Which Magic Kingdom Attraction Matches Your Age? Let’s Find Out!

Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, or Splash Mountain?

We all have our favorite Disney rides, the ones with the most nostalgia, magic, or thrills. But do you know which Magic Kingdom attraction matches your age? Well, let’s adventure down memory lane and find out!

(Of course, if you were born before the Walt Disney World Resort opened on October 1, 1971, then you might need to head to the Disneyland Resort in California to find your attraction!)

So, let’s find out what Disney Park rides and attractions were opened in the year you were born!

1971

If you were born in the same year as Walt Disney World opened, then firstly – what a great year to be born! Your recent big milestone birthday was celebrated in a huge way with Walt Disney World’s 50th-anniversary celebration, marked at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme parks.

1971 saw the grand opening of Walt Disney World in central Florida by Walt’s brother, Roy Disney. After seven years of planning, about 10,000 visitors came to Orlando to witness the grand opening of Walt Disney’s second theme park destination (after the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California).

The Magic Kingdom, encompassing approximately 107 acres, opened with 23 attractions split into 6 themed lands (Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, Liberty Square, and Tomorrowland):

• Country Bear Jamboree
• Dapper Dans
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• Electric Water Pageant
• Fantasy In The Sky Fireworks
• Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade
• The Hall of Presidents
• The Haunted Mansion
• “it’s a small world”
• Jungle Cruise
• Liberty Square Riverboat
• Mad Tea Party
• Main Street Vehicles
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
• Snow White’s Scary Adventures
• Swiss Family Treehouse
• Tomorrowland Speedway
• Walt Disney World Railroad – Main Street, U.S.A.
• Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room

Walt Disney World also debuted 2 Disney Resort Hotels in 1971; Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort – both connected by the Monorail.

1972

Compared to today, the Magic Kingdom was rather empty in 1972. The ‘E-Ticket’ attractions back then included The Hall of Presidents, The Jungle Cruise, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and, of course, the iconic Haunted Mansion.

The first Walt Disney World theme park would already welcome its 1,000,000th Guest by the end of its first year, but along the way, it saw the addition of restaurants and shops. 1972 also saw its first closure – Adventureland’s Safari Club Arcade (now the queue area for Country Bear Jamboree). Attractions that opened that year were:

• May 1: Walt Disney World Railroad – Frontierland
• June 17: Main Street Electrical Parade

1973

1973 was a big year for adventure fans at Walt Disney World. If you were born this year, you share the same age as Florida’s version of the popular Pirates of the Caribbean boat ride, which has since inspired a movie franchise starring Johnny Depp.

• May 20: Tom Sawyer Island
• December 17: Pirates of the Caribbean

1975

After a quiet 1974, Walt Disney World focused its efforts on transforming Tomorrowland:

• January 15: Space Mountain
• January 15: Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
• July 1: Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover

By the end of 1975, the Magic Kingdom Park would remain nearly unchanged for the rest of the decade, while Disney prepped for the opening of its second theme park in central Florida, EPCOT, in 1982.

1980

Can you imagine Walt Disney World without Big Thunder Mountain? Well, until 1980, there was no “wildest ride in the wilderness!” Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland got a huge addition with this iconic coaster ride, designed by popular Disney Imagineer Tony Baxter, after opening in Disneyland Park in 1979:

• September 23: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

1988

At Magic Kingdom, Mickey’s Toontown Fair (now the Storybook Circus) opened as Mickey’s Birthdayland in 1988. It became Mickey’s Starland in 1990 and in 1996, it reopened as Mickey’s Toontown Fair for the Park’s 25th anniversary.

Sadly, Mickey’s Toontown Fair, including Mickey and Minnie’s houses, was closed in 2011 in order to build the New Fantasyland expansion:

• June 18: Mickey’s Country House and Judge’s Tent
• June 18: Walt Disney World Railroad – Fantasyland

1991

1991 was a big year for nighttime parade fans. SpectroMagic was introduced as part of the Magic Kingdom Park’s 20th-anniversary celebrations, replacing the Main Street Electrical Parade. The popular parade originally ran from 1991 to 1999, then returned from 2001 to 2010.

• October 1: SpectroMagic Parade

1992

Princess Tiana will be coming down the bayou in “Tiana’s Bayou Adventure,” opening in late 2024. This new Princess and the Frog overhaul of Splash Mountain looks to remove allusions to the Song of the South (1946). The characters and songs from this live-action movie all form the basis for the beloved log flume ride. The ride launched back in 1992 in Walt Disney World and includes elements from the film’s animated segments, led by Br’er Rabbit, and antagonists Br’er Fox and Br’er Bear.

• July 17: Splash Mountain

1994

• April 30: Astro Orbiter

1995

• October: Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

1996

Mickey’s Toontown Fair got a makeover in 1996 with the addition of multiple attractions based on the Fab 5.

• April 15: Donald’s Boat
• April 15: Minnie’s Country House
• June 1: Toontown Hall of Fame: Fairies
• June 1: Toontown Hall of Fame: Princesses
• October 1: The Barnstormer

1997

In 1997, Shrunken Ned’s Junior Jungle Boats opened, a remote control boats game found at Adventureland, located near the docks of the Jungle Cruise. A similar game operated at the Disneyland Hotel from 1999 to 2010, titled Safari Adventure, next to the Lost Bar. Both were replaced by Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar.

• January 1: Shrunken Ned’s Junior Jungle Boats

1998

Fans of Pixar’s Toy Story (1995) will celebrate being the same age as this Tomorrowland attraction:

• October 7: Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

1999

After many protests from Disney Guests, Pooh replaced Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride in Fantasyland in 1999:

• June 5: The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• July 1: Storytime with Belle

2000

The Walt Disney World Millennium Celebration ran from October 1, 1999 to January 1, 2001, and was primarily based at EPCOT. The celebration spawned a new fireworks show called “IllumiNations 2000: Reflections of Earth,” and a new parade called “Tapestry of Nations.”

