Our 9 Favorite Things that We Love Doing at Disney’s Magic Kingdom

Of all the Disney theme parks, Magic Kingdom is our absolute favorite! We love the other parks for special reasons as well, but Magic Kingdom just screams Disney to us, which is why we keep going back time after time. Here are our top nine favorite things we love doing while at Magic Kingdom. Do any of these make your Magic Kingdom favorites list?

9 – Exploring the Different Lands

Stepping foot into Magic Kingdom is an immediate awe-inspiring moment with Main Street, U.S.A. inviting guests in for a view of the Cinderella Castle in the distance. But the magic doesn’t stop there! Magic Kingdom has six different lands that are all unique and set a tone unlike the other – Main Street U.S.A., Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland. With each land different in appearance, music, food venues, attractions, and entertainment – there is something about every land that makes us want to go back for more!

8 – Shopping on Main Street U.S.A.

What would a trip to Magic Kingdom be without a little shopping on Main Street, U.S.A.? We love the shops on Main Street and are sure to set aside time to browse from shop to shop, which are all conveniently connected on each side of Main Street. Some of our favorite shops include the Emporium and Main Street Confectionary. Don’t forget about the other gift shops and kiosks located throughout the park.

7 – Eating Our Way Through the Park

We mentioned the Main Street Confectionary above, so our taste buds would like a chance to speak and share their love for Magic Kingdom’s food! Whether we are fortunate enough to dine at Be Our Guest Restaurant, grab a hot dog at Casey’s Corner, or sit down and relax with a Dole Whip at Aloha Isle – we find Magic Kingdom’s food always matches our cravings at just the right time. With some of the most famous Disney meals and snacks, eating our way through Magic Kingdom is an inevitable experience for us!

6 – Riding Walt Disney World Railroad

How often do you get to climb aboard a vintage steam-powered train? What may seem like a boring ride to some, the WDW Railroad is a definite favorite for our family. The recently refurbished trains make three stops at Main Street U.S.A, Frontierland, and Fantasyland and, in total, take roughly 25 minutes to go around the park once. It’s a perfect way to relax and enjoy the scenery around you.

5 – Seeing Princesses and Characters

It seems like at least once (if not more) during our visit to Magic Kingdom, we have an outstanding experience with a character. We don’t just mean the usual warm and fuzzy visits, posing for pictures and autographs – but a standout moment. For example, we remember walking through the Castle early one morning for a Cinderella’s Royal Table breakfast. Mickey himself walked out and surprised us all! Instead of a wave and hurrying off to wherever he was headed, he looked as excited to see us as we were to see him! Big hugs from Mickey and we were on our way to breakfast. These special moments with characters and princesses seem to happen more at Magic Kingdom than in any other park.

4 – Arriving Early for Opening Ceremony

If you haven’t had the chance to arrive just before the park opening for the Magic Kingdom’s Opening Ceremony, we highly recommend you add this to your plans! The opening show, “Let the Magic Begin,” opens the park five minutes before the posted opening time. A Royal Herald invites you to join Mickey and friends as they magically open the park. This stage show takes place at the Castle Forecourt Stage. The show sets the tone for a special day at Magic Kingdom. 

3 – Riding The Attractions

Of course, riding all of the attractions is a favorite for us! We enjoy all sorts of rides, from big to small ones, old to new, and everything in between. Where else can you fly with Dumbo, get spooked by the ghosts on Haunted Mansion, breeze through a mine with the Seven Dwarfs, laugh with Monster’s Inc. characters, get “It’s a Small World” stuck in your head for hours, and scream through the darkness on Space Mountain – all in one park!

2 – Watching the Parades and Stage Performances

No debating it, Magic Kingdom has the very best parade on Disney World property. The Festival of Fantasy Parade is the best day parade we have ever seen at Magic Kingdom. It is spectacular and totally worth waiting in a good spot to see all the floats, characters, and entertainers. Another form of entertainment we love is the stage performance in front of the Castle throughout the day – Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire. It’s like watching a fairytale unfold live!

1 – Staying for the Nighttime Magic

The number one favorite thing we love doing at Magic Kingdom is sticking around for the nighttime magic that takes place daily! It’s tough to explain how magical this time is in the park. Happily Ever After features Disney music, stunning fireworks, enhanced lighting, and immersive projection effects that extend for the first time from Cinderella Castle down Main Street, U.S.A, and inspires everyone to believe in the magic that lives within them. It’s a fantastic way to end the day!