm, but it might be a little scary for sensitive children.
Along the ride, you’ll experience a mix of smells, scenes, and movement that make you feel like you’re in the middle of the story. The ride is known for its realistic animatronics and great storytelling. A lot of people consider Pirates to be one of the best Magic Kingdom rides.
This ride is perfect if: The whole family wants to ride together, or you just love pirates (or Johnny Depp)!
Frontierland Rides & Attractions
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (redesign of Splash Mountain – expected to open in 2024)
Height requirement: 40″
Thrill factor: 4/5
Splash Mountain is a fun water ride that’s known for its iconic 50-foot drop! Although where you sit can determine how wet you get at certain points of the ride, you’re sure to be soaked at the end, no matter what! So if you don’t like wet rides, or if you’d prefer to be warm and dry during your day in the park, then you should probably wait this one out. Otherwise, have fun on this classic ride!
This ride is perfect if: You love water rides and are ready for the big drop, which Disney World describes as a “5-story plunge!”
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Height requirement: 40″
Thrill factor: 4/5
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a thrilling coaster with twists, turns, and more! The ride is set in an old western mining town, where you climb aboard a train car. The train takes you through the wild Big Thunder Mountain, in and out of caves, and down big drops. There are many set pieces that immerse you in the story and make the experience all the more fun!
One of our favorite things about Big Thunder Mountain is the ride time. While many coasters feel like they are over as soon as they start, Big Thunder goes for 3.5 minutes. With several speed changes throughout, you’re never bored!
This ride is perfect if: You’re a middle-range thrill seeker — Big Thunder is fast and exciting without any major hills or drops.
Tom Sawyer Island
Height requirement: n/a
Thrill factor: 1/5
This attraction is a play area, fun for guests of all ages. To get to the island, you take a short, standing raft ride. When you get off, there are different paths to run down and lots of play areas to climb and explore.
This attraction is perfect if: You have kids who need to get their energy out!
Country Bear Jamboree
Height requirement: n/a
Thrill factor: 1/5
2024 Note: Country Bear Jamboree is closed for refurbishment and a refreshed experience, and it’s expected to reopen in summer 2024.
Country Bear Jamboree is a show featuring a cast of animatronic bears singing a variety of country tunes. It’s like the Tiki Room…but with bears.
Some people feel the bears have outstayed their welcome at Disney, but for others their vacation wouldn’t be complete without hearing their favorite furry crooners.
Whatever your take, this can be a great way to sit and cool down for a little while and will probably keep little ones entertained.
This ride is perfect if: You need a break from the heat and walking, or you have a nostalgic connection to the bears.
Liberty Square Rides & Attractions
The Hall of Presidents
Height requirement: n/a
Thrill factor: 1/5
The Hall of Presidents is a theater that offers a show all about the American presidents. The animatronics are realistic portrayals of the real people who have run America, and new ones are added every time a new president is elected.
This attraction is perfect if: You have a favorite president or simply love learning about American history!
Liberty Square Riverboat
Height requirement: n/a
Thrill factor: 1/5
The Liberty Square Riverboat is a steam-powered paddle wheeler that takes its passengers along the Rivers of America, around Tom Sawyer Island. You’ll see a variety of scenes and get a view of the park from a new angle. There are four decks to choose from, with limited seating, so be prepared to stand for the duration.
This ride is perfect if: You want to see the Magic Kingdom from the water, ride on an authentic steam-powered boat, and you have at least 20 minutes to spare!
Haunted Mansion
Height requirement: n/a
Thrill factor: 3/5
Haunted Mansion is a fun and creepy ride through a ghost-filled mansion. The ride vehicles are known as Doom Buggies, which take you on a slow, spooky trip through the Haunted Mansion. The ride experience is very detailed, with many things to look at while you take your journey. We think it’s one of the best rides at Magic Kingdom.
The Haunted Mansion attraction is dark and may be too scary for some young children because of its haunted theme. However, the ride does not contain any blood or jumpscares, and plenty of smaller children enjoy it.
