Best Magic Kingdom Rides & Attractions Guide (2026)

This post is a guide to the best rides and attractions at Disney’s Magic Kingdom park in Walt Disney World. It covers the complete list of attractions, which ones you absolutely must do during your trip, which ones to prioritize, and the ones you can just skip.

A lot has changed recently at Disney’s Magic Kingdom, including Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Country Bear Musical Jamboree, Disney Starlight, and major refurbishments of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. Disney is also working on Piston Peak National Park and Villains Land, but all your favorites are still there.

Many people have the idea the park is full of attractions that are only for kids, and while there are a bunch of those, there is a ride for every member of the family. From boat rides to roller coasters, dark rides, and shows, the Magic Kingdom is full of choices.

In fact, the Magic Kingdom has more rides than any other Walt Disney World theme park, and even in a whole day, you won’t get to see it all. That’s why it’s important to know the best rides before you go.

In this post, we are going to give you a full list of all the Magic Kingdom attractions including traditional rides, shows, entertainment options, and experiences. Our rating system for the rides is on a scale from 1 to 10. The higher the number, the more it is a “must-do” when you visit.

Our opinion of the best rides at the Magic Kingdom is subjective and everyone has their own personal list of top rides. Some of the more popular ones we have a bit lower than some top lists, while other rides many would consider “boring” make our top 10.

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Full List of Magic Kingdom Attractions

If rides are your thing, you are going to love this park. Disney’s Magic Kingdom has over 40 total attractions when counting its rides, shows, walkthroughs, entertainment, and other experiences. It has by far the most attractions of the 4 Disney World parks and there is enough to do here for 2 full days.

• Enchanted Tales with Belle
• “It’s a small world”
• Mad Tea Party
• Mickey’s PhilharMagic
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Prince Charming Regal Carousel
• Princess Fairytale Hall
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid
• Walt Disney World Railroad – Fantasyland stop

Frontierland

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Country Bear Musical Jamboree
• Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
• Walt Disney World Railroad – Frontierland station temporarily unavailable during expansion construction

Liberty Square

• The Hall of Presidents
• Haunted Mansion

Main Street U.S.A.

• Cinderella Castle
• Main Street Vehicles
• Town Square Theater
• Walt Disney World Railroad – Main Street U.S.A. stop

Tomorrowland

• Astro Orbiter
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
• Space Mountain
• Tomorrowland Speedway
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
• TRON Lightcycle Run
• Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress

How Many Rides are there at Disney’s Magic Kingdom?

There are 23 rides at the Magic Kingdom in Disney World. The park has over 40 total attractions when counting rides, shows, walkthroughs, entertainment, and other experiences, but 23 of those are rides in a moving vehicle.

Best Rides at the Magic Kingdom

There are so many things to see and do at the Magic Kingdom that it can seem overwhelming if you don’t have a plan. Some rides are better than others and not all the rides are an absolute must-do. In order to make the best of your time, you need to focus on the best rides first, then if you have time get to the other ones.

The best rides at Disney’s Magic Kingdom in order are:

1. Pirates of the Caribbean
2. TRON Lightcycle Run
3. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
4. Space Mountain
5. The Haunted Mansion
6. Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
7. Peter Pan’s Flight
8. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
9. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
10. Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
11. Jungle Cruise

In our opinion, to have a complete visit of the Magic Kingdom you have to go on each of these rides at least once. These are the classic attractions here and all fall under the “Must-Do” category.

Before your visit, make sure to read all the Disney World Ride Height Requirements so you know ahead of time which rides your children can go on.

Let’s take a more in-depth look at all the Magic Kingdom rides…

Main Street U.S.A.

Every trip to the Magic Kingdom begins with a stroll down Main Street U.S.A. Of course, everyone knows about the shopping and all the delicious snacks at the confectionary or the bakery, however, there are two attractions found here to get your day started.

Main Street Vehicles (5/10)

• Ride Type: Slow Car Ride
• Thrill Level: Low
• Good For: All Ages
• Lightning Lane: No
• Ride Length: N/A
• Height Requirement: No

Many people don’t even know about the Main Street vehicles, let alone the fact that you can ride them. It’s a pretty cool sensation riding up and down Main Street in one of these, making you feel right out of the turn of the century.

Of course, don’t expect these to be a thrilling attraction, it’s just a quaint, slow ride where you can take in all the incredible smells and sights of your day ahead.

• Best Time to Ride: It can be hard to ride the Main Street Vehicles because they do not run every day and there isn’t a schedule to which days they are running. When they are running it’s usually early in the morning, before the crowds pack in. We suggest getting there before 10:00 am since they stop running shortly after that.

Walt Disney World Railroad (7.5/10)

• Ride Type: Train Ride
• Thrill Level: Low
• Good For: All Ages
• Lightning Lane: No
• Ride Length: 20 minutes
• Height Requirement: No

The Walt Disney World Railroad takes you on a relaxing trip around the entire border of the Magic Kingdom park. You will pass through all the lands in the Magic Kingdom (except Liberty Square), giving you a preview of what to expect.

There are some small scenes set up along the way, but it’s not nearly as elaborate as the Disneyland Railroad. Just knowing how much railroads meant to Walt himself means you have to take a ride at least once around the park.

• Best Time to Visit: The Walt Disney World Railroad is always fun to ride, but we prefer riding in the afternoon when most of the popular attractions have long wait times. It normally circles the park with stops at Main Street U.S.A., Frontierland, and Fantasyland. During the current expansion work, it is temporarily operating between Main Street U.S.A. and Fantasyland/Storybook Circus, while the Frontierland station and full grand-circle route are unavailable. Disney has not announced when the full route will return.

Adventureland

After leaving The Hub, make a sharp left and head into Adventureland. This exotic land is a fictional trip through the jungles of South America, Asia, Africa, the South Pacific, and the Middle East. This is where we usually start our days and can knock out all the rides on this side of the park right away.

Pirates of the Caribbean (10/10)

• Ride Type: Boat Ride, Dark, Slow
• Thrill Level: Low, Small Drop
• Good For: All Ages
• Lightning Lane Multi Pass: Tier 2
• Ride Length: 8 minutes 30 seconds
• Height Requirement: No

Pirates of the Caribbean is perhaps our favorite Disney ride of all time and the inspiration for the popular film franchise. It is the quintessential Disney dark ride taking guests in a boat through a fictional port town being overrun by pirates.

Everything from the audio-animatronics, to the incredible music and the elaborate sets, make this a must-do. In fact, we usually do it 2-3 times each visit. The Captain Jack Sparrow character from the films was added years later and you see him popping up throughout the ride.

I think almost everyone riding this while growing up, walked out singing the song and wanting to be a pirate later in life. Some small kids might be frightened by some of the gunfire, but overall it is a great ride that can be enjoyed by the whole family. The Disneyland version remains our favorite, but this one is still hard to beat.

• Best Time to Visit: Pirates usually doesn’t have more than a 30-minute wait so you shouldn’t have a hard time going later on in the day when it’s hot outside. Don’t bother using one of your first Lightning Lane selections on this, use the standby queue. Otherwise, you can save it for later in the day with Lightning Lane if you’d like.

Jungle Cruise (8/10)

• Ride Type: Boat Ride, Slow
• Thrill Level: Low
• Good For: All Ages
• Lightning Lane Multi Pass: Tier 1
• Ride Length: 9 minutes 5 seconds
• Height Requirement: No

Jungle Cruise is a slow boat ride with show scenes taking you through the jungles from around the world. You’ll see animals like lions, hippos, elephants, and tigers along the journey, and you’ll also run into danger.

The best part about the ride though is its corny, yet hilarious one-liners from your skipper piloting the boat. No matter how many times we ride, we always get a big laugh or two, though the quality of your skipper is really what makes the difference here.

The Jungle Cruise has a huge fanbase and has even inspired its own film with The Rock. You will also find its influence in various locations around Disney World. Jungle Cruise is a must-ride and an overall hilarious time.

• Best Time to Visit: The Jungle Cruise often has long lines, and it’s one of our first choices for Lightning Lane since reservations tend to sell out quickly. If using the standby queue, we recommend doing this early on in the first couple hours of the day if possible, before the crowds come and the lines get too long.

Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room (6.5/10)

• Ride Type: Musical Show
• Thrill Level: Low
• Good For: All Ages
• Lightning Lane: No
• Ride Length: 10 minutes
• Height Requirement: No

If you like the audio-animatronics featured in attractions throughout the park, you should know it all started with the Enchanted Tiki Room. This 15-minute show features hundreds of animatronic birds singing one of the most famous Disney park songs of all time.

Though many consider it boring, we say it’s a must-do for any first-timer to the Magic Kingdom, and one we see over and over again very happily. It’s had some refurbishments throughout the years, but for the most part, it’s pretty close to the original show.

• Best Time to Visit: There is no need to plan this one as it very rarely has a long line. We suggest experiencing the Enchanted Tiki Room right after stopping by next door for a Dole Whip.

The Magic Carpets of Aladdin (4.5/10)

• Ride Type: Spinning Ride
• Thrill Level: Medium
• Good For: All Ages
• Lightning Lane Multi Pass: Tier 2
• Ride Length: 1 minute 30 seconds
• Height Requirement: No

The Magic Carpets of Aladdin is a spinning ride very similar to Dumbo the Flying Elephant in Fantasyland and Astro Orbiter in Tomorrowland. It spins you and takes you up and down while giving you a birds-eye view of Adventureland.

Small kids will like it, but this is nothing special and you can skip it if you do one of the other two similar rides.

• Best Time to Visit: Visit any time of day as wait times are not long. Don’t waste a Lightning Lane reservation on it.

Swiss Family Treehouse (6/10)

• Ride Type: Walkthrough Exhibit
• Thrill Level: Low
• Good For: All Ages
• Lightning Lane: No
• Ride Length: 10 minutes (approximate)
• Height Requirement: No

The Swiss Family Treehouse is a walkthrough attraction based on the 1960 film Swiss Family Robinson. Disneyland has a Tarzan-themed version of the same attraction. It’s a cool attraction letting you experience what it would have been like to live in a similar treehouse, and fans of the movie will want to do it.

• Best Time to Visit: It usually doesn’t have a long line so you can visit it whenever you want. If there are a bunch of people, skip it and come back when you can take your time going through it.

Fantasyland

Most people think about Fantasyland when thinking about a Disney park. It is inspired by Disney’s animated films, fairy tales, and is filled with princesses, pixies, and boys who never grew up.

Fantasyland has the most attractions of any land at the Magic Kingdom, and if you have kids you might spend a good portion of your day here.

Peter Pan’s Flight (9/10)

• Ride Type: Dark Ride, Slow
• Thrill Level: Low
• Good For: All Ages
• Lightning Lane Multi Pass: Tier 1
• Ride Length: 2 minutes 45 seconds
• Height Requirement: No

Peter Pan’s Flight is the best ride in Fantasyland, yes even better than Seven Dwarfs. This is THE classic Disney dark ride and both parents and children will love it. The ride takes you from the city of London, all the way to Neverland where you see all the main characters from the film.

The coolest part about Peter Pan’s Flight is that the track is located above your ride vehicle, giving you the feeling of flying through the ride. While it needs some more upgrades to bring it into the 21st century, it remains a beloved ride and one you must do.

