The Magic Kingdom is a staple at the Walt Disney World Resort. This is your complete guide – Magic Kingdom 101 –  to the beloved theme park, taking you from Frontierland to Tomorrowland and everywhere in between!

The Magic Kingdom is the first theme park that opened at the Walt Disney World Resort. It opened on October 1, 1971, and quickly became a staple of the Disney parks. This is the park that typically comes to mind when people think about the Walt Disney World Resort. As you may be aware, the 50th-anniversary celebration starts this year on October 1 and is expected to last 18 months!

Think about the Magic Kingdom as you would the wheel of a bicycle. Cinderella Castle sits in the middle. This area is home to the Partners Statue and is often referred to as the “Hub”. All of the lands are around that, like the spokes coming off of a wheel. That will help you as we explore each of its six lands and as you navigate the park in person.

**Please note, the phased reopening at the Walt Disney World Resort continues. All attractions, restaurants, and experiences may not be available at this time.

Main Street U.S.A.

When you enter the park, you must make your way down Main Street U.S.A.  This area was inspired by the small-town feel of Walt Disney’s childhood home, Marceline, Missouri. You will find several shops and restaurants as you walk down the street toward Cinderella Castle. This is also the place to stop if you want some iconic pictures in front of the castle. You will typically find several Disney PhotoPass photographers along the street, as well as cast members selling balloons.

Here is a list of the dining and shopping options too:

Dining

• Casey’s Corner (Quick Service)
• Plaza Ice Cream Parlor (Quick Service)
• Main Street Bakery (Quick Service)
• The Plaza Restaurant (Table Service)
• Crystal Palace (Table Service)

Shopping

• The Emporium
• Crystal Arts
• Disney Clothiers
• Uptown Jewelers
• Box Office Gifts

Frontierland

When you head over to Frontierland, you are taken back to the American Old West. Most known for “the wildest ride in the wilderness” and Splash Mountain, this land also features a classic show, Country Bear Jamboree, and more. This is also where many of the character cavalcades begin as they work their way toward Main Street U.S.A.

Attractions and Rides

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Country Bear Jamboree
• Splash Mountain
• Tom Sawyer Island

 Dining

• Golden Oak Outpost (Quick Service)
• Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe
• Westward Ho

Shopping

• Big Al’s
• Frontier Trading Post
• Splashdown Photos

Adventureland

This land celebrates the adventurous spirit in all of us. Here, you will find several attractions, all of which are geared toward exploration and adventure. You will also find several classic attractions

Attractions and Rides

• Jungle Cruise
• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Swiss Family Treehouse
• Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room

Dining

• Aloha Isle (Quick Service)
• The Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen (Table Service)
• Sunshine Tree Terrace (Quick Service)

Shopping

• Island Supply by Sunglass Hut
• La Princesa de Cristal – Caribbean Plaza
• Plaza del Sol Caribe Bazaar

Liberty Square

Liberty Square is one of the smaller lands at the Magic Kingdom but is still worth a visit! Here you will be taken back to the American Colonial times and will find restaurants with classic New England fare and a few attractions celebrating American history. If for no other reason, it’s worth a visit to sing along with those Happy Haunts!

Attractions and Rides

• The Hall of Presidents (Reopening Soon)
• Liberty Square Riverboat
• Haunted Mansion

Dining

• Liberty Tree Tavern (Table Service)
• Sleepy Hollow (Quick Service)

Shopping

• Liberty Square Parasol Cart
• Memento Mori
• Liberty Square Portrait Gallery
• Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe

Fantasyland

Fantasyland is where you go to relive some of your favorite fairytales. Here, guests are taken into a world where they can fly over London or right along with an elephant, reliving moments from several classic Disney stories. Every aspect of this land reminds you of those magical tales, even the dining experiences! Who wouldn’t want to relive a tale as old as time or eat a meal INSIDE Cinderella Castle? You can do it all in Fantasyland!

Attractions and Rides

• The Barnstormer
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• “it’s a small world”
• Mad Tea Party
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Mickey’s PhilharMagic
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid

Dining

• Be Our Guest (Table Service)
• Cinderella’s Royal Table (Table Service)
• Cheshire Cafe (Quick Service)
• The Friar’s Nook (Quick Service)
• Gaston’s Tavern (Quick Service)
• Pinnochio Village Haus (Quick Service)
• Storybook Treats (Quick Service)

Shopping

• Bonjour! Village Gifts
• Fantasy Faire
• Hundred Acre Goods
• Sir Mickey’s

Tomorrowland

This land is geared toward the future, encouraging guests to think about what might be in store. You will find both classic and popular attractions here.

Attractions and Rides

• Astro Orbiter
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
• Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor (reopening on August 8)
• Space Mountain
• Tomorrowland Speedway
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
• TRON Lightcycle Run (Coming Soon)

Dining

• Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies
• Tomorrowland Terrace (Quick Service)
• Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe (Quick Service)
• The Lunching Pad (Quick Service)

Shopping

• Merchant of Venus
• Star Traders
• Tomorrowland Light & Power Co.
• Ursa’s Major Minor Mart

The “Hub”

The “Hub” at the Magic Kingdom is where you will find the Partners Statue and of course, a great view of Cinderella Castle. It is the area located right in front of Cinderella Castle, at the end of Main Street U.S.A. but before you enter any of the lands.

This area is a great place to stop and grab photos – you will find several PhotoPass photographers. It is a prime location to watch the character cavalcades come through too. Plus, it’s one of the best places to watch the nighttime fireworks show, especially when there are projections on Cinderella Castle.

Parades and Fireworks

Currently, the Magic Kingdom features character cavalcades several times throughout the day instead of a large parade. These cavalcades feature Disney characters including princesses, Goofy and Friends, and more. You can check on the times using the My Disney Experience app.

Photo Courtesy Disney

Recently, fireworks came back to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot. At the Magic Kingdom, “Happily Ever After” is the beloved nighttime show running through September 29, 2021. Starting on October 1, though, a new show, “Disney Enchantment” will begin to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this park! Typically, there is a fireworks show offered nightly in the park and it’s always a magical way to end your evening!

The Magic Kingdom is a staple when you visit the Walt Disney World Resort. There is something very magical about walking into this park and experiencing everything it has to offer!

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