5. Space Mountain
Celebrate a “retro future” inside Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom with a ride aboard a glow-in-the-dark rocket ship that blasts off for a journey through the galaxy. This dark coaster ride (and by dark, we mean pitch black dark, like outer space!) lasts almost 3 minutes and features breathtaking views of comets, meteors, planets and stars. Soar through “outer space” at a speed of 28 miles per hour and then slip into a wormhole as you prepare for re-entry! FastPass+ service is available, but you might not need to use it if you head to the attraction at park opening, or if you wait until the evening to enjoy it.
4. Disney’s Festival of Fantasy Parade
All parades at Disney World are amazing, but the “Festival of Fantasy” Parade is one of the best parades ever put on at the most magical place on earth. Disney characters take part in this celebration every afternoon (weather permitting) at Magic Kingdom. Wave to Princess Tiana, Cinderella and Belle on the Princess Garden float, with their leading men beside them. Princess Anna and Queen Elsa are also aboard, toward the rear of the float. The second float is a huge ship inspired by Disney’s Tangledand features Rapunzel and Flynn Rider (watch that frying pan!). Rapunzel’s trademark locks weave throughout the 36-foot-long float. The next float was inspired by Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Ariel sits high above the crowd in a huge seashell and her conga-dancing fish friends are onboard beneath her. There is also a Peter Panfloat that features the Jolly Roger, Wendy, the Lost Boys and Captain Hook. Tick-Tock Croc isn’t far behind!
There’s also a huge bagpipe float inspired by Disney/PIXAR’s Brave! Scottish dancers step to lively music around the float, and Merida is getting ready to “shoot for her own hand!” One of the most fascinating parts of the parade was inspired by Sleeping Beauty. Princess Aurora makes an appearance, and her beau, Prince Phillip, is battling the evil Maleficent who has transformed into a steampunk dragon version of herself—and she breathes real fire throughout the parade. Stilt performers as well as Flora, Fauna and Merryweather—the three good fairies—also take part in the parade.
The finale to the parade includes Mickey and Minnie high above the parade route in a hot air balloon, but not before a long processional of classic characters files past the crowd. Look quickly! Some of these characters, such as the Seven Dwarfs, can’t be seen any other place in the park.
3. Haunted Mansion
This 15-room tour of an old haunted mansion at Liberty Square has been a Guest favorite since Opening Day for the Magic Kingdom in 1971. You and up to two other Guests board a “Doom” Buggy for a riding tour of the old house. It has long been home to 999 “happy haunts,” but they’ve always got room for one more! This attraction boasts some spectacular special effects that impress Guests of all ages. Even after experiencing this attraction multiple times, it’s still hard to explain how that candlestick is floating in the corridor with no strings holding it up, how the bride in the attic changes her personality right before your eyes and how the busts in the graveyard are singing! And I don’t know about you, but I still haven’t decided whether the Portrait Chamber just inside the attraction is really stretching. And if it is, does the ceiling rise, or is the floor dropping? And then there’s the “how’d they do that” when it comes to all the dancing ghosts in the Grand Ballroom. There’s no projector to be found. Spooky indeed! Disney fans of all ages love to be spooked, so FastPass+ service is offered for this ride, and it’s usually a good idea to make use of the service—especially when you’re visiting during a peak season—if you dare!
2. Splash Mountain
This log flume ride inside Frontierland at Magic Kingdom isn’t your average log ride. Over 100 audio-animatronic animals sing and dance along the way, telling the tell the story from Disney’s Song of the Southin this attraction. Brer Rabbit takes Guests through the bayou in search of his “laughing place,” and Brer Fox and Brer Bear are searching for him! Several small drops have Guests thinking the next one is the big one—the 5-story drop down Splash Mountain. Yes, a 50-foot drop! Beware the vultures talking about the “laughing place.” The next drop just might be the big one!
1. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
This family-friendly swaying coaster has been a Disney fan favorite since it opened in May of 2014. There’s so much Disney magic in this ride, that it has actually turned many coaster haters into coaster lovers! Try scoring a FastPass+ time for the ride, and you’ll see just how popular it is! Without a FastPass+ time, peak seasons see wait times of 70 to 200 minutes. But it’s so worth the wait! This ride is unique in that it offers Guests a 2-for-1 deal—it’s a thrill ride and a dark ride, combined into one experience. There’s a part of the ride that takes place on the outdoor tracks—racing Guests down a big drop and behind a waterfall. Another part of the ride takes Guests to where the Seven Dwarfs work—a mine where “a million diamonds shine.” Variable speed technology allows the mine carts to move more slowly through the mine than they do during the outdoor parts of the ride. Once isn’t enough for this experience! You’ll be coming back again and again!