• Best Time to Visit: Peter Pan’s Flight is one of the most popular rides at the Magic Kingdom, and you should make it a priority Lightning Lane selection. If you can’t get a Lightning Lane for it, make it one of your first rides of the day to avoid long waits.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (8.5/10)

• Ride Type: Roller Coaster
• Thrill Level: Medium
• Good For: Kids, Teens, Adults
• Lightning Lane Single Pass: Yes
• Ride Length: 2 minutes 30 seconds
• Height Requirement: 38 inches (97cm)

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is one of Fantasyland’s most popular rides. It was built as part of the big Fantasyland expansion and is our favorite addition to the project. It’s a roller coaster, but tamer than the other 3 found at the Magic Kingdom.

It has some of the coolest audio animatronics of any ride at the Magic Kingdom, and incredible show scenes. Even the attraction queue is amazing with plenty of interactive parts to keep you occupied.

Our only complaint with the ride is that it’s pretty short, but this is definitely a ride you want to plan your day around.

• Best Time to Visit: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train has the longest lines at the Magic Kingdom so you need to make it a priority when planning your day. Definitely go here at rope drop, first thing in the morning. If the line gets too long later in the day, a Lightning Lane Single Pass might be worth it, though we try to avoid paying more when possible.

“It’s a small world” (8/10)

• Ride Type: Boat Ride, Slow
• Thrill Level: Low
• Good For: All Ages
• Lightning Lane Multi Pass: Tier 2
• Ride Length: 10 minutes 30 seconds
• Height Requirement: No

Yes, we know you know the song and can’t get it out of your head either! Love it or hate it, this ride is a Magic Kingdom classic that has been here since the park’s opening in 1971 and is based on the one overseen by Walt Disney himself from the 1964 World’s Fair in New York.

“it’s a small world” is a slow boat ride that explores the many countries in the world and mostly, their people and cultures. It’s pretty impressive to know there are over 300 animatronic dolls throughout the ride, each with colorful and vibrant costumes and against exotic backdrops.

This is a must-do ride with or without kids as it’s so ingrained into the Fantasyland culture. At least you’ll be able to sing the classic Sherman brothers song the rest of your day in the park.

• Best Time to Visit: “it’s a small world” is not usually very crowded and you can go at most times of the day. If Fantasyland isn’t too crowded, try it in the afternoon or evening. Don’t use one of your first Lightning Lane selections on it, and you can probably wait until later in the day in the standby queue.

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (7/10)

• Ride Type: Dark Ride
• Thrill Level: Low
• Good For: All Ages
• Lightning Lane Multi Pass: Tier 2
• Ride Length: 3 minutes 8 seconds
• Height Requirement: No

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh is a dark ride based on the classic children’s book character and his friends from the Hundred Acre Wood. This is one of the more popular Fantasyland rides as it takes you into a crazy dream Winnie the Pooh is having.

While it’s a good ride, it doesn’t stand up to Peter Pan’s Flight or Journey of the Little Mermaid, both better attractions nearby. Still, we often do it and it’s a must-do for fans of the characters.

• Best Time to Visit: Lines can be long at times, and even though the interactive queue is nice, we avoid them if possible. If the wait is more than 20 minutes, try getting a Lightning Lane Multi Pass Selection later in the afternoon.

Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid (7.5/10)

• Ride Type: Dark Ride
• Thrill Level: Low
• Good For: All Ages
• Lightning Lane Multi Pass: Tier 2
• Ride Length: 6 minutes 15 seconds
• Height Requirement: No

Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid is a slow dark ride in the Fantasyland expansion area. Join Ariel, Sebastian, Flounder, and Ursula, in a re-telling of the classic Disney animated film The Little Mermaid.

For dark rides, this happens to be one of the best at the Magic Kingdom, and we ride it every time we go. The queue sets the stage as you enter a grotto near the sea, and then climb into a clamshell to go on your journey. It doesn’t quite live up to its potential, but it’s a very solid ride.

• Best Time to Visit: Do it early in the morning on your run through Fantasyland, or wait for a time when the line is short later in the day. No need to use a Lightning Lane Multi Pass Selection selection on this unless it’s the end of the day and nothing else is left.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant (6/10)

• Ride Type: Spinning Ride
• Thrill Level: Medium
• Good For: All Ages
• Lightning Lane Multi Pass: Tier 2
• Ride Length: 1 minute 30 seconds
• Height Requirement: No

Dumbo the Flying Elephant is a spinning ride in the Storybook Circus area of Fantasyland. This ride has been at the Magic Kingdom since 1971, although it has undergone some changes through the years. Its interactive queue which opened in 2012 is a great addition and will keep your kids busy while waiting.

Guests hop into the Dumbo-shaped ride vehicles connected to a central pivot point while going up and down and spinning around the center. If we had to pick between the 3 spinning rides at the Magic Kingdom, we think Dumbo is the best. That said, it’s not one that you need to do unless you have small children.

• Best Time to Visit: Dumbo has a higher capacity than the other spinning rides, so it usually doesn’t have a super long wait. If it does, use a Lightning Lane Multi Pass Selection on it, or do it later in the evening, which is cooler anyway.

Enchanted Tales with Belle (6/10)

• Ride Type: Walkthrough Show
• Thrill Level: Low
• Good For: All Ages
• Lightning Lane: No
• Ride Length: 10 minutes
• Height Requirement: No

Enchanted Tales with Belle is an interactive walkthrough experience based on the characters from the Disney animated classic, Beauty and the Beast. Think of it as a character meet, only with a story being told at the same time.

Kids and adults alike are asked to participate in the storytelling and we have to admit, the special effects used in this attraction are pretty cool. Beauty and the Beast fans will love this and it is recommended no matter what if you have the time.

• Best Time to Visit: It usually doesn’t have long waits, and it makes for a good attraction in the evening once some of the crowds have moved out of Fantasyland.

