The Magic Kingdom

The magic Kingdom was the first of the Major Walt Disney Theme Parks in Orlando and is probably the most popular especially with the younger visitors.

It has a unique charm that the other parks don't have. I remember my first visit back in 1992 and there was a feeling that was never to be repeated the first time I saw Cinderella's Castle from the ferry crossing the Seven Seas Lagoon, it is quite awe inspiring. As I said you can either get to the park by ferry or by monorail. Both types of transport run continually whilst the parks are open and a while afterwards to allow you to get back to the Transportation and Ticketing Center where you left your car if you came in one. Or this is where you pick up your transport.

The Ferry

The ferry across the Seven Seas Lagoon is styled on the old Mississippi paddle steamer and takes about 4 - 5 minutes to get to the Magic Kingdom Entrance. I like to take the ferry one way and come back the other way on the monorail. You get some nice views of the Contemporary, the Grand Floridian and Polynesian hotels and resorts as you cross the lagoon. This is where you get your fist real view of Cinderella's Castle. Once you reach the other side you then have to go through the Bag check area before you can enter the theme park.

Main Street USA

This is the main street leading into all areas of the theme park. It is lined with shops and quick service food places. There are Disney photographers, balloon salesmen and street entertainers welcoming you into the park. One tip, if you plan on letting Disney take a lot of your pictures it is a good idea to keep the first photo pass they give you and use it every time one takes your photo. Then all your pictures are on one card. You can view them in any of the Disney photo shops and online for 30 days. There are options to purchase the prints individually or have them all put on a CD. Heading down Main Street towards Cinderella's Castle, you come to an area that leads off in different directions, to the different lands. There are shows throughout the day on the stage in front of the Castle. It is said that Main Street USA has been built in forced perspective so it looks long when you enter and short when you leave.

Tomorrowland

Tomorrowland is off to the right just before you get to the Castle. Here you will find such rides as Space Mountain one of only three mountains in Florida, Slash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain being the other two! Space Mountain is an indoor dark roller coaster. Riders are seated in four man cars one behind the other.
Also in Tomorrowland is Stitch's Wild Escape, this used to be mission to mars years ago and then Alien escape (which was too intense for small kids) So they kept the format pretty much the same but tamed it down with Stitch.

You can find Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger's Spin. On this ride you travel in an XP-37, a two seat that swivels and spins 360 degrees. You control this spin from within the craft. You use laser guns to shoot out targets along the thirteen scenes you travel through. Don't worry, the lasers are safe and are similar to those that scan the barcodes in supermarkets. Targets that are moving or further away attract the most points.


Tomorrowland Transit Authority is also here, this is like a train that moves on electro magnets and takes you on a tour of Tomorrowland.

The Indy Speedway is a track with low speed, petrol engine cars that winds it's way around a 2000 ft track that takes approximately 5 minutes to navigate. There is only an accelerator and when you take your foot off of it it acts like a brake. In busy times there can be quite a line for this attraction.

 

Frontierland

This land is home to all that's country, listen for the sounds of strumming banjos and smell that smoky barbecued food, well the huge Turkey Legs anyway. Some of the attractions here are Big Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain (Log Flume), Country Bear Jamboree & Tom Sawyer Island.

Splash Mountain - Frontierland

Splash Mountain is probably one of the most popular attractions in this part of the park. It is based on Disney's classic "Song of the South" and follows the exploits of Brer Fox & Brer Bear as they try to catch Brer Rabbit as he looks for the "laughing place". This is a very popular ride and sometimes the lines can be long. The ride itself last a good while around 12 minutes and is quite entertaining as it winds it's way through caves and swamps, climaxing with a 5 storey drop. Your photo is taken as you take the plunge into the Briar Patch.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Big Thunder Mountain is another very popular ride and again there can be long lines, it is a good idea to get fast passes for this ride and Splash Mountain. Stand in line for one and use the fast pass for the other when you have done. It is set in a replica of Monument Valley in Utah, during the gold rush days and the Butte stands 197 ft tall in the centre of the ride. The ride itself is more for older kids and adults as there is a 40 in height restriction. Riders will encounter falling rocks, an earthquake and areas of the flooded mine.

Liberty Belle Paddle Steamer - Magic Kingdom

Tom Sawyer Island is only accessible by raft and once across the "Rivers of America" you can relax away from the hustle and bustle of the theme park. Maybe sit in a rocking chair and enjoy the Oaks, Pines and Maple trees. whilst the kids explore the caves and let off some steam.



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