Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom Park is a theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida. It opened on October 1, 1971, and is owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company through its Parks, Experiences and Products division. The official park name has changed slightly over the years, from Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom (1971–1994) and The Magic Kingdom (1994–2017). The park was initialized by Walt Disney and designed by WED Enterprises. The park layout and attractions were based on Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California, and are dedicated to fairy tales and Disney characters.
The park icon is Cinderella Castle, inspired by the fairy tale castle featured in the 1950 animated film. In 2022, the park hosted 17.13 million visitors, making it the most visited theme park in the world for the sixteenth consecutive year and the most visited theme park in North America for at least the past twenty-two years, The park has become a cultural touchstone and symbol of modern American pop culture.
History
Planning
Although Walt Disney had been highly involved in planning the resort complex and park, he died in 1966, before he could see the vision through. Although Walt Disney did not live to see Walt Disney World, he did come to Florida in person to survey the land, meet with local officials, and announce the project to the media. After Walt's death, his brother Roy Disney took over the project. Walt Disney Productions began construction on Magic Kingdom and the entire resort in 1967. The park was built as a larger, improved version of Disneyland Park in California.
Magic Kingdom was built over a series of tunnels called utilidors, a portmanteau of utility and corridor, allowing employees (called "cast members") or VIP guests to move through the park out of sight.
Because of Florida's high water table, the tunnels could not be put underground, so they were built at the existing grade, meaning the park is built on the second story, giving the Magic Kingdom an elevation of . The area around the utilidors was filled in with dirt removed from the Seven Seas Lagoon, which was being constructed at the same time. The utilidors were built in the initial construction and were not extended as the park expanded. The tunnels were intended to be designed into all subsequent Walt Disney World parks but were set aside mostly because of financial constraints.
Opening and operation
Magic Kingdom Park opened as the first part of the Walt Disney World Resort on October 1, 1971, commencing concurrently with Disney's Contemporary Resort and Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. It opened with twenty-three attractions, three unique to the park and twenty replicas of attractions at Disneyland, split into six themed lands, five copies of those at Disneyland (Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland) and the Magic Kingdom exclusive of Liberty Square, rather than the Disneyland New Orleans Square. The Walt Disney Company promised to increase this number with a combination of replicas and unique attractions. While there is no individual dedication to Magic Kingdom, the dedication by Roy O. Disney for the entire resort was placed within its gates.
The only land added to the original roster of lands in the park was Mickey's Toontown Fair. The land originally opened in 1988 as Mickey's Birthdayland to celebrate Mickey Mouse's 60th birthday. Later the land was renovated as Mickey's Starland and eventually to Mickey's Toontown Fair. The land was home to attractions such as Mickey's Country House, Minnie's Country House, The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm, and Donald's Boat. It closed on February 12, 2011, to make way for the expansion of Fantasyland. The Walt Disney World Railroad station in Mickey's Toontown Fair, which opened with Mickey's Birthdayland in 1988, was closed for the duration of the construction. In 2012, the space where Mickey's Toontown Fair sat reopened as a part of Fantasyland, in a sub-section called the Storybook Circus, where an updated Dumbo the Flying Elephant attraction was relocated. The Barnstormer was retained and was re-themed to The Great Goofini.
Since opening day, Magic Kingdom has been closed temporarily because of eight hurricanes: Floyd, Charley, Frances, Jeanne, Wilma, Matthew, Irma, and Ian. The first non-hurricane related day the park has closed is on September 11, 2001, due to the terrorist attacks that day. Walt Disney World was closed from March 15, 2020 to July 11, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, there are four "phases" of park closure when Magic Kingdom exceeds capacity, ranging from restricted access for most guests (Phase 1) to full closure for everyone, even cast-members (Phase 4).
"Magic Kingdom" was often used as an unofficial nickname for Disneyland before Walt Disney World was built. The official tagline for Disneyland is "The Happiest Place On Earth", while the tagline for Magic Kingdom is "The Most Magical Place On Earth".
Up until the early 1990s, Magic Kingdom was officially known as Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom, and was never printed without the Walt Disney World prefix. This purpose was to differentiate between the park and Disneyland in California. In 1994, to differentiate it from Disneyland, the park was officially renamed Magic Kingdom Park.
Alcoholic beverages had been prohibited from the park since its opening, but this policy has changed. In 2012, the Be Our Guest restaurant opened selling wine and beer for the first time. This was the only place in the park where alcohol was permitted until December 2014 when four additional restaurants began selling beer and wine including Cinderella's Royal Table, Liberty Tree Tavern, Tony's Town Square Restaurant, and the Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen. And finally in 2018, the park officially became the second Magic Kingdom-style park to serve alcohol at all table service restaurants, after Disneyland Paris in 1993.
