Following the success of Disneyland in Anaheim, California, Walt Disney and his team of Imagineers envisioned an expansion of the Disney theme park. Walt would ultimately pass away before getting to see his vision for EPCOT and Walt Disney World come to fruition as the doors to Walt Disney World’s premiere park, Magic Kingdom, opened on October 1, 1971. Almost 50 years later and the Magic Kingdom remains the most popular place to visit in Disney World’s vast 25, 000 acres. In 2019, the park hosted 20.9 million visitors, making it the most visited theme park in the world for the thirteenth consecutive year.
With family-friendly thrills, enchanted characters and incredible dining options, it’s not hard to see why it remains so popular. It’s THE park where you can dine inside Cinderella Castle, visit pirates and presidents, soar on Dumbo and the magic carpet, while ending your day with the most gorgeous fireworks. Magic Kingdom is home to all of the classic Disney attractions, some of which have even turned into blockbuster films like “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Jungle Cruise”.
Walt Disney said it best: “Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy.” He may have been referring to Disneyland on the west coast, but it’s a sentiment that rings true for Magic Kingdom as well. So, without further ado, let’s walk right down the middle of Main Street as we rank every ride and attraction at The Most Magical Place On Earth.
*As a brief aside, these rankings do not include fireworks, projections, parades/calvalcades, character meet and greets, interactive games like Pirates Adventure or Smellophants on Parade or streetmosphere.
*This post was updated on June 8, 2024.
N/A. The Barnstormer, Tom Sawyer Island, Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station, Main Street Vehicles
Even after multiple visits to the Kingdom, these attractions could not be fairly placed in the rankings as I’ve never experienced them before. Tom Sawyer Island takes up a lot of time and isn’t easy to find unless specifically looking for the boat to get there. The Barnstormer and Casey Jr. are attractions directed toward young children, so they were also skipped. As for the Main Street Vehicles, anytime one passed by, the Dapper Dans were in them, so alas they were never ridden.
30. Swiss Family Treehouse
The Swiss Family Treehouse can be a fun little place to explore on a nice cool day at the park, but on those hot Florida days it feels more like just a towering walkthrough with way too many stairs. With new attractions including interactive queues, this treehouse feels just like those but without the thrilling attraction at the end.
29. Liberty Square Riverboat
This authentic steam-powered paddle-wheeler is stunning to look at, and the scenic views of the Rivers of America are absolutely lovely. However, it moves at such a snail’s pace and because the paddle wheeler is so loud, it’s difficult to hear the narration. Mainly it’s a nice place to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the parks and kick up your feet if you can get a bench that is, but it’s not something to plan a day around.
28. Astro Orbiter
The views on Astro Orbiter are breathtaking. Soaring through the air and getting a glimpse of Cinderella Castle is a sight to behold. Yet, its lack of connection to a Disney property, the long load time to get into the rocket and the uncomfortable squeeze once loaded in lead to an unpleasant experience that isn’t worth the view.
27. Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
The Carrousel will always be gorgeous to look at with so many intricate details on each horse. It also happens to be the oldest ride at Disney World, built in 1917. However, it’s still just a carousel which can be found at almost every theme and amusement park in the world, making it a lot less unique than every other ride in the Kingdom.
26. Tomorrowland Speedway
It’s easy to understand why this is an exciting ride for kids, getting to drive a car for the first time. Yet, for those of us who have driven before there isn’t much excitement to this ride. Tomorrowland Speedway may be a classic but with its poor scent and mediocre look, it’s quietly become one of the biggest eye and nose sores of Tomorrowland. It is fun to see all the lights during the holiday overlay though.
25. The Hall of Presidents
An attraction made for American history buffs, The Hall of Presidents is an impressive feat with over 40 animatronics on one stage. It’s a riveting and interesting showcase for that reason alone, but for those who aren’t American like myself, dedicating 25 precious minutes to this show isn’t a priority unless air condition is needed. Also, I don’t need to see Donald Trump on my vacation.
