Top 10 Ultimate Magic Kingdom Attractions
#10: Peter Pan's Flight
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One of the rides notorious for having perpetually long lines at the Magic Kingdom is this gentle dark ride in Fantasyland. Based on the 1953 film, Peter Pan’s Flight has been around since 1971, making it one of Disney World’s original attractions, and is a fixture at many of the other parks as well. This ride is a favorite for little kids and grown-ups alike. After all, who wouldn’t want to travel to Neverland? It has received many updates over the years, including a new, more interactive queue experience in 2014.
#9: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
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When Disney World did a rehaul of the Fantasyland section of the Magic Kingdom in the 2010s, one of the most anticipated changes was the addition of this Snow White themed roller coaster. This ride is tame enough for kids to enjoy, but exciting enough to thrill rides of all ages, with the seats fashioned like mine carts that shift as you go along the track. Everyone knows that you’ll have to wait in long lines at Disney World, but the Disney Imagineers seem to have taken this in stride. For this new attraction, the queue area is an exciting experience all on its own. Once you get on the ride though, you’ll be treated to some truly impressive Audio-Animatronic technology of your favorite Dwarfs.
#8: Jungle Cruise
Another one of the Magic Kingdom’s original rides, this riverboat themed ride puts passengers on a river adventure that manages to traverse several continents. The ride is fun and all, but the real highlight of this attraction is the humorous skippers who are leading your boat. A Disney Cast Member talks you through the experience, making what was originally created as a frightening ride funny and pun-filled - but fair warning, these are some groaners. Disney even gave a “Jungle Cruise” movie the green light and it will undoubtedly put a new focus on this classic ride.
#7: Mickey's PhilharMagic
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Opening in 2003, Mickey's PhilharMagic is one of the more modern attractions featured at the Magic Kingdom. It is a 4D show, meaning that along with a 3D film being shown there are physical effects that take place in the audience - that’s right, there are also special smells in this attraction. George Scribner, who directed “Oliver & Company,” created the film, which follows a mishap with Donald Duck and the Sorcerer’s Hat from “Fantasia.” The attraction stars familiar faces from a wide variety of Disney films, such as Mickey, Lumiere, and Ariel, and is full of fun, humor, and surprises.
#6: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
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Get ready for the wildest ride in the wilderness! Opening in 1980 in the Frontierland section of Disney World, people around the world have been enjoying this ride for decades. It’s one of the tamer coasters Disney offers, so it’s a favorite among younger guests, and your ride isn’t complete unless you visit each of the Disney “Mountains.” The track takes you through tunnel after tunnel of the American Southwest after the town of Tumbleweed fell victim to a curse and was left deserted - leaving the trains to go about of their own accord. We know, this is sounding a lot like The Haunted Mansion more than anything. But even if you don’t know the story behind this attraction, it’s still a rockin’ good time.
#5: Happily Ever After
The Magic Kingdom has played host to many incredible nighttime shows, but their latest is by far the most impressive. From 2003 until 2017, guests had become accustomed to ending their night with the “Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams” fireworks show. So, when it was announced that it would be replaced, there was much anticipation about how the new one would measure up. Happily Ever After includes not only fireworks, but large scale projections onto Cinderella’s castle, pyrotechnics, and lasers, as well as an unforgettable score. Going through some of the themes that tie each Disney story together, we get to close out a perfect day at the parks with some of our favorite friends.
#4: Space Mountain
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This one is an oldie, but a goodie. While Tomorrowland might not feel quite as futuristic as it did when it was created in the 1970s, there’s still something fun and kitschy about the rides that imagine what the world would look like several decades on. Space Mountain is one of the famed “mountains” at the Magic Kingdom and is an indoor dark roller coaster that has riders propelling through an exciting space-scape. It has a serious re-rideability factor, and never really gets old no matter how many times you’ve been on it.
#3: The Haunted Mansion
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If you’re expecting a typical amusement park haunted house when you board this ride, you’ll be in for a surprise. There are no jump scares or gory scenes in the Haunted Mansion, but rather 999 friendly ghosts who will make you laugh and smile as you travel along in your “Doom Buggy.” The ride is located in Liberty Square and is one of the best rides to go on after dark, for a full spooky experience. From the moment you see those portraits - you know the ones - you know you’re in for an experience that’ll leave you feeling grim, and grinning.
#2: Pirates of the Caribbean
Long before the film franchise existed, “Pirates of the Caribbean” was a popular Disney parks ride. This boat ride into the age of swashbuckling pirates feels more retro than dated and has even received some modern updates to include nods to the movies like an auto-animatronic version of Captain Jack Sparrow, which is surprisingly lifelike. Though the ride is in the dark, it shouldn’t be too frightening for younger riders. In 2018, the auction, one of the main sections of the ride, was given a bit of a narrative update, with the redhead going from a damsel in distress to a veritable pirate in her own right.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
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Festival of Fantasy Parade
Mad Tea Party
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
#1: Splash Mountain
You may have been on log flumes before, but none can compare to this landmark Disney World ride. Located in the Frontierland section of the park, Splash Mountain begins as a quiet water ride with cuddly critters from the movie “Song of the South,” but quickly turns darker once you head inside the mountain. It all leads up to a thrilling 50-foot drop into a briar patch and if you know what’s coming, you’ll be anticipating it anxiously the entire ride. On a hot day, the final splash can be the perfect thing for a cool down.