In October 2018, The Wall Street Journal reported the theme park is becoming a popular spot for families to scatter the ashes of loved ones with the Haunted Mansion being the favorite location. The practice is unlawful and prohibited on Disney property and anyone spreading cremated remains will be escorted from the park.
Park layout and attractions
Magic Kingdom is divided into six themed "lands." The center of the park is designed like a wheel, with a central area known as The Hub in front of Cinderella Castle. Pathways spoke out from the hub across the of the park and lead to these six lands. The Walt Disney World Railroad circles around the entire perimeter of the park and makes stops at three train stations in Main Street, U.S.A., Frontierland, and Fantasyland. Other named areas of the park include Town Square, located at the entry of the park, and Storybook Circus, a sub-section of Fantasyland. The area that surrounds Tom Sawyer Island is known as the Rivers of America. The street that intersects with Main Street is called Center Street. The east-side of the street remains, while the west-side was demolished in the early 2000s to combine several small stores into one larger Emporium store. An area in Tomorrowland is known as Rocket Tower Plaza near Rocket Tower Stage, and an area in Adventureland is known as Caribbean Plaza. Mini-lands within the park include Beauty and the Beast area of Fantasyland, themed as the small French village from the film.
Main Street, U.S.A.
Note: ▲ Genie Plus / Lightning Lane available ≠ Mobile Order for Pickup Available Table-Service Restaurants Tony's Town Square Restaurant - primarily Italian menu themed by The Lady and the Tramp
The Plaza Restaurant
Crystal Palace - features Winnie the Pooh & Friends character buffet-diningQuick-Service Food Casey's Corner ≠ - Americana-baseball themed, specializing in hot-dogs, currently sponsored by Coca-Cola.
Main Street Bakery - the parks only Starbucks location. Operated by Disney.
Main Street Confectionery ≠ - sells sweets including custom popcorn flavors, currently sponsored by Mars-Wrigley, and includes a show kitchen.
Main Street Popcorn Stand - located in front of the Chamber of Commerce.
The Plaza Ice Cream Parlour - currently sponsored by Edys.Attractions Meet Mickey Mouse in the Town Square Theatre ▲Buildings and Points of InterestCity Hall - guest relations.
Chamber of Commerce - lost and found.
Fire Station - historical fire fighter memorabilia inside .
Main Street Train Station - historical railroad memorabilia inside.
Main Street Flag Pole - a daily retreat ceremony is performed.
Share The Magic Statue - a statue of Roy Disney sitting with Minnie Mouse.
Harmony Barbershop - offers basic haircuts, popular for babies first haircuts.
Main Street Car Barn - home of the Main Street Vehicles that transport guests to The Hub at specific times during the day.
Main Street First Aid & Babycare - provides medical attention and services for mothers and babies.
Photo Pass & Memory Maker Service Station - located inside the Town Square Theatre.EntertainmentThe Dapper Dans - a mens acapella singing group.
Casey's Corner Pianist - professional pianist plays Disney music on an outdoor piano.MerchandiseEmporium - the largest merchandise location in the park, lining the Westside of the street.
Curtain Call Collectibles - located inside the Town Square Theatre. Also the main ear-hat embroidery location.
Box Office Gifts - located inside the Town Square Theatre.
Crystal Arts - operated by Arribas Brothers, a third-party vendor specializing in engraved glass and glassblowing. Demonstrations of glassblowing are shown inside.
Main Street Balloons - usually located at Center Street. Operated by third-party Rubio Arts.
The Shadow Box - the location on Main Street for caricatures and custom cameos - located on Center Street.
Main Street Cinema - a gift shop for various merchandise collections. Disney-cartoons are played inside, projected on the back wall of the shop.
Uptown Jewelers - the parks main shop for jewelry, bags, and accessories.
Pandora Jewelry - located inside Uptown Jewelers, staffed by third-party Pandora specialists.
Main Street, U.S.A. is themed as an early-20th century American town, inspired by Walt Disney's childhood home of Marceline, Missouri. Symbolically, Main Street represents the park's "opening credits", where guests pass under the train station (the opening curtain) at left or right, then view the names of key personnel along the windows of the buildings' upper floors. Many windows bear the name of a fictional business, such as "Seven Summits Expeditions, Frank G. Wells President", with each representing a tribute to significant people connected to the Disney company and the development of the Walt Disney World Resort. It features stylistic influences from around the country. Taking its inspiration from New England to Missouri, this design is most noticeable in the four corners in the middle of Main Street, where each of the four corner buildings represents a different architectural style. There is no opera house as there is at Disneyland; instead, there is the Town Square Theatre. The second stories of all the buildings along Main Street are shorter than the first stories, and are offices for Walt Disney World management. The musical soundtrack played at the entrance includes musical selections from the 1943 Broadway musical Oklahoma! and the 1957 Broadway musical The Music Man.
