Magic Kingdom

Main Street USA Introduction at Disney’s Magic Kingdom Theme Park

by josh on May 15, 2010

Main Street, USA is the section visitors walk through as they enter and leave the Magic Kingdom.  It generally opens about one half hour prior to the rest of the Park and closes about one hour after the stated closing time, to make sure everyone has a chance to complete their souvenir purchases and finish their meal.  There are no rides or attractions here other than the Walt Disney World Railroad station, but you will find plenty of places to part with your money and the majority of the Magic Kingdom’s sit-down restaurants.  The Photopass center is housed inside of the Town Hall Exposition Center and guest relations is located inside of City Hall.  You will want to agree on a meeting place in case one of the members of your group gets lost and the City Hall is an excellent choice because there will also be people here that can help reunite the lost with the rest of their group.  Main Street is themed like an early 20th century small town and is inspired by Walt Disney’s own childhood.  The buildings look taller than they actually are due to the clever use of forced perspective.  In other words, the second and third floors are shorter than the ground floor, giving the impression that they are taller.  A similar technique is used throughout all of Disney’s theme parks and is most apparent when looking at Cinderella’s Castle at the Magic Kingdom and Expedition Everest at the Animal Kingdom.

For my full reviews of all of the Magic Kingdom’s sit-down table service restaurants click here and for counter service locations click here.

In short, the Plaza Restaurant is the cheapest sit-down meal at Disney World and serves mostly sandwiches and ice cream.  It’s an excellent and relaxing alternative to a counter service meal with prices in the same ball park.  Tony’s Town Square Restaurant serves basic Italian food similar to what you would receive at the Olive Garden or similar restaurant, but the atmosphere is hard to beat.  The Crystal Palace serves an excellent breakfast buffet and a decent lunch and dinner buffet featuring characters from Winnie the Pooh.  With an early breakfast reservation before the Magic Kingdom officially opens, you will be allowed to enter the Park before anyone else and get some fantastic photo opportunities on Main Street, USA without anyone else in the picture (though you won’t be allowed to leave Main Street).  Casey’s Corner is the baseball-themed counter service location at the end of Main Street that serves below average hot dogs, corn dog nuggets, and not much else.  Finally, the Main Street Bakery serves delicious snacks and desserts and is an excellent location to use Disney Dining Plan snack credits.  The only downside is the slow service and limited seating.

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Walt Disney World Railroad Rating Review at The Magic Kingdom

by josh on May 15, 2010

Walt Disney World Railroad

Opened: October 1, 1971

Location: Main Street, USA with stops in Frontierland and Mickey’s Toontown Fair

Extra Magic Hours: No

FASTPASS: No

Type: Public transportation

Similar To: Unique

Requirements: None

Scary Factor: Zero

What to Expect: The Walt Disney World Railroad is a scenic train ride around the perimeter of the Magic Kingdom.  You can get on at any of the three stations and ride for as long as you like around the 1.5 mile track.  It’s an excellent attraction when you need a cool, seated break from the crowds and heat, but don’t want to sit in a theater.  The train travels at about 10 miles per hour and it takes about 20 minutes to make a complete circle, including stops.  Be aware that rental strollers are not allowed on the train.  You will need to remove your belongings, name card, and have your receipt handy to pick up a new stroller at your final destination.

When To Go: Visit whenever you need a break or want to travel to Frontierland, Mickey’s Toontown Fair, or Main Street USA without walking.  The trains usually stop running one hour prior to the beginning of the fireworks show due to the track’s proximity to the fireworks staging area and do not resume service after.  Also avoid prior to parades because the trains do not run then either.

Expect to Wait: The shortest waits are usually at the Main Street, USA stop.  Lines may exceed 20 minutes at the other stops, depending on time of day and season.  Consider walking where you’re going if you’re in a hurry – it will probably be quicker.

Length: 20 minutes for a full rotation, but you can stay on as long as you like or get off at any of the stops.

Rating: 7/10

Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia: Like Cinderella’s Golden Carousel, the four trains that service the Walt Disney Railroad are authentic, originally built by Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia between 1916 and 1928.  In 1968, The Disney Company purchased the trains from the Ferrocarriles Unidos de Yucatan where they hauled freight and passengers on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico.   The trains carry more than 1.5 million people per year, making this one of the busiest railways in the United States.

