- “The Most Magical Place On Earth”
- ―Magic Kingdom tagline
Logo in the 1970s.
The Magic Kingdom is the flagship theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Based on the original Disneyland in California, it opened with the resort on October 1, 1971, as the first of Walt Disney World's four theme parks. Its name is taken directly from Disneyland's original nickname "the Magic Kingdom".
Similar to its California predecessor, the layout of the Magic Kingdom is that of the central hub (Cinderella Castle) surrounded by six "lands" which are based around different themes; Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland. Each land is home to different characters who do their best to show guests a good time.
Dedication[]
- “Walt Disney World is a tribute to the philosophy and life of Walter Elias Disney... and to the talents, the dedication, and the loyalty of the entire Disney organization that made Walt Disney's dream come true. May Walt Disney World bring Joy and Inspiration and New Knowledge to all who come to this happy place ... a Magic Kingdom where the young at heart of all ages can laugh and play and learn — together.”
- ―Roy Oliver Disney, October 25, 1971
Construction[]
Magic Kingdom in the final stages before opening.
Although Walt Disney himself was highly involved in planning The Florida Project, The Walt Disney Company began construction on Magic Kingdom and the first phase of the resort in 1967 following Walt's death in 1966. The Magic Kingdom park was built similarly to the existing Disneyland in California. The Florida park, however, was built in a much larger area and greatly improved upon Disneyland's design.
There are several anecdotes relating to reasons for some of the features of Walt Disney World, and the Magic Kingdom specifically. According to one story, during the early days of the original Disneyland, Walt Disney once saw a Frontierland cowboy having to walk through Tomorrowland to reach his post. He was concerned that the lack of decent employee transportation for cast members could ruin the illusion of each individual area of Disneyland, and wanted to avoid situations like this in the new park. Therefore, Magic Kingdom was built on top of a series of tunnels called utilidors, a contraction of the words "utility" and "corridor". These tunnels allow cast members to move through the park out of sight from guests, maintaining the illusion of the show.
Because of Florida's high-water table, the tunnels could not be constructed underground, so they were built at the existing grade. This means that the park itself is actually built on the second story, giving Magic Kingdom an elevation of 107 feet (33 m), although the incline is so gradual that guests can hardly notice it at all. The area around the utilidors was filled in with dirt removed from the Seven Seas Lagoon, which was also being constructed at the same time.
The utilidors were only built in the initial construction and were not extended as the park expanded. The tunnels were only used in Magic Kingdom due to financial constraints, but they were meant to be employed in all subsequent Walt Disney World parks. Epcot's Future World and Pleasure Island each have a smaller network of utilidors.
Opening[]
Magic Kingdom's Opening Day.
The Magic Kingdom opened as the first part of Walt Disney's planned Florida Project on October 1, 1971. It was the only theme park on the resort at the time and opened concurrently with two hotels on the property: Disney's Contemporary Resort and Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. The park opened with 23 attractions, three unique to the park and 20, often somewhat different, copies of attractions at Disneyland. The Walt Disney Company promised to increase this number with more attractions like those in Disneyland as well as more unique ones. The attractions were split into six themed lands. Five of these lands were counterparts to those at Disneyland and the sixth is Liberty Square, unique in name, but sharing the same attractions as Disneyland's New Orleans Square.
While there is no individual dedication to Magic Kingdom Park, the dedication by Roy O. Disney for the entire Walt Disney World Resort was placed within its gates.
Walt Disney World is a tribute to the philosophy and life of Walter Elias Disney... and to the talents, the dedication, and the loyalty of the entire Disney organization that made Walt Disney's dream come true. May Walt Disney World bring Joy and Inspiration and New Knowledge to all who come to this happy place... a Magic Kingdom where the young at heart of all ages can laugh and play and learn — together. Dedicated this 25th day of October 1971. Roy Oliver Disney.
History[]
Some of the information is taken from "The Hidden Magic of Walt Disney World" by Susan Veness.
1971-1972[]
The Magic Kingdom opened on October 1, 1971, to a crowd of 10,000 visitors.