Adventureland
Note: ▲ Genie Plus / Lightning Lane available ≠ Mobile Order for Pickup Available Table-Service Restaurants Jungle Skipper Canteen - themed after the Jungle Cruise.Quick-Service Food Tortuga Tavern - themed after Pirates of the Caribbean.
Sunshine Tree Terrace ≠
Aloha Isle - serves various flavors of dole-whip, sponsored by Dole Foods.
Adventureland Springroll CartRidesJungle Cruise ▲
Pirates of the Caribbean ▲
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin ▲ AttractionsWalt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room - located inside the Sunshine Pavilion.
Swiss Family Treehouse - themed after the 1960 Disney film Swiss Family Robinson.
A Pirates Adventure -Treasures of the Seven Seas - an interactive scavenger hunt where you can join Captain Jack on a series of missions throughout Adventureland.MerchandisePlaza del Sol Caribe Bazaar - the Pirates of the Caribbean exit gift shop, specializing in Pirate-themed merchandise. The shop also includes a leather engraving station.
Bwana Bobs - named after Bob Hope and the 1963 film Call Me Bwana, an outdoor merchandise location.
Sunglass Hut - a third-party vendor that sells sunglasses and accessories.
La Princesa de Cristal - a second smaller location of Crystal Arts by the Arribas Brothers, the main location being on Main Street.Points Of InterestClub 33 - an exclusive members-only club located in the Adventureland Veranda.
Adventureland represents the mystery of exploring foreign lands and is themed to resemble the remote landscapes of Africa, Asia, the Middle East, South America and the South Pacific, with an extension resembling a Caribbean town square.
Frontierland
Note: ▲ Genie Plus / Lightning Lane available ≠ Mobile Order for Pickup Available Table-Service Restaurants The Diamond Horseshoe - formerly a dinner theatre with the Horseshoe Review, the theatre space is no longer used.Quick-Service Food Pecos Bills Tall Tale Inn ≠ - named after Pecos Bill, who appeared in the 1948 Disney film Melody Time.
Westward Ho Refreshments - named after the 1956 Disney film Westward Ho the Wagons!.
Golden Oak Outpost - named after the Golden Oak Ranch.
Aunt Polly's Dockside Inn - open seasonally on Tom Sawyer Island. Named after the character of Aunt Polly from Tom Sawyer.Attractions Frontierland Shootin' Arcade
Country Bear Jamboree - located inside the Grizzly Hall Theatre
Tom Sawyer Island - accessed via boat from Frontierland. Only available during sunlight.RidesBig Thunder Mountain Railroad ▲
Tiana's Bayou Adventure - Opening 2024MerchandiseFrontierland Mercantile / Frontier Trading Post
Big Als - an outdoor merchandise location, named after Big Al from The Country BearsPoints of InterestFrontierland Railroad Station
Frontierland is a romanticized portrayal of the American Old West, including cowboys and Native Americans, as well as the mysteries of the Rivers of America.
Liberty Square
Note: ▲ Genie Plus / Lightning Lane available ≠ Mobile Order for Pickup Available Table-Service Restaurants Liberty Tree Tavern - Americana colonial themed restaurant.Quick-Service Food Columbia Harbour House ≠ - a nautical-themed two story quick service location.
Sleepy Hollow Refreshments ≠ - named after The Legend of Sleepy Hollow that was adapted into the 1949 Disney film The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad.
Liberty Square Market - an outdoor farmers market, the main location for turkey legs.Attractions The Hall of Presidents
Liberty Belle RiverboatRidesThe Haunted Mansion ▲Points of InterestThe Enchanted Glade Gazebo - located behind the Christmas Shoppe, primarily used for Character greetings.
Heritage House - formerly a gift shop, it now serves as a Guest Relations desk.
Replicas of the Liberty Tree and Liberty Bell are found in the center of Liberty Square.
Historic artifacts from various presidents and first ladies are on display in the lobby of the Hall of Presidents.Merchandise Momento Mauri - specializes in Haunted Mansion merchandise.
Ye Old Christmas Shoppe - a year-round Disney Christmas store. The store features a personalized ornament station.
Liberty Square Parasol Cart - features specialty and custom parasols.
Liberty Square Portrait Gallery - located near the Christmas store.
