Dream Disney

The History of Disney World’s Magic Kingdom

Posted on 03. Feb, 2010 by Donald Duck in EPCOT

This theme park opened on the 1st of October, in the year 1971. It has become prominent over the years, because it alone was recognized to be the only place to see in the large complex of the Walt Disney World Resort. Thus, people came to know this single park as Disney World. However, in 1982, Epcot Theme Park was added, followed in succession with the addition of two other destinations: the Disney-MGM Studios (1989) and Disney’s Animal Kingdom (1998). It’s good to note that Disney World’s Magic Kingdom bears a significant resemblance to the Disneyland version in California, except that the Florida version is situated on a far larger area.

The best season to visit WDW’s Magic Kingdom is from Labor Day until Thanksgiving. And from mid-February until mid-March (President’s Day to Spring Break). Normally, the best day to go is any day except Fridays and Saturdays (as locals tend to increase the population significantly on those days). For a tip, it is wise to arrive earlier than the opening time in order to get in first, before the build up of the lines. Doing this, you may get to visit more popular attractions without the long lines. In addition, this allows you to avoid rushing through the parks at a pace that tends to wear most travellers out quickly.

Additionally, when you buy tickets, try not to do so on site. Meaning, book them in advance so that you may receive them earlier. It’s a significant loss of time if you have to line up with the masses at the ticket booths. On top of that, you generally save a bit of extra money by getting them early.

Since 2005, the Magic Your Way ticket was introduced to help ticket buyers eliminate the hustles of ticket buying. It replaces the old system of the “Hopper Pass” as a more flexible option for vacationers. You have the choice of buying tickets ranging from one day to seven days (good for the four major parks). Also, you may choose to add extra options to allow you to do other things (but with extra costs, of course). This may include the visiting of more than one park in a single day, as well as allowing you to lengthen unused days up to 14 days since the tickets were first used.

Moreover, Disney also sells tickets online via their website. Make sure to order them well in advance so that they may be mailed to you as early as possible. Tickets are also available in local clubs (such as AAA), activity offices and Disney Stores. There are hotels that may sell tickets at their front desks as well (of course, those hotels are located in the general area).

If you are bringing kids with you, then it is best to first visit the Hundred-Acre Wood-themed play area designed specifically for toddlers and children. It is located in Fantasyland. Fantasyland has more to offer for children, and normally the lines for these rides build up signifcantly later in the day. It would be wise for attractions like Peter Pan and Dumbo to be your first stop (the lines get horrible as the day progresses, and Dumbo doesn’t move guests through as fast as most rides).

To better enjoy your trip, it is advisable that you plan an itinerary. Some people don’t like rigid schedules (myself included), so you may be better suited getting a basic plan, and improvising on the details from there. Going prepared will save you tons of time and frustration…time better spent enjoying your vacation!

Tags: Disney, History, Kingdom, Magic, Worlds