When planning vacations, my friends always ask me what my favorite attractions are in each park, so I figured I could start making some top five lists of things that I enjoy! First, I must begin with Magic Kingdom because it is my favorite park at WDW. One of my favorite attractions at this park is Pirates of the Caribbean. A trip to the World is not complete without riding this attraction many, many times. I just love the ambiance of the area as well as the fantastic music that fills the queue. The attention to detail on this ride is unbelievable, and the smell of the water reminds me that I have come home to WDW. Pirates of the Caribbean is everything that a Disney ride should be. It has laughs, thrills, a catchy song, and it fully immerses the guests in a whole other world.
I would be remiss if I did not list the Haunted Mansion as another must-see attraction at the Magic Kingdom. Again, this ride is a classic; it also immerses guests in an experience that can only be had at a Disney park. There is no one storyline for the Haunted Mansion but rather little vignettes that draw the guests further and further into the experience of really feeling like they are becoming part of a ghostly jamboree. Again, this ride does not have to be terrifying; it does a wonderful job of walking the line between the comedic and the slightly frightening. The ghosts are very playful and friendly for the most part, and they just want to enjoy themselves. Haunted Mansion, like Pirates, is timeless and doesn’t have to worry about staying contemporary with any type of trend. Both of these attractions withstand the test of time.
Next, a trip to the Magic Kingdom would not be complete without taking the grand circle tour on the Walt Disney World steam train. This ride is not just a means of transportation; it is a relaxing journey through the entire park. You are able to get just a taste of all of the lands and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the park. Guests can actually sit down and enjoy all of the themed entertainment that is surrounding them.
Another means of transportation that is a must-do is the Wedway Peoplemover in Tomorrowland. We ride the Peoplemover multiple times throughout the day when we visit the Magic Kingdom. This attraction is the height of relaxation, and like the steam train, gives you an overview of a part of Magic Kingdom. In this case, you are able to explore Tomorrowland and experience some beautiful views of Cinderella Castle as well as see the inside of Space Mountain. If you are very lucky, the lights will be on, and then you can actually see the track for this roller coaster.
Finally, I would be remiss if I did not add a true thrill attraction to this list. I have a hard time narrowing all of my favorite rides down to five, but I really do love Splash Mountain. This thrill ride combines a dark ride with animatronics as well as some thrilling drops in order to be a truly exciting experience. Just seeing Splash Mountain from a distance adds a certain kinetic energy to Frontierland. It is usually hot in Florida, so a little splash is definitely welcome, so I do not mind getting wet on this ride. I remember when I was younger, we were able to participate in an early version of extra magic hours called E-Ride Night. My brother and I rode Splash Mountain at least six times in a row. We just could not get enough!
I could honestly list every attraction in Magic Kingdom as my favorite, but I always recommend the aforementioned five rides to other folks, just because I think they represent some of the best that WDW has to offer. I am a huge fan of animatronics because I think that they really represent the origins of the Disney theme parks. So, what are some of your favorite attractions at MK? Until next time, have a magical day, and keep moving forward!