Attractions open that day were:
- Cinderella's Golden Carrousel
- Country Bear Jamboree
- Diamond Horseshoe Revue
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant
- Frontierland Shooting Gallery
- The Hall of Presidents
- The Haunted Mansion
- It's a Small World
- Jungle Cruise
- Mad Tea Party
- Mickey Mouse Revue
- Mike Fink Keel Boats
- Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
- Skyway
- Snow White's Adventures
- Swiss Family Treehouse
- Tropical Serenade
- Grand Prix Raceway
- Walt Disney World Railroad
During the remaining three months of 1971, other attractions opened, including:
- Admiral Joe Fowler Riverboat
- Peter Pan's Flight
- 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage
- Flight to the Moon
- America the Beautiful
In 1972, the If You Had Wings attraction opened in Tomorrowland. During the park's first anniversary, 10.7 million guests had passed through its gates.
1973-1974[]
Pirates of the Caribbean; one of the longest-running, and most popular attractions at the Magic Kingdom.
In 1973, many new attractions opened that later turned into timeless classics:
- The Walt Disney Story
- Tom Sawyer Island
- Plaza Swan Boats
- Richard F. Irvine Riverboat
- Pirates of the Caribbean
In 1974, America the Beautiful closed and reopened the next day with a new film called Magic Carpet 'Round the World, which closed after a year and America the Beautiful returned. Star Jets opened.
By the end of 1974, the park's popularity was so big that on December 29, a record 74,597 day-guests passed through the gates and, for the first time in the park's history, closed due to over-capacity.
1975[]
Space Mountain; the crowning attraction in Tomorrowland.
In January 1975, the long-awaited Space Mountain attraction opened in Tomorrowland, followed on July 1 by the WEDway PeopleMover.
After some time, when traveling to the Moon lost its mystique, Flight to the Moon became Mission to Mars.
In June, America on Parade debuted to honor the United States Bicentennial and ran until September of the following year.
The classic Carousel of Progress was moved to the Magic Kingdom, after having concluded a six-year run at Disneyland.
1976-1981[]
Although 1976 was quiet in terms of new attractions, the Magic Kingdom hit a milestone when Susan Brummer passed through the gates as the park's 50,000,000th visitor. Three years later, another, even more momentous milestone occurred when Kurt Miller became visitor number 100,000,000.
On June 11, 1977, the Main Street Electrical Parade premiered. It was originally based on the Electrical Water Pageant which was already located in the Polynesian Resort and is a clone of Disneyland's newly revamped version but with wider, 3D floats.
The period between 1978 and 1981 was quiet at the Magic Kingdom as a second gate, EPCOT Center, broke ground in preparation for its October 1, 1982, opening.
In 1978, as part of Mickey Mouse's 50th birthday, a special parade debuted in his honor. A similar parade also debuted at Disneyland.
In 1979, America the Beautiful ended at the Circle Vision theater and was replaced again by Magic Carpet 'Round the World.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
The Mickey Mouse Revue closed in September 1980, followed by the retirement of the Admiral Joe Fowler Riverboat. But big news came in November of that year with the opening of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
A film titled "A Dream Called EPCOT" began playing at the park's EPCOT Preview Center, generating excitement for the new park.
WDW's 10th Anniversary Special
The year 1981 focused on the Magic Kingdom's 10th Anniversary, which ran for a full year, from October 1, 1981, until September 30 of the following year. As part of the event, the stage show Disney World Is Your World debuted and the Tencennial Parade started running. In addition, Disney World welcomed its 126,000,000th guest during the Tencennial celebration.
1982-1983[]
Most of Walt Disney World's focus was placed on EPCOT Center through 1982 and 1983. The Plaza Swan Boats no longer swam the park's island waters as of August 1983.
1984[]
A change of power occurred in 1984, with Michael Eisner becoming the new chairman and chief executive officer of Walt Disney Productions, which changed its name to The Walt Disney Company in 1986.
In July, the stage show Show Biz Is opened, only to close two months later.
The year 1984 was the year of Donald Duck's 50th birthday, with a special parade debuting in his honor. An identical parade was also featured at Disneyland.
Magic Carpet 'Round the World was replaced by American Journeys and the Frontierland Shooting Gallery reopened as the Frontierland Shootin' Arcade.
1985-1987[]
After the upheaval of 1984, it would be another four years before any new developments would occur in the Magic Kingdom. Time and money were being used to expand EPCOT Center and develop the resort's third gate—the $300 million "Hollywood that Never Was and Always Will Be" which would open as the Disney MGM Studios on May 1, 1989.
Walt Disney World 15th anniversary logo.
On October 1, 1986, Walt Disney World celebrated its 15th anniversary and ran until September 30 the following year. A special parade to mark the occasion debuted at the Magic Kingdom.
Merlin's Magic Shop was closed and the Diamond Horseshoe Revue was renamed the Diamond Horseshoe Jamboree. If You Had Wings was renamed If You Could Fly. Magic Journeys, the first 3-D attraction in the park, debuted in the former Mickey Mouse Revue theater, after Captain EO had replaced the show at EPCOT.
1988-1990[]
In honor of Mickey Mouse's 60th birthday, a "temporary" land called Mickey's Birthdayland opened. The area consisted of Mickey's House, Grandma Duck's Petting Farm, Mickey's Playground, and three circus-style tents housing character meet-and-greets and two live shows including Minnie's Surprise Birthday Party. One of the prime attractions was a cow living at the petting farm named Minnie Moo, born with the classic tri-circle Mickey head on her side.
In January 1989, If You Could Fly closed and was replaced by Delta Dreamflight.
Due to its enormous popularity, Mickey's Birthdayland was kept and renamed Mickey's Starland in 1990.
1991-1993[]
Splash Mountain
In September 1991, the popular Main Street Electrical Parade ended its run and was relocated to the soon-to-be-opened Euro Disney Resort in Paris. SpectroMagic took over as Magic Kingdom's new nighttime electrical parade. The Surprise Celebration Parade debuted in September as part of Walt Disney World's 20th Anniversary celebration.
It had been twelve years since the Magic Kingdom welcomed a major new attraction. In 1992, Splash Mountain opened.
The Walt Disney Story closed in October 1992 followed by Mission to Mars in October 1993. The Hall of Presidents and Carousel of Progress both underwent huge refurbishments. In December, Magic Journeys closed. A month later American Journeys closed, followed by the Surprise Celebration Parade and Star Jets.
1994-1995[]
In 1994, Tomorrowland received a major refurbishment—it had begun to look dated, so the Imagineers gave it a general design, creating a City of the Future. In the process, the WEDway PeopleMover was renamed the Tomorrowland Transit Authority. Later that year, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea closed.
The Legend of the Lion King opened in the former Mickey Mouse Revue theater. In November, The Timekeeper opened. Star Jets reopened as Astro Orbiter. Snow White's Adventures underwent an extensive upgrade, toning down its scare factors and adding the character of Snow White herself to the ride. The Mickey Mania parade debuted.
Main Street's Penny Arcade and House of Magic closed in 1995.
In June 1995, the ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter opened, adding a slight touch of terror to the Magic Kingdom.
1996-1997[]
The billboard for the former Mickey's Toontown.
Mickey's Starland was transformed into Mickey's Toontown Fair, enjoying an expansion in June 1996 with the additions of the Toontown Hall of Fame and kiddie coaster The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm, which replaced Grandma Duck's Petting Farm.
The Grand Prix Raceway's track was shortened to make room for the new Toontown Fair attractions. It was later renamed the Tomorrowland Speedway.
Also in 1996, the Richard F. Irvine riverboat was renamed the Liberty Belle and Delta Dreamflight was renamed Take Flight. As part of Walt Disney World's 25th Anniversary celebration, the Remember the Magic Parade debuted and Cinderella Castle was transformed into a giant birthday cake.