Commentary: The Disney World Railroad is a relaxing way to get off your feet for a while and end up in another part of the Magic Kingdom.  Be wary of long waits because you can probably walk where you’re going faster than it would take to wait and ride the train.  Still, it’s the easiest way to get to Toontown and a fun chance to see parts of the Magic Kingdom that you might miss by simply walking around in a hurry.

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Adventureland Introduction at Disney’s Magic Kingdom Theme Park

by josh on May 15, 2010

When walking up Main Street, USA, Adventureland is the first land on the left, directly underneath Frontierland.  Its theme is a hodgepodge of exotic locales, including Africa, Asia, the Middle East, the Caribbean, South America, and the Pacific Islands.  There are two distinct areas in the Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland – The Arabian Village and Caribbean Plaza.  Most people are in too much of a hurry to appreciate the lush surroundings, so do yourself a favor and take at least a few minutes to look around in between dodging strollers and eating Mickey ice cream bars.  Adventureland features five attractions.  The two best and most popular are the Jungle Cruise and Pirates of the Caribbean.  The Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management) is a somewhat relaxing audio-animatronics theater show that is both seated and air-conditioned, making it a nice stop during hot afternoons.  The Magical Carpets of Aladdin is almost a carbon copy of other hub and spoke carousel rides like Dumbo the Flying Elephant and TriceraTop Spin, only this one has a distinctly Arabian theme.  Finally, the Swiss Family Treehouse is a walking exhibit that towers high over the Magic Kingdom.  Although not particularly awesome, it does offer some outstanding views from the top and anyone who has seen the Swiss Family Robinson movie will enjoy it.

There are “only” three places to shop in Adventureland. Luckily, they offer a wide range of goods, including a wealth of merchandise from the popular Pirates of the Caribbean franchise that will be popular with young boys (and perhaps grown men as well).  Adventureland does not have a sit-down restaurant and no reliable counter-service option either, making it a poor destination for lunch.  El Pirata Y el Perico Restaurante is the quick service that sells Mexican type food, but it’s only open “seasonally” which translates to “probably not open when you want to eat there.”  If it is open and you’re in the mood for a taco then it is a fine choice.  You’ll also find Aloha Isle here, home of the famous Dole Whip.

I would recommend visiting Adventureland in the afternoon.  There’s really nothing here that needs to be ridden immediately in the morning, although the Jungle Cruise does have long lines in the afternoon.  Getting a FASTPASS for Jungle Cruise and then riding Pirates of the Caribbean and visiting the Enchanted Tiki Room usually works well, although your FASTPASS time may be later in the day during Peak and Holiday season.

Scroll down to view the full reviews of the rides and attractions mentioned in this post or click here if you’ve landed on this post from a source other than the categories to your right.  There are also reviews of every other attraction, restaurant, and resort at Disney World on this website.

Must visit: Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean

Visit in the Afternoon for a Break if Time Allows: Enchanted Tiki Room

Skippable: The Magic Carpets of Aladdin, Swiss Family Treehouse

FASTPASS Available: Jungle Cruise

Morning Extra Magic Hours: None

Evening Extra Magic Hours: Magic Carpets of Aladdin, Pirates of the Caribbean

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Enchanted Tiki Room Under New Management Review Disney World

by josh on May 15, 2010

Enchanted Tiki Room Under New Management

Opened: Originally opened October 1, 1971 and reopened “Under New Management” April 5, 1998

Location: Adventureland

Extra Magic Hours: No

FASTPASS: No

Type: Animatronic theater show

Similar To: Country Bear Jamboree

Requirements: None

Scary Factor: Low.  There is a short scene with lightning, thunder, and momentary darkness, but it shouldn’t overwhelm most kids.  If your child is easily frightened then this may be another to skip, but everyone over the age of six or so should be fine.