The Barnstormer (5/10)

• Ride Type: Roller Coaster
• Thrill Level: Low, Small Drops
• Good For: Kids
• Lightning Lane Multi Pass: Tier 2
• Ride Length: 1 minute 3 seconds
• Height Requirement: 35 inches (89cm)

The Barnstormer is a small roller coaster in the Storybook Circus area of Fantasyland. It’s a kid’s roller coaster, so don’t expect many thrills here. It’s a good way to get your young ones warmed up though for some of the bigger rides in the park.

There is nothing special about The Barnstormer and you can safely skip it if you don’t have kids.

• Best Time to Visit: Wait times tend to be long here and if you have small kids that won’t be doing some of the other bigger rides, you can consider using a Lightning Lane selection here when wait times are more than 30-40 minutes.

Mad Tea Party (5/10)

• Ride Type: Spinning
• Thrill Level: Low
• Good For: All Ages
• Lightning Lane Multi Pass: Tier 2
• Ride Length: 1 minute 30 seconds
• Height Requirement: No

The Mad Tea Party is a spinning ride based on the Disney classic film Alice in Wonderland. Guests get into oversized teacups attached to a turntable and spin around in circles.

We used to do this all the time when we were young, but honestly, all the spinning can be rough, so don’t do this if you get motion sickness. Besides being lightly themed, this is a standard ride that can be experienced at any local state fair.

• Best Time to Visit: Wait times are short here and you don’t need much planning to do it. Just hop on when passing by and no need to use a Lightning Lane selection on it.

Mickey’s PhilharMagic (6/10)

• Ride Type: Show
• Thrill Level: Low
• Good For: All Ages
• Lightning Lane Multi Pass: Tier 2
• Ride Length: 12 minutes
• Height Requirement: No

This is a 3D show full of clips from classic Disney animation and features Donald Duck. If you like Disney animation you will enjoy this show, especially if you grew up on the films featured.

• Best Time to Visit: This is a good attraction to do in the afternoon when it’s hot out and you are waiting for your next Lightning Lane selection to be ready.

Prince Charming Regal Carousel (5/10)

• Ride Type: Spinning
• Thrill Level: Low
• Good For: All Ages
• Lightning Lane: No
• Ride Length: 2 minutes
• Height Requirement: No

Prince Charming Regal Carousel is the oldest ride at the Magic Kingdom as it was built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company in 1917. If you have small kids or really like carousels then it’s a fine ride, you will appreciate all the original horses, hand-carved from maple.

• Best Time to Visit: You can visit the carousel any time of the day you like, the wait times are not long. We prefer riding at night because the lights give off a cool effect.

Frontierland

Fans of the Wild West will love Frontierland. This is a romanticized version of the American West, telling the story of cowboys, Native Americans, and exploration.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (8/10)

• Ride Type: Boat Ride, Dark Ride
• Thrill Level: Medium/High, Big Drops
• Good For: All Ages
• Lightning Lane Multi Pass: Tier 1
• Ride Length: 11 minutes
• Height Requirement: 40 inches (102cm)

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opened in Disney’s Magic Kingdom in June 2024. This log flume attraction replaces the former fan-favorite Splash Mountain and takes you down on the bayou with all of your favorite characters from the Disney animated film The Princess and the Frog.

While we enjoy Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and think the Disney Imagineers did a nice job re-theming the attraction with more updated animatronics and good music, we still prefer the old classic Splash Mountain.

• Best Time to Visit: We recommend doing Tiana’s Bayou Adventure as soon as possible. Ideally, I’d come early in the day while knocking out the rides in Frontierland and Adventureland before it gets too hot and everyone flocks to this ride. If you are using Lightning Lane Multi Pass, we recommend making it one of your first selections, especially in the summer when temperatures are high. If it’s the off-season, you can get away with waiting until later.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (9.5/10)

• Ride Type: Roller Coaster
• Thrill Level: Medium
• Good For: Kids, Teens, Adults
• Lightning Lane Multi Pass: Tier 1
• Ride Length: 3 minutes 25 seconds
• Height Requirement: 38 inches (97cm)

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a roller coaster in Frontierland and definitely the “wildest ride in the wilderness!” It’s a runaway mine train coaster taking you into the old Wild West, through caverns and mining camps.

The attraction has reopened after the largest refurbishment in its history, with major work on the ride system, trains, track, and other essential components. We love Thunder Mountain and make it a priority on each trip. A definite must-do ride and a Disney classic.

• Best Time to Visit: It’s one of the more popular rides in the park and, following its major refurbishment, it is one of the strongest choices for an early Lightning Lane Multi Pass selection. If you go early in the morning, you may be able to ride using the standby line with minimal wait.

Country Bear Musical Jamboree (8/10)

• Ride Type: Animatronic Stage Show
• Thrill Level: Low
• Good For: All Ages
• Lightning Lane: No
• Ride Length: 15 minutes
• Height Requirement: No

Country Bear Musical Jamboree is an updated stage show that debuted in Frontierland in 2024 and features audio-animatronic bears singing country music. This version of the Country Bears brings back old favorites such as Big Al, Trixie, Henry, and the gang, with newer Disney songs sung by your favorite bears!

We happen to love the Country Bears, both the old one and the new one, and think it’s one of the most clever shows in Walt Disney World, full of one-liners and comedic quips. The sheer nostalgia alone of this ride makes it worth visiting, and it harkens back to classic Disney World.

• Best Time to Visit: There is almost never a long wait for the Country Bears, so you can do this whenever you like.

Liberty Square

Liberty Square is designed as a colonial-era American town set during the Revolutionary War. The details here are amazing, with a full-sized replica of the Liberty Bell from Philadelphia and the Liberty Tree. Attractions include the Haunted Mansion and The Hall of Presidents.