In 1997, King Stefan's Banquet Hall was renamed Cinderella's Royal Table.
1998-1999[]
In April 1998, Tropical Serenade reopened as The Enchanted Tiki Room: Under New Management with Aladdin's Iago and The Lion King's Zazu as hosts.
In October 1998, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin replaced Take Flight.
The beloved Mr. Toad's Wild Ride closed in September 1998, reopening in June 1999 as The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh. SpectroMagic went on hiatus in the summer of 1999 and the classic Main Street Electrical Parade returned for a limited engagement (albeit a rebuilt replica of Disneyland's was used as the original 1977 version the Orlando park once had was still in the Paris resort).
2000-2002[]
The year 2001 added new entertainment to the park. This included Cinderella's Surprise Celebration, the Share a Dream Come True Parade and the return of SpectroMagic. That same year also saw the opening of the Magic Carpets of Aladdin and the departure of the Mike Fink Keelboats.
On October 1, 2001, Disney's 100 Years of Magic celebration began, honoring the 100th anniversary of Walt Disney's birth.
2003-2004[]
Mickey's Philharmagic presents classic Disney characters through modern, interactive technology.
October 2003 saw another period of great change in the park—the 3-D film Mickey's PhilharMagic replaced The Legend of the Lion King, an all-new fireworks spectacular called Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams lit up the sky for the first time and the ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter closed. Alien Encounter's replacement arrived more than a year later with the scary but friendly Stitch's Great Escape!
2005-Present[]
Disney could not ignore the success of their 2003 blockbuster film Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, so in 2006, the classic Pirates of the Caribbean attraction was refurbished to add the characters of Jack Sparrow, Barbossa, and Davy Jones to the ride. Also in 2006, The Timekeeper closed and reopened as the Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor the following year.
It's a Small World, The Haunted Mansion, the Hall of Presidents and Space Mountain all underwent huge refurbishments.
In 2010, SpectroMagic departed for the second and final time for yet another return engagement of the Main Street Electrical Parade. Unfortunately, due to the weather ruining the SpectroMagic floats which was caused by minimal protection in storage, the parade was scrapped. Meanwhile, the Main Street Electrical Parade had an open-ended run at Magic Kingdom between 2010 and 2016, when it was shipped to Anaheim for it's return to Disneyland in January 2017.
In 2011, The Enchanted Tiki Room: Under New Management closed following a fire and the Tiki Room was restored to its original show.
The Fantasyland expansion was amongst the largest of the park's history, putting an emphasis on storytelling through homages to classic Disney animated features, such as The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Tangled, and others.
In 2011, Mickey's Toontown Fair closed as construction was beginning on the expansion of Fantasyland. The expansion's first phase, Storybook Circus, opened in the former site of the Toontown Fair in the spring in 2012, featuring a newly-relocated Dumbo the Flying Elephant and a rethemed version of The Barnstormer. In May 2012, Snow White's Scary Adventures closed to make way for Princess Fairytale Hall, which opened the following year. The New Fantasyland officially opened in November 2012 with the additions of Enchanted Tales with Belle, the Be Our Guest Restaurant, Gaston's Tavern, Under the Sea- Journey of the Little Mermaid, and a new Ariel's Grotto.
The year 2012 also saw the debut of the interactive game Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom.
In 2014, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train opened, completing the Fantasyland expansion, as well as the Festival of Fantasy Parade.
In February of 2015, the park unveiled an expanded Central Plaza area, proceeding Cinderella Castle, as the first phase in an ongoing hub expansion to include new pathways and sculpted gardens, among others.
That same year, Pirates of the Caribbean closed throughout the summer season to undergo refurbishments, reopening a few months afterwards in September.
Also in 2015, turrets with a matching color scheme of Cinderella Castle were added; surrounding the park's physical icon.
In 2016, The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History opened in Liberty Square on October 2. The show ran until the fall of 2019.
