10 Tips And Secrets For The Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World

The Magic Kingdom is the most well-known and popular of the four theme parks in Walt Disney World. Guests who enter are treated to the beautiful Cinderella Castle, various lands transporting them to different worlds, and tons of attractions offering unique and magical experiences. Guests can blast off into space on Space Mountain, fly high over London on Peter Pan’s Flight, and mingle with hundreds of ghosts on the Haunted Mansion. With so much to see and enjoy on a day in the Magic Kingdom, guests are always looking to save time in order to be able to experience as much as possible. There are some simple tips and tricks to save time in the Magic Kingdom which will leave guests with more time to slow down and discover some secrets and hidden details. Here are ten tips and secrets for a day in the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World.

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10. Adventureland First

One of the easiest ways to save time in the Magic Kingdom is to be aware of where the crowds are going and consciously work against them. When the park opens for the day, most guests tend to head directly towards either Tomorrowland or Fantasyland, so a great way to save time is to head in the opposite direction into Adventureland. Since there are fewer people on that side of the park, guests can enjoy low crowds, quiet areas, and low wait times allowing them to enjoy many attractions in a small amount of time.

9. Hidden Tinkerbell

A great detail that many guests miss can be found at the exit of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Frontierland. The attraction takes guests through the Wild West on a runaway mine train that is the wildest ride in the wilderness. When exiting the attraction and emerging onto the path facing Tom Sawyer Island, guests should take a few moments to study the rockwork nearby. A Hidden Tinkerbell can be spotted featuring the pixie in full body profile. Guests can spot her easily by searching for her wings.

8. Going Down

One of the most popular attractions in the Magic Kingdom is Pirates of the Caribbean in Adventureland. Guests can take to the seas with swashbuckling pirates as they explore eerie caves, pass by skeletal remains, and ultimately ransack a burning seaside village. At one point during the attraction guests find themselves careening down a small dark drop and emerging into the middle of an epic seaside battle. Guests might think that the drop is just for added thrills, but it actually serves a functional purpose. Pirates of the Caribbean was built after the Magic Kingdom opened, and the Walt Disney World Railroad was already operating along the perimeter of the park. The massive show building for Pirates of the Caribbean was built outside of the railroad loop, making it necessary to install a drop so that guests could pass underneath the tracks and reach the building!

7. Utilidors

Guest visiting Walt Disney World may not realize that they are actually walking around on the second level of the park! Located beneath the streets throughout the park are the Utilidors, whose name combines utility and corridor. These long hallways house Cast Member services like costuming and lunch areas, operations like garbage collection and disposal, and a means for Cast Members to move from one end of the park to the other without being seen by guests. Guests who are looking to glimpse the fabled Utilidors can do so by taking the Keys to the Kingdom Tour for an additional cost.

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6. Main Street Windows

All of the buildings on Main Street feature windows with advertisements for local businesses and townsfolk. While the windows might look like regular ads, they are actually tributes to individuals who were instrumental in the creation of both the Magic Kingdom and Walt Disney World. Each window references individuals and often pay homage to part of that person’s personality or hobbies. For example, Frank Wells’ window is the highest on the street and honors his love of mountain climbing. Other notable names that can be found on the windows are Walt Disney, Roy O. Disney, and Card Walker.

5. When To Visit Fantasyland

Fantasyland is the most family friendly area of the park and it features classic attractions like Peter Pan’s Flight and It’s A Small World. Many guests with children visit Fantasyland first thing in the morning, and wait times can be high throughout the late morning and afternoon. A great time to enjoy the attractions of Fantasyland with low wait times and few crowds is during the afternoon parade. Many guests are either having lunch, have headed back to the resort to relax, or are lined up on Main Street waiting for the Festival of Fantasy Parade. Since so many guests have moved to other locations, the attractions of Fantasyland tend to be less crowded and guests can save time that would have otherwise been spent waiting on line by visiting then.

4. Starport 75

A great detail that pays homage to the history of Tomorrowland is hidden in plain sight on Space Mountain. When guests enter into the attraction, they immediately pass by a large sign advertising Starport 75. As guests move throughout the long queue, they pass several references to the fictional location and realize that it is the name of the intergalactic travel hub where they will be blasting off from. The 75 may seem random, but it actually is paying homage to the fact that Space Mountain opened in 1975.

3. Hidden Christmas Mickey

Located near Space Mountain in Tomorrowland is Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress which first debuted at the 1964 New York World’s Fair. The attraction takes guests on a journey through the years following the American family to see how technology and progress have impacted their lives. The final scene of the attraction features the family gathered around celebrating Christmas and sharped eyed guests can spot several Hidden Mickeys throughout the scene. One of the easiest to spot is Mickey in nutcracker form on a mantle on the left side of the stage.

2. Pet Cemetery

Guests who are brave enough to enter into the Haunted Mansion find themselves interacting with nine hundred and ninety nine happy haunts who attempt to follow them home! Once guests emerge back into the sunlight and start heading towards the pathway in Liberty Square, many pass right by a great area slightly off to the left of the walkway. Just before the gate off of the mansion’s grounds there is a pet cemetery which features several tombstones including one honoring the howling dog who can often be heard nearby the Haunted Mansion. There is also a tombstone featuring Mr. Toad which pays tribute to the former Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride attraction in Fantasyland that was replaced by The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.

1. Line Up Early!

Each night, Main Street and the sky over Cinderella Castle come to life with Happily Ever After. Since this event is so popular, guests who are looking for the perfect viewing spot should line up on the curb at least an hour before show time. By finding a spot early on, guests ensure that they will have a great view and the perfect end to a day in the Magic Kingdom.