Haunted Mansion (9/10)

• Ride Type: Dark Ride, Slow
• Thrill Level: Medium, Scary
• Good For: Kids, Teens, Adults
• Lightning Lane Multi Pass: Tier 2
• Ride Length: 7 minutes 30 seconds
• Height Requirement: No

The Haunted Mansion is a slow-moving dark ride, and one of the most popular attractions in Disney World. This is one of the most detailed attractions Walt Disney Imagineering has ever built and an iconic ride.

Though there are a few scary parts, The Haunted Mansion is supposed to be a whimsical look at the “999 happy haunts” and it shouldn’t be too scary for most kids.

• Best Time to Visit: The line moves very quickly here and the wait is not usually more than 30 minutes on a normal day, so you shouldn’t need a Lightning Lane reservation. The queue is also interactive, giving you something to do while you wait. Try going at night for an even scarier experience.

The Hall of Presidents (7/10)

• Ride Type: Animatronic Stage Show
• Thrill Level: Low
• Good For: Teens and Adults
• Lightning Lane: No
• Ride Length: 21 minutes 35 seconds
• Height Requirement: No

The Hall of Presidents is a 25-minute stage show featuring audio-animatronic figures of every president in American history. Each time a new president is elected, Walt Disney Imagineering makes a new figure who becomes the centerpiece of the show and who even makes a speech.

If you are not into “educational” attractions then you can skip over The Hall of Presidents. However, if you are a fan of history, or if your kids need a quick history lesson, this is a very powerful attraction not-to-be-missed.

• Best Time to Visit: The Hall of Presidents makes a perfect afternoon attraction for a nice long break inside the air conditioning and out of the Florida sun.

Tomorrowland

Tomorrowland is a romanticized view of the future and the promise of tomorrow. It’s home to many popular Magic Kingdom attractions like Space Mountain, the Tomorrowland Speedway, and TRON Lightcycle Run.

Space Mountain (9/10)

• Ride Type: Roller Coaster
• Thrill Level: High
• Good For: Kids, Teens, Adults
• Lightning Lane Multi Pass: Tier 1
• Ride Length: 2 minutes 30 seconds
• Height Requirement: 44 inches (112cm)

Space Mountain is an indoor dark roller coaster and Disney World’s first real thrill ride. There is no denying the “cool factor” here as guests are blasted off into space while riding under comets, meteorites, and shooting stars.

It can be a pretty bumpy ride, so if you don’t like to be jostled, this one isn’t for you. This is one of the first roller coasters for many young kids, and it has a high nostalgic appeal. Make sure you ride Space Mountain as it’s definitely one of the best rides at the Magic Kingdom and something that needs to be experienced.

• Best Time to Visit: If you are on this side of the park for rope drop, make this one of the first choices after Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. You can also wait until later in the evening to ride when the crowds die down. It’s also a good use of one of your early Lightning Lane selections and should be a priority.

TRON Lightcycle Run (10/10)

• Ride Type: Roller Coaster
• Thrill Level: High
• Good For: Kids, Teens, Adults
• Lightning Lane Single Pass: Yes
• Ride Length: 2 minutes
• Height Requirement: 48 inches (123cm)

TRON Lightcycle Run is the Magic Kingdom’s most thrilling attraction and one of its best rides. It’s a must-do for roller coaster enthusiasts and it’s unique from any other roller coaster in any Disney theme park.

First of all, if you like speed, this is one of the fastest roller coasters Disney Imagineers have ever designed, reaching approximately 59 mph, and the launch sequence is awesome. Even though there are no loops or inversions, it’s probably the most thrilling ride at Walt Disney World (it doesn’t have the thrill factor of some Universal rides though).

The most fun part about it is the ride vehicle. Instead of a traditional seat and bench coaster, TRON puts you on one of the famous light cycle bikes from the films, which gives you an incredible feeling of freedom as you twist and turn your way through the grid. Think of a more modern Space Mountain with a bike like on Avatar.

Even if you are not riding, it’s worth taking a walk underneath the outdoor canopy and enjoying the screaming guests whizzing by overhead! The atmosphere and aesthetic there is incredible. This is and will be the most popular attraction at the Magic Kingdom for years to come.

Make sure you read our guide to TRON Lightcycle Run for more info on how to ride it. TRON now uses a standby queue and Lightning Lane Single Pass rather than a virtual queue.

Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover (9/10)

• Ride Type: Omnimover Ride, Slow
• Thrill Level: Low
• Good For: All Ages
• Lightning Lane: No
• Ride Length: 10 minutes 10 seconds
• Height Requirement: No

The Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover is a slow-moving ride set high above the ground and offers excellent views of Tomorrowland. This is the ultimate relaxation ride at the Magic Kingdom and we love to just sit back and enjoy the day.

There are a few parts with behind-the-scenes looks at some of the other Tomorrowland rides, and you even get to go inside Space Mountain and see it from a different perspective. The PeopleMover is one of the top attractions at the Magic Kingdom and one you should definitely make time for.

• Best Time to Visit: Any time is a good time to go on the PeopleMover. We think the best time however is at night, when you can see Tomorrowland all lit up below you. Going on right when the fireworks are starting is also a great time and offers an interesting perspective of the show.

Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress (8.5/10)

• Ride Type: Show
• Thrill Level: Low
• Good For: Adults
• Lightning Lane: No
• Ride Length: 20 minutes 45 seconds
• Height Requirement: No

Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress is temporarily closed for a major refurbishment and is expected to reopen in late spring 2027. The update is expected to add a new opening scene featuring a Walt Disney Audio-Animatronics figure and refreshed family scenes while retaining “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow.”

This is another one of Walt Disney’s classic attractions from the 1964 New York World’s Fair that has found a home at the Magic Kingdom. The Carousel of Progress is a 21-minute long stage show with a family of audio-animatronics giving you a look back at American life from the turn of the century until modern times.