This ride is perfect if: You enjoy looking at spooky scenes and don’t mind an occasional scare!
Fantasyland Rides & Attractions
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
Height requirement: n/a
Thrill factor: 1/5
The Prince Charming Regal Carrousel is a classic carousel ride that features beautiful and brightly-colored horses that take you on a majestic ride. People of all ages can enjoy this magical adventure!
This ride is perfect if: You love a classic carousel!
Mickey’s PhilharMagic
Height requirement: n/a
Thrill factor: 1/5
Mickey’s PhilharMagic is a 3D musical show that features Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and more of your favorite Disney characters.
You’ll enjoy hearing some of the catchiest Disney songs with captivating visuals on screen.
This attraction is perfect if: You love Disney music and want to sit for a few without slowing down on your attraction itinerary.
Peter Pan’s Flight
Height requirement: n/a
Thrill factor: 2/5
On Peter Pan’s Flight, you’ll ride a flying ship through Neverland, seeing everything from beautiful mermaids to horrible Captain Hook’s ship! This ride is a great adventure for kids who’ve seen Peter Pan or the Tinkerbell movies and already love the characters.
The journey with Peter Pan and his friends also has a happy ending — Captain Hook is stuck on top of Tick-Tock the Crocodile, almost being eaten, and everyone is safely transferred back to the world outside of Neverland.
This ride is perfect if: Your kids love the fun characters from the Peter Pan movie!
“it’s a small world”
Height requirement: n/a
Thrill factor: 1/5
“it’s a small world” is one of the best known Disney classics. The slow-moving boat ride takes you through scenes around the world, where many animatronic dolls sing as they show off their country’s culture in traditional outfits and musical instruments. You can also spot many Disney characters as dolls in their countries, such as Moana and Ariel.
This is a lovely ride for the whole family to enjoy! The song, which shares the same title as the ride, is very catchy and easy to get stuck in your head. The boat goes smoothly and slowly, so it is not a wet ride at any point, nor does it have any drops or sudden movement. This makes it a perfect ride for kids to ride with their family!
This ride is perfect if: You enjoy calmer, classic rides and don’t mind having the song in your head for the rest of the day!
Under the Sea~Journey of the Little Mermaid
Height requirement: n/a
Thrill factor: 1/5
The Journey of the Little Mermaid is an underwater adventure (don’t worry, you won’t get wet), where all the mermaids and other sea creatures live!
Enter your clamshell and Scuttle the seagull will tell you the story of the Little Mermaid, while you sing along to songs from the movie.
This ride is perfect if: You have a variety of ages in your group and/or you love The Little Mermaid songs.
The Barnstormer
Height requirement: 35″
Thrill factor: 3/5
The Barnstormer is a short roller coaster ride, but it’s worth the wait! Goofy sends you on an airplane and you get to see Fantasyland from above while riding through lots of twists and turns.
This ride is perfect if: You have younger kids who enjoy a small thrill.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Height requirement: n/a
Thrill factor: 2/5
Dumbo the Flying Elephant is a popular flying ride where you can choose to fly as low or as high as you want as you go around in a circle. The ride vehicles are Dumbo elephants that are controlled by the rider with a joystick that allows you to choose how high you’d like to fly.
Each elephant seats 1–2 riders — perfect for a parent and child to ride together. The joystick is easy to use and it’s fun for kids to have control.
This ride is perfect if: You have young kids who enjoy being able to control and do things by themselves!
Mad Tea Party
Height requirement: n/a
Thrill factor: 2/5
The Mad Tea Party is a spinning teacup ride that is sure to make anyone dizzy! The teacups come in different colors and designs in the whimsical Alice in Wonderland style. It was one of the first Disney rides, and the Magic Kingdom version is modeled after the classic 1955 attraction in Disneyland.
