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Lies People Believe About Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom

Castle Happily Ever After

Magic Kingdom is the most highly visited theme park on earth with over 20 million guests yearly. Still, some people refuse to believe in the wonder and magic of the world’s most popular vacation destination, choosing instead to buy into the words of nay-saying pessimists. Well, today we’re here to fact-check some of the lies that people might be tempted to believe about Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. 

 

1. “It’s only for kids.”

Though Magic Kingdom is appropriate for kids and even babies, there are plenty of things for older kids and adults to do as well. The height restrictions on the “Mountain” rides (Space, Thunder, and Splash), Seven Dwarves Mine Train, Barnstormer, and even Tomorrowland Speedway indicate that those attractions were actually intended for an older crowd. And even though toddlers can technically ride Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean does not mean that they necessarily should, due to the scare factor. Overall, there’s lots for the whole family to enjoy at the Magic Kingdom. The key is to embrace the MAGIC of the park, remembering that it was created to help people remember that there’s a kid inside of us all. Spinning teacups and favorite characters and flying elephants aren’t just for kids, but they are for kids at heart.  

2. “It’s overcrowded.”

As the world’s most popular theme park, there is a tiny grain of truth in this statement. Lots of fun brings lots of people! However, crowds can be managed with proper planning. First of all, you’ll want to consult some of our fabulous crowd charting references. A simple “low crowds” search on the homepage will do the trick. Basically, any national school breaks are gonna be more crowded than others. Personally, I believe that September, January, and May are the best months for Magic Kingdom. After you’ve scheduled your vacation, then you’ll need to schedule your day(s). Plan Fast Passes for popular rides early in the day. Whatever ride you don’t get a FP for needs to be your “rush ride” or “rope drop ride”—the one that you do first thing in the morning before the crowds build up. After you’ve utilized those all-important morning hours, then you have a chance to relax, take some photos, eat some snacks, watch some shows. You may even want to go back to the resort for a quick nap in the heat of the afternoon. Then, after dark when the crowds start to dwindle again, go ahead and check off some more of those popular, longer-line rides. Yes, crowds are a part of Magic Kingdom. But overcrowded? Nah, the people who claim that just under-planned!  

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3. “It’s too expensive.”

The recent ticket price increase has Disney-goers weeping, for sure. But when it comes to prices, Disney is actually very competitive in the theme park market. At Universal, a one-day, one-park ticket costs $119. At Magic Kingdom, you’ll pay between $109 and $129, depending on the time of year. Pretty comparable. And both Disney and Universal offer similar options and discounts for multi-day tickets, packages, and annual passes. (Plus, personally, I have to argue that Magic Kingdom offers a lot more value for your dollar than either of the Universal parks. But that’s a whole ‘nother story.) So, yes, it’s a lot of money. But too expensive? I guess that’s up to personal opinion. When compared with other theme parks, Magic Kingdom seems to be right on the money to me. 

Mickey Minnie

4. “It’s outdated.”

Magic Kingdom opened its gates on October 1, 1971, with attractions that included cutting edge technology for its time. Today many of those same attractions still exist at the Magic Kingdom, which can give the impression to some that the Magic Kingdom is outdated. However, one reason that Disney fans love Magic Kingdom so much is because of the nostalgia. Having some of the original (meticulously maintained and refurbished) attractions still in place allows adult guests the chance to share a piece of their own childhood with the next generation. Plus, Disney is constantly updating, revamping, and adding to the attractions at Magic Kingdom. For example, Fantasyland underwent a huge overhaul around 2014 with new rides, theming, restaurants—the works. The Tron coaster is under construction in Tomorrowland at this very moment. And constant additions of new characters, seasonal shows, and technological improvements help to keep Magic Kingdom fresh. All in all, Magic Kingdom balances classic charm with modern advancements like no other theme park on earth. 

tron
Photo Credit: Disney

So there you have it, four fallacies that people might be tempted to believe about the Magic Kingdom, and a perspective that says, “Eh, I’m not so sure about that…” Truth can be so magical! 

About Melissa

Melissa resides on Florida's beautiful Space Coast with her husband and four Disney-loving boys. She frequently allows skipping school for Disney World visits...because making memories is more important than math. Their family has also been seen on HGTV's hit show "My Yard Goes Disney."

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