This is another Magic Kingdom attraction that many people would consider “boring,” but it’s one of our absolute favorites. We’ve seen it 1000 times and still laugh at all the jokes. It’s a very entertaining look at how times have changed in this past century and one we recommend seeing.

• Best Time to Visit: After it reopens, the Carousel of Progress will again be perfect on a hot afternoon when you can get a long reprieve from the heat.

Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor (7.5/10)

• Ride Type: Show, Interactive
• Thrill Level: Low
• Good For: All Ages
• Lightning Lane Multi Pass: Tier 2
• Ride Length: 11 minutes
• Height Requirement: No

Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor is a screen-based show and one of the more interesting attractions at the Magic Kingdom. Monsters interact with guests in the audience as part of a comedy act and try to make you laugh as much as possible.

This is an attraction good for people of any age, and the way the monsters on the screen interact with the audience is really incredible. Since the audience is different every time, many of the jokes change from show to show.

• Best Time to Visit: This is another good afternoon show to get out of the heat. Wait times are low so no need for a Lightning Lane selection here.

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin (7.5/10)

• Ride Type: Dark Ride, Shooting Ride
• Thrill Level: Low
• Good For: All Ages
• Lightning Lane Multi Pass: Tier 2
• Ride Length: 4 minutes 5 seconds
• Height Requirement: No

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is a dark ride and game combo where you and a partner try to rack up to 999,999 points and take down the Evil Emperor Zurg on this space-based adventure. It recently reopened after a major refurbishment with updated ride vehicles, handheld blasters, improved interactive targets, refreshed sets and gameplay, and a new opening scene featuring Buddy.

It’s a shooter-style ride similar to Toy Story Mania! We still prefer Toy Story Mania! as the more complete interactive ride, but the upgrades make Buzz Lightyear a much better experience. Overall it’s fun and one that kids, or anyone who grew up during the video game age will enjoy.

• Best Time to Visit: Wait times are not usually very long and there is no need to get a Lightning Lane reservation for this one. Do it as part of a Tomorrowland rope drop, or when you are in the area.

Astro Orbiter (6/10)

• Ride Type: Spinning Ride
• Thrill Level: Medium
• Good For: All Ages
• Lightning Lane: No
• Ride Length: 1 minute 30 seconds
• Height Requirement: No

Astro Orbiter is another high-flying spinning ride at Disney’s Magic Kingdom and similar to Dumbo and The Magic Carpets of Aladdin. Guests are loaded into small rocket ship vehicles attached by a mechanical arm to a center pivot point and can go up and down while spinning.

The main difference here is that you are much higher than the other two rides and need to take an elevator up to the loading platform. Being high up makes it slightly more thrilling than the others.

• Best Time to Visit: Monitor throughout the day and do this when lines are shorter. Try doing at night for a very cool experience over Tomorrowland.

Tomorrowland Speedway (6/10)

• Ride Type: Car Ride
• Thrill Level: Low
• Good For: Kids
• Lightning Lane Multi Pass: Tier 2
• Ride Length: 4 minutes 45 seconds
• Height Requirement: 32 inches (81cm)

There is no denying that kids love the Tomorrowland Speedway as it’s often their first time to experience what driving a car is like. This ride is a go-cart-style attraction as guests get in their own car for a spin around the track.

Though kids really enjoy it, it’s not very fun for adults. The cars are smelly, unresponsive, and handle terribly. This ride is in serious need of an upgrade at some point if it is going to stay in the Magic Kingdom.

• Best Time to Visit: Since it’s not ideal to bake on the Tomorrowland Speedway asphalt during the afternoon, we prefer riding this in the morning or evening. Try getting a same-day Lightning Lane Multi Pass Selection to avoid somewhat long wait times, but don’t make it an early selection, wait until the afternoon if you can.

New Attractions Coming to the Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom has already seen a wave of recent changes, including Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Country Bear Musical Jamboree, TRON Lightcycle Run, Disney Starlight, and the refurbished Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. We’ve been highly impressed with many of the changes and additions to Magic Kingdom in recent years.

Another recent addition is The Beak and Barrel, the first lounge in Magic Kingdom! This pirate-themed, family-friendly lounge has added a fun and interactive themed location to the park. Not just a lounge, it’s an immersive atmosphere that keeps things fun and entertaining for the whole family!

Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress is currently undergoing a major refurbishment and is expected to reopen in late spring 2027. The update is expected to include a new opening scene featuring Walt Disney, refreshed family scenes, and the return of “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow.”

Disney also announced a huge new Magic Kingdom expansion taking place beyond Big Thunder Mountain. It will be the LARGEST Magic Kingdom expansion in park history!

The first phase is Piston Peak National Park, a Cars-inspired area replacing Tom Sawyer Island, the Rivers of America, and Liberty Square Riverboat. Its two announced attractions are Cars Ridge Run Rally and Miss Fritter’s Daredevil Spin-Along. Disney has not announced an opening date, but 2028 looks optimistic and 2029 is possible.

Disney is also building a first-of-its-kind Villains-themed land. Current plans include a Maleficent roller coaster, a Magic Mirror Realm dark ride, dining, shopping, and a story centered around a corrupted Wishing Well and poisoned magic. Disney has not announced an opening date, but 2030 appears to be the safest estimate, with 2029 possible if construction moves quickly.

Walt Disney Imagineering Chief Creative Officer Bruce Vaughn has said this massive expansion project will include attractions, shows, and restaurants. We are incredibly excited, but prepare for these projects to take SEVERAL years.

For a more detailed look at more Disney attractions in the next few years, read our post on what’s next to Walt Disney World.

Shows & Entertainment

Besides the rides, there are many things to do and see at the Magic Kingdom, including shows, street performers, games, and activities for kids. The Magic Kingdom is also famous for its parades and fireworks shows, which you can’t miss!

