Things I Love at WDW - Magic Kingdom

Since there are a smattering of my friends who will be visiting Walt Disney World in the near future who have been asking what I recommend they not miss, I thought I would do a little feature on each of the parks and some of my favorite things--rides, shows, and food. I won't bother ranking them, as there are just too many ties. If I think there is anything I think you should avoid, I will make mention of that too!

RIDES AND SHOWS
Look, Magic Kingdom has most of the must-do rides that everyone knows about--all the Mountains (Splash, Big Thunder, and Space), Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, Pirates. Definitely do those, but you didn't need me to tell you that, did you? Instead, here are a few you may not think of, but I would recommend:

Mickey's PhilharMagic
This is a 3D, multi-sensory show in Fantasyland. It features lots of your favorite Disney characters and a particular Sorcerer's hat, back again to wreak havoc. It really is pure Disney magic, so don't miss it!



Monsters, Inc Laugh Floor
It's cheesy, but the best kind of cheesy. Even waiting in the queue can be fun, and a welcome respite from the heat outdoors. You can text some of your favorite bad jokes and puns to the indicated number, and your joke may be used in the show! This show uses some of the Disney next generation technologies such as Turtle Talk with Crush, and is an interactive, animated show.

Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
I love these shoot 'em up, interactive game rides that Disney has been implementing in recent years. Not only is it worth riding multiple times to take in all the amazing detail of the props and sets within, but you're gonna want to get a better score, right?

Astro Orbiter
It's a pretty tame ride to put on the list, but I do it for one good reason: while Disneyland's Astro Orbiter was long ago removed from its original high spot and put at ground level, the Walt Disney World version still perches high atop the Tomorrowland Transit Authority tower. It's a great view of Tomorrowland and surrounding environs from up there!

Honorable Mentions
The Many Adventures of Winny the Pooh - If you have only ever been on the one at Disneyland and are as underwhelmed by it as we are, then don't miss this far superior version in Magic Kingdom. The sets are far more detailed, and the ride vehicles are far more advanced and...well, I don't want to spoil it.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train - I can't in good faith recommend it *personally* since it just opened 3 weeks ago as of this writing and I haven't yet ridden it myself. But the reviews are stellar and I am certain it is worth it! Get FastPasses for this one, as with all new attractions, wait times can get ridiculously long.

Carousel of Progress - An attraction original to Disneyland, but long since closed, this is the only place you can still see this classic. I know it's a bit slow and outdated for some, but we love seeing so much of Uncle Walt in this attraction concept, and singing along is a must-do. "There's a great big beautiful tomorrow, waiting at the end of every day....!"


FOOD
Nobody believes us when we say that a large reason why we vacation in Disney World is for the great food. They always imagine a pile of greasy burgers and limp hot dogs as the only options one could possibly have. Not so! Here are just a few highlights for us in Magic Kingdom, with links to their menus so you can learn more about the gastronomical adventures you can pursue at Disney!

Columbia Harbor House

On the walkway between Liberty Square and Fantasyland lies Columbia Harbor House, an unassuming quick service restaurant with a seafood slant. We love it not only because we enjoy the food offerings (though they discontinued my favorite sandwich years ago! WAH!), but because it is quite spacious and affords great people-watching views over the busy walkway. A lot of people either don't realize there is an upstairs seating area, or they are too lazy or tied to hike up the stairs, but it is worth the extra steps to be a little less crowded, quieter space. Get a seat by the windows and enjoy your meal.

Our faves? If you like tuna sandwiches, the Anchors Aweigh is large and flavorful. The Broccoli Peppercorn Salad is entirely unexpected as "theme park food" and quite satisfying. The fish basket is large enough to share in our opinion.  If you are of a vegetarian persuasion the Lighthouse Sandwich is a generous portion of hummus, tomato, and broccoli slaw on toasted multigrain bread. Yum!

Aloha Isle
No trip to Disney is complete without a Dole Whip--pineapple flavored soft serve, which you can choose to have as a float with delicious pineapple juice. The first time we went to have it, hubby wasn't so sure about the hype and got a vanilla-pineapple swirl. One taste and he regretted it, and it is pure pineapple goodness every time since. It's fun to grab one and enjoy it while you wait in line for the next showing of the Tiki Room--you can even bring it inside with you if you like!

Cinderella's Royal Table
As a Disneyland kid, it was amazingly novel to me to get to eat IN THE CASTLE! Yep, Cinderella's east coast castle is far larger than Sleeping Beauty's west coast counterpart. If you get a dining reservation which overlaps with the fireworks, you get to see some of the fireworks launching from the rooftops outside the stained glass windows. The food is good, dessert is amazing. A bucket-list dining experience for any Disney fan.

Honorable Mention

Turkey Legs - The Disney Turkey Leg is an icon; a right of passage; simply, a must-do. It's so beloved, they sell souvenirs emblazoned with this irresistible offering. Since it is a food and not a single location, I felt it fit better under honorable mentions. But make no mistake, I never EVER miss having at least one turkey leg during my Disney vacations. They are sold at a kiosk along the walkway to Frontierland, not far from the shooting gallery and Country Bears Jamboree. They are huge (we get a bag of chips and a large soda and split one for lunch or a late afternoon nosh), salty, smokey, juicy goodness. Grab extra napkins.

Be Our Guest Restaurant - Another one I haven't been able to experience personally since it opened after my last trip to WDW. Everything I have heard about and seen of the interiors is it is yet another triumph of Disney Imagineering in every detail. The innovative computer ordering system is something I definitely want to check out in the near future. Reservations are tight and book out quickly. Sadly, doesn't look like I will get to try it on my trip as it has been booked out for months!

Wow, that was tough! Narrowing down wasn't easy, but there it is. I hope it gives you some ideas of some lesser-known attractions you might want to hit up. I would love to hear YOUR must-dos at the parks. Comment below with your favorite foods and attractions!