The ride is known for being dizzy and spinny, but there’s also the option to enjoy a calmer spin, as the wheel in the middle of the teacup controls your spinning speed. However, if you’re riding with your kids, they’ll probably want to go full blast and spin as fast as possible!
This ride is perfect if: Your family loves Alice in Wonderland as well as dizzy spinning rides!
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Height requirement: n/a
Thrill factor: 1/5
On The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, you’ll board your honeypot ride vehicle and ride right into the pages of the book. You get to experience Pooh’s story firsthand and say hello to all the characters of the Hundred Acre Wood. Just keep an eye out for heffalumps and woozles!
This ride is perfect if: Your kids love Winnie the Pooh and want to enjoy a fun kiddie ride with lots of magic, story, and fun.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Height requirement: 38″
Thrill factor: 4/5
The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a coaster with lots of high-speed fun and beautiful visuals both inside the mine and at the mountain peak. You’ll see the dwarfs as they work inside the mine and then sing their iconic song as they head home from work.
The coaster is fast and exciting, and most middle-range thrill seekers will handle it just fine.
This ride is perfect if: You want to ride a fun coaster with beautiful visuals that the whole family can enjoy.
Princess Fairytale Hall
Height requirement: n/a
Thrill factor: 1/5
At Princess Fairytale Hall, you’ll get to meet Cinderella and her princess friends. Little ones will be starstruck as they get to really meet and interact with their favorite royalty. This is a major photo op, so get your camera ready or let the PhotoPass expert work their magic for you.
This attraction is perfect if: Your little ones want to meet their favorite princess.
Enchanted Tales with Belle
Height requirement: n/a
Thrill factor: 1/5
Enchanted Tales with Belle is unique in that you can be part of the show! First, you’ll walk through Belle’s Cottage, Maurice’s Workshop, and then be transported into the Beast’s Castle.
With the help of a cast member, volunteers are assigned roles to help tell the story of Beauty and the Beast as a surprise for Belle (who plays herself in the retelling). The roles are all very easy to perform, and cast members are there to guide the performers. Any kids who want to participate will be included, although there are a couple of special roles that get to do a few extra things.
We’ve done this attraction twice, and both times our older daughter was chosen to play the Beast! It was adorable — she got to wear a cape and jump out and “scare” Belle, and then she danced with Belle at the end.
When the performance is over, all kids get a chance to take a picture with Belle and get a bookmark to keep.
This attraction is perfect if: Your kids want to be part of the show!
Tomorrowland Rides & Attractions
TRON Lightcycle / Run
Height requirement: 48″
Thrill factor: 4/5 (our best guess until we ride!)
The newest ride at Magic Kingdom, TRON Lightcycle / Run opened in April 2023, and we can’t wait to ride it. Riders board motorcycle-like vehicles and race their opponents to survive.
TRON is an indoor/outdoor coaster that uses lights and sounds to make the experience all the more thrilling. It’s the fastest roller coaster at any Disney park in the world.
This ride is perfect if: You’re a coaster lover who has to try the latest and greatest rides!
Tomorrowland Speedway
Height requirement: 32″
Thrill factor: 2/5
Get ready, racers! At Tomorrowland Speedway you’ll drive your own car around a winding track. This was an original attraction when Magic Kingdom opened in 1971, and people still flock to it today!
We especially enjoyed the Tomorrowland Speedway one Christmas when they added lighted holiday displays along the track.
This ride is perfect if: You want to control your own vehicle and race your friends!
Space Mountain
Height requirement: 44″
Thrill factor: 4/5
Space Mountain is an indoor, dark coaster. The ride sends you into the darkness of space with twists and turns among the stars. Medium to high-level thrill seekers will love this ride. The coaster itself is pretty tame, but because of the cover of darkness, you never know what to expect for twists, turns, and drops!
The ride vehicle is a rocket that seats three in a single file row, (unlike Space Mountain at Disneyland where you sit two side-by-side).
This ride is perfect if: You like dark, indoor coasters and space!
