Theme Park Insider

Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom reviews

Written by
Theme Park Insider Editor
Posted: August 30, 2011

Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom is the world's most popular theme park, attracting nearly 17 millions visitors a year. The park opened on October 1, 1971, just south of Orlando, Florida, and is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

The big news at Disney World is the new Fantasyland expansion, which will open in phases starting next year and continuing through 2013. The highlights will include a Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride, a Little Mermaid ride, an expanded Dumbo's circus area and a Beauty and the Beast restaurant.

Until then, the most popular rides at the Magic Kingdom include Splash Mountain, Mickey PhilharMagic and a newly refurbished Haunted Mansion, with an interactive queue.

Buy your tickets in advance on Disney's website, or as part of a Disney hotel stay. Check Disney's website for park operating hours, too. If you'd like to eat at Cinderella's Royal Table inside the castle, be sure to call 407-WDW-DINE for reservations 180 days before the day of your visit.

Follow the signs from Interstate 4 for the Magic Kingdom, but be aware that once you park, you'll need to take either a monorail or ferry boat ride to reach the park from the ticket booths. Another monorail will take you to Epcot, or you can catch a bus from the Magic Kingdom parking lot to any other Walt Disney World theme park or resort. You can get driving directions to the Magic Kingdom on our Google Map of America's top theme parks.

Scroll down to links for Theme Park Insider readers' reviews of the Magic Kingdom's attractions and restaurants. Or search our archives for more news about Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.

Photo of Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom

See all photos | Submit Photo

Readers' Tips for Visiting Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom

[1186 + / 154 -] Call 407-WDW-DINE or visit http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/restaurants/ up to 180 days before your visit to make your dining reservations.

[717 + / 141 -] If staying at a Disney-owned resort, take advantage of the Extra Magic hours, where lines are short and crowds are small! It's the best time to visit some of the more popular attractions while feeling like you're the only ones in the park!

[304 + / 96 -] Buy the Disney Dining Plan! It is well worth it! Snacks, and water are even included! Dont feel like using them? You can carry them over to another day!

Where to stay at Walt Disney World

Readers' reviews:

Attractions
Adventureland(Rating)(Height)
Pirates of the Caribbean8
Jungle Cruise7
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin6
Enchanted Tiki Room6
Swiss Family Treehouse5
Fantasyland(Rating)(Height)
Mickey's PhilharMagic9
Dumbo the Flying Elephant9
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel8
Peter Pan's Flight7
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh7
The Barnstormer735
Snow White's Scary Adventures7
Mad Tea Party6
It's a Small World6
Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Frontierland(Rating)(Height)
Splash Mountain940
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad940
Tom Sawyer's Island7
Country Bear Jamboree6
Liberty Square(Rating)(Height)
Haunted Mansion9
Hall of Presidents7
Liberty Square Riverboat7
Main Street USA(Rating)(Height)
Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom9
Walt Disney World Railroad8
Town Square Theater5
Tomorrowland(Rating)(Height)
Space Mountain844
Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover8
Carousel of Progress8
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin7
Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor7
Astro Orbiter6
Tomorrowland Speedway532
Stitch's Great Escape340

[Add a missing attraction]

Dining
Adventureland(Rating)
Tortuga Tavern8
Fantasyland(Rating)
Cinderella's Royal Table8
The Friar's Nook7
Pinocchio Village Haus7
Be Our Guest
Gaston's Tavern
Frontierland(Rating)
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe8
Golden Oak Outpost5
Liberty Square(Rating)
Liberty Tree Tavern9
Columbia Harbour House7
Diamond Horseshoe4
Sleepy Hollow Refreshments
Main Street USA(Rating)
The Plaza Restaurant8
The Crystal Palace8
Tony's Town Square Restaurant7
Casey's Corner7
Tomorrowland(Rating)
The Lunching Pad at Rockettower Plaza8
Tomorrowland Terrace8
Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe7

[Add a missing restaurant]

Search Theme Park Insider

News, Video and Photo Updates

Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube RSS Newsfeed E-mail Newsletter

Reader Reviews, by Theme Park

United States Top 10 *

International parks

Readers' Top Themed Rides

Top Roller Coasters

Top Theme Park Shows

Theme Park Reviews, Features, Advice

Theme Park News Archive

2012

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May

2011

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

2010

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

2009

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

2008

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

2007

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

2006

Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

2005

Dec.

2004-2005

Staff column archive