24. Walt Disney World Railroad
The Railroad is such a fun way to get around the parks, especially after a long afternoon of walking. The nostalgia factor is real, knowing how much Walt Disney himself loved vintage narrow-gauge steam trains. This 1.5-mile scenic round-trip tour also provides -some behind-the-scenes views of the park that can’t be seen anywhere else.
23. The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
One of the other three hub-and-spoke rides at Magic Kingdom, the Magic Carpets does not have the stunning view of Astro Orbiters, and is overall rather mundane. However, being able to fly on a carpet like the beloved Aladdin and Jasmine gives it a slight edge. Plus, those spitting camels are a hoot!
22. Mad Tea Party
The spinning teacups have become a staple of the Disney Park. The ride is colourful and amusingly themed to “Alice in Wonderland”. It offers a thrilling (and a potentially nauseating) experience with the ability to spin your cup as fast as you want. It’s a quick ride that looks stunning at night and is a must-do at every visit for the nostalgia factor.
21. Enchanted Tales with Belle
This attraction is unlike anything else at the Magic Kingdom. As a “Beauty and the Beast” fan, it’s cool to walk through different story sets from the film, including Maurice’s cottage and workshop and the Beast’s Castle Library. The special mirror effects as well as the animatronic Lumière and Enchanted Wardrobe are incredible. The actual show is very much for kids and is very awkward when you are the only adult picked to be in the cast (of course this happened to me), but it’s something any B&B fan should experience at least once.
20. Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
This is a unique screen-based attraction that relies heavily on the audience’s willingness to participate. Like every comedy show, the jokes can be hit or miss but what really makes this work is the way the animated characters feel so life-like. It’s probably better suited for Hollywood Studios but it’s still a nice change of pace for Tomorrowland.
19. Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
The only ride at Magic Kingdom that Walt Disney had a hand in building, Carousel of Progress is a beloved attraction for Disney history fans. The rotating theater show’s technology is in desperate need of an update, but its vision of an optimistic future and its catchy theme song, “There’s A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” is extremely delightful.
18. Enchanted Tiki Room
The show is quite old, being one of the few opening day attractions still standing in the park. Although it’s built for an acquired taste, it is incredibly charming and the birds sing songs that will forever be stuck in your head. Being surrounded by gorgeous flora, fauna and Tiki statues adds to the pure entertainment that Walt Disney imagined decades ago.
17. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
While it’s no Toy Story Mania, Space Ranger Spin is a literal blast as you compete with your buggy partner and other guests while also trying to defeat Emperor Zurg. The lighting, special effects and Buzz Lightyear animatronic are super cool and add to the overall appeal. It would just be so much easier if we could move our dang blasters!
16. Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire
It’s cuteness overload at Cinderella’s castle where Mickey and Friends bring together characters from “The Princess and the Frog”, “Tangled” and “Frozen” to celebrate the power of friendship with fun songs, lively dancing and some cool special effects. Some will pass right by, but given the lack of live actor entertainment at Magic Kingdom, it’s certainly the fun filled entertainment needed to add that extra spice of magic.
15. Transit Authority PeopleMover
The perfect ride for anyone who is in need of a break, loves a stunning view and is a Disney park historian. The TTA offers a tour of Tomorrowland with a bird’s eye view of Space Mountain as well as the original Epcot model. No other ride at Magic Kingdom will bring you the same peace and tranquility as the PeopleMover.
14. Journey of The Little Mermaid
It’s no secret that I adore dark rides and Magic Kingdom has just the right amount to whet my appetite. This Little Mermaid dark ride has the least amount of detail compared to others, but it makes up for that with a gorgeous queue, ride backdrop, underwater sets and an intimidating Ursula animatronic that is surreal to look at.
13. Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Although it looks like just another spinner ride in the park, Dumbo is THE original, and there is something just so cute and magical about soaring through the air with everyone’s favourite elephant. It offers a fun interactive queue and distinctive views of New Fantasyland. It’s a simple ride, but it’s also a beloved classic for good reason.
12. Peter Pan’s Flight
Peter Pan’s Flight is the crown jewel of Disney dark rides. Gliding above the London backdrops and astonishing views of Neverland is a brief breathtaking experience, with way too long of a line. The updated queue has eased the wait a bit, but it’s a much better ride when you have a Lightning Lane queue.
