What are some of the best rides at Magic Kingdom?
There is perhaps no place you will find to be more magical than the iconic Magic Kingdom itself. The famous theme park is the oldest in Disney World, yet even through the years, it continues to be one of the most nostalgic places to visit when in Orlando.
Any time you visit Disney World, Magic Kingdom is undoubtedly the best place to start your trip and help you experience the magic of Disney, as its name suggests. In fact, the park holds such a legendary reputation that TripAdvisor named it as the best theme park in the world in 2020.
With everything that has happened because of the pandemic, you may be curious about the best rides at Magic Kingdom today. If it has been a while since your last visit, you might not be as familiar with what rides and attractions are found in the park now. Nonetheless, whether you enjoy the exhilarating roller coasters or prefer more subtle and relaxed rides, you have several options to try out in the park.
To make the most out of your trip to Disney World, check out this list rounding out the best rides at Magic Kingdom park. That said, it is important to note that the park’s attractions are constantly changing and being refurbished, and the pandemic has caused many scheduling conflicts. However, this list should more or less help you decide what rides and attractions you do not want to miss out on during your visit.
Best Rides at Magic Kingdom
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Starting the list out with one of Disney World’s newest and most popular rides, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a dark roller coaster ride built with audio-animatronics to give you an immersive experience.
You begin the ride by hopping aboard the diamond mine train from the classic fairytale, then start to ascend to the summit, where you get a stunning view of Fantasyland. Once you reach the top, you go down a thrilling and wild ride while hearing the seven dwarfs singing and whistling along. The highest drop reaches 39 feet, so if you are up for a heart-racing adventure, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is certainly one of the best rides at Magic Kingdom.
Space Mountain
Space Mountain continues to be a classic attraction at Magic Kingdom, that it still deserves a spot on this list. The iconic roller coaster ride set in the dark takes you on a trip through space with a drop of up to 23 feet. No matter how many times you may have been on this ride before, the adrenaline will always be there once you reach the peak.
Haunted Mansion
Visiting Magic Kingdom at night triggers different feelings than when you visit it in the morning, so if you ever have a chance to do this, you have to try out the Haunted Mansion in Liberty Square. The dark ride attraction tours you around a spooky haunted mansion while you ride the Doom Buggy and witness the dancing and singing ghosts and a soundtrack to add to the experience. While you can ride it at any time of the day, doing it at night certainly adds to the eerie feeling.
Splash Mountain
For something more unique and adventurous, Splash Mountain is undeniably one of the most exciting rides in Magic Kingdom. The log flume ride features the Song of the South film, where you get a glimpse of Brer Rabbit’s world.
It starts off relatively calm as you venture around the waters while listening to upbeat music, but the thrill comes when you drop down a stream of water to get completely soaked! On a hot summer day, this ride can help you cool off, but even on any other occasion, Splash Mountain is consistently dubbed as one of the best rides at Magic Kingdom.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
As its name suggests, the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a roller coaster set on a mine train rail that ventures through the Old West. It is often dubbed as the wildest ride in the wilderness as it zips past the rail quickly while also going through some dark and bumpy areas along the way. Whether you are with your family or friends, this ride will be a fan favorite, and you may want to go on it again after your first experience.
Pirates of the Caribbean
The Pirates of the Caribbean ride takes you a trip down memory lane to a classic film by taking you on a boat ride with pirates and Captain Jack Sparrow singing a catchy tune. Lines tend to be long for this ride since it is popular for all ages, especially for families, but it will be worth it as you get a fun, memorable, and enjoyable experience.
While it is not as quick-paced as other rides, you can still anticipate small drops and a dark setting all throughout. However, there are no height restrictions, so it appeals to several guests.
Jungle Cruise
If you want something set outdoors, the Jungle Cruise is a fun 10-minute ride that takes you through beautiful sceneries in South America, Africa, and Asia. Whether you try it in daytime or nighttime, you get to have a unique experience.
Explore through the foliage and waterways from each of the locations while also having close encounters with elephants, cobras, baboons, and other “dangerous” creatures along the way. While it may sound intimidating, it is a fun and relatively relaxing ride to try out. As a bonus, your boat skipper will pilot the ride and drop corny jokes or dry humor here and there, so do not be surprised if you experience this!