Astro Orbiter
Height requirement: n/a
Thrill factor: 2/5
The Astro Orbiter is a space-themed, Dumbo-style ride where riders can fly in a rocket! You can use the controls to fly higher or lower as you go around.
If you’ve ridden this ride at Disneyland you’ll notice a difference at the Magic Kingdom — here you’ll first take an elevator to the top of a building before you get on the ride, for even higher, high-flying fun!
This ride is perfect if: You have little ones who dream of flying a rocket into space!
Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
Height requirement: n/a
Thrill factor: 1/5
The PeopleMover is an elevated track ride with carts that take you around Tomorrowland. It’s a nice relaxing ride, good for the whole family. One highlight is when the ride goes inside the Space Mountain building and you can catch a glimpse of the ride.
One drawback is that the ride drops you off right back where you started. It might be nice if it was actually a quick way to get from one area of the park to another, even if it was just the other side of Tomorrowland.
This ride is perfect if: You want to see Tomorrowland from above and catch a sneak peek of Space Mountain.
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
Height requirement: n/a
Thrill factor: 1/5
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress is a ride and show in one! It highlights inventions and innovations throughout different stages of American history.
Each scene starts out with an animatronic character singing the song “There’s A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow,” then they show off some new inventions from their time period and have some dialogue with their family members. The scenes end with the characters singing again, as the ride moves on to the next scene. The unique thing about this theatre is that the seats in the audience move, as they rotate around the stage and series of scenes.
This ride is perfect if: You love learning about history and inventions through the years!
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Height requirement: n/a
Thrill factor: 2/5
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is an interactive ride where riders must shoot the aliens and robots in order to protect the world from the Evil Emperor Zurg! Your ride vehicle can spin 360 degrees — you control it with a joystick.
The ride ends with Zurg defeated and Buzz Lightyear saying his famous phrase, “To infinity and beyond!” Then, your score is calculated to determine what space rank you are, from Star Cadet to Cosmic Commander!
This ride is perfect if: You like interactive shooting rides where you get a score at the end!
Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
Height requirement: n/a
Thrill factor: 1/5
Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor is a show that’s sure to get everyone cracking up. While you wait in line, you can submit your own jokes to the Laugh Floor by texting them, and your joke might be featured during the show.
There’s plenty of audience participation that will probably make you laugh harder than the jokes!
This attraction is perfect if: Your kids love funny jokes and want a chance to participate!
The best order to ride Magic Kingdom rides
Here’s the general order we suggest hitting the Magic Kingdom rides, but chances are good you’ll need to adjust based on any passes you have, ride operation status (sometimes rides close for a period of time during the day), current wait times, and of course, your own priorities.
Can I ride every ride at the Magic Kingdom in one day?
It’s possible to ride every ride at the Magic Kingdom, but it’s tricky. And if you want to also do character interactions, sit-down meals, parades, and shows, it’s extra tricky.
You’ll give yourself the best chance of maximizing your ride time if you visit during a less busy time of year (January, September, and the first half of November are our picks), go on a weekday, go on a day when the park is open early and closes late, and go early!
Arrive an hour before the posted opening time, at least. You’ll wait a little bit at the park entrance, but once you’re inside you’ll be able to get right on your first few rides, and you’ll be ahead of everyone else piling into the park a little later in the morning. If you are staying onsite and can get into the park an hour early, that’s a huge advantage so take it!
Go to the most popular rides first. Those lines will get long quickly and usually stay long throughout the rest of the day.
Sometimes it’s a good strategy to go to a big ride right at the end of the day, because Disney will let you get into line right up until closing time, which means you could be in the park (in line and on the ride) well after the official close time. But I like to save this tactic for reriding a favorite ride. That way, if it doesn’t work out, we still got to ride it.
FastPass, Genie+, Lightning Lanes, & Virtual Queue
Oh my.
Disney has changed up their ride reservation system a lot over the past few years, and it’s hard to keep up! I’ll explain what I know and do my best to keep this updated, but I strongly recommend researching the latest offerings and procedures directly from the Mouse’s mouth (a.k.a. check the WDW website).