On October 27, 2020, the Walt Disney World Resort reopened after being temporarily closed during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but Walt Disney World announced that all entertainment shows would be laid off (at least until the summer of 2021), such as Citizens of Hollywood at Disney's Hollywood Studios and Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor at Magic Kingdom, due to a dispute between the Actors' Equity Association and Walt Disney World.[1][2]
In 2023, Splash Mountain closed and TRON Lightcycle Run opened, and the following year in 2024, Tiana's Bayou Adventure opened, replacing Splash Mountain.
At 2024’s D23 Expo, the Walt Disney World Resort announced Phases 1 and 2’s upcoming lands for the “Beyond Big Thunder Mountain” project. Phase One is a brand new Cars Land coming to the Magic Kingdom and will be very different from Cars Land at Disney California Adventure. This incarnation takes guests on a road trip into the wilderness with Mater and Lightning McQueen on two different attractions: one unknown and one dangerous road rally through a national park setting, dodging geysers, and climbing mountains.
Phase Two is a Villains Land, situated next to the upcoming Cars Land and Liberty Square, behind Haunted Mansion. Not much is known about this villains land, but it is rumored to have two major attractions.
Attractions[]
Entertainment[]
- Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade
- Happily Ever After
- Mickey's Magical Friendship Faire
- Festival of Fantasy Parade
Former attractions & entertainment[]
- Main Street Cinema (1971–1998)
- Penny Arcade (1971–1995)
- Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom (2012–2021)
- Plaza Swan Boats (1973–1983)
- The Walt Disney Story (1973–1992)
- Main Street Electrical Parade (1977–1991, 1999–2001, 2010–2016)
- SpectroMagic (1991–1999, 2001–2010)
- Fantasy in the Sky (1971–2003)
- Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams (October 9, 2003–May 11, 2017)
- Disney Enchantment (October 1, 2021–April 2, 2023)
- The Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management) (1998–2011)
- Country Bear Vacation Hoedown (1986–1992)
- Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes (1971–1994)
- Splash Mountain (1992−2023)
- Mike Fink Keel Boats (1971–2001)
- Fantasyland Concert Theatre:
- Mickey Mouse Revue (1971 – 1980)
- Magic Journeys (1987 – 1993)
- The Legend of the Lion King (1994 – 2002)
- 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage (1971 – 1994)
- Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (1971 – 1998)
- Pooh's Playful Spot (2005 – 2010)
- Snow White's Scary Adventures (1971 – 2012)
- Circle-Vision 360°:
- America the Beautiful (1971–1984)
- American Journeys (1984–1994)
- The Timekeeper (1994–2006)
- If You Had Wings (1972–1989)
- Mission to Mars (1975–1993)
- Delta Dreamflight (1989–1998)
- ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter (1995–2003)
- Stitch's Great Escape! (2004–2018)
- 20th Anniversary Surprise Celebration Parade (1991–1994)
- Mickey Mania Parade (1994–1996)
- Disney's Magical Moments Parade (1996–2001)
- Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade (2009–2014)
- Move It! Shake It! MousekeDance It! Street Party (2019-2020)
- Cinderella's Surprise Celebration (2001-2005)
- Cinderellabration (2005-2006)
- Dream Along with Mickey (2006-2016)
- The Magic, the Memories and You (2011-2012)
- Celebrate the Magic (2012-2016)
- Once Upon A Time (2016-2020)
- Admiral Joe Fowler Riverboat (1971-1980)
- Country Bear Jamboree (1971-2012, 2012-2024)
- Frontierland Shootin' Arcade (1971-2024)
Former sections[]
Mickey's Toontown Fair[]
- Judge's Tent
- Donald's Boat
- Mickey's Country House
- Minnie's Country House
Future sections[]
Cars Land[]
- Cars Road Rally
- Unknown Race Attraction
Villains Land[]
- Villains Land Rollercoaster
- TBA Second Attraction
Characters[]
Current Characters:
