Magic Kingdom

Lake Buena Vista, Florida: The icon of Walt Disney World resort, the Magic Kingdom is the most recognizable park in the country. Over 17 million visitors a year pass through the gates making it the most visited theme park in the world.

Opened in 1971, the Magic Kingdom is similar to its sister park Disneyland California but on a much larger scale. The 107 acre park is consists of 48 attractions. It employs the wheel spoke style configuration with the seven lands fanning out from Cinderella Castle in the middle. The lands and their major attractions are:

• Main Street USA: Walt Disney Railroad.
• Tomorrowland: Space Mountain, Tomorrowland Transit Authority, Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, Stitch’s Great Escape, Carousel of Progress, Astro Orbiter, and Tomorrowland Speedway.
• Fantasyland: Dumbo, Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, It’s a Small World, Mickey’s PhilharMagic, Snow White’s Scary Adventures and Mad Tea Party.
• Mickey’s Toontown Fair: Barnstormer.
• Liberty Square: The Haunted Mansion, Hall of Presidents and the Liberty Square Riverboat.
• Frontierland: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Splash Mountain, Tom Sawyer Island and the Country Bear Jamboree.
• Adventureland: Pirates of the Caribbean, The Jungle Cruise, Magic Carpets of Aladdin, Enchanted Tiki Room and Swiss Family Treehouse.

In addition to the rides, each land features themed shopping and dining choices.

The park also hosts several parades throughout the day. Currently the daytime parade is the “Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade” and a nighttime parade “SpectoMagic”. These parades are supplemented with special edition holiday parades during special ticket events as well as hosting the annual Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade on ABC. But a trip to the Magic Kingdom would not be complete without the fireworks to end the day, every night the park puts on the Wishes fireworks show which like the parades also has special holiday editions as well.

During Halloween and Christmas times, the park closes early and reopens for a special ticket event. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween is a fun, fear free Halloween adventure featuring trick or treating as well as the favorite rides taking on a special Halloween décor. Then for Christmas the park features Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas, bringing the Christmas spirit to Main Street USA featuring hot chocolate and snow fall along with the rides and special themed shows.

The face of the Magic Kingdom continues to change. A new renovation of Fantasyland is in the works, bringing a special meet and greet area for all of the Disney Princesses plus many more extras not yet released.

For more photos, click on the photo above or visit my Magic Kingdom photo gallery.

Updated February 11, 2010

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Photo of the Day: Disney's Hollywood Studios

Image
  For many years, a towering, iconic Sorcerer's Hat served as the unmistakable central landmark for Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM Studios), drawing visitors deep into the park's vibrant heart. The hat, an enormous, three-dimensional representation of the magical cap worn by Mickey Mouse in his role as the Sorcerer's Apprentice from the classic film Fantasia , was initially erected as a centerpiece for the park's 100 Years of Magic celebration, honoring the centennial of Walt Disney's birth. Its prominent placement quickly cemented its status. Much like the instantly recognizable icons of the other Walt Disney World theme parks—Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom, the geodesic sphere of Spaceship Earth at EPCOT, and the intricately carved Tree of Life at Disney's Animal Kingdom—the Sorcerer's Hat became the park's most famous symbol and a favored backdrop for countless visitor photographs. Its design featured bold colors, stars, and the moon...
Read more

Photo of the Day: New York City

Image
Along the perimeter of Central Park, nestled within the vibrant core of New York City, stands a collection of the city's most architecturally significant and historic luxurious apartment buildings. These iconic addresses are more than just residences; they are meticulously preserved monuments that pay homage to a bygone era of Gilded Age splendor and pre-war elegance, maintaining their original magnificence and grandeur.  A premier example of these exceptional homes is The Beresford. Completed in 1929, this legendary co-op on Central Park West is instantly recognizable by its distinctive trio of massive copper towers and is celebrated for its imposing scale and sophisticated design. Conceived by the renowned architect Emery Roth, The Beresford stands as a testament to the period's commitment to lavish detail, expansive layouts, and unparalleled exclusivity. It offers residents breathtaking panoramic views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline, cementing its status not just ...
Read more

Visiting the Florida Holocaust Museum: A Powerful and Reflective Experience

Image
St Petersburg, Florida: Located in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg, the Florida Holocaust Museum is one of the largest institutions of its kind in the United States, dedicated to preserving the memory of the Holocaust and educating future generations about the dangers of hatred and intolerance. Founded in 1992 by Holocaust survivors Walter and Edith Lobenberg, the museum has grown into a deeply moving cultural and educational destination that encourages visitors to reflect on history while promoting a more compassionate future.  Overview of the Museum  The museum’s core exhibit, “History, Heritage, and Hope,” takes visitors on a chronological journey through the Holocaust, beginning with the roots of antisemitism and continuing through the rise of Nazi Germany, World War II, and eventual liberation. The experience is largely self-guided, allowing visitors to move at their own pace while engaging with photographs, personal artifacts, and survivor testimonies.  One o...
Read more