FastPass and FastPass+ are gone. Kiss ‘em goodbye. Unlearn those words.
Disney Genie is a virtual planner in the My Disney Experience app that helps you schedule your day and ideally do everything you want to do with minimum wait times. It’s free, but it doesn’t allow you to schedule any ride reservations. That’s where Disney Genie+ comes in.
Disney Genie+ is a paid service that allows you to schedule reservations for certain rides and attractions throughout the parks. When you arrive at your reservation time, you’ll use the Lightning Lane to get on the ride quickly.
Not every ride has a Lightning Lane, but many do. You can book additional reservations after you’ve redeemed your most recent reservation, or 120 minutes after you’ve scheduled your most recent reservation.
Some of the most popular rides open up a Virtual Queue on the My Disney Experience app at certain times of day. This allows you to secure a spot in a boarding group that will get called to ride the ride at some point that day. These are free, but you have to have fast fingers to snag one!
At Walt Disney World in January 2024, there are two rides using Virtual Queue: Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at Epcot and TRON Lightcycle / Run at Magic Kingdom Park.
Lastly, some attractions have Individual Lightning Lanes. These are popular rides that are not included in the Genie+ reservation system. Instead, you have to purchase an a la carte Lightning Lane reservation, and you’re limited to two per day.
The good news here is that if you aren’t able to get a Virtual Queue boarding pass for the ride you were just dying to experience, you might be able to buy your way on.
Exhausted yet? Well now you just have to remember that there are even more rules for when and where you can purchase/reserve these various ride reservations. For some you have to be in the park, some require the park to be officially open first, others you can book in the early morning before the park opens… It takes some research, but if you want to do all the things, it’s worth spending the time. You just read this overview, so you’re well on your way!
Enough of that nonsense — on to the ride order!
Magic Kingdom Park ride order 2024
Below you’ll find what we consider to be the best order of rides & attractions in 2024, but there are so many factors that come into play that you’ll need to stay flexible. You may have different ride priorities, ride reservation times may cause you to switch things around, you might want to eat meals in certain locations that affect where you are and when, and line wait times and ride down times are never completely predictable.
Our ride order recommendation starts with a bit of land-hopping, to get you to the top rides first, in the hopes of minimizing long wait times. Since Magic Kingdom has the hub in the middle of the park, this shouldn’t be too taxing.
After hitting the biggest rides, we generally suggest riding most of the rides within a land before moving on to the next.
Here’s our order recommendation:
Big rides first:
- TRON Lightcycle / Run
TRON is only accessible by Virtual Queue, so make sure to get a boarding group and then return whenever your group is called! If you miss out on the Virtual Queue, you can purchase an individual Lightning Lane pass.
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
If you have a boarding group for TRON for later in the day, head straight here when the rope drops.
- Space Mountain
Frontierland & Adventureland:
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Jungle Cruise
- The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
- Swiss Family Treehouse
Liberty Square/Fantasyland:
- Haunted Mansion
- Peter Pan’s Flight
The shortest path has you coming into Fantasyland from the side, but if you want the full experience, head back to the hub and enter via Cinderella’s Castle!
- “it’s a small world”
- Mickey’s PhilharMagic
- Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
- Princess Fairytale Hall
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
- Mad Tea Party
- Enchanted Tales with Belle
- Under the Sea~Journey of the Little Mermaid
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant
- The Barnstormer
- Walt Disney World Railroad
Now might be a great time to board the train and take a full loop around the park. Get back off at Fantasyland and walk to Tomorrowland.
Back to Tomorrowland:
- Tomorrowland Speedway
- Astro Orbiter
- Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
- Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
- Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
Catch them when you can:
These attractions take a bit longer, and in our opinion they are skippable in favor of fitting in other attractions. It’s your choice if you want to hit them while you’re nearby, or wait and see if you have time to come back later in the day.
