Built in a rural area of Central Florida in the mid-1970s as the East Coast counterpart of California's Disneyland, Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom sparked a theme-park explosion in the Orlando area. Today, it is one of four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort, but with its iconic Cinderella Castle and continued emphasis on beloved characters such as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy, it remains the crown jewel in the ever-growing Disney portfolio.
Three Must-See Attractions at Magic Kingdom
Space Mountain, which opened in 1975, still provides thrills 40 years later. The indoor roller coaster mimics an outer-space flight and takes you on a twisting, turning trek up a 180-foot mountain, then back to Earth underneath a canopy of comets, meteors and shooting stars, through pulsating lighted tunnels and at times in pitch blackness. Splash Mountain is a log flume as only Disney can do it -- transporting you through Br'er Rabbit's briar patch and Br'er Fox's lair to tunes such as "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" before a finale that sends you screaming down a five-story waterfall and is likely to leave you soaked. Finally, don't miss the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade. Held once daily, usually in mid-afternoon, the lineup includes popular Disney princesses, Peter Pan and Tinkerbell, Pinocchio, Snow White and, of course, Mickey and Minnie. But be sure to stake out your viewing spot at least a half-hour early.
Where to Stay Near Magic Kingdom
All the accommodations you need are on-site at Walt Disney World Resort. The closest resort hotels to the Magic Kingdom are the deluxe-level Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Polynesian and Wilderness Lodge (about $300 to more than $500 per night in season), but lower-price options are available as well, including Disney's All-Star Movies, Music and Sports resorts ($100 or slightly lower in season) or camping out at Fort Wilderness ($70 or below). Rates typically are reduced in less-busy times such as late summer to early fall, when a wider selection of reduced accommodations packages are offered.
Best and Worst Time to Go To Magic Kingdom
During the summer and holidays, park hours typically are from 8 a.m. to midnight, with slightly later opening times and earlier closing times (such as 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.) in less-busy months. The Magic Kingdom is busy year-round, but crowds thin out on weekdays from late April to late May or from mid-September to mid-November. The busiest seasons include March and early April near Easter, summer weekends and from Thanksgiving to New Year's, when lines are at their longest. Arrive at the park at its opening time from late spring to early fall to beat later-arriving guests to the attractions, as well as avoid Florida's heat and afternoon storms.
Discounts at Magic Kingdom
No matter what, a Magic Kingdom vacation will not be cheap. Normal park admission is about $105, with slightly lower prices for children ages 3-9. But you can find discounts if you explore the official Disney website. Multi-day packages and Florida resident passes are available, as are annual passes for Florida residents. In addition, the four on-site hotels offer vacation packages that include accommodations, park tickets and even meals at a reduced rate. For the resort's most up-to-date package deals, visit Disney's current special offers.
Food at Magic Kingdom
The park has a wide array of fast-food eateries that have character themes and are relatively inexpensive with selections less than $15, such as Italian favorites at the Pinocchio Village Haus in Fantasyland or burgers and barbecue at the Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe in Frontierland. For a seafood switch that stays in that $15 and under range, try the Columbia Harbor House, where you can sample fried fish or shrimp baskets, clam chowder and even lobster rolls. Of course, this is Disney so you can also be as lavish as you want. For $20 to $60, depending on your age and selections, partake in a lunch or dinner spread at the Liberty Tree Tavern, a colonial-style inn that has period furnishings and a buffet stocked with American favorites such as roast turkey, New England pot roast, stuffing, mashed potatoes and dessert. Or take the kids for breakfast, lunch or dinner and dine in elegant atmospheres with Disney characters such as Winnie the Pooh and friends at the Crystal Palace ($30 to $60) or Disney princesses at Cinderella's Royal Table in Cinderella Castle ($30 to above $60).
Parking at Magic Kingdom
A parking fee of $17 to $20 is required at the entry gate to the Magic Kingdom, and trams take you from the lot to Disney's Transportation and Ticket Center, where you then take a monorail or boat to the Magic Kingdom gates. Parking is free for guests at Walt Disney World resorts and some annual passholders.
Transportation Alternatives at Magic Kingdom
Those staying at Walt Disney World Resort hotels receive free bus transportation from their hotel to Disney's four theme parks. But there are more exciting ways to go. Catch Disney's famed Monorail, which quietly whisks you to the Magic Kingdom from three resort hotels -- the Contemporary, Grand Floridian and Polynesian Village -- as well as from the Transportation and Ticket Center near the Magic Kingdom parking lots. Water taxis also travel every 15 or 30 minutes from several on-site accommodations -- including the Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Polynesian Village, Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness -- to the Magic Kingdom, and larger ferry boats take guests from the Transportation and Ticket Center to the park.
Author's bio: Kevin Adams is a freelance writer who has lived in Orlando for more than a decade and has had travel articles appear on USAToday.com and in Golfweek magazine.
Located in Sarasota, Siesta Key Beach is a world-recognized beach situated along a half-mile of Florida's coast. Voted one of "America's Best Beaches" and "Third-Best Walking Beach in the USA" by USA Today International Edition, Siesta Key Beach is host to picnic pavilions, gazebos, showers, gifts shops, snack bars, tennis courts, volleyball nets, showers and a twenty-station fitness trail.