Mickey Mouse and Cinderella Castle aren’t the only must-see things in Magic Kingdom!
Okay, so you’ve already had a Mickey Bar, waved to the princesses, and rode your favorite attractions. Think you’re ready to leave Magic Kingdom? Not so fast! We’ve got a few more things to add to your to-do list!
See Drizella “Green with Envy”
Cinderella Castle might just be the most iconic image in all of Disney World. It’s certainly a stunning sight from afar, but don’t rush off too soon after snapping your selfie in front of the castle!
In the breezeway of the castle, guests will find several gorgeous mosaics that tell the story of Cinderella. The mosaics are super intricate, and it’s worth taking a few minutes to enjoy them. Plus, you might even spot a few clever details!
For example, take a close look at the scene that shows Cinderella putting on the glass slipper. Behind Cinderella stand her stepmother and stepsisters. While all three are visibly upset to find that the slipper fits Cinderella, Drizella’s face is literally green with envy!
One positive part of most entertainment being on hold for the time being is that this walkway is open to guests much more than it was previously (since there are no shows in front of the Castle right now). Stop by the mosaics for a closer look on your next visit to Magic Kingdom and be sure to let us know what interesting details you spot!
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Ride All of the Mountains
As long as you’re up for thrill rides, Magic Kingdom’s three “mountains” are iconic attractions that deserve a spot on your Disney bucket list. In fact, there’s even merchandise dedicated to conquering the mountains!
Frontierland is home to two of the three mountains — Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. As the name suggests, Splash Mountain is a log-flume attraction that packs in a total of 3 dips and a 5-story drop.
Disney recently announced that Splash Mountain will receive a Princess and the Frog–themed refurbishment in the future, although they have yet to release a timeline for the retheming. So, depending on when you visit, you may get the chance to experience the classic version of this attraction before it changes OR have the opportunity to check out its new makeover!
Right next to Splash Mountain, you’ll find Big Thunder Mountain Railroad — the self-proclaimed “wildest ride in the wilderness!” This fun coaster relies more on quick turns and dips for its thrills rather than big drops, so even those with a fear of heights may be able to take on Big Thunder Mountain!
And last, but not least, over in Tomorrowland guests will find Space Mountain. This indoor coaster blasts off into the darkness of space which makes the quick drops throughout the attraction all the more exciting and unexpected!
What do you say, are you up for the challenge of riding all three Magic Kingdom mountains??
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Make a Wish in Cinderella Wishing Well
From the thrill of the mountains to something a little tamer, don’t forget to make a wish in Cinderella Wishing Well! Guests will find the wishing well tucked in an alcove on the pathway from Tomorrowland to the right of the castle.
Tossing a coin in the well to make your wish can be a fun and unique way to make a memory with your family. Plus, since the wishing well is a relatively hidden gem (by Disney World standards, at least!) this can be a quick moment of quiet in an otherwise hectic day.
And to make this moment even sweeter, all of the coins tossed into the well are collected and donated to children’s charities in Orlando. That’s some Disney magic we can definitely get behind! Keep in mind the wishing well is closed to guests at this time, but you can still go check out this quiet spot near the Castle for great views. We’ll keep you updated once it opens again!
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Spot the Ring in the Haunted Mansion Queue
The Haunted Mansion is an iconic attraction that’s well worth experiencing for the ride itself. But there are plenty of awesome details you can spot before you even enter the mansion’s doors! Case in point — the missing engagement ring in the queue. Interestingly, this is a detail that Magic Kingdom guests actually inspired.
Years ago, there was a small scrap of metal leftover from the removal of a gate post in the Haunted Mansion queue which bore a striking resemblance to a wedding ring. A popular fan theory suggested that the ring must belong to the ghostly bride in the attic.
The “ring” was eventually removed during a refurbishment, which caused a stir among fans of the mysteriously abandoned ring. To keep the story alive, Imagineers added an actual engagement ring during interactive queue refurbishment in 2011.
Be sure to keep an eye on the ground as you weave through the queue, especially as you approach Captain Culpepper Clyne’s watery tomb where the FastPass+ line normally splits from the standby line!
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Eat a Dole Whip
If it’s your first visit to Magic Kingdom, it’s practically a Disney World rite of passage to try a Pineapple Dole Whip from Aloha Isle in Adventureland. Pineapple is the OG Dole Whip flavor — it’s the most iconic of them all — and Aloha Isle is the quintessential spot to grab one. (You can find them in many places around Disney World nowadays!)
But, if you’ve already had the classic — or if you’re just not that into pineapple — there are other Dole Whip flavors around Magic Kingdom for you to try! The flavors can rotate out seasonally, but there are a few at the top of our list we recommend hunting down.
We’ve seen Raspberry Dole Whip make its way on and off of the menu at Aloha Isle, and it’s a fan-favorite when it’s available. We even mixed it with our beloved Coconut Soft-Serve (which is not technically Dole Whip, but still VERY tasty!) with magical results!
Another popular Dole Whip creation is the Peter Pan Float from Storybook Treats in Fantasyland. The float is made with Lime Dole Whip, Sprite, and a chocolate feather to make it perfectly Instagramable!
Be sure to check the menus at Quick Service spots like Aloha Isle, Storybook Treats, and Sunshine Tree Terrace to see what Dole Whip options are available when you visit!
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Find the Hidden Nautilus
Spotting “hidden Mickeys” is a fun way to pass the time while waiting in line at Disney World. But there’s another object hidden outside of Under the Sea — Journey of the Little Mermaid that long-time Disney guests might recognize.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage was an opening day attraction at Magic Kingdom. The attraction, which was located where New Fantasyland currently sits, was permanently closed in 1994. Year later, the Little Mermaid ride opened in the same space. But there’s still a nod to the original ride’s vehicle, the Nautilus, for guests with a sharp eye.
As you enter the queue, take a look at the rockwork in the grotto and see if you can spot the Nautilus for yourself! (Hint, look behind you right before you enter the indoor part of the queue!)
We love catching little details around the parks that reference some of our favorite rides from Disney’s past!
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Experience an Attraction Walt Disney Worked On
Unfortunately, Walt Disney passed away in 1966, five years before Magic Kingdom opened its gates. But even though Walt didn’t get the chance to see the park open, he did have a hand in developing several of the attractions currently operating in Magic Kingdom.
First, we have Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress. Walt debuted this attraction at the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair. At the end of the event, it was transported to Disneyland Park, until it was relocated to Magic Kingdom in 1973. That’s right, the version in Magic Kingdom IS the OG!
Next up, “it’s a small world” also made its debut at the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair. The attraction was a huge hit, and it was relocated to Disneyland Park in 1966. While the original still resides there, it was recreated in Magic Kingdom as an opening day attraction in 1971.
You can also pay homage to Walt with a visit to Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room. The first audio-animatronics ever created were the birds for the Enchanted Tiki Room in Disneyland, which opened under Walt’s supervision in 1963. Just think of how many incredible attractions we owe to the pioneering minds that worked on the Enchanted Tiki Room!
The Walt Disney World Railroad is currently closed due to construction on the new TRON Lightcycle Run coaster. But even though it’s not operational at the moment, this is another attraction with direct ties to Walt Disney. In fact, one of the last things Walt personally authorized before passing away were the plans for the Train Station and Railroad in Magic Kingdom.
When it comes to truly “classic” attractions, the ties these have to Walt Disney himself make them shoe-ins for the title.
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From tiny details to mind-blowing attractions, there are so many things to experience in Disney World! So before you call it a day in Magic Kingdom, take another stroll around the park to check out the items on this list. We’ll see ya in the parks!
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How many of these things have you done in Magic Kingdom? Let us know in the comments!
Karen says
We had a wedding photo shoot in the MK and have a picture in front of that mosaic….how did I never notice that!? (Runs to dig out the pic to see, ha!)