The 10 Magic Kingdom Rides You Must Do

Did you know that Magic Kingdom is the most visited theme park in the entire world? Magic Kingdom is what most people think of when they hear of Disney World. It’s Walt Disney World’s original park with all the classic Disney rides and the iconic Cinderella Castle.

Many of the best Magic Kingdom rides, and attractions have been here since opening day in 1971! Not only does Magic Kingdom have all the classic, nostalgic Disney rides, but it also has more rides than any other Walt Disney World theme park.

Because there are so many Magic Kingdom rides and attractions at this one theme park, you might not have enough time to squeeze all of them into one visit, especially if you are park hopping and trying to explore two parks in one day. That means tough decisions about what rides and attractions you plan to do.

To help prepare you for your trip to The Most Magical Place on Earth, here are 10 of the best Magic Kingdom rides and attractions you must do!

10 of the Best Magic Kingdom Rides and Attractions

These Magic Kingdom rides and attractions will have you smiling from ear to ear, and some may even have you screaming, but in a good way! Many have been around for over 50 years and have stood the test of time!

1. Splash Mountain (Now Closed for Two Years)

Splash Mountain is one of the best Magic Kingdom rides, and it’s just a whole lot of fun, so ride it while you can!

This 10-minute log-flume ride located in Frontierland will have you gently cruising through a Southern bayou full of adorable audio-animatronic animals. You’ll want to burst out singing along with these cute creatures to the classic Disney song, “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah.”

The highlight of this ride will incline you straight up about five stories, where you will directly head straight down! You will most likely get wet or even soaked, depending on where you sit.

Note Splash Mountain will soon be transforming. The Princess and the Frog movie will inspire the new theme.

Type of Ride: thrill ride, water ride, a big drop
Height Requirement: 40 inches or taller

2. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a fun, family-friendly roller coaster located next to Splash Mountain in Frontierland. This amazingly themed coaster will take you over mountains and through the caverns of the Old West.

Even though it’s technically family-friendly, it’s bumpy, very bumpy. It will also take you through a dark cavern. However, there are no big drops; it’s mainly fast and jerky. The bumpiness of this ride, along with the scenery, will make you feel like you are off-roading through the southwest.

You know your family best; some kids will love it, while it will be too much for others.

Type of Ride: thrill ride, small drops
Height Requirement: 40 inches or taller

3. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Magic Kingdom Rides — Courtesy PRNewsFoto/Walt Disney World

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a family-friendly roller coaster in Fantasyland, themed after the classic fairytale Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

This is an amazing roller coaster for the whole family! It’s the perfect coaster for kids that want more thrills than the kiddie coaster, The Barnstormer, but something milder than Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Whereas Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is bumpy and jerky, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is smooth.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is one of the newest Magic Kingdom rides, and it’s very modern with its use of animatronics. You’ll happily sing the song “Heigh-Ho” along with the seven dwarfs on this fun adventure!

Also, be sure to be photo ready on this ride! Not only can you get a ride photo through Disney’s Photopass, but you’ll get a ride video too!

Type of Ride: thrill ride, small drops
Height Requirement: 38 inches or taller

4. It’s a Small World

It’s a small world located in Fantasyland, and is one of those classic, must-do Magic Kingdom rides.

It might not be one of the most exciting rides at Walt Disney World, but it’s a classic, original opening-day ride, so it is a must.

This 10-minute gentle, whimsical boat ride will fill you with nostalgia. You’ll cruise along the Seven Seaways Waterway as you listen to the audio-animatronics children from all over the world singing, “it’s a small world.” It’s fun to see the scenes from all the different countries and what makes their culture unique.

Type of Ride: slow boat ride
Height Requirement: any height; all ages

5. Dumbo the Flying Elephant

Dumbo, the Flying Elephant, is a classic Magic Kingdom attraction that’s a must-do for not only younger kids but adults at Disney too.

Enjoy soaring high over Fantasyland on your elephant as you go round and round in a circle. You can choose whether you want to fly high or low by a shift of the lever.

