Magic Kingdom is my favorite park out of all the Walt Disney World parks, and it features some great attractions, which include Cinderella’s Castle, the Hall of Presidents, the Enchanted Tiki Room, Mickey’s Philharmagic and even some fantastic rides. This isn’t an official “favorites” list, but it contains 11 of my own favorite Magic Kingdom rides!
1. Splash Mountain
Splash Mountain has always been my favorite ride. From the tune that plays that gets stuck in your head, to the lovable characters and story line, to the five-story drop, you’re sure to have a zip-a-dee-doo-dah ride.
2. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Ah, yes, another mountain. The atmosphere of Big Thunder Mountain is one of the reasons why I love the ride. As you walk through the queue, you get the feel of an old mining town from the Old West, and the soundtrack makes it even better. The ride itself is a whole ton of fun, but make sure to sit in the back of the train — it’s the best!
3. Space Mountain
And the last mountain has arrived. Space Mountain used to scare the life out of me. Even now when I wait in the line, my stomach starts to turn and I feel super jittery and anxious. This ride takes you through a dark ride through space — and it’s awesome.
4. Pirates of the Caribbean
Pirates of the Caribbean isn’t a roller coaster like the previous rides, though there is a small drop towards the beginning of the ride, but more of a smooth ride towards a town that pirates have pillaged and plundered. Make sure to look for Jack Sparrow throughout the ride!
5. Peter Pan’s Flight
Again, not a roller coaster, but a beautiful ride that takes you through the classic and my favorite movie, "Peter Pan." The queue has recently been updated, and I haven’t seen it yet, but I’ve heard that it’s even better than the ride!
6. Haunted Mansion
This is another ride that I still feel anxious about riding! Though I’ve been on it so many times, it still leaves me jittery! After going through a spooky queue, you get ushered into the mansion and greeted by your ghost host, and then are ushered onto the doom buggies. You get to go through the mansion and see the happy haunts, and are even invited to become one yourself! And watch out — don’t take home the hitchhiking ghosts!
7. Jungle Cruise
The Jungle Cruise is one of my mom’s favorite rides, and has turned into one of mine as well! On this ride, you’ll trek to a forgotten tropical jungle outpost — home to suspended cargo nets, wooden crates and lanterns, and board a canopied tramp steamer for an adventure led by a trusty skipper through some of the world’s most treacherous rivers.
8. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Yes, I am very much still a child on the inside. Winnie the Pooh is one of my favorite Disney characters, and this ride takes you through some of the most popular scenes from the movie which the ride is based on. There’s even a super interactive queue that’s fun for everyone and a spot for pictures with your favorite characters!
9. Mad Tea Party
This ride will make you dizzy! Celebrate your “un-birthday” in Wonderland as you sail back and forth around a towering teapot beneath a windswept party of paper lanterns as festive music fills the air.
10. It’s a Small World
Also known as “The Happiest Cruise That’s Ever Sailed,” this ride also features a song that instantly gets stuck in your head. This ride also holds a cast of almost 300 traditionally dressed children from nearly every corner of the globe singing a simple song in their native language about universal harmony and dance. Travel to all seven continents and, by journey’s end, see for yourself that it truly is a small world after all.
11. Walt Disney World Railroad
Though this technically isn’t a ride or much of a thriller, this train always brings me joy and happiness. There are four meticulously restored, working narrow-gauge trains you can ride, originally built between 1916 and 1928, all named after important Disney figures like Walt Disney himself. The train also takes you all around the park and is an easy way to get around. The ride itself is about 20 minutes, and there’s narration as you go around that tells you fun facts about the park.
All of these rides mean the world to me, and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. If you share this article, post a picture of you and your favorite ride in the comments — I’d love to see your love for Disney, too!
