DK Travel : Orlando : The Magic Kingdom® Park

The Magic Kingdom® Park

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Walt Disney’s first Florida theme park opened in 1971, envisaged as a place where dreams could come true, even if only for a little while. It took six years and $400 million to create “Disneyland East,” which has surpassed Walt’s own dream: instead of being a spin-off of California’s Disneyland Park, it has become the USA’s most popular theme park, attracting more than 15 million visitors every year (some 40,000 each day). Although little has changed in 30 years, with more than 40 major attractions and countless minor ones, this is a true fantasy land for the young and young at heart.
For information on Disney’s tour options (see Behind-the-Scenes Tours)

Top 10 Attractions

1. Splash Mountain

Disney’s 1946 film, Song of the South , inspires this wildly popular flume ride with Brer Rabbit leading the way through swamps, caves, and “the Laughing Place.” Expect twists, turns, and a 52-ft (16-m), 45-degree, 40-mph (64-km) climax.
2. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Not the raciest of coasters, but the turns and dips, and realistic scenery, combine to make this an exciting trip on a runaway train through gold-rush country.
3. The Barnstormer at Goofy’s Wiseacre Farm

Kids and some parents love this mini-roller coaster, which looks like a crop duster plane with Goofy at the controls.
4. Space Mountain

Orlando’s first in-the-dark roller coaster is a ride on a rocket that shoots through hairpin turns and drops at what feels like breakneck speed, although top speed is only 28 mph (45 kmph). The cosmic effects and detail enhance this thrilling ride.
5. Stitch’s Great Escape

This family-friendly adventure is based on the mayhem of Stitch’s experiment in outer space. The ride uses sophisticated technology, with sights, sounds, and smells to add to the pandemonium.
6. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Use the laser cannons on the dashboard to set off sight-and-sound effects as you hurtle through the sky and help Toy Story’s most famous hero save the world.
7. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Pooh, Eeyore, and a whole host of A. A. Milne’s lovable characters come to life in this tranquil ride through the Hundred Acre Wood.
8. Cinderella’s Golden Carrousel

This wonderfully refurbished 1917 carousel is a real beauty. It has handsome wooden horses and an organ that plays Disney classics. Kids love it, and adults love reminiscing about the rides of yesteryear.
9. The Magic Carpets of Aladdin

This new Disney ride has four-passenger carpets which glide gently up and down and from side to side around a giant genie’s bottle. But watch out for the sneaky, water-spitting camels.
10. Pirates of the Caribbean

Timbers are a-shiver as your boat cruises past a town under siege from a band of rum-soaked, Audio-Animatronic buccaneers. Dank dungeons, yo-ho-ho’s, and brazen wenches – all scurvy pirate life is here.

Practical Information

A smoked turkey leg at Tomorrowland’s Lunching Pad makes a good quick bite, but it’s cheaper to bring your own snacks and water (bottles can be filled at the park’s numerous fountains). FastPass (see Cutting in Line), cuts the amount of time spent standing in line for the park’s most popular rides and shows. The little publicized E Ride Nights let 5,000 people into the park at a reduced rate for three hours on select nights. Consider visiting midweek, as the park is at its busiest on weekends and early in the week. As in all Disney parks, smoking is only allowed in designated outside areas. World Drive 407-824-4321 www.disneyworld.com Open at least 9am–7pm daily, call for seasonal hours. Adm: adults $63, children (3–9) $51 (including tax). Children under 3 go free.