They call it the place where dreams come true and the most magical place on earth, but we'd prefer to call it simply the Magic Kingdom. Easily Walt Disney World's most beloved theme park, this place has more than enough epic Disneyness for everyone to enjoy. But let's get real, some days are more magical than others.
Nearly all of Disney's rides and attractions are iconic on some level, but there are some that are simply better experiences. That couldn't be truer for the Magic Kingdom, because although most of them are classic, some are definitely done to death. Let's have a look at five you should ride, and five you should avoid on your next visit.
Avoid: Mad Tea Party
The main reason the Mad Tea Party makes our avoid list is simply because it's been imitated so much at nearly every other teacup ride in every other theme park, carnival, or other amusement areas in the world. The phrase "often imitated but never duplicated" really only half applies in this context.
If you've done it once, you've done it a hundred times, spinning relentlessly in oversized drinkware was fun the first one or two times, but we think we'd rather keep our heads when traversing this massive magical park. Perhaps we need to slow things down on our next ride.
Ride: The People Mover
Tomorrowland's People Mover is a great way to kick back, relax, and see more than a few impressive views of Tomorrowland. Not only do you get an elevated view of this retro-futuristic world of tomorrow, but you get a few stylish, sci-fi inspired peaks into various attractions.
Not only do you get to breeze through Buzz Light Year's Space Ranger Spin, the upper level of the Carousel of Progress, and see a vintage model of Epcot, but Space Mountain as well. If you ride late enough at night, you can see the inner machinations of the coaster with the lights on too.
Avoid: Enchanted Tales with Belle
This is one of those attractions that are mainly built to get the attention of either significantly younger guests or significantly princess obsessed guests. Enchanted Tales with Belle is a cutesy interactive show featuring some impressive animatronics and an intimate Meet and Greet Experience with the titular princess.
That's all hunky-dory, but unless you're traveling with small children or are completely obsessed with the character, you probably don't want to waste much time on this one. No offense to those who enjoy it, but it's not exactly what we would call enchanted. Sorry, Belle.
Ride: Pirates of the Carribean
Aye, now we be getting somewhere! Pirates of the Carribean, with or without its more modern additions, has been called the testament to Disney Imagineering, and we can see why. With loads of animatronic characters, visual storytelling, and a catchy Disney tune from the Sherman Brothers, it's got all the hallmarks of an iconic attraction.
The ride is also incredibly immersive with its environmental details. You'll get splashed with water, smell the gunpowder from the cannons, and feel the heat of the blazing city. If that doesn't scream adventures worthy of Captain Jack, we don't know what does.
Avoid: It's a Small World
We can already feel some of you clenching your teeth at the mere mention of this attraction, and we can kind of understand on a certain level. There are two types of Disney Parks fans, those who have a surprising immunity to the infamous earworm of a song, and those who can't stand even the first stanza.
Still, it's a Disney Parks classic and we'd be unfair in saying it wasn't worth at least a ride for the simple novelty of it all. But if an army of dancing puppets weirds you out, we completely understand if you want to skip it.
Ride: Haunted Mansion
Not only do we highly recommend this ride, but we recommend a minimum of three rides in one day. The Haunted Mansion is one of the most beloved dark rides not only in Walt Disney World, not only in the country, but in the entire history of theme parks, and that's not much of an exaggeration.
This king of haunted attractions has been a Disney Parks staple since the Disneyland original opened in 1969, and the Florida version only improves. It might be missing one or two details, but it has extra rooms and a supposedly longer graveyard sequence. Either way, it's definitely our favorite pick.
Avoid: Liberty Square Riverboat
Granted, the big paddle-styled riverboat gives a scenic tour of the Magic Kingdom's waterways. But if you've ridden across the lake to get to the park on Disney's ferryboats, you've had a roughly similar experience. Though you can see a wild west scene and get a break from the crowds, it's not the most thrilling.
It's a boat ride on an antique method of transportation, and that's just about it. It's not that it's a bad experience. If you like boats, history, and old ways of traveling, then climb aboard. But we wouldn't exactly put it near the top of our must-ride lists.
Ride: Big Thunder Mountain
For a real wild-west-inspired thrill, mosey on over to Frontierland if you think you're bold enough to take on the wildest ride in the wilderness. We are of course talking about the legendary Big Thunder Mountain. One of the the infamous Mountain Challenge trio, this is no peaceful train ride.
Ride over the various crags and peaks of Big Thunder Mountain in this twisted, turning, runaway mine train coaster. It's a perfect ride to introduce new adrenaline junkies to the mild thrills, plus it's a classic ride that could be the symbol of Frontierland.
Avoid: Prince Charming Carousel
If you've ridden one carousel, you've ridden them all. Even something as beautiful as Disney World's own Prince Charming Carousel. Though it's one of the oldest rides in the park, it's still just a carousel with its mechanical horses, circular motion, and calliope soundtrack. Great for kids, but not exactly a Disney icon.
The attraction is as simple as the previously mentioned Mad Tea Party. It's a team of mechanized painted horses galloping in a circle to piped in Disney music. It's pretty, it's shiny, and it'll keep your kids attention for a few rotations, but that's about it.
Ride: Space Mountain
If there was one massive ride you absolutely, positively, no-arguments had to ride at the Magic Kingdom, it's the legendary Space Mountain. Essentially the answer to Disneyland's Matterhorn, Space Mountain rockets guests into a swirling starfield in an incredible indoor coaster.
In space, no one can hear you scream... but that's not true on this ride. The thrills come from more of what you can't see, given the coaster is set in near-total darkness. You'll drop, lurch, and fall through the blackness of space until you come down and return to earth. It's our top choice and a requirement for any trip to the Magic Kingdom.