- Mickey Mouse at Town Square Theater
- Snow White at Town Square/Main Street USA
- Aladdin and Jasmine in Adventureland
- Captain Jack Sparrow in Adventureland
- Wendell, Big Al, Shaker, and Liverlips in Frontierland by the Country Bear Jamboree
- Chip and Dale in Frontierland
- Peter Pan in Fantasyland
- Cinderella and Elena in Princess Fairytale Hall
- Rapunzel and Tiana in Princess Fairytale Hall
- Belle at Enchanted Tales with Belle
- Anastasia and Drizella at Cinderella Fountain
- Ariel in her Grotto or outside with Eric
- Mirabel Madrigal at Fairytale Garden
- Winnie the Pooh and Tigger near The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
- Donald and Goofy at Pete's Silly Sideshow
- Minnie and Daisy at Pete's Silly Sideshow
- Stitch in Tomorrowland
Past Characters:
- Tinker Bell at Town Square Theater
- Marie at Town Square/Main Street USA
- Cinderella, Aurora, Belle, Rapunzel, and Tiana at Town Square Theater
- Pluto at Town Square/Main Street USA
- Chip and Dale at Town Square/Main Street USA
- Daisy Duck at Town Square/Main Street USA
- Dopey at Town Square/Main Street USA
- Aurora randomly at Town Square/Main Street USA
- Buzz Lightyear in Tomorrowland near the Carousel of Progress
- Timon in Adventureland
- Rafiki in Adventureland
- Ariel and Eric in Adventureland
- Mary Poppins in Liberty Square
- Merida in Liberty Square
- Woody and Jessie in Frontierland
- Fairy Godmother in Fantasyland behind the Castle
- Lady Tremaine in Fantasyland behind the Castle
- Mickey Mouse in Fantasyland near the Carousel
- Minnie Mouse in Fantasyland near the Carousel
- Donald Duck in Fantasyland near the Carousel
- Goofy in Fantasyland near the Carousel
- Pluto in Fantasyland near the Carousel
- Chip and Dale in Fantasyland near the Carousel
- Pinocchio in Fantasyland near the Pinocchio Village Haus
- Snow White at Princess Fairytale Hall
- Aurora at Princess Fairytale Hall
- Anna and Elsa at Princess Fairytale Hall
- Gaston outside his tavern
- Alice near Mad Tea Party
- Mad Hatter in Fantasyland near the Mad Tea Party
- White Rabbit in Fantasyland near the Mad Tea Party
- Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum in Fantasyland near the Mad Tea Party
- Merida at Fairytale Garden
- Chip and Dale at Pete's Silly Sideshow
- Chip and Dale at Tomorrowland
Special Events[]
Current[]
- Disney After Hours
- Villains After Hours
- BOO Bash
- Very Merriest After Hours
Semi-Retired[]
Transportation[]
- Walt Disney World Monorail System
- Minnie Van Service
- Bus
- Boat
- Ferry
- Parking Lot
- Woody Parking Lot
- Aladdin Parking Lot
- Jafar Parking Lot
- Zurg Parking Lot
- Simba Parking Lot
- Peter Pan Parking Lot
- Hook Parking Lot
- Scar Parking Lot
- Mulan Parking Lot
- Rapunzel Parking Lot
- Ursula Parking Lot
- Cruella Parking Lot
Recent Park Map[]
Planned Film[]
Director Jon Favreau and Walt Disney Pictures plan to produce and release a film concerning a family at Disneyland which finds the theme park characters and attractions coming to life.
Favreau, who said "the Disney iconography was probably the first set of archetypes that I was exposed to" and that Disney movies and attractions "made a deep impression on me as a child", noted that, "When I first heard about the Magic Kingdom film project, I was on my way to visit Disneyland with my family. I took notes and had no problem filling a book with all the ideas that this concept offered, even on first blush."
Marc Abraham and Eric Newman of Strike Entertainment are scheduled to produce the film. Writer-producer Ronald D. Moore had previously written an original script for the project, which the studio eventually declined to use, stating that Favreau and a new screenwriter will develop a new script. On June 20, 2011, Spider-Man 2 story contributor, Michael Chabon signed on to write the film's script.
Gallery[]
References[]
External links[]
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