If you have little time to spend at Disney’s Magic Kingdom, you’ll want to know what the must-do attractions and experiences are.
This is a short list of all the must-dos at the Magic Kingdom, including rides, shows, restaurants, shops, and anything else you’ll want to check out.
Keep in mind that it’s okay if you don’t get to experience everything on this list. You really need more than a day to experience most of what the Magic Kingdom has to offer. You’ll still have a great time, no matter how many of these experiences you hit.
Best Magic Kingdom Attractions
Keep in mind that it’s okay if you don’t get to experience everything on this list. You really need more than a day to experience most of what the Magic Kingdom has to offer. You’ll still have a great time, no matter how many of these experiences you manage to pack into the day.
You may also like our Best Magic Kingdom Rides for Seniors
Pirates Of The Caribbean
Sail the high seas and go on a pirate adventure, where you’ll explore haunted caves, get caught in a pirate ship battle, and see pirates pillage and ravage a town.
The Pirates of the Caribbean ride is incredibly immersive. The sets are massive and intricately detailed. Also, even though they’re decades old, the animatronics look very lifelike. It really feels like you’ve can back in time, back when pirates ruled the seas.
It’s a Disney classic, and shouldn’t be missed.
The Haunted Mansion at Disney’s Magic Kingdom
On this spooky tour through the Haunted Mansion, you’ll see a haunted library, stairs to nowhere, a séance room, an endless corridor, and more.
There are few theme park rides that match up to the Haunted Mansion attraction.
The special effects are astounding. You’ll swear there are really ghosts in front of your eyes. I’ve been on this ride a thousand times and I still can’t figure out how they do some of this stuff.
The theming is just as spectacular. The gothic architecture, morbid music, and spooky sounds create an atmosphere that sends a cool chill up your spine.
But don’t worry – it’s called the Haunted Mansion, but it’s still family friendly. It’s a little scary at parts, but it’s very from being “scare your pants off” scary.
A wonderful attraction that’s one of my favorites, and hopefully it’ll be one of your’s too.
Peter Pan’s Flight
Board a flying pirate ship then live out the story of Peter Pan.
The best part is when you fly over London. It makes you feel like a kid again, which is what Disney parks are all about.
The wait times can get a little crazy for this ride. You might want to get a Fastpass when available, or go early in the morning or later in the day when the park is less busy.
And actually, waiting in line isn’t so bad. The queue is themed after the Darlings’ house from the movie, so there’s is lots to look at, and there’s even an interactive game.
Mad Tea Party
Spin as fast as you can in a giant teacup in this classic Fantasyland attraction that’s based off the iconic tea party scene from Alice In Wonderland.
You should know that while it’s better than most, it’s basically a typical teacups attraction that you see at most theme parks.
However, it is very traditional to ride the teacups when you visit the Magic Kingdom. It’s the sort of ride you have to ride at least once.
Even if it is run-of-the-mill, it’s still lots of fun anyway, and it pretty much always has a short wait.
Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin
Battle against the evil Emperor Zurg with Buzz Lightyear in a intergalactic adventure, that’s both a theme park ride and an arcade game.
Each rider gets their own space blaster which they use to shoot targets scattered throughout the ride. The more targets you hit, the higher score you get.
In the end, compare your score with your fellow passenger and see who got the highest score. Or, if you are playing on your own, you can try and beat your own best score.
Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin is a fun ride, especially for those who are very competitive.
Space Mountain in Magic Kingdom
A roller coaster in near complete darkness through the depths of outer space.
Ask many people and they’ll say Space Mountain is their favorite attraction at Magic Kingdom – or at least somewhere in their top 5.
It’s easy to see why, as Space Mountain is the most exhilarating attraction at the park. The drops are huge, the g-forces crush you in your seat, and since it’s in darkness, you never know what’s going to happen next.
Something to note though is that the ride is very rough. I say it’s most people’s favorite, but there is a large crowd who find it too rough, me included.
You should give it a try, but if you know that you really can’t stand bumpy roller coasters, I’d skip this one.
Food And Shopping
It isn’t just the rides that you will want to experience in Magic Kingdom. There is a whole new world of food and shopping to enjoy as well!
Be Our Guest Restaurant
Be Our Guest is an immersive themed restaurant based off the Beast’s castle in Beauty And The Beast. You can dine in the West Wing, the Castle Gallery, and the Grand Ballroom from the iconic scene in the movie.
It’s expensive and it’s very hard to get a reservation, but it’s well worth it. Be Our Guest is one of the best restaurants at Walt Disney World. And if you’re a fan of Beauty And The Beast, you’ll absolutely adore this restaurant.
The Grand Ballroom is especially astounding and looks exactly like the movie. It truly feels like you’ve stepped into the Beauty and the Beast movie.
Not only is the theming great, but so is the food. The menu includes dishes inspired by the film, some of which include The Grey Stuff, mentioned in the song “Be Our Guest.”
Aloha Isle (Dole Whip)
Located in Adventureland, Aloha Isle is a food stand home to the very popular Dole Whip, a soft-serve pineapple delight.
In my opinion, the Dole Whip doesn’t quite live up to the hype, but nonetheless, it’s still very, very good. And at the very least, it’s a unique kind of ice cream that’s unlike anything I’ve ever tasted.
Try it at least once, you’ll probably love it – unless you don’t like pineapple…
A Disney Treat
Magic Kingdom has what seems like thousands and thousands of treats. To name a few, there’s the Mickey Ice Cream Bar, Mickey Ice Cream Sandwich, funnel cake, Mickey Cookie, Mickey Pretzel – the list goes on and on
You can’t go to Disney without getting at least one of these treats. Everyone has their own favorite, but if you want a recommendation, my favorite is the Mickey Ice Cream Sandwich. It tastes just like a regular ice cream sandwich, but it’s mickey-shaped, which makes it a thousand times better.
Main Street U.S.A. Shops
The shops on Main Street U.S.A. are the place to go for Disney merchandise at Magic Kingdom. There are plenty of gift shops around the park, but Main Street U.S.A. is best place if you want to go shopping.
The shops include Disney hats, t-shirts, trinkets, collectables, Disney nuiMO’s, pins – pretty much everything!
If you want the ultimate Disney shopping experience, go to Disney Springs, a massive shopping mall at the resort, and has all the Disney merchandise you could ever want.
Entertainment at Magic Kingdom
There is always something going on at the Magi Kingdom. Check the times of such features as shows, fireworks and parades to make sure you don’t miss anything
Magic Kingdom Parade
See your favorite Disney characters make their way through the park in the Magic Kingdom parade (they change the theme of the parade very often).
Showtimes are listed on the Disney World app, the showtime list (which is usually next to the paper maps at the ticket booths), or you can ask a Cast Member.
You can watch the parade on the side of the path or you can view it from a couple of the cafés on Main Street U.S.A. The parade path is indicated on the map.
Magic Kingdom Fireworks
The grand finale. At night, the lights of Main Street U.S.A. turn down and the fireworks begin.
You can view them from pretty much anywhere in the park. In fact, you can even see them outside the park! They’re a great way to cap off a perfect day at Disney’s Magic Kingdom.
Which attractions do you think you cannot miss at Magic Kingdom? Do you have a favorite ride?
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Alison Meacham is the founder of EverythingMouse Disney Blog. For over 15 years she has shared her love of Disney Parks, Disney Cruises and Universal Orlando. In over 30 years of Disney Travel she has spent countless months in Disney Parks and has sailed on over 45 cruises. A British native and now a United States resident she splits her time between California, Florida and the UK. And spends a serious amount of time sailing the seven seas. She helps over 200,000 people per month follow their Disney travel dreams.