You can’t believe everything that you hear about Magic Kingdom!
Magic Kingdom was the first Walt Disney World park to open, making it an iconic focal point of the Resort. But over the course of its nearly 50-year history, some misconceptions about the park have popped up. Let’s take a look at — and debunk — some absolute lies about Magic Kingdom!
Magic Kingdom is Home to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Have you ever been walking down Main Street, U.S.A., and heard a fellow guest ask where they can find Hogwarts? We have…fairly often, in fact! A lot of people think The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (or “Harry Potter World,” as it’s often informally called) is located in Magic Kingdom.
But no matter how hard you search for Platform 9 3/4 in Magic Kingdom, you won’t find it. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is actually located at Universal Orlando Resort!
Guests will find Harry Potter-themed attractions at two of the Universal Orlando Resort theme parks — Universal Studios Florida is home to Diagon Alley, while Islands of Adventure houses Hogsmede and the famous Hogwarts castle.
At one point before the lands were built at Universal, Disney was in a bidding war to be the theme park to build The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling had even signed a letter of intent to create the land with Disney.
But both Warner Bros. and J.K. Rowling wanted to keep creative control over the project, which turned out to be a dealbreaker for Disney. And so, the land ended up at Universal instead. Our pals over at AllEars.net layout this deal really well. Read all about it here!Â
So, if you can’t find Hogwarts in Magic Kingdom don’t worry, that doesn’t mean you’re a muggle. You’re just looking in the wrong park!
Disney Would Have Been Really DIFFERENT If This Would Have Happened
Mickey Mouse Has His Own Personal Air Conditioner to Keep Him Cool
Some guests think that Mickey Mouse and all of his friends have personal air-conditioning units built into their clothes to keep them cool in the Florida heat. But in reality, characters do not have air conditioners “hidden up their sleeves!”
That means the characters that guests spot around Disney World can probably get pretty hot in the Florida weather. Especially during the intensely hot and humid summer months.
Some former Cast Members, including actor Wayne Brady, even have stories about experiencing heat exhaustion during their time in the parks.
This is why characters are often only out to greet guests for a short window before ducking backstage for a break. Even Mickey needs to stay cool and hydrated!
We Spotted Some RARE Characters in Magic Kingdom!
Guests Can’t Be Told “No” In Magic Kingdom
There’s a common misconception that Cast Members aren’t allowed to say “no” to a guest. But that’s not exactly the case, Cast Members are allowed to use the word “no,” especially if it involves a potential safety concern.
It’s true that there are a number of guidelines Cast Members are expected to follow, which might have contributed to this rumor. For instance, if a guest asks a question the Cast Member doesn’t know the answer to, they aren’t supposed to say “I don’t know.” Instead, they’re expected to say “let me find out” and try to help whenever possible.
All Cast Members are taught the Disney “key” values as part of their training, and the number one key is safety.
In most cases, Cast Members are encouraged to find a softer word or phrase to use. But if there’s ever a potential safety concern involved (like, “Can I hop this fence?” or “Can I just walk around without my face mask on today?”) guests can definitely expect to hear the word “no!”
Check Out These 30 Hidden Secrets in Magic Kingdom!
Magic Kingdom IS Disney World
Magic Kingdom is the original — and arguably still the most well-known — Walt Disney World theme park. Which leads many guests to believe Magic Kingdom is all there is to Disney World.
Sometimes people will even use the terms “Magic Kingdom” and “Disney World” interchangeably since they think there’re one-and-the-same. But, as much as we love the original WDW park, there is SO much more to Disney World than just Magic Kingdom!Â
Between the three other theme parks, two water parks, Disney Springs, 20+ resort hotels, and more, there’s so much to see and do around Disney World that even members of the Disney Food Blog team haven’t experienced everything!
From horseback riding at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort to tasting your way around the world at an EPCOT festival, Magic Kingdom is just one example of the many, MANY experiences Disney World has to offer!
Ten Bizarre Things You Never Knew You Could Do at Disney World!
Magic Kingdom is Only for Kids
You may have heard that Magic Kingdom is only worth visiting if you have kiddos along for the visit too. It’s true that there are a lot of kid-friendly attractions in Magic Kingdom, but there are plenty of things for adults to enjoy too!
While some adults (like us!) might enjoy the tamer rides thanks to the nostalgia factor, there are plenty of attractions that we think grown-ups might like even better than the kiddos. First, there are definitely plenty of jokes in attractions like Jungle Cruise and Country Bear Jamboree that are surely thrown in for the adults in the audience!
Plus, there are several thrill rides throughout the park that can get your adrenaline pumping, like Space Mountain and Splash Mountain to name a few. And when TRON Lightcycle Run makes its debut, there will be another exciting thrill ride to add to the itinerary.
And contrary to popular belief, the food offerings at Magic Kingdom aren’t all chicken nuggets and hamburgers! You can find unique menu offerings at Jungle Navigation Co., Ltd. Skipper Canteen, family-style comfort food at Liberty Tree Tavern, and next-level theming at Be Our Guest Restaurant.
And don’t forget about all of the classic snacks that you can snag in Magic Kingdom between (or in place of) meals!
Whether you’re looking for attractions, entertainment, or food, Magic Kingdom delivers for guests of all ages, not just the little ones!
How Much Would It Cost You to Eat the 20 BEST Snacks in Disney World?
Cinderella Castle Can Be Taken Down In Case Of Extreme Weather
Despite being the most magical place on Earth, Disney World is not immune to the impacts of tropical storms and hurricanes that can pass through the state. When severe storms approach, Cast Members prepare the parks for the weather by removing items like banners, flags, and other pieces of decor that are able to be relocated and secured.
This has led to the rumor that Cinderella Castle can also be deconstructed and packed away in a secure location in the case of a hurricane or other emergency. But that’s not the case, Cinderella Castle is a permanent structure made with a 600-ton+ framework of steel.
While Cast Members might remove or secure smaller items on or around the castle, like banners, Cinderella Castle itself will remain standing to ride out the storm!
See what to do in severe weather at Disney World.
Magic Kingdom is the Same as Disneyland Park
Magic Kingdom was modeled after the original Disneyland Park, and there are some attractions and experiences that can be found in both parks. But they’re far from carbon copies of each other!
Despite the fact that Magic Kingdom and Disneyland do share a handful of the “same” attractions, many of the Magic Kingdom versions are notably different than their Disneyland counterpart. For example, classic attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, and Space Mountain all have some pretty significant differences between the two parks!
Plus, there are some unique additions to Magic Kingdom that you won’t find at Disneyland at all, including must-do restaurants like Be Our Guest and Cinderella’s Royal Table and popular attractions like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
And yes, the same goes for Disneyland as well. In other words, they’re unique parks that are definitely BOTH worth a visit in our book!
The Five Best Rides at Magic Kingdom (And the Five Worst!)
As legendary as Magic Kingdom is, it’s not surprising that it has been the subject of some myths that need debunking. We’re here to set the record straight and share the truth behind these misconceptions! It’s the least we could do for all the special memories Magic Kingdom has given us. Hopefully, we’ll see you on Main Street, U.S.A. soon!
Do You Know These 10 Shocking Facts About Disney World?
Check out more LIES about Disney World in our video below.
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
How many of these Magic Kingdom lies have you heard? Let us know in the comments!
Beth says
The most pervasive myth in Magic Kingdom: that the flags down Main Street are purposely wrong so they don’t need to be taken down.
While they are purposefully not current versions of the flag, they are actually historically accurate to the time period of Main Street. It actually has nothing to do with flag ceremony rules.