While some things stay the same, Disney World is always changing. From new restaurants to DVC lounges, the parks constantly evolve. This change means that each Disney park feels fresh and new from year to year. This year, the Magic Kingdom will open Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, a complete revamp of the iconic Splash Mountain. As the newest ride at the park, it’s a safe bet that there will be plenty of demand to experience it, and with a virtual queue in place, you’ll likely have some time to kill before you get to sail down the bayou. With so many hours in the day, you might be wondering what else you should do alongside this ride. That’s where we come in! We’ve put together a list of Magic Kingdom rides you’re sure to enjoy while you wait to get on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Magic Kingdom Rides to Beat the Heat
Let’s face it, while Orlando can definitely have pleasant weather, more often than not the parks can get very hot. This heat means that sometimes, the best thing you can do is find a cool building with nice air conditioning and enjoy whatever’s inside. Fortunately, there are plenty of Magic Kingdom attractions that let you do just that. Here are some of the best Magic Kingdom rides to beat the heat!
It’s a Small World
This musical boat tour takes guests on a journey through all seven continents. You’ll see doll-like animatronics in lovingly crafted sets that have a picture-book style charm to them. This Magic Kingdom ride is great for helping you escape the heat for three reasons. First, the queue for this attraction is almost entirely indoors and offers plenty of air-conditioning. So, even when you’re not on the ride itself, you won’t have to worry about the Florida heat bearing down on you. Second, Small World is a water ride, which means its even cooler than many of the other attractions you’ll get to experience. Last, and certainly not least, this is one of the longest rides in the park, clocking in at ten minutes. Between that and the mostly indoor queue, you’ll be spending a lot of time away from the heat.
Under the Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid
While all of the Fantasyland dark rides can help you cool off, this attraction takes the cake! The ride takes guests through the story of the Little Mermaid, and is lighthearted enough that kids are sure to enjoy it. What makes this ride stand out from other Magic Kingdom rides is that, similar to Small World, has a queue that takes place mostly indoors. Not to mention, it’s about seven minutes long, so you’ll have plenty of time out of the weather to take it easy.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Moving on to Tomorrowland, this Toy Story-themed attraction is another ride that’s both kid-friendly and great for avoiding the heat. Guests are tasked with helping the iconic space ranger: Buzz Lightyear, save the galaxy from the evil Emperor Zurg. Your ride will be equipped with laser cannons that let you blast Zurg’s minions to your heart’s content. While the premise may sound a bit gimmicky at first, trying to land a high score on this game-ride hybrid can be exciting for all ages. Plus, this is another ride with an extensive indoor queue and lots of AC, so you’ll stay cool for most of the experience.
The Haunted Mansion
Last on the list for Magic Kingdom rides to beat the heat is the Haunted Mansion. This attraction features a brief but memorable pre-show that, alongside the last stretch of the queue being indoors, helps to keep you out of the weather. After all, having a haunted mansion with a lot of sun wouldn’t be fitting! Additionally, this is another long attraction. It’s even longer than the Disneyland version in California. The Magic Kingdom version has a few extra rooms you won’t find on the West Coast, so even if you’ve seen the Disneyland version, you haven’t seen everything yet! With several iconic set pieces, impressive visual effects, and a not-too-spooky theme, this ride will surely be one of your visit’s highlights.
Magic Kingdom Rides With Exciting Thrills
Don’t be fooled by the park’s friendly appearance. While the Magic Kingdom’s rides are good for all ages, that doesn’t mean they can’t get a bit intense. You’ll find there’s more than enough fast paced fun to enjoy with these rides!
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
One of the highlights of Frontierland is also the first rollercoaster on our list. This part of the park is home to the wildest ride in the wilderness, so it should come as no surprise that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a memorable ride. You’ll see a flooded mining town as you scale the mountain to race around on a minecart. This may not be the fastest coaster at the Magic Kingdom, but its setting and twisty turns make it a fun, mid-level roller coaster at the park.
Space Mountain
No trip to the Magic Kingdom is complete without experiencing this ride. Space Mountain as inspired by Disney’s first “mountain ride”, Matterhorn Bobsleds at Disneyland. Unlike that ride, this roller coaster takes place almost entirely in the dark, with only the lights of the stars to guide the way. This darkness adds to the intensity, as you never know exactly where you’re going or where the next turn will happen. It’s that sheer unpredictability that makes Space Mountain such an iconic Disney thrill ride.
Tron Lightcycle Run
While Big Thunder Mountain and Space Mountain are thrilling experiences, it doesn’t get better than Tron Lightcycle Run. This is the fastest roller coaster in the park, and one of the newest rides at the Magic Kingdom. Riders are digitized into the grid, the futuristic, neon world of Tron. From there, you’ll be tasked with hopping on a lightcycle before racing through the grid. While the coaster is a memorable experience at all hours of the day, try to go at night if you can. There’s an outdoor portion of this ride that’s stunning when you can experience it in the dark, with dazzling lights all around you.
Magic Kingdom Rides That Go Overlooked
Up until now, we’ve talked about Magic Kingdom rides that tend to be pretty popular. While there’s a lot to love about these attractions, they can sometimes have long wait times to get on. So now, we’d like to mix it up a bit and tell you about some of the less-visited rides at the park. These attractions are great partly because they act as good pace-breakers between lengthier lines, and partly because they are true hidden gems in the Magic Kingdom. Here are the unsung heroes of the Magic Kingdom!
Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover
When it comes to underappreciated classics, we have to mention the Peoplemover. This Magic Kingdom ride is an elevated tram that takes you on a narrated tour of Tomorrowland from a bit above the park. Having a few moments to rest your feet while getting away from the crowds is nice on its own, but there’s even more to love here. The Peoplemover takes you through special tunnels that give you a behind-the-scenes look at Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Space Mountain, and more! Like Lightcycle Run, this ride is best experienced at night so you can see the breathtaking lights of Cinderella’s Castle and Main Street USA.
Walt Disney World Railroad
If there’s one thing Walt Disney loved: it was trains. In fact, he loved trains so much that he built one in his own backyard and invited guests over to ride it. It should then come as no surprise that the Walt Disney World Railroad is a ride that embodies the spirit of Disney World. This cozy, calm ride takes guests around the Magic Kingdom, making it a great way to get around the park while taking a break from constantly moving. So while it’s not talked about as often as some of the bigger attractions, it’s definitely worth experiencing at least once.
The Carousel of Progress
Another Magic Kingdom attraction near and dear to Walt’s heart is the Carousel of Progress. Originally designed for the 1964 New York World’s Fair, this ride moved first to Disneyland, and then to the Magic Kingdom in 1975, where it’s remained ever since. The attraction rotates you through a series of rooms, each with a stage filled with animatronics that work like actors in a play. Over the course of the show, you’ll watch as a family experiences several decades of history, all while enjoying the new technological advancements each decade has in store. It offers both a nostalgic look at the past and an optimistic view of the future, making it an underrated classic at the park.
Honorable Mentions for Magic Kingdom Rides
Still have time before your virtual queue for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure? In that case, check out these other fun Magic Kingdom rides!
- Tomorrowland Speedway
- Astro Orbiter
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
- The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Where to Stay if You Want to Experience Magic Kingdom Rides
So, you’ve decided to visit Magic Kingdom, planned what rides you’ll go on, and prepped for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. There’s just one problem: you don’t know where to stay. No worries, we’re here to help! From easy access to Disney World, to early access to the parks, to unique views of the area, these properties are the best way to stay near the Magic Kingdom
Bay Lake Tower
If you want to be within walking distance of the Magic Kingdom, it doesn’t get better than Bay Lake Tower. This Walt Disney World Resort is connected to Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and guests who stay here get to enjoy the amenities of both. This means that you get to enjoy the benefits of two resorts for the price of one!
Amenities:
- On-site dining
- Three swimming pools
- Arcade
- Sports courts
- Fitness center
- Monorail transportation
Accommodations:
- Deluxe studio – accommodates up to four guests
- One-bedroom villa – accommodates up to five guests
- Two-bedroom villa – accommodates up to nine guests
- Three-bedroom villa – accommodates up to twelve guests
Want to know more about Bay Lake Tower? Then check out our video, “Bay Lake Tower: 2 Resorts in One!”
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
You may not think of Victorian-style elegance when you think of a theme park, but that’s exactly what you get at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort! This property combines the classical style and refinement of the Victorian period with modern comfort to create a luxurious vacation experience. Much like Bay Lake Tower, you’ll be just a walk or monorail away from riding the Magic Kingdom’s fun attractions.
Amenities:
- On-site dining
- Two swimming pools
- Full-service spa
- Arcade
- Fitness center
- Basketball courts
- Monorail transportation
Accommodations:
- Deluxe studio – accommodates up to five guests
- One-bedroom villa – accommodates up to five guests
- Two-bedroom villa – accommodates up to nine guests
- Three-bedroom villa – accommodates up to twelve guests
At Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, you’ll have class, comfort, and convenience. What’s not to love? Snag a timeshare for less before they’re sold out!
How to Save Money at a Resort Near Magic Kingdom Rides
DVC resorts offer plenty of benefits, including, delicious on-site dining, early entry to the parks, and spacious villas. However, the one thing they are not is cheap. While these properties are great, the sticker price can be a bit daunting. Fortunately, there’s a way to stay at these resorts without having to worry about breaking the bank: the timeshare resale market. When you buy a timeshare resale, you’ll enjoy all the same amenities and accommodations while saving up to thousands of dollars. What’s not to love?
Buy a Timeshare With Fidelity Real Estate to Enjoy Magic Kingdom Rides
If you’re looking to buy a timeshare resale, we can help! Fidelity Real Estate’s online marketplace makes the process of buying a timeshare simple and convenient. All you have to do is browse our marketplace until you find a listing you like. Once you do, make an offer, and our licensed agents will handle the rest. It really is that simple! We have plenty of listings not just for Disney Vacation Club, but also Hilton Grand Vacations, Westgate, and more! So you can rest assured there’s bound to be a timeshare for you. Still have questions? No problem! Give us a call at 1-800-410-8326 or email us at [email protected]. We’re always happy to help!
Sell Your Timeshare With Fidelity
On the other hand, if you’re a timeshare owner and no longer want to keep your timeshare, we can help you too! We’ve been helping timeshare owners just like you, say goodbye to their timeshares for over 20 years! Our licensed agents are ready, willing, and able to help you move on from your ownership. Fill out the form below and one of our agents will be happy to contact you about the next steps.