11. TRON Lightcycle/Run
TRON is the newest thrill ride at Magic Kingdom, and it’s a much-needed addition. The attraction stands out for its great use of lighting effects. It’s a ride that is best ridden at night, but even during the day, you will be laugh-screaming in mere seconds following a speedy launch. Its main downfall is the awkward seating style, but bonus points to Disney for having one normal lap bar seat per coaster track. Also, it’s way too quick with the ride ending under two minutes.
10. Jungle Cruise
Who doesn’t love a corny joke and animal audio-animatronics? Travelling through various rivers of Africa and Asia, you’re guided by a Skipper, who when done right, commands the boat with some of the driest and cheesiest jokes known to man. It’s looked at as gimmicky but the boat ride is actually quite beautifully detailed.
9. it’s a small world
An icon that doesn’t always get the appreciation it deserves due to the catchy single that Debbie downers loathe, it’s a small world is marvelous, whimsical and a timeless experience. It’s the only ride at Disney World that embodies the idea behind the Disney Parks, bringing people all over the world together to experience joy.
8. Country Bear Jamboree
Similar to the Tiki Room, there is something just so gosh-darn charming about the Country Bear Jamboree. The Grand Ole Opry inspired show is joyful to its core and is a call back to a simpler, story driven time. It’s a foot stomping cele-bear-tion that is overflowing with humour, heart and so much character. Yee-haw!
7. Mickey’s Philharmagic
This was my absolute favourite ride at Disney World when I was 8 years old, and all these years later, it still lives up to the hype. Sure, the 3D effects are a little outdated, but the movie’s inclusion of so many fan favourite characters like Ariel, Simba and Aladdin is such a delight . The new addition of Coco is so seamless and how can you not love the Donald Duck butt animatronic.
6. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
There is nothing quite like an adventure with Pooh and friends, and this dark ride throws you into a honey pot and into the action. Unlike other dark rides, Winnie the Pooh features bumps and quick turns adding a bit of thrill and excitement, as well as a creep factor with the Heffalump’s and Woozles. It delivers nothing but pure joy.
5. Pirates of the Caribbean
One of Disney’s most popular franchises stems from this Disney log flume ride and it’s easy to see why, it has everything from awesome animatronics, a thrilling drop and most importantly an imaginative story. It’s become synonymous with Disney with a theme song that stands the test of time: “Yo Ho Yo Ho, A Pirates Life for Me!”
4. Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train
How do you get this writer to instantly fall in love with a ride? Combine elements of Big Thunder with a classic dark ride, also known as Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. It’s a remarkable experience filled with sparkling gems, impressive animatronics, zippy turns and swinging carts making it equal parts thrilling and enchanting, but a tad short considering those long lines.
3. Space Mountain
Space Mountain is a crazy adventure in complete darkness that every hill and bump that comes at you is a complete surprise. Everything about it from the exterior to the queue to the actual ride in the stars to the exit, all perfectly aligns with the Tomorrowland vibe. While it doesn’t have any major drops or any inversions it still manages to keeping you screaming in fear and excitement, remaining an all-time Disney World classic.
2. Big Thunder Mountain
It’s the wildest ride in the wilderness! This runaway mine train coaster is such a sight to behold, whisking you away to a picturesque southwestern adventure filled with a waterfall, T-rex bones and explosions. It’s arguably the most thrilling ride in Magic Kingdom and gives you a great view of Cinderella Castle right before dropping down.
1. The Haunted Mansion
Disney spares no expense bringing the world of 999 happy haunts to life. It’s grand in scale and tells a fascinating story as soon as you enter the queue. Every detail is phenomenal and the ride employs multiple old school illusions that will ensure you find something new to see each and every ride. It’s spooky, it’s scary, has beloved original characters and is so much fun!
What’s your favourite ride or attraction at Magic Kingdom? Let us know in the comments below or on one of our social media channels and make sure to follow Frozen Mouse Fever for all your Disney needs.
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