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Magic Kingdom is to us and many others, the most exciting and exhilarating part
of Disney World. From the moment you step onto Main Street USA, you are transported
to a place where the cares of the outside world seem to magically melt away.
The park is built on a wheel/spoke design with the Cinderella Castle in the center
of the wheel and the different themed lands emanating from the center.
The Magic Kingdom is the original Disney Park in Florida, having been dedicated on
the 25th of October 1971, and it is divided into six worlds, arranged like a wheel, with
the magnificent Cinderella's Castle as the centerpiece at the hub of the wheel. For most
people it's also probably the most magical and memorable of the three parks, so it's well
worth budgeting to spend at least one full day in the Magic Kingdom if you want to see it all.
Most of the famous Disney characters including Mickey, Donald, The Queen of Hearts,
Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee, Pluto, Goofy and everyone else can be found scattered at
various places throughout the Magic Kingdom, posing for family photographs and autographs.
Walt Disney World Character Dining can also be booked at The Crystal Palace in Main
Street USA, in the Liberty Tree Tavern in Liberty Square, and in King Stefan's Banqueting
Hall in Fantasyland.
The daily parade travels through The Magic Kingdom in mid afternoon, with a second
(usually different) parade heading through the park again during the early evening, shortly
after which the "New Wishes" Fireworks display is held.
After passing through the main entry gates, you enter The Magic Kingdom along Main Street
USA, passing the City Hall, and the Main Street Town Square, a small American town centre
from the year 1900. During December the Town Square holds a massive Christmas tree, adorned
with lights and presents.
Main Street itself is a collection of small shops, cinemas, and attractions from bygone
days. You can either walk down Main Street, or catch one of the transportation vehicles, a
horse-drawn carriage, omnibus, or fire engine, for your trip along Main Street and on towards
Cinderella's Castle, towering over 160 feet above The Magic Kingdom.
Adventureland holds the Swiss Family Treehouse, The Jungle Cruise, The Pirates of the
Caribbean, and the Enchanted Tiki Birds.
Frontierland, themed like the old west of the 19th century, is home to the Country Bear
Jamboree, along with Splash Mountain and the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Frontierland is
also the starting point for exploration of the Tom Sawyer Island, reachable by raft.
Liberty Square, themed in the colonial era, houses the Hall of Presidents, The Diamond
Horseshoe Revue, The Haunted Mansion, and the landing stage for the elegant paddle steamer
which plies the waters around Tom Sawyers Island.
Fantasyland was Walt's idea for the heart of The Magic Kingdom. There are no thrill rides
as such in Fantasyland, which is dominated by the castle and Cinderella's Golden Carousel,
Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride, Peter Pan's Flight ride, The Legend of The Lion King show,
and the charming It's a Small World cruise. The Castle Forecourt Stage in front of Cinderella's
Castle is the place to find some of the regular stage shows presented regularly throughout the
day. Fantasyland was also home to the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea adventure, an underwater
adventure in the Nautilus, and to Mr. Toad's Wild Ride - rides that are now sadly closed.
Mickey's Starland, (Now Mickey's Toontown Fair), specially for the younger visitors, is
home to Mickey Mouse and some of his friends. Mickey's House is a small museum to the career
of this famous mouse.
Tomorrowland holds the ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter, The Timekeeper, Space Mountain
rollercoaster ride, along with the Tomorrowland Speedway for younger visitors, American Journeys
presented in Circlevision 360, Buzz Lightyears Space Ranger Spin, and the Tomorrowland Transit
Authority (formerly the WEDway people mover) can all be found in Tomorrowland.
Disney Theme Park Links
Click around our Walt Disney World's four Theme Parks - Magic Kingdom, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney-MGM Studios.
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