Disney Magic Kingdom
So Much to See and
Experience at Disney Magic Kingdom
ll of Walt Disney World literally sparkles with magic
and whimsy, but the Disney Magic Kingdom is certainly the most special part of the Disney World complex. While many refer to the entire
Disney resort as the Magic Kingdom, indeed, there is one special park that bears the name.
The Disney Magic Kingdom was the very first park to open at the Orlando, Florida resort. Modeled after the original Disneyland Park, which opened in Anaheim, California in 1955, Florida's Disney Magic Kingdom arrived in 1971 boasting new and better attractions, a larger castle, and much, much more. When the park first opened, Disney Imagineers bragged that the old Disneyland could fit in Disney World's parking lot!
The Disney Magic Kingdom is the "most Disney" of all the parks, featuring rides based on favorite Disney characters and classic Disney movies. This park, easily recognized by the grand Sleeping Beauty Castle that stands at its center, is divided into 5 sections - Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, and Adventureland. Main Street U.S.A. runs down the center of the Magic Kingdom, halting at the castle and inviting guests to choose a land to explore.
Fantasyland is a favorite with the little ones and is the part of the Disney Magic Kingdom that features such classic attractions as It's a Small World, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Cinderella's Golden Carousel and Peter Pan's Flight. Tomorrowland ushers you into the world of the future and sends you zipping through wild attractions like the amazing Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, and the all-new Stitch's Great Escape.
Looking for a little adventure in the Disney Magic Kingdom? Head to Frontierland and Adventureland, where you can barrel down the falls in Splash Mountain, take a bumpy ride on the Thunder Mountain Railroad, or come face to face with buccaneers in Pirates of the Caribbean. A visit to Liberty Square presents you with the opportunity to meet America's leaders in the Hall of the Presidents and hobnob with 999 grim grinning ghosts in The Haunted Mansion.
The Disney Magic Kingdom is also home to a number of excellent restaurants, including Cinderella's Royal Table, The Liberty Tree Tavern, and the Crystal Palace. There's also plenty of food to grab on-the-run including Disney Magic Kingdom's famous gigantic turkey legs, nearly large enough for the whole family! In addition, there are plenty of places to enjoy an ice cream cone or other sweet treat.
For an extra special look at the Disney Magic Kingdom, consider signing up for one of Disney's special backstage tours, where guests learn some well-kept secrets about how this mega-park operates so smoothly. Those with children might enjoy Disney's Family Magic Tour, which includes an interactive scavenger hunt throughout the park. For visitors over the age of 16, Disney's Keys to the Kingdom Tour is an excellent choice and will provide you with stories about the history of the Park and about Walt Disney, including his visions, philosophies and incredible accomplishments.
Ultimate Disney World Savings Guide
A few people have asked me about Beth Haworth's book "Ultimate Disney World Savings Guide", and were wondering what my take on it was. Given my reputation as a well known writer on the topic of Disney World, they thought I could give a fairly honest review.
So I clicked on over to Beth's website and snatched a copy for $30. I sat down and read it from "cover-to-cover" immediately.
Now keep in mind I already have extensive notes on saving money in Disney World, and I already have a pretty good list of the best hotels and restaurants. So I wasn't really sure what to expect.
But this book really impressed me.
It was well written, easy to read, and very comprehensive. The book was jam-packed with tips and inside information about places to go, things to see, the best attractions, restaurants, hotels... you name it, it's in there. It was also consistent with all of the things I already figured out from my own vacationing, and it also gave me some great new tips and tricks.
So now, I can finally give an honest recommendation for this book. I really loved it and it was worth every penny. The tips in the book allowed me to save about $550 dollars on my last weekend getaway.
You can grab a copy of Beth's Guide for only $30. It's available on her website and can be downloaded immediately. It's highly recommended for anyone who is interested in travelling to Disney. Even if you only on intend on going to Disney World once, it will not only save you time and money, it will also make your experience much more enjoyable.
Whatever you decide, be safe and most of all, enjoy your trip!