Disney introduced a nighttime parade called Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away in July 2025. This is the first new nighttime parade at Magic Kingdom since 1991 and features floats from various Disney and Pixar films. Depending on the date, it may run once or twice nightly, so check the live Disney calendar or My Disney Experience for exact showtimes.

Other current entertainment includes Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade, which generally runs once or twice depending on the date, along with supporting performers such as the Dapper Dans and Casey’s Corner Pianist. Entertainment schedules change, so always check the live calendar before your visit.

Let’s take a look at all the best current shows at the Magic Kingdom as well as our ratings for each of them…

Happily Ever After (10/10)

• Location: The Hub in front of Cinderella Castle
• Type: Nighttime Spectacular (Fireworks, Projections, Pyrotechnics)
• Good For: All Ages
• Lightning Lane: No
• Show Length: 18 Minutes and 20 Seconds

Happily Ever After is the current fireworks show at Disney’s Magic Kingdom and the best way to finish the day. When it first debuted in 2017, it was met initially with skepticism from fans, but it was then embraced and now recognized by most as the best fireworks show in Magic Kingdom history.

In 2021, it had a brief hiatus during the Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration when it was temporarily replaced by Disney Enchantment, a much inferior show. Fans disliked it so much they petitioned for the return of Happily Ever After, and here it is once again!

The show features music and characters from a wide variety of Disney and Pixar films to tell its story along with fireworks, pyrotechnics, lasers, and projection mapping. It also has one of the best original songs of any Disney show, aptly entitled “Happily Ever After.”

Happily Ever After is an absolute “must-do” for all first-timers, and most guests even if they’ve seen it dozens of times already (like myself). It’s THAT good, trust me. It’s extremely inspiring and moving, and I guarantee you won’t leave with dry eyes.

We recommend watching from The Hub. Anywhere from behind the Partners Statue to Main Street will give you a great view. Get there at least an hour to an hour and a half early for a good spot.

We recommend watching from The Hub, anywhere from behind the Partner’s Statue to Main Street will give you a great view. Get there at least an hour to al hour and a half early though for a good spot.

READ: Happily Ever After Fireworks Show | Details, Hours, & Full Review

Festival of Fantasy Parade (9/10)

• Location: Adventureland, Liberty Square, The Hub, and Main Street U.S.A.
• Type: Character Parade
• Good For: All Ages
• Lightning Lane: No
• Show Length: 30 Minutes

No trip to the Magic Kingdom is complete without taking in the Festival of Fantasy Parade. This is the current daytime parade and features characters from your favorite Disney animated films such as Beauty and the Beast, Tangled, Peter Pan, and more.

The floats are all grand and impressive in their design. The music is great and the dozens of performers really bring the energy. The highlight is the Maleficent float, a steampunk-inspired version of the fire-breathing dragon! This is the best daytime parade the Magic Kingdom has ever done and a must-see.

Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away (7/10)

• Location: Main Street U.S.A. to Frontierland
• Type: Character Parade
• Good For: All Ages
• Lightning Lane: No
• Show Length: 11-12 Minutes

We are thrilled that Magic Kingdom has finally added a nighttime parade again! We love elements of it, including the stunning floats and the impressive new lights and designs. Disney did a tremendous job adding nods to previous parades such as the Main Street Electrical Parade and SpectroMagic.

While it is lacking some opportunities and appears to have made significant budget cuts over what was previously promised, we are still happy with the show as a whole. We think the framework is there with this show to continue to refine it and make it better with time.

Check the live schedule because Disney Starlight may run once or twice depending on the date.

Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire (7/10)

• Location: The Hub in front of Cinderella Castle
• Type: Live Stage Show (Musical)
• Good For: All Ages
• Lightning Lane: No
• Show Length: 23 Minutes

This is a daytime stage show that takes place in front of Cinderella Castle. It features Mickey and all his friends singing and dancing. This show changes depending on the season so it never gets boring seeing the same show over and over.

We don’t often watch it, but it’s an entertaining show for kids and a nice show when you have some time to kill.

Electrical Water Pageant (8/10)

• Location: Seven Seas Lagoon & Bay Lake
• Type: Nighttime Water Show
• Good For: All Ages
• Lightning Lane: No
• Show Length: 15 Minutes

Technically the Electrical Water Pageant doesn’t take place inside the Magic Kingdom, but right outside on the Seven Seas Lagoon. This light show is a Disney classic going back all the way to the first year the Magic Kingdom opened in 1971.

It has 14 floats and thousands of lightbulbs you’d expect to see on a Christmas tree basically strung up with chicken wire. The show hasn’t changed much in 50 years and the technology isn’t the best, but it will always hold a place in our hearts.

For a great view, watch the show from the beach at Disney’s Polynesian Resort or Disney’s Grand Floridian.

Lightning Lane Attractions at Magic Kingdom

You may have heard that FastPass+ has been discontinued at Walt Disney World and replaced with the Disney Lightning Lane service. This has completely changed the way guests tour the Magic Kingdom.

There are now three paid Lightning Lane products: Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Lightning Lane Single Pass, and Lightning Lane Premier Pass.

Lightning Lane Multi Pass lets you choose up to three attractions before your visit and use the Lightning Lane entrance during assigned return windows. Once you redeem a selection, or once its return window passes, you can choose another available attraction in the My Disney Experience app. Single Pass is an a la carte option for select high-demand attractions, and guests may purchase up to two Single Passes per day. Premier Pass provides one-time Lightning Lane entry to participating attractions in one park without choosing individual return windows.