Since this ride was recently redone, the wait has been dramatically reduced because two rides are now operating simultaneously. There’s also a great indoor playground where kids can play while waiting in line.

Type of Ride: slow ride, spinning
Height Requirement: any height; all ages

6. Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion is another classic Disney ride that’s a must-do at Magic Kingdom.

This Liberty Square attraction is one of the original attractions that has been around since the opening day of the Magic Kingdom in 1971. All the details in this ride are just amazing!

You’ll ride on a doom buggy at Haunted Mansionthrough a dark, spooky haunted mansion. Even though it is dark and has ghosts, it’s family-friendly and might not be too scary, even for the youngest children.

Type of Ride: slow ride, dark
Height Requirement: any height; all ages

7. Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean is a classic must-do Disney attraction in Adventureland that will have you singing “Yo-ho, yo- ho, a pirate’s life for me.”

This 9-minute slow, dark boat ride takes you through different scenes featuring audio-animatronics figures including the famous Captain Jack Sparrow, and many other pirates and animals.

One small drop at the beginning of the ride provides a slight thrill for those thrill seekers.

Type of Ride: slow ride, small drops, dark
Height Requirement: any height; all ages

8. Jungle Cruise

You might be in Florida with some of the most beautiful beaches and crystal-clear water in the world, but head to Jungle Cruise in Adventureland to get a taste of something a little different.

Jungle Cruise will take you on a 10-minute riverboat cruise through the murky jungle waters of Asia, Africa, and South America.

This riverboat cruise travels along the water on a concealed track. As you cruise down the river, your “skipper” will entertain you with jokes as you encounter various mechanical animals, including elephants, lions, and hippos.

Type of Ride: slow ride
Height Requirement: any height; all ages

9. Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover

Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover, commonly referred to as the “People Mover,” is a must on any trip to the Magic Kingdom.

This elevated tram ride takes you on a scenic tour through Tomorrowland. You’ll travel through parts of rides in Tomorrowland, including Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin and Space Mountain.

This is a good opportunity to get a glimpse into Space Mountain if you are a little scared to ride it.

Type of Ride: slow ride
Height Requirement: any height; all ages

10. Space Mountain

Last but not least is Space Mountain. It’s one of the most popular and best rides and attractions at Magic Kingdom.

This thrilling indoor rollercoaster in Tomorrowland will make you feel like you are in space with its amazing theming, music, and sounds.

This ride is completely in the dark and has lots of twists and turns. Similar to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Space Mountain is also a very jerky rollercoaster.

Type of Ride: thrill ride, big drops, dark
Height Requirement: 44 inches or taller

Tips for the Best Magic Kingdom Rides

Since these Magic Kingdom rides and attractions are the best, they are the most popular. Therefore, the wait for these rides can get very long!

Here are some tips to make your time at the Magic Kingdom much more enjoyable.

If possible, stay at a Disney resort because this will allow you Early Theme Park Entry or to stay late once the park has closed to others. These extra 30 minutes or 2-3 nighttime hours will enable you to get ahead of the thousands of people staying off-property. Saving the Magic Kingdom rides for these times allow you to experience a lot more in the parks.
Purchase Disney Genie + for Magic Kingdom. Genie + is worth it at the Magic Kingdom because there are many rides. Genie + enables you to return for a much shorter wait at a specific time.
Whether you are staying off-property or on-property, arrive early in the morning. Be there and in line before the park opens. Once the park opens, head to one of these Magic Kingdom rides and attractions. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is an excellent first-ride choice because you can’t get a Genie + for this particular ride. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is the only ride at Magic Kingdom that is an Individual Lightening Lane purchase, which means you pay extra to skip the standby line just for this ride.

Magic Kingdom Rides and Attractions Short List

Most of the best Magic Kingdom rides and attractions have been around since the park opened in 1971 or shortly thereafter.

These Florida attractions have stood the test of time and have been entertaining and creating magical memories for millions and millions of people every year.

Don’t leave the park without experiencing these Magic Kingdom rides!

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