• June 1: Fantasyland Woodwind Society
• June 20: Main Street Philharmonic

2001

• May 23: The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• October 1: Share A Dream Come True Parade

2003

Wishes was a well-loved nighttime spectacular that would light up the sky above Cinderella Castle every evening from October 2003 through May 2017. The show’s ending brought many to tears as so many Disney fans had magical memories and a deep connection to the fireworks show that had run for 14 years.

• October 8: Mickey’s PhilharMagic
• October 9: Wishes Nighttime Spectacular

2004

If you were born in 2004, then you share a birthday with the Tomorrowland attraction Stitch’s Great Escape! The attraction last operated in January 2018 and officially closed in 2020.

• November 16: Stitch’s Great Escape!
• December 1: Main Street Trolley Show

2005

• September 1: Pooh’s Playful Spot
• September 30: Happy HalloWishes Fireworks
• November 27: Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season

2006

• August 10: Disney’s Dreams Come True Parade
• September 30: Dream Along With Mickey

2007

Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor was a fun, comedic addition to Magic Kingdom back in 2007. It replaced the Circle-Vision attraction The Timekeeper.

• April 2: Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
• November 12: A Frozen Holiday Wish
• December 1: Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade

2008

• July 3: Disney’s Celebrate America! – A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky

2009

Who doesn’t remember the catchy songs of Magic Kingdom’s new 2009 parades, Celebrate A Dream Come True and the Move It! Shake It! Dance & Play It! Street Party? Well, if you were born in 2009, those are your tunes!

• January 23: Celebrate A Dream Come True Parade
• February 12: Move It! Shake It! Dance & Play It! Street Party
• May 6: Stitch’s Supersonic Celebration

2010

• June 6: Club 626 Dance Party
• June 6: Summer Nightastic! Fireworks

2011

2011 was a big year for character meet and greets, with 4 meet and greet areas opening:

• January 19: The Magic, The Memories, and You!
• February 13: Adventureland Veranda Princess Meet & Greet
• April 1: Meet Mickey at Town Square Theater
• April 1: Town Square Theater Princess Meet and Greet
• July 15: Tinker Bell’s Magical Nook

2012

Wow, 2012 was a huge year for the Magic Kingdom Park. The biggest thing to happen in Walt Disney World in 2012 was the New Fantasyland expansion, complete with the new version of Dumbo the Flying Elephant and its air-conditioned, interactive Big Top queue. Fans of Ariel also celebrated the new Little Mermaid ride, while Beauty and the Beast fans saw the opening of the unique Be Our Guest restaurant.  

• February 22: Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom
• February 29: Disney’s Up All Night Dance Party
• May 18: Meet Merida at Fairytale Garden
• June 15: Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station
• October 4: Meet Daring Disney Pals as Circus Stars at Pete’s Silly Side Show
• October 4: Meet Dashing Disney Pals as Circus Stars at Pete’s Silly Side Show
• November 12: Celebrate the Magic
• December 6:  Enchanted Tales with Belle
• December 6: Meet Ariel at Her Grotto
• December 6: Royal Majesty Makers
• December 6: Storybook Circus Giggle Gang
• December 6: Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid

2013

• May 31: A Pirate’s Adventure ~ Treasures of the Seven Seas
• December 9: Incredible Tomorrowland Expo

2014

2014 saw New Fantasyland get a new, highly-anticipated addition with the opening of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. This family-oriented coaster features details from the original 1937 film and a new ride system –  the “tilting vehicle”.

• March 9: Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade
• April 20: Meet-and-Greet with Anna and Elsa at Princess Fairytale Hall
• May 20: Meet Tinker Bell at Town Square Theater
• May 28: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

2016

There were even more meet and greets and Fantasyland additions in 2016, as well as the new castle stage show, Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire. This replaced the long-running Dream Along With Mickey and brought together characters from Princess and the Frog, Tangled and Frozen along with classic characters Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy.

• June 17: Meet Rapunzel and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall
• June 17: Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire
• October 2: The Muppets Present…Great Moments in American History
• November 4: Once Upon a Time
• November 7: Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration
• November 24: Meet Cinderella and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall
• November 24: Meet Princess Tiana and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall

2017

• May 12: Happily Ever After
• May 19: Cosmic Dance Party
• November 9: Reindeer Wranglers

2019

• January 18: Move It! Shake It! MousekeDance It! Street Party
• August 16: Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular Fireworks Show

2020

2020 was a difficult year and saw the closure of the Walt Disney World Resort due to the pandemic. During its phased reopening, Magic Kingdom introduced many modified experiences, including new Cavalcades and safety procedures.

• July 11: A Goofy Cavalcade
• July 11: Magic Kingdom Cavalcade
• July 11: Mickey’s Celebration Cavalcade
• July 11: The Royal Princess Processional
• July 11: Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure

2021

For Disney World’s 50th anniversary celebration, Magic Kingdom saw many EARidescent additions, including new treats, merchandise, decor, and a brand-new fireworks show.

• October 1: Disney Enchantment

2022

• February 11: Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade
  February 25: Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire

2023

For all those babies born this year, they’re the same age as the new Magic Kingdom coaster TRON Lightcyle / Run! Previews have already started for Cast Members, DVC Members, and Annual Passholders, and the newest Disney ride is opening soon!

• April 4: TRON Lightcycle / Run

2024

• Late 2024: Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Whew, what a ride down memory lane! Hope the year you were born had some magical entries for the Magic Kingdom Park, and that this look back at attractions past and present brought back some nostalgia. We know it did for us!