Don't Leave Magic Kingdom Without Doing These 6 Things

Is there any park at Disney World more iconic than Magic Kingdom? This is the park that guests who’ve never been to the parks DREAM ABOUT, and for good reason.

You’ve got Cinderella Castle at the end of Main Street, U.S.A. You’ve got some of Disney’s most CLASSIC rides. You’ve got distinctly-themed lands that transport you to other places and times. It can even be overwhelming for first-time visitors. But if you visit Magic Kingdom, we’re going to give you the SIX THINGS you must make your priority.

Pirates of the Caribbean

Okay, this IS a theme park, but you’ll have to make time to ride Disney’s classic rides — many of which came from the mind of Walt Disney himself. You can’t miss out on Adventureland’s Pirates of the Caribbean, where you’ll take a journey into the life of a pirate while following the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow through his usual shenanigans.

Many guests would call this the BEST ride in Magic Kingdom, as well as one of the most popular, so expect long lines. You can bypass those by getting Genie+ to access the ride’s lightning lane.

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Jungle Cruise

While you’re in Adventureland, tap into your inner adventurer to take a cruise on the most exotic rivers in the world where you’ll get up close and personal with all kinds of wildlife, see some ancient ruins and visit the Eighth Wonder of the World.

While you’re on your tour, you’ll be guided by a well-trained skipper, who will have you laughing, rolling your eyes, or both with well-thought-out puns. Expect dad jokes. This is another ride that often has long wait times, so Genie+ will come in handy here, too!

The History and Evolution of the Disney’s Jungle Cruise

Haunted Mansion

If you like to be scared — a little — while also being amused, the Haunted Mansion is a must. Or if you love to see some fun practical special effects that will blow your mind, the mansion a must for you, too! This building full of 999 Happy Haunts will please almost everyone in the family, and it’s not SO scary that the little ones will be too frightened.

You’ll hop on board a Doom Buggy and take a tour through the most haunted house in Disney World. There’s dancing, singing, and a deadly bride. What’s not to love? The queue is also a lot of fun — you’ll find a lot of Disney Easter eggs in the cemetery.

The Legacy of the Haunted Mansion

Festival of Fantasy Parade

This parade features beautiful state-of-the-art floats featuring characters from some of your favorite Disney movies, as well as catchy music that will have you humming along.

It’s the parade’s finale, though, that will impress you the most. Prince Phillip fights Maleficent as a 26-foot-tall steampunk-inspired dragon! The dragon was built to bend and flex as it moves PLUS it has fiery red eyes and glowing effects. But the best part? It breathes FIRE.

This is one parade that will leave you feeling breathless after, so be sure to check the My Disney Experience app for parade times and route.

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Meet Mickey Mouse at Town Square Theater

Okay, you can NOT go to Magic Kingdom and not meet the Big Cheese himself. A meet and greet with Mickey is a MUST! Sure, there are other opportunities in Disney World to meet the mouse that started it all, but can it get any better than meeting him in the middle of the magic at Magic Kingdom? We think not.

You’ll find Mickey at Town Square Theater — you can get lightning lane access for this meet and greet, too, so Genie+ could come in handy again! Note that we’ve seen Minnie meeting with Mickey occasionally here, too.

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Eat Inside A Themed Restaurant

You’ll find some incredibly themed restaurants in Magic Kingdom, and depending on your dining preferences, there are three you need to consider getting an advance dining reservation for.

First up is one of our favorites, Jungle Navigation Co., Ltd. Skipper Canteen (aka Skipper Canteen). This restaurant is themed to the Jungle Cruise, where the puns keep on coming, the menu is almost as funny as the servers, and you’re surrounded by artifacts and relics left behind by other adventurers.

Did we mention there’s a secret room? Ask your server about it! Note that the food here appeals more to adventurous eaters. This restaurant is open for lunch and dinner.

Another restaurant you may want to consider is Be Our Guest, which is inside Beast’s castle (as in Beauty and the Beast). The interior is gorgeous and you can even see Beast’s portrait, the rose, and Beast himself!

The food here is French-inspired, but there are plenty of kid-pleasing items on the menu, too. Try the Grey Stuff — it’s delicious! The menu here is prix-fixe with a set price for adults and children. You can get brunch, lunch, and dinner here.

Finally, you can go INSIDE Cinderella Castle for a special meal at Cinderella’s Royal Table. Here, Cinderella is hosting a special dining experience for you and other guests that includes you being treated like royalty.

Although Cinderella is the only princess currently available to guests right now, other princesses will rejoin her soon.

Here, you’ll be treated to a prix fixe menu of food that will please a variety of palates. This also might be the most kid-friendly restaurant menu of the three restaurants we’ve mentioned here.

Note that you will need to make advance dining reservations for these restaurants — you can do that as early as 60 days from the first day of your trip.

Of course, if you’re really wanting that authentic first-timer Disney food experience, you’ll also want to save room for Dole Whips from Aloha Isle, Mickey Pretzels, and Mickey Ice Cream bars, too. And don’t forget the Corn Dog Nuggets from Casey’s Corner.

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So if you happen to find yourself as a first-timer in Magic Kingdom, be sure to add these things to your list. If you need more help planning that first trip, be sure to visit our planning section, as well as read our reader reviews written by guests just like you.

Also, keep following AllEars for more Disney news, tips, and tricks to make your next Disney World vacation the best it can be.