No trip to Walt Disney World is complete without a visit to the Magic Kingdom, and there is so much to do and see besides the rides at this classic park. Whether it’s meeting characters, seeing shows, or exploring the six magical lands, there is something for everyone, as you “enter a world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy.”
#5. Family-Friendly Rides for All Ages
As the most visited theme park in the world (with an average 17.7 MILLION guests per year), Magic Kingdom needs to appeal to all ages, heights, and personal preferences. Because of this, there are many attractions at this park that are suitable for babies, grandparents, expectant mothers, people who experience motion sickness, and more. Some classic attractions for all ages and low-to-no intensity are:
Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover: This is my favorite slow/casual ride at Magic Kingdom, and it is a perfect way to relax for a bit as you take a tour through Tomorrowland. There are some darker portions of the track where you can’t see in front of you, so that is something to be aware of for young guests who may be afraid of the dark.
WDW Railroad: This classic attraction also serves as a means of transportation around the park. Though currently only running to and from Fantasyland due to the multi-year construction of Villains Land behind Big Thunder Mountain, this is still an easy way to get from the back of the park to Main Street USA, or just casually enjoy a narrated train ride around the Magic Kingdom. Walt Disney himself loved trains and actually had his down large model train set in his yard for his personal enjoyment.
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress: This attraction was built for the 1964 World’s Fair and was moved to Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom in 1971. This is a 20-minute long “moving theater” attraction, that takes you through different decades in the United States, with a seasonal holiday highlighted for each turn of the room – think, Valentine’s Day in the Winter, Fourth of July in the Summer. Disney just announced at the 2025 D23 Fan Event that they will be adding a Walt Disney animatronic to this attraction, just as they have a new Walt animatronic out in Disneyland. In addition to the recently upgraded seats, this new technology will ensure this classic attraction keeps turning for years to come.
Here is a full list of “Any Height” Rides, which are suitable for babies, folks with mobility issues, and even service animals! (Yes, you read that correctly. Your service dog can join the 999 happy haunts at Haunted Mansion.)
- Astro Orbiter
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant
- Haunted Mansion
- “it’s a small world”
- Jungle Cruise
- Mad Tea Party
- Magic Carpets of Aladdin
- Main Street Vehicles
- Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Prince Charming Regal Carousel
- Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
- Under The Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid
- Walt Disney World Railroad
- Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
#4. Parades, Cavalcades, and Daytime Entertainment
Getting to see your favorite characters is a highlight of any Disney vacation. Sometimes the queues for these fan favorites can get long, or maybe the timing of their sets doesn’t quite work out with your Lightning Lane plans or the park you’ll be at that day. Luckily, Magic Kingdom has a couple of opportunities to wave to your friends and maybe catch a perfectly timed selfie. Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade seems to get bigger and bigger each year, and now includes Toy Story friends, Miguel from Coco, and even Bruno from Encanto.
One of the best opportunities to see your favorite classic characters is during the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade. This daily celebration of fantasy features characters atop massive, themed floats from movies like Tangled, Peter Pan, Princess and the Frog, and Sleeping Beauty – including a fire-breathing steampunk Maleficent dragon (my personal favorite). If you want a prime viewing location, it is worth arriving at the parade route at least 30 minutes before it begins, especially for bigger groups. The parade route itself begins in Frontierland next to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and takes about 15 to 20 minutes to make its way through the park to Main Street U.S.A.
Several times throughout the day, guests can catch Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire on the stage in front of Cinderella Caste. This cute musical show features hits from Tangled, Princess and the Frog, and more. Grab a snack from Casey’s Corner and secure a spot on the Hub grass for a midday picnic and a show. Since this happens multiple times throughout the day, guests can easily get a spot near the stage if you want to experience this show up-close.
Perhaps the most classic streetmosphere entertainment at Magic Kingdom is The Dapper Dans, a barbershop quartet. This group has been harmonizing on Main Street U.S.A. since the park opened in 1971 (and in Disneyland since 1955), and it is practically a Disney rite of passage to catch one for their performances throughout the day.
#3. (Air-Conditioned) 3-D and Interactive Shows
There are a few different shows at Magic Kingdom that are great for the whole family. In Fantasyland, guests can catch a 3-D musical starring many of your favorite characters at Mickey’s PhilarMagic. With classic tunes and even some recognizable scents, this is one of the best 3-D shows on property and is often overlooked because of how many attractions are at this park.