What to Expect: The Enchanted Tiki Room is another animatronics theater show.  This time, the main characters are Zazu from The Lion King and Iago from Aladdin.  The theater is air-conditioned, but the seats are uncomfortable and have no back, which makes this much more uncomfortable than The Hall of Presidents or other similar theater shows.  Also be aware that most of the show goes on above you, so you’ll need to be looking up if you want to see what’s going on.  The show is mostly a musical with prerecorded audio and some jokes and filler narrative to piece together the story of the two birds trying to run a successful theater show.

When To Go: Visit in the mid-afternoon, before or after the Pirates of the Caribbean (depending on the line for Pirates).  The show is air-conditioned and relaxed, which makes it a good place to get out of the heat and away from the crowds.

Expect to Wait: This isn’t a popular attraction so waits shouldn’t exceed 20 minutes.  Most likely, you’ll just have to wait for the previous show to end before being let into the theater.

Length: 10 minutes

Rating: 4/10

The Original: Whenever Disney changes anything, they get hundreds, if not thousands of letters begging the company to keep things the way they were.  The same thing happened with the Enchanted Tiki Room.  The original attraction was a carbon copy of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland, which opened in 1963 and marked their first use of audio-animatronics.  Disney went ahead with the renovation in September of 1997 and reopened the show “under new management” eight months later.  To this day you’ll hear complaints about how the “new show” pales in comparison to the original.

Commentary: If you enjoy Gilbert Gottfried, the voice of Iago, you’ll enjoy this attraction much more than someone who doesn’t.  It’s not necessarily “bad,” but it certainly isn’t an attraction in the same league as most of the other rides at the Magic Kingdom.  It also isn’t as comfortable.  If you’ve never seen it and have extra time or need something to tide you over while you wait for your Jungle Cruise FASTPASS time, then this is a decent diversion.  Otherwise, I wouldn’t make a point of getting here if you’re in a time crunch and don’t enjoy dated audio-animatronics shows.

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Jungle Cruise Rating Review at Disney World Magic Kingdom

by josh on May 15, 2010

Jungle Cruise

Opened: October 1, 1971

Location: Adventureland

Extra Magic Hours: No

FASTPASS: Yes

Type: Boat ride

Similar To: Living With the Land, The Great Movie Ride

Requirements: None

Scary Factor: Zero

What to Expect: The queue for the Jungle Cruise is deceptively long and winding so don’t ignore the posted wait time if the line appears short at first glance.  The queue is covered and cooler than many other parts of the Park, but it isn’t indoors or air-conditioned.  Once you make it to the front of the line you will board a slow-moving tramp-steamer themed boat that holds about 40 passengers and has a maximum speed of just over two miles per hour.  The boat will travel through several scenes that feature audio-animatronic animals from three continents and lush tropical landscaping.  Each boat features a live cast member that will narrate your voyage and tell a variety of bad jokes and puns.

When To Go: I would recommend getting a FASTPASS for this ride in the early afternoon and then getting in line to ride Pirates of the Caribbean or another close by Adventureland attraction with a minimal wait.  “Aloha Isle” is nearby as well and serves the ever-popular Dole Whip http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dole_Whip which you may want to try as well.  Otherwise, return in the late evening when the line is shorter.  You don’t want to be stuck in the regular line in the afternoon because it’s long, boring, and still fairly hot.

Expect to Wait: This is a slow-loading ride that’s popular with families because of its proximity to Pirates of the Caribbean and the Magic Carpets of Aladdin.  Expect waits in the 30 minute range by lunch and 45 minute range in the afternoon.

Why So Serious? The original version of the Jungle Cruise featured a much more serious narrative, rather than the slightly humorous version you’ll hear today.  In addition, the water is dyed the dark color so you can’t tell that the water is less than five feet deep in most places.

Length: 9 minutes

Rating: 5/10

Commentary: This is another difficult ride to rate because it’s a classic Disney attraction that certain types of people will enjoy much more than others.  Be aware that this is a slow ride with what could be considered “dated” animatronics and effects.  The Jungle Cruise is basically the same as it was 40 years ago so it’s not going to knock your socks off like newer rides might.  The narrative is purposefully corny which may or may not amuse people.  It’s best to go into these classic kinds of rides with an open mind and appreciate them for what they are.  Most kids are mesmerized by the scenes, effects, and sounds, but it probably won’t impress most adults.  Ride if it sounds like it’s something you might enjoy, but skip it if you don’t have kids or the line is too long.

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Magic Carpets of Aladdin Rating Review Disney Magic Kingdom

by josh on May 15, 2010

Magic Carpets of Aladdin

Opened: May 24, 2001

Location: Adventureland

Extra Magic Hours: Evening

FASTPASS: No

Type: Carousel

Similar To: Dumbo the Flying Elephant, TriceraTop Spin

Requirements: None

Scary Factor: Zero

What to Expect: The Magic Carpets of Aladdin is almost an exact replica of TriceraTop Spin and Dumbo the Flying Elephant.  Riders board magic carpet themed vehicles attached to the middle hub.  The hub spins and the vehicles in turn spin slowly along with it.  Riders in front can move the carpet up or down and riders in the back control whether or not the carpet is slightly tilted forward or backward.  One slightly fun addition is the camel that spits water.  Riders can try to position their carpet to hit or miss the water stream.  The water stream is relatively weak, so don’t expect to get too wet even with multiple direct hits.

When To Go: If you’re skipping the roller coasters and Splash Mountain then you’ll want to make your way here after completing the child-friendly Fantasyland rides in the morning.  Otherwise, save this for after dinner, during a parade, or during evening Extra Magic Hours.

Expect to Wait: This is an extremely slow loading ride, but isn’t as popular as Dumbo so lines are shorter.  Expect waits in the 30 minute range throughout the day except for the early morning and late evening when they should be considerably shorter.  If the line exceeds 20 minutes I would return later.

Length: 90 seconds

Rating: 4/10

Commentary: This will be an entertaining ride for the younger set, but an easy skip for adults unless there’s virtually no line.  The ride itself is not much more than a generic midway ride with a Disney theme.  For adults, I would save this for evening Extra Magic Hours when it should be a walk-on.  If there’s still a long line then you won’t be missing much and won’t have wasted precious time waiting in line during the day.

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Pirates of the Caribbean Rating Review Disney Magic Kingdom

by josh on May 15, 2010

Pirates of the Caribbean

Opened: December 15, 1973

Location: Adventureland

Extra Magic Hours: Evening

FASTPASS: No

Type: Dark ride

Similar To: The Great Movie Ride

Requirements: None

Scary Factor: Low.  Pirates of the Caribbean shouldn’t scare most kids.  As you might expect, there are about 60 animatronic pirates throughout the ride, so if your tyke has a particular fear of pirates then this ride may present a problem.  There is a short 14 foot drop at the beginning of the ride, but it’s entirely benign and shouldn’t upset anyone.  The rest of the ride is smooth sailing, so to speak.

What to Expect: The queue for Pirates of the Caribbean is inside and air-conditioned, which makes it a great candidate for an afternoon visit.  The queue isn’t among the most interesting, but there are a few things to look at and it generally moves fast.  Once you make it to the front of the line you will board a boat that slowly meanders through the Pirate infested waters.  Be aware that some of the scenes are violent and do feature gun fire and cannon blasts.  It’s also dark throughout, but the scenes are well-lit and it’s always easy to see where you’re traveling.  In 2006, Disney updated Pirates of the Caribbean with characters from the movie of the same name.  You’ll now see Jack Sparrow throughout the ride as well as a special appearance by Davy Jones.

When To Go: Consider saving this one for the late afternoon or early evening.  Lines are relatively short and the queue and ride are among the coolest (weather wise) at the Magic Kingdom.  Pirates is usually a walk-on during evening Extra Magic Hours as well, especially in the last hour.  Consider returning for a second or third ride then.

Expect to Wait: Lines are usually under 20 minutes, but may peak in the 30 minute range.  During Peak and Holiday season the lines will be longer.  Return later if the line exceeds 20 minutes.

Madame Tussaud Anyone? Interestingly enough, Pirates of the Caribbean was originally planned as a wax museum at Disneyland in California.  It was never intended to be part of Disney World at all because Disney thought Orlando was too close to the actual Caribbean to be of enough interest.  Instead, Disney planned a similar attraction featuring cowboys and Indians for the Magic Kingdom.  So many guests complained about the lack of a Pirates ride in Orlando that Disney ultimately chose to build a similar attraction to the original in Disneyland.  Pirates of the Caribbean is also the last ride Walt Disney personally worked on.