Eligible guests staying at Disney Resort hotels and select other hotels can generally purchase and make selections beginning at 7:00 am Eastern seven days before check-in for a stay of up to 14 days. Other eligible date-based ticket holders generally begin three days before their first eligible park day or ticket period. Valid theme park admission is required, and some older ticket types may also require a Theme Park Reservation.

Lightning Lane pricing varies by date and demand, so always check My Disney Experience for current prices before purchasing.

For your initial Magic Kingdom selections, choose one Tier 1 attraction and two Tier 2 attractions, or choose all three from Tier 2.

Here are the current Lightning Lane attractions at Disney’s Magic Kingdom:

Lightning Lane Multi Pass — Tier 1:

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Jungle Cruise
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Space Mountain
• Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Lightning Lane Multi Pass — Tier 2:

• The Barnstormer
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• Haunted Mansion
• “it’s a small world”
• Mad Tea Party
• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Mickey’s PhilharMagic
• Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Tomorrowland Speedway
• Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid

Lightning Lane Single Pass:

• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• TRON Lightcycle Run

Not every Lightning Lane selection offers the same value. The best choices for your first Lightning Lane Multi Pass selection at Disney’s Magic Kingdom are:

1. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
2. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
3. Peter Pan’s Flight
4. Jungle Cruise
5. Space Mountain

The best choice depends on return times, your family’s priorities, and which attraction you plan to ride at rope drop. An early return window can be especially useful because after you redeem that selection, or its return window passes, you can make another available same-day selection.

Is it Worth It?

Many guests are hesitant to pay additional money per day for a service that used to be free and they wonder if it’s worth the cost. In our experience, of all 4 Walt Disney World theme parks, Magic Kingdom is one of the only ones worth the cost.

It’s not worth buying for your entire vacation, but the Magic Kingdom has so many rides that it will help save a lot of time if used right. We find it especially useful when crowd levels are high or when you don’t have a lot of time to spend here. In our post Is Lightning Lane Worth It? we break down all the costs and which parks you get the best value at.

We also go over everything you need to know in our full guide to the Lightning Lane Program. And if you are looking for specific strategies including a priority list and a specific touring plan to follow, read our Lightning Lane at Magic Kingdom Guide.

Best Family Rides

Almost all the attractions at Disney’s Magic Kingdom are family-friendly, and there isn’t anything too intense for the majority of guests. There are many slow-moving dark rides and boat rides that everyone in the family will enjoy, both young and old.

There are also tons of rides for toddlers and little kids that do not have a height requirement.

Here are the best family rides at Disney’s Magic Kingdom in order:

1. Pirates of the Caribbean
2. “it’s a small world”
3. Peter Pan’s Flight
4. Jungle Cruise
5. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

All of these rides are a hit with families and children, and the top 4 are very tame and slow-moving yet extremely entertaining and will be enjoyed by the whole family.

The only one that might be a no-go is Tiana’s Bayou Adventure since there is a height requirement. Even though there is a drop, the majority of kids love this ride and most parents with them.

Best Thrill Rides

The Magic Kingdom isn’t known for big thrill rides, and even though there are 4 roller coasters, most are not too intense for riders used to bigger coasters in other parks. Even though they have some thrills, none of the rides are on the level of Expedition Everest, Tower of Terror, or Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.

Here are the best thrill rides at Disney’s Magic Kingdom in order:

1. TRON Lightcycle Run
2. Space Mountain
3. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
4. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
5. The Haunted Mansion

TRON Lightcycle Run is one of the newest rides at the Magic Kingdom, and it also happens to be the most thrilling. It reaches approximately 59 mph, making it one of Disney’s fastest roller coasters. Need I say more?

Space Mountain is the classic thrill ride, after all, what beats whipping around sharp corners in the dark? Not seeing where you are going definitely increases the “thrill factor”.

If you like big drops, then Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is where it’s at. Though most of the ride is pretty slow, you might want to close your eyes for that 50-foot drop at the end.

The rest of the rides are not super scary, as the other two roller coasters on the list are not extreme and can be done by most guests. The Haunted Mansion is not a wild ride, but it might be scary for little kids.

How to Avoid Long Lines for Rides at the Magic Kingdom?

Of course, with so many attractions at the Magic Kingdom, you also are bound to spend a lot of time waiting in line. Nothing is a bigger bummer than that, so here are our best tips to avoid waiting in line at the Magic Kingdom.

Go Early in the Morning – We suggest doing this for all the parks, but it might be most effective at the Magic Kingdom. If you are there at rope drop in the morning, the first 2 hours of the day are pretty quiet and you can get all the rides with the longest wait times done right away. Getting up early stinks but you’ll thank us later.

Go When the Crowds are Low – Another strategy is to avoid going during the times of the year when Disney World tends to be the busiest. Use our Disney World Crowd Calendar to find when there are fewer people in the parks. Weekdays can be less busy than weekends, but party schedules, holidays, park hours, and entertainment can have an even bigger impact, so no day of the week is guaranteed to be quiet.

Use Lightning Lane Strategically – If you purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass, prioritize the high-demand attractions listed above and try to get an early return window. After you redeem a selection, or its return window passes, you can choose another available attraction.

Make sure to look at the Disney World Attractions Refurbishment Calendar while planning your trip to see if any of your favorite attractions are scheduled to be closed while you are there.

For more attractions, be sure to check out our other Disney World Ride Guides:

• Best Rides at Walt Disney World Ranked
• EPCOT Rides & Attractions Guide
• Hollywood Studios Rides & Attractions Guide
• Animal Kingdom Rides & Attractions Guide

If you are thinking about going to Walt Disney World in the coming future, make sure to read our Disney World Planning Guide. There you will find all the info and tips you need to plan your trip.

Your Thoughts

I want to know what you think about the Magic Kingdom Rides…

• What is your favorite attraction at the Magic Kingdom?
• Which new ride are you looking forward to the most?

Let us know in the comments section below!

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