Over in Tomorrowland, guests can participate in a live comedy show, hosted by Mike Wizowski himself, at Monsters Inc Laugh Floor. This interactive experience is a fun way to catch some air conditioning and take a break from the sun. While waiting in line, guests can submit jokes to be told during the show. Once Mike grabs the mic, anyone could be called on to take part in the comedy. This is also a Treat Trail stop during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party with an on-going show happening, and it’s one of the best candy locations in my opinion.
Guests can meet princesses like Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella at Princess Fairytale Hall throughout the day, but a more unique character interaction can be found at Enchanted Tales with Belle. Over near Beast’s castle in Fantasyland, guests can experience a retelling of the Beauty and the Beast story, with guests participating as characters in the story. After the show (which includes one of the best Imagineering effects in the park!), there is a meet and greet with Belle in her gold ballgown.
Other indoor shows for all ages offered at Magic Kingdom: Country Bear Jamboree, The Hall of Presidents, and Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room.
#2. Explore!
A Pirates Adventure – Treasure of the Seven Seas: Available from 12pm – 6pm daily, this free scavenger hunt is fun and interactive way to explore Adventureland as part of Capt. Jack Sparrow’s crew! Solve puzzles and find hidden treasure as you quest through Adventureland. Make a whole pirate-themed afternoon of it and take a ride on the classic (family-friendly) Pirates of the Caribbean attraction before grabbing some provisions at the brand-new pirate-themed lounge, The Beak and Barrel. This treasure hunt is a TON of fun, and interacting with areas of Adventureland that I’ve walked right past before was a new-to-me experience that I will definitely try again.
In Fantasyland, young guests can seek out the Smellephants on Parade – cute elephant statues located throughout Storybook Circus each with their own themed scent. Grab a free guide from Big Top Souvenirs and use elephant stickers to track your progress. You’ll become an official Whiff-sistant as your discover the various scents “hidden” around this land.
For the Disney history nerds in your group, a slow stroll down Main Street U.S.A. (preferably with a sweet treat or iced coffee in hand) should be part of your plans for the day. Look up to see the windows dedicated to important figures in the Walt Disney Company, including a tribute to Frank Wells, President and COO of the Walt Disney Company from 1984 until his untimely passing in 1994.
#1. Nighttime Fireworks
A day at Magic Kingdom isn’t complete without topping it off with a nighttime fireworks spectacular. Offered nightly during the “regular” season and on non-party evenings during the Halloween and Christmas party seasons, Happily Ever After is the quintessential way to wrap up a magical day at Walt Disney World. With epic fireworks and jaw-dropping projections, this fireworks extravaganza ties together classic Disney stories and intertwines songs from our favorite nostalgic movies. (I am not sure who decided to mash up Mufasa’s voiceover from The Lion King with “Go the Distance” from Hercules but it makes me cry every time.)
The best view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks from inside the park (whether you are viewing Happily Ever After or one of the party night special shows), is in the general area between the top of Main Street by Casey’s Corner and the Plaza Restaurant, and the Partners Statue. This allows you to see the wide shot of the fireworks over the castle and catch many of the projections on the buildings on Main Street as well. This area will be very busy and many guests will arrive over 30 minutes prior to the fireworks to secure a spot to stand.
I personally prefer to avoid the dense crowds and tend to watch the fireworks from Fantasyland behind the castle or, believe it or not, outside of the park altogether. The Magic Kingdom Resorts along the Monorail all offer amazing views of the fireworks, and most locations will pipe in the music of the show so you can follow along. Some fantastic viewing locations are: The balconies on the Contemporary Resort near the bridge to Bay Lake Tower; California Grill at Contemporary Resort; the pool or beach area of Polynesian Resort; any of the restaurants with water-facing windows at Grand Floridian Resort. It’s important to note that you will not see the projections clearly at either of these angles. If that is important to you, you must watch from the Hub/Main Street U.S.A.
BONUS: Catch the Electrical Water Pageant as it cruises through the Seven Seas Lagoon throughout the evening, starting at 8:35p.
With over 25 attractions in this park, it is easy to get caught up in zipping from one queue to the next and timing your Lightning Lanes just right. I have found that the more I visit the Magic Kingdom, the more I want to make time for activities “besides the rides.” If you or someone in your travel group wants to slow down and soak in the magic, let me be your guide, and we’ll plan the perfect trip for everyone in your travel party!
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