Length: 10 minutes

Rating: 10/10

Commentary: Pirates of the Caribbean is an amazingly immersive experience and one of Disney’s best attractions.  You will almost never see anyone leave Pirates without a smile on their face and it is many people’s favorite ride.  It’s also easily accessible and guests of any age should thoroughly enjoy it.  It may still upset the most prone to fear and anxiety because it does get dark and loud in certain parts.  You may also not be able to convince them that there won’t be a large drop like in Splash Mountain, even though there isn’t one.  All in all, Pirates is a must-visit.

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Swiss Family Treehouse Rating Review Disney Magic Kingdom

by josh on May 15, 2010

Swiss Family Treehouse

Opened: October 1, 1971

Location: Adventureland

Extra Magic Hours: No

FASTPASS: No

Type: Exhibit

Similar To: Unique

Requirements: None

Scary Factor: Low.  There’s nothing scary about the Treehouse, but it is high up in the air.

What to Expect: The Swiss Family Treehouse is modeled to look like the treehouse from the Disney Movie, Swiss Family Robinson.  You’ll have to walk up more than 100 steps to reach this walk-through exhibit and then walk through the various rooms as well.  The level of detail is striking, but generally goes underappreciated because so few people are familiar with the Swiss family or their story.  The Treehouse also provides a great photo opportunity and view from the top, overlooking the entire Magic Kingdom.

When To Go: Visit in the afternoon, after you’ve completed most of your itinerary.  Although it’s outside, the Treehouse is well shaded and cooler than other exposed parts of the Kingdom.

Expect to Wait: Waits should be less than ten minutes.

Length: Spend as much time as you like, but it generally takes about 15 minutes to walk through and casually check out the rooms and exhibits.

Rating: 5/10

Commentary: The Swiss Family Treehouse is an unnecessary attraction for most people, unless you have a particular affinity for the Swiss Family Robinson or treehouses in general.  If you have the time then it’s certainly worth a look, but I wouldn’t recommend it over riding one of the major rides.  On the plus side, it does offer some gorgeous views of the Magic Kingdom and some shade.

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Fantasyland Introduction at Disney’s Magic Kingdom Theme Park

by josh on May 15, 2010

Fantasyland Introduction at Disney’s Magic Kingdom Theme Park

Fantasyland, themed like Cinderella’s Castle’s Courtyard, is the northernmost land at the Magic Kingdom that separates Tomorrowland from Liberty Square.  Fantasyland is a favorite of many visitors to Disney, especially young kids.  Most of the attractions in Fantasyland are geared towards the younger set and you won’t find any thrill rides or roller coasters.  Instead, many of the attractions fall into the “dark ride” category.  According to Wikipedia, “A dark ride is an indoor amusement ride where riders in guided vehicles travel through specially lit scenes that typically contain animation, sound, music, and special effects.”  Peter Pan’s Flight, It’s A Small World, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and Snow White’s Scary Adventures are all Fantasyland dark rides.  In addition, you’ll find Cinderella’s Golden Carousel and Dumbo the Flying Elephant, both carousel-type rides and Mad Tea Party, a spinning tea cup attraction.  Mickey’s PhilharMagic is the excellent 3D theater show in Fantasyland and a great way to get off your feet for a while in the middle of the day.

If you plan to skip Magic Kingdom’s thrill rides, including Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, then you’ll want to head to Fantasyland first thing in the morning.  Many of Fantasyland’s rides boast some of the longest waits at the Magic Kingdom, despite not being billed as “headlining attractions.”  Don’t be surprised if the wait for Peter Pan’s Flight or Dumbo the Flying Elephant eclipses the wait for Space Mountain.  This is due to the fact that many Fantasyland rides have small capacities and inefficient loading and unloading.  If you do plan to ride the headlining thrill rides, prepare to head to Fantasyland immediately after.  You may need to use the FASTPASS system where available and ride the less popular, higher capacity attractions like It’s A Small World and Mickey’s PhilharMagic while you wait for your FASTPASS time.  If you’re extremely short on time or the Magic Kingdom is particularly crowded, make sure to pay special attention to the ratings and which rides can be more easily skipped than others.  Evening Extra Magic Hours is also an excellent time to visit Fantasyland because many families will have left the park due to the late hour.  It’s not uncommon for the line for Peter Pan’s Flight to be in the 60 minute range all day, but drop to 10 minutes during Extra Magic Hours.

