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.
