Exploring the Magic Kingdom: Orientation

When most people think about Walt Disney World they think about the Magic Kingdom. Opened on October 1, 1971 it has been dubbed ‘The Most Magical Place on Earth’ and is visited by more guests every year than any other Theme Park.

Click here to download your Magic Kingdom Guidemap

Arriving at The Magic Kingdom

The park itself nestles along the edge of the Seven Seas Lagoon and there are a few ways you can travel to the main entrance.

If you are staying in a Disney World Resort hotel you might choose to travel by bus, and the driver will drop you off right near the entrance.

But I think there are more exciting ways to travel…

Guests arriving by car will leave their cars in the 12,156 space parking lot and catch a tram to the Transportation and Ticket Center – more lovingly known as the TTC.

From there you have two choices.

Your first option is to travel by ferry boat. The three boats are named for past Disney executives; the General Joe Potter (blue), the Richard F. Irvine (red) and the Admiral Joe Fowler (green). Grab yourself a spot on the top deck at the front of the boat; as you travel closer and closer to the park Cinderella Castle appears right before your very eyes. Have your cameras at the ready to capture this fabulous view of the park – and the faces of your children as they spot the Castle for the very first time!

Your second option is to board the futuristic monorail, which speeds you around the edge of the Lagoon – and right through the middle of the Contemporary Resort! Look out of the right hand window as you approach the park for a great view of Space Mountain.

Entering the park

Regardless of your transportation choice everyone enters the park through the same gates. Before you reach the ticket barriers you must pass through bag check. Have all of your bags available as you approach to save time (including any tucked in stroller baskets).

From this vantage point the Theme Park, and the Castle, are hidden from view behind the Train Station – and this is exactly as Walt wanted it. Entering the Magic Kingdom is like entering a movie. See the red carpet you walk on as you pass through the tunnel? Smell the freshly popped corn emanating from that stand just to your left? Now look up and you’ll see the main attraction; Cinderella Castle in all her glory, towering above Main Street USA.

If you look at the Magic Kingdom Guidemap you will see that you are currently standing in Town Square. Behind you is the Walt Disney World Railroad station and ahead of you are the stores lining Main Street USA.

Cinderella Castle stands in the Hub – with the seven themed lands radiating outwards like the spokes of a wheel.

Let’s explore those lands starting with Adventureland…