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 These pages are not intended to give you in-depth details of every single ride at The Magic Kingdom nor will they give you the park hours, which change faster than the weather does in Orlando. Instead, the pages will point out things like “Disney Secrets” that are specific to that particular section of the theme park, the “Must Do” rides and shows as well as any ride restrictions or cautionary notes that you should be aware of at The Magic Kingdom. Where lengthy descriptions of attractions are not warranted, I have provided buttons that you may simply hover your mouse over to view a brief description of the attraction.
 Park Secrets
The amount of detail that went into each and every thing at Walt Disney World is truly amazing! In this section, I will point out some things for you to look for as you make your way between the attractions at The Magic Kingdom. Things that go unnoticed by most people as they rush from ride to ride in an attempt to wedge as much as they can into their Orlando vacation; but, things that make this theme park a truly magical place.
For instance, before even entering The Magic Kingdom theme park, park guests approach it by going around (via monorail) or through (by ferryboat) the Seven Seas Lagoon. The Seven Seas Lagoon is part of an engineering secret that few people consider when they progress throughout the theme park. There is an  elaborate matrix of tunnels coursing underneath of The Magic Kingdom which makes it possible for food to be delivered and cast members (even Mickey) to get from point A to point B quickly, without being noticed. Florida is basically set at sea level and one will typically strike water after digging down only four feet or so (ask anyone