Cinderella’s Royal Table is Fantasyland’s table service restaurant.  It’s expensive and costs two table service credits on the Disney Dining Plan, but it may be worth it if your budget allows.    Pinocchio Village Haus is Fantasyland’s main counter service location.  Where else can you order a pepperoni pizza and chocolate milkshake?  It’s not the best quick service at the Magic Kingdom, but it’s the only location that serves pizza and the seating that overlooks the It’s A Small World boat ride is fun as well.  There are about six different shops in Fantasyland, including the ever-popular Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.

Click the highlighted links throughout this post to read full reviews of the restaurants mentioned.  Scroll down for the full reviews of the rides and attractions or click here if you’ve landed on this page from another source.  To the right you will also find categories leading to reviews of all the other attractions, restaurants, and resorts at Walt Disney World.

Must visit: Mickey’s PhilharMagic (in the afternoon or whenever you need a break from walking), Peter Pan’s Flight (with FASTPASS or during evening Extra Magic Hours if necessary)

Visit With Kids But Skippable Without: Cinderella’s Golden Carousel, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Skippable With or Without Kids: It’s A Small World, Mad Tea Party, Snow White’s Scary Adventure

FASTPASS Available: Mickey’s PhilharMagic, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan’s Flight

Morning Extra Magic Hours: Cinderealla’s Golden Carousel, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, It’s A Small World, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Mickey’s PhilharMagic, Peter Pan’s Flight

Evening Extra Magic Hours: Same as Morning above

Although several of these attractions are listed as “skippable,” I would still make every effort to visit them.  If you only have time for one of the “skippable attractions” you should probably visit It’s A Small World.  It’s a classic attraction that ususally has a shorter wait.  When short on time, you’ll have to make some tough decisions.  Every group is different and you’ll want to read over the specific reviews to figure out which rides sounds more appealing than others.

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Cinderella’s Golden Carousel Review at Disney’s Magic Kingdom Orlando

by josh on May 15, 2010

Cinderella’s Golden Carousel

Opened: October 1, 1971

Location: Fantasyland

Extra Magic Hours: Morning, Evening

FASTPASS: No

Type: Carousel

Similar To: A carousel

Requirements: None

Scary Factor: Zero

What to Expect: Cinderella’s Golden Carousel is a Disney themed carousel, complete with 90 horses that are all uniquely painted.  The horses slowly rotate around in a circle, moving up and down while Disney music plays in the background.  The Philadelphia Toboggan Company built the carousel in 1917 and it originally operated at Electric Park in Detroit.  Walt Disney discovered the carousel in 1967 and restored it for use in the Magic Kingdom.  Make sure to look up at the canopy over the ride and you will see 18 scenes that tell the story of Cinderella.

When To Go: Visit any time.  Unless Magic Kingdom is swamped, you shouldn’t have to wait much longer than it takes for the next ridfe to load.

Expect to Wait: 10 minutes or less.

Length: 2 minutes

Rating: 7/10

Look for the Golden Bow and the Best Picture Opportunity: Look for the horse in the second row with the golden bow.  This horse is painted like Cinderella’s.  Also, if you’re planning to take a photograph of your child (or parent, friend, etc.) while riding, instruct them to sit on one of the outside horses for the best opportunity.  You can still get a picture if they’re riding on one of the interior horses, but it obviously won’t be as clear.

Commentary: Cinderella’s Golden Carousel is certainly one of the best carousels in the country and a favorite among the younger set.   You’ll know whether you want to ride it just by looking at it, so there really aren’t any surprises.  Ride if it looks like fun or enjoy its beauty from afar if you don’t have the time or don’t want to wait in line.

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