Magic Kingdom

Overview

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INTRODUCTION

The MAGIC KINGDOM, which covers 107 acres, opened on October 1, 1971. It's been dubbed "The Most Magical Place on Earth!" and is home to six themed lands, and dozens of attractions that appeal to all ages.

WALT DISNEY WORLD
is a tribute to the philosophy and life of Walter Elias Disney...
and to the talents, the dedication, and the loyalty of the entire Disney organization that made Walt Disney's dream come true.

May Walt Disney World bring Joy and Inspiration and New Knowledge to all who come to this happy place...
a Magic Kingdom where the young at heart of all ages
can laugh and play and learn -- together.

-- October 1, 1971
Dedication plaque on Main Street, USA
by Roy O. Disney

LAY OF THE LAND: The Magic Kingdom is laid out like a wheel, with the hub centered directly in front of towering Cinderella Castle. Pathways act as the spokes leading to the following themed areas:

Main Street, U.S.A. -- Inspired by Walt Disney's memories of his hometown, Main Street U.S.A. is a re-creation of early 20th century small-town America, on a 7/8 scale. There are quaint shops, a town hall, fire station... even an old-style barbershop.

Adventureland -- An exotic mix of jungles, wild animals, pirates and a Middle Eastern bazaar, Adventureland is home to several of the Magic Kingdom's best-known and best-loved attractions, including Pirates of the Caribbean and Jungle Cruise.

Frontierland has all the adventure and excitement of the Wild West, including the wet wonders of Splash Mountain and the wild thrills of roller coaster Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Liberty Square honors this country's colonial heritage with the Hall of Presidents. It is also home to the ever-popular Haunted Mansion.

Fantasyland is the quintessential fairytale experience with castles, princesses, pixies and boys who won't grow up. It is currently undergoing a major renovation that will essentially double its size. Read more about the Fantasyland Explansion HERE.

Tomorrowland is a look at the future where you can battle aliens at Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, or whiz through the universe on a high-speed coaster at Space Mountain.

KIDS AND CHARACTERS

Magic Kingdom is THE place for children to meet and greet their favorite characters. Consult your Guide Map and Times Guides for times and locations.

Magic Kingdom Characters At A Glance
Character Meet and Greet FAQ

WHAT'S NEW?

Fantasyland Expansion

-- New Rapunzel-themed restrooms, located on the site of the former Fantasyland Skyway station, have opened in the Magic Kingdom as of March 2013. Details in the area have been lifted from Disney's film "Tangled." The new area includes a special seating area with charging stations for boosting your cell phones and other electronics, and also features a challenge -- there are 10 "hidden" Pascals (the chameleon from "Tangled") waiting to be discovered. The restrooms previously located behind Peter Pan's Flight are now closed and are slated to become part of a new interactive queue for that attraction.

-- Be Our Guest Restaurant officially opened November 19, 2012.

-- Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid, Enchanted Tales with Belle, Gaston's Tavern, and Ariel’s Grotto had their official grand opening on December 6, 2012.

-- The first "New Fantasyland" phase opened March 12, 2012 and included part of the Storybook Circus area. Attractions include the new and enhanced Dumbo ride as well as the rethemed Barnstormer attraction featuring the Great Goofini. The second phase of Dumbo opened in July 2012, followed by Big Top Souvenirs, which opened in late September 2012, and Pete's Silly Sideshow character meet & greet, which opened in October.

-- Casey Jr. Splash 'n' Soak Station opened in the Storybook Circus section of the new Fantasyland on June 15. The premise for this new water play area is that Casey Jr., the steam engine that carries the circus in the movie "Dumbo," has rolled into town. Its four boxcars carry different animals -- giraffes, elephants, monkeys and camels. The soaking station brings the circus to life with its many sounds and the bustling activity of the water jets coming from the moving animals (and other sources).

A brand-new nighttime show called Celebrate the Magic debuted November 13, 2012. Popular elements from The Magic, The Memories and You have been retained, but the all-new music, stories and special effects are exclusive to the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. Guest photographs are no longer displayed on the Castle.

A new character meet and greet location also opened on June 15, 2012, adjacent to The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. This new home for the "silly ol' bear" features characters from the Hundred Acre Wood. As a result, Pooh and friends will no longer greet guests near the Splash Mountain exit. Woody and Jessie, who had been at the upper Splash Mountain gate, now greet guests at the Splash exit area.

Merida Play and Greet Experience at the Fairytale Garden opened May 18, 2012. The Garden has had a Scottish Highlands-inspired makeover, and the new setting has an area in which those waiting to meet Merida can get archery lessons and participate in other activities until it's their turn. Joining Merida are the three mischievous bear cubs from the film.

Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, an "immersive role-playing adventure," officialy opened February 2012. Merlin the magician recruits guests as apprentice sorcerers who will attempt to subdue the "villains" armed only with cards that have mystical powers. Participants fight with villains such as Cruella de Vil, Yzma, and Kronk at special locations throughout the park. Playing the game is included as part of park admission.

WHAT'S NEXT?

A Pirate's Adventure ~ Treasures of the Seven Seas, a new interactive experience, will debut spring 2013 in Adventureland at Magic Kingdom. Guests will use a pirate map and magic talisman to help them complete five different pirate raids throughout Adventureland. The goal is to help locate different Treasures of the Seven Seas and fight off pirate enemies.

A new meet & greet area called Princess Fairytale Hall will open on the site of the former Snow White attraction in 2013.

The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is under construction and will debut in Fantasyland in 2014.

WHAT'S GOING... GOING... GONE?

The Magic, The Memories and You Summer Edition ended on September 3,2012, after having debuted May 25, 2012. The original show debuted in January 2011. There was a holiday edition in December 2011; the Romance Edition ran through April 2012.

Snow White's Scary Adventures -- closed May 31, 2012. A new meet & greet area called Princess Fairytale Hall will open at that location.

Mickey's Toontown Fair closed February 11, 2011 to make way for an expansion of Fantasyland. It featured a place to meet Mickey, Minnie and the gang up close and in person. Geared specifically to the littlest park-goers, there was even a kid-sized coaster, The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm.