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10. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
It seems that several theme parks have a runaway mine train—but you’ve never ridden one like Big Thunder! Legend says that this neck of the woods is haunted. And from the looks of the ghost town called Tumbleweed, that legend might just be true! Board your mine cart deep in the mine and zoom past bedrock and cacti, race under a waterfall and past giant rock formations! But don’t disturb anything in this eery old haunted mining town—you don’t want one of those haunts following you around the park all day! FastPass+ service is available for those brave souls who dare to enter the mine, and during peak seasons at Magic Kingdom, there are lots of brave souls!
9. The Kiss Goodnight
Stay late one night at Magic Kingdom and experience the “Kiss Goodnight.” It takes place after Magic Kingdom has closed. Speakers spill out the beloved “When You Wish Upon a Star,” and Cinderella Castle seems to bid farewell to all of Magic Kingdom’s Guests for the night with thousands of lights and twinkles. It’s a sweet experience to share with your family. The Kiss Goodnight takes place after any of the nighttime spectaculars, approximately 30 minutes after the park has closed. It’s the last “production” of the evening, and such a special way to leave the park for the day. No FastPass+ or reservation is needed—only your willingness to stay until after the park closes and wait for that special “kiss.”
8. Happily Ever After nighttime spectacular
Pandora Jewelry sponsors this beautiful nighttime show, hailed by Disney as “the most spectacular fireworks showcase in Magic Kingdom history.” There are more lasers, lights and projections in this production than in any other nighttime show—past or present—at Magic Kingdom. The show takes place at 8:55 in the evening, when Guests watch in wonder as storybook images are projected onto Cinderella Castle. Throughout the 18-minute show, stories are told from beloved Disney films, including Aladdin, Big Hero 6, Brave, Frozen, The Incredibles, The Lion King, Moana, Mulan, Toy Story, Upand more. Don’t miss this amazing experience! If we must leave Magic Kingdom, this is a nice way to do so!
7. Peter Pan’s Flight
Board a brilliantly-colored galleon and set off for a journey to Neverland. Begin your journey with a little pixie dust inside the nursery of Wendy, Michael and John Darling. Soar over London and take in the sights of Big Ben and the Tower Bridge. Then take the second star to the right and straight on ‘til morning to get to the famed Neverland. Once at Neverland, you’ll see the Lost Boys, fly over Mermaid Lagoon and Skull Rock and watch as Peter Pan duels the evil Captain Hook inside Pirate’s Cove. This attraction was one of Disney World’s first—it’s been wowing Guests since Opening Day on October 1, 1971. Today the ride is more popular than ever! If you don’t have a FastPass+ time, you can easily spend 60 to 120 minutes in the queue.
6. Pirates of the Caribbean
Yo ho! Yo ho! A pirate’s life for me! And if the pirate’s life is for you, you won’t want to miss this attraction! It has been a Guest favorite since it first opened, and it has grown in popularity over the years! During this dark boat ride, Guests are taken through a town overtaken by swashbuckling pirates. Captain Jack Sparrow makes his appearance in several different places throughout the ride, and he’s so lifelike—you’ll just know it’s Johnny Depp in person and not an audio-animatronic! This attraction was a first—the first one to have ever inspired a movie franchise. (Usually the attractions are inspired by the films!)
This Opening Day attraction isn’t a thrill ride, as a roller coaster might be, but the audio animatronics and lifelike sets along the water inside the attraction make it one of Disney fans’ favorites. Skeletons, old pirate ships, treasure and a clever dog that won’t help the pirates escape from jail are all a part of the amazing details in this attraction. It’s an oldie, but such a goodie that you’ll want to secure a FastPass+ time to see all the scurvy pirates!