Adventureland:
- Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
Frontierland:
- Tom Sawyer Island
- Country Bear Jamboree
Liberty Square:
- The Hall of Presidents
- Liberty Square Riverboat
What to do other than rides at Magic Kingdom Park
There is almost an endless list of things to do at Magic Kingdom Park. Other than the rides and attractions we’ve already covered, there are character meet & greets, stage shows, parades, play areas, games, dining, shopping, photo ops, and more!
Plus, things are always changing! The flowers, special temporary displays, holiday and seasonal decorations, etc. You could spend the day just walking around the park, taking in the sights and sounds and hidden Mickeys, and not get bored.
Magic Kingdom entertainment
At the Magic Kingdom, you’ll find a variety of entertainment all day long — from stage shows and street performers, to cavalcades and parades, to light shows and fireworks!
You might catch the Dapper Dans singing barbershop tunes along Main Street, or stop and enjoy the Casey’s Corner pianist for a few beats.
Cavalcades were Disney’s replacement for parades in 2020 and 2021, and a few remain even after the big parade has been reinstated. Look for these fun mini-parades to go by while you’re roaming the park.
And for the full parade experience, make sure to stake out a spot along the route in advance of the parade time. The parade theme, characters, and music is updated several times a year. In early 2024, you’ll enjoy the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade.
Head to the front of Cinderella Castle to catch the stage show Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire. Check the My Disney Experience app, Disney website, or postings within the park for the daily schedule of show times.
And what better way to end a Disney day than with a fireworks show?! In 2024, you can catch Happily Ever After. And it’s not just fireworks — make sure you have a good view of the castle because the projections are fabulous, and you’ll be singing along with the upbeat tunes that accompany the visuals!
Magic Kingdom play areas & games
A Pirate’s Adventure ~ Treasures of the Seven Seas
Hunt for treasure with one of five different pirate-themed adventures in Adventureland. This is a unique, interactive experience that takes about 20 minutes to complete. Try just one or, if you love it, try all five missions! You’ll earn a collector card for each mission you complete, and a special sixth card once you’ve earned all five.
Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade
Take aim at this Old Western shooting gallery in Frontierland and see if you’re a dead shot. Requires a small fee to play.
Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station
Get wet and cool off at this circus train-themed splash pad in Fantasyland.
Magic Kingdom special events
Magic Kingdom park hosts several special events throughout the year. These usually require a special ticket and include extended park hours, limited capacity (shorter ride wait times!), and/or unique experiences within the park.
Through June 27, 2024, on selected nights you can choose to attend Disney After Hours.
Later in the year, Magic Kingdom hosts Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
We went to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in 2019 and absolutely loved it. I probably wouldn’t recommend it for your first visit to Magic Kingdom, but if you want something unique, it’s a great time. There’s a special parade, holiday ride overlays, shorter ride times across the park, holiday shows, and (the best part) free cookies and hot chocolate all night long!
Magic Kingdom food
This post is about the rides at Magic Kingdom park, but come on, we have to at least mention the food!
If you’re going to be at the park from opening to close (which I highly recommend — get the most for your money!), you’ll definitely need (and want) to eat.
There are some great restaurants at the park, at a variety of price points. We like to stay on the move to complete our ride checklist, so we usually get one counter service meal where we sit down to eat, and then snack throughout the day!
Some of our favorite restaurants for lunch are:
- The Friar’s Nook
- Pinocchio Village Haus
- Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café
Later in the day, we like to get Dole Whips from Aloha Isle, hot dogs from Casey’s Corner, and Mickey pretzels from various places.
Magic Kingdom Park is the place to be on the east coast for maximum Disney magic. You’ll be dazzled from open to close, and you probably won’t want to leave even after the last firework bursts!
Check out our other theme park posts!
Your guide to all the rides at:
- Walt Disney World Resort:
- Universal Orlando Resort:
- SeaWorld Orlando
- Peppa Pig Theme Park Florida
Pin it if you love it!
