By Ashley McKellar

For most Walt Disney World guests the Magic Kingdom is the first park that comes to mind and the highest priority to visit.  The iconic view of Cinderella Castle is probably the most recognized symbol of Walt Disney World.

If you are visiting Walt Disney World with young children you would ideally dedicate two park days to the Magic Kingdom since it is so packed full of attractions!  There are over 20 rides and attractions without height restrictions that families of all ages can enjoy together.  A few favorites for young children include Peter Pan’s Flight, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Mad Tea Party, “it’s a small world”, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Jungle Cruise and Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid.  

But there are also many hidden gems in the Magic Kingdom that you could easily fill an entire day with!  Toddlers and young children can benefit from a break from standing in line for rides and character meets and the Magic Kingdom has a few wonderful play areas for young visitors to burn off some energy.  In the Storybook Circus section of Fantasyland are the Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station and the Dumbo playground.  The Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station is an outdoor splash pad that is very popular on warm days.  Bring a bathing suit and towel with you into the park if you’d like your little one to enjoy this attraction and there are restrooms located right next to it for changing.  

The Dumbo playground is one of Disney’s best kept secrets!  It was designed as a way for children to play while waiting in line to ride Dumbo the Flying Elephant.  Parents are given a buzzer that will go off when it is their turn to ride.  However you are also welcome to come into the tent and play for as long as you want even without riding the ride.  The tent is air conditioned and is a nice respite from heat or rain.  It has fun circus theming and there are many places to climb and slide plus a dedicated toddler area.

Families can take a raft from Frontierland over to Tom Sawyer Island where children can run and explore caves, bridges and play areas.  This is also a wonderful way to burn off some energy and can be a nice break from crowds.

Pirate fans are sure to enjoy A Pirates Adventure – Treasure of the Seven Seas interactive adventure that takes guests on self-guided missions throughout Adventureland to help Captain Jack Sparrow.

A fun and unique experience that not many know about is getting a haircut at the Harmony Barber Shop on Main Street.  The “My First Haircut” package includes commemorative Mickey ears and a certificate documenting this special occasion.  Another unique souvenir in the Magic Kingdom is found at the Liberty Square Portrait Gallery where a Disney artist creates a timeless silhouette of your child you can have framed.

Sometimes guests who are planning their first Walt Disney World vacation may be tempted to skip the Magic Kingdom if they have older children or teenagers.  There is a misconception that the park is only fun for young children and that it doesn’t have anything for older children but this is far from the truth!  Even teenagers are sure to be impressed by the amazing imagineering at Walt Disney classic rides such as Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion.  Other favorites among older children include the Frontierland Shooting Arcade, Tomorrowland Speedway, and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin which is a Toy Story themed interactive laser shooting ride that is always a hit with fans of laser tag and video games.  My son also enjoyed the Hall of Presidents Audio-Animatronics show after he had learned about American History at school.

For thrill-seekers, there are actually four roller coasters located at the Magic Kingdom which is more than any other park!  They are Big Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and Disney’s newest roller coaster, TRON Lightcycle/Run.  Once Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opens this summer there will be five wonderful thrill rides, each with their own unique immersive theming, located in the Magic Kingdom.

There is also amazing entertainment at the Magic Kingdom that is sure to impress children (and adults!) of all ages including the can’t-miss Festival of Fantasy Parade and the beloved Happily Ever After fireworks show that lights up the sky above Cinderella Castle nightly. 

To experience all there is to see at the Magic Kingdom we recommend families dedicate two full park days to Disney’s flagship park, especially if there are young children in the group.  At Royal Carriage Vacations we would love the chance to help you plan a magical Walt Disney World vacation!  Our free services include concierge park planning advice and strategies for utilizing Disney Genie + to make the most of your vacation.