Peter Pan’s Flight
Another top ride that often comes with the suggestion of a FastPass+ would be Peter Pan’s Flight, inspired by the famous childhood film about a boy who did not want to grow up. If you enjoyed the story, you could relive your memories by hopping on the pirate galleon and following Peter Pan along his journey around London and Neverland.
This ride is truly a classic Disney attraction because of the unique “flying” aspect that attempts to capture the essence of the film. Get to immerse yourself in the fictional world of Neverland and fly across volcanoes and mountains to see if Peter Pan emerges victorious in his battle against Captain Hook.
“It’s a Small World”
Even if you have not stepped foot in Magic Kingdom before, you are likely familiar with the famous “It’s a small world” tune one way or another. This 10-minute boat tour brings you through the seven continents while audio-animatronics sing in harmony in the background.
The ride is perfect for any and all ages, and though it is not necessarily heart-stopping, it is perhaps one of the most nostalgic and sentimental rides in the whole Disney World. Do not miss out on your opportunity to get on the relaxing boat ride as you understand why it is trying to say that it is indeed a small world.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
While this attraction may not necessarily have the longest waiting lines, it is still worth visiting and riding. Dumbo the Flying Elephant is particularly attractive to children as they get to ride on Dumbo-shaped seats and fly as the magical elephants spin them around. You also get to adjust how high or low you want to go while spinning, making for a fun and enjoyable ride.
Mickey’s PhilHarmagic
The Mickey’s PhilHarmagic is a 12-minute 3D show packed with special effects like water and scents to make the film more realistic and life-like. It stars Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse, Goofy, and other animated characters that you likely grew up watching. If you are looking for a way to beat the afternoon heat, this show can give you a quick and short break, but generally, you have to watch it at least once to get the experience of seeing your favorite characters on stage.
Mad Tea Party
Mad Tea Party is another family-favorite and classic Disney ride, where you get to sit on giant teacups and spin around while festive music plays in the background. This attraction is based off of the Mad Hatter’s party in the Alice in Wonderland film, so you can imagine what a wild and exciting ride it will be!
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
While this ride is relatively old compared to some of the more modern rides in Magic Kingdom, it still makes for a fun experience, especially if you are with a group. As its name suggests, the plot involves Buzz Lightyear asking for your help to help save the universe in this dark and slow-moving ride. It is interactive–almost like a video game–as you get to join in the fun and help kill the targets with your laser cannon.
Based on the list, you might have noticed that Magic Kingdom is packed with several roller coasters with unique themes and storylines, but all with immersive experiences. You can also try out The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, the Hall of Presidents show, and other attractions, but make sure to include the rides listed above to see why they are so popular! No trip to Magic Kingdom would be complete without trying out any of the best rides.
Given that it is extremely difficult to narrow down the best rides of Magic Kingdom to just a few, it is not surprising that many people usually dedicate two days for this park alone.
Thus, if you truly want to explore all the attractions and get a feel of what it has to offer, consider going to Magic Kingdom on your first and last day. Try to visit at the latter part of the day on your second visit, so you can also experience how the park comes to life at night.
Returning to Magic Kingdom
Naturally, you can expect that going to Magic Kingdom and Disney World, as a whole, will come with some changes due to the pandemic. The park currently requires all guests to wear masks at all times, except for occasions when you are eating or swimming. Acceptable masks have to fully cover the nose and chin and be secured with ear loops or ties.
Each theme park is also operating at limited capacities, so if you want to visit Magic Kingdom, you need to reserve your ticket in advance to secure your slot. Additionally, cast members are roving around the park to ensure that social distancing requirements are enforced at all times. It may take some adjusting to get used to the safety and health protocols in place, but these are all part of Disney’s efforts to prevent the spread of the infection.
Schedule a Magic Kingdom Tour with World Class VIP Today
Planning a trip to Disney World soon? If so, Magic Kingdom is the perfect park to start out your vacation. If you need help exploring the theme park and its attractions, avoiding lines, booking tickets for shows in advance, and having a VIP vacation, feel free to contact World Class VIP at (407) 270-1781 to book a Disney VIP tour. We can customize a Magic Kingdom tour and itinerary suitable for your availability, preferences, and goals to remove the hassle involved in planning a vacation. Get your free private VIP Disney tour quote now!