Liberty Square is inspired by a colonial American town set during the American Revolutionary War. The Liberty Belle Riverboat travels down the park's Rivers of America.
Storybook Circus
Note: ▲ Genie Plus / Lightning Lane available ≠ Mobile Order for Pickup Available Attractions Casey Jr. Splash 'n' Soak Station
Pete's Silly Sideshow - an indoor character greeting space featuring Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and Daisy. Named after Pete from the Mickey Mouse cartoons.RidesDumbo the Flying Elephant ▲
The Barnstormer ▲ Points of InterestFantasyland Railroad StationMerchandise Big Top Souvenirs - a large gift shop that includes an ear-hat embroidery station and a smaller version of the confectionery.
Mickey's Toontown Fair closed permanently on February 11, 2011, to make way for Storybook Circus. Some elements of Mickey's Toontown Fair were demolished, and others were re-themed to fit the circus concept. An expanded Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride was built, with an interactive queue, and a second Dumbo ride was built next to it, in order to increase capacity. The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm was re-themed to "The Great Goofini". A big top area was built for meet-and-greets, called Pete's Silly Sideshow. This attraction features Goofy as a stuntman, Daisy as a fortune-teller, Donald as a snake-charmer, Minnie as a Magician, and Pluto as a special performer. Storybook Circus opened with a "streetmosphere" circus act called The Giggle Gang, which had a two-year run from 2012 until 2014.
Fantasyland
Note: ▲ Genie Plus / Lightning Lane available ≠ Mobile Order for Pickup Available Table-Service Restaurants Be Our Guest Restaurant - a Beauty and the Beast themed restaurant with character dining. Located inside the Beasts castle.
Cinderella's Royal Table - a Cinderella themed restaurant with character dining. Located inside Cinderella's Castle.Quick-Service Food Pinocchio's Village Haus ≠ - a two-story quick service specializing in pizza, with themes from the 1940 Disney film Pinocchio.
Cheshire Cafe - named after the Cheshire Cat, a character featured in the 1951 Disney film Alice in Wonderland. Currently sponsored by Minute Maid
The Friar's Nook ≠ - named after the character Friar Tuck from the 1973 Disney film Robin Hood.
Storybook Treats - an ice cream quick service location.
Prince Eric's Village Market - named after Prince Eric from the 1989 Disney film The Little Mermaid.
Maurice's Popcorn Cart - named after Belle's father Maurice from Beauty and the Beast.
Gaston's Tavern - named after Gaston from Beauty and the Beast.Attractions Ariel's Grotto - an indoor daily character greeting with Ariel. ▲
Mickey's PhilharMagic - located inside the Fantasyland Theatre. Guests are given 3D glasses to view the show. ▲
Enchanted Tales with Belle - an indoor daily interactive character greeting with Belle. ▲
Princess Fairytale Hall - offers indoor daily character greetings with Disney Princesses. ▲
Fairytale Garden - currently offering a daily outdoor character greeting with Mirabel Madrigal from Encanto.
The Thotful Spot - currently offering a daily character greeting with Winnie the Pooh and Tigger.RidesThe Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure ▲
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ▲
Mad Tea Party ▲
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh ▲
It's a Small World ▲
Peter Pan's Flight ▲
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel - named after Cinderella's prince. Music from Mary Poppins is played in the attraction. MerchandiseFantasy Faire - the exit gift shop at Mickey's Phiharmagic.
Sir Mickeys - gift shop themed after the Mickey and the Beanstalk segment from the 1947 Disney film Fun and Fancy Free. Guests can be "pixie-dusted" inside the store.
Hundred Acre Goods - specializes in Winnie-the-Pooh-themed merchandise.
Bonjour Village GiftsPoints Of Interest Rapunzel's Tower - a themed area and replica of Rapunzel's Tower from the 2010 Disney film Tangled.
Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boutique - offers Disney Princess makeovers for children.
Cinderella Fountain - Cinderella themed fountain located near the castle.
Cinderella's Wishing Well - Cinderella themed Wishing well located near the castle.
Maurices's Cottage - a full replica of Maurice's cottage from Beauty and the Beast can be seen at the entrance of Enchanted Tales with Belle.
Gaston's Fountain - a fountain in the Beauty and the Beast area featuring a life-size statue of Gaston.
Sword in the Stone - a replica of the scene depicted in the 1963 Disney film The Sword in the Stone.
Fantasyland is themed in a medieval-faire/carnival style, in the words of Walt Disney: "Fantasyland is dedicated to the young at heart and to those who believe that when you wish upon a star, your dreams come true."
Tomorrowland
Note: ▲ Genie Plus / Lightning Lane available ≠ Mobile Order for Pickup AvailableQuick-Service Food Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe ≠ - a large indoor location that features Sonny Eclipse, an animatronic lounge singer at the Starlight Lounge. During special events the stage is used for live-performances.
The Lunching Pad ≠ - an outdoor quick service location.
Auntie Gravities Galatactic Goodies - an indoor location with seating, specializing in sweet treats and ice-cream.
Energy Bytes - a Tron-themed snack stand.
Tomorrowland Terrace - an open-air space used primarily for special events like desert parties that can be purchased
Joffreys Revive Station - operated by third-party Joffreys Coffee. Attractions Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor ▲ - a live comedy show staffed by Actors Equity voice actors and comedians.
Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress - features the Disney-classic song There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow.RidesAstro Orbiter
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin ▲
The Peoplemover - currently sponsored by Enterprise.
Space Mountain ▲
Tomorrowland Speedway ▲
Tron Lightcycle Power Run ▲ - currently sponsored by Enterprise.MerchandiseMickey's Star Traders
Tomorrowland Facepainting Kiosk
Tomorrowland Launch Depot - specializes in Tron-themed merchandise and includes the Tron Identity Program and a D-Tech Customization and Engraving station.
Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Photos - the gift shop at the exit of the Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin. Points Of Interest'''
Rocket Tower Stage / Rocket Tower Plaza - an outdoor live performance space.
Tomorrowland is themed to an intergalactic city, a concept of the future inspired by the optimism and scientific advancements of the Space Age and Atomic Age. and the optimism of as seen from around the 1950s: rockets, UFOs and robots, etc. In the words of Walt Disney: "Tomorrow can be a wonderful age. Our scientists today are opening the door of the Space Age to achievements that will benefit our children and generations to come. The Tomorrowland attractions have been designed to give you an opportunity to participate in adventures that are a living blueprint of our future."
Transportation and Ticket Center
Magic Kingdom lies more than a mile away from its parking lot, on the opposite side of the human-made Seven Seas Lagoon. Upon arrival, guests are taken by the parking lot trams to the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC), which sells admission into the parks and provides transportation connections throughout the resort complex.
The Walt Disney World Monorail System, ferryboats and Disney Transport buses can be used by guests. The three hotels closest to Magic Kingdom, Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's Polynesian Village Resort (which is connected to the Shades of Green resort by a walking path), and Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, use either the ferry or monorail system to travel to Magic Kingdom; a walking path also links the Contemporary Resort to the park. Guests staying at Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground can also ride a dedicated ferry boat to the Magic Kingdom docks. Guests of other hotels take buses to travel to the park, while guests who are not staying at any of the resort's hotels must use the monorail system or ferryboats to travel to the park from the Transportation and Ticket Center. Guests using ride-hailing services to travel to the park must transfer at the TTC or use the walking path from the Contemporary Resort, as ride-hailing vehicles cannot use the park's bus loops. The three ferries are clad in different trim colors and are named for past Disney executives: the General Joe Potter (blue), the Richard F. Irvine (red) and the Admiral Joe Fowler (green). The main monorail loop has two lanes. The outer lane is a direct nonstop loop between the TTC and Magic Kingdom, while the inner loop has additional stops at Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Epcot is accessible by a spur monorail line that was added upon that park's opening in 1982.
Attendance
Television adaptation
In 2012, Jon Favreau announced he was planning a film called Magic Kingdom. The film was described as “Night at the Museum at Disneyland,” meaning that the film would tell a story where all the characters at Disney come to life at night. Marc Abraham and Eric Newman of Strike Entertainment were scheduled to produce the film. Writer-producer Ronald D. Moore had previously written an original script for the project, which the studio eventually declined to use, stating that Favreau and a new screenwriter would develop a new script.
In 2021, it was announced that a new project, now developed as a television series for Disney+. Moore was brought back to develop the series which will see that the various lands in the Magic Kingdom are actually gateways to alternate worlds, thus setting up a shared universe. The first in the series will be The Society of Explorers and Adventurers (SEA).
In popular cultureAdventures in the Magic Kingdom, a 1990 video game for the Nintendo Entertainment SystemDown and Out in the Magic Kingdom, a 2003 science fiction novel by Cory DoctorowThe Kingdom Keepers, a 2005 children's novel by Ridley PearsonThe Florida Project'', a 2017 drama film directed by Sean Baker
See also
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
Rail transport in Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
List of Magic Kingdom attractions
List of Walt Disney World Resort attractions
References
External links
1971 establishments in Florida
Amusement parks in Greater Orlando
Amusement parks opened in 1971
Tourist attractions in Greater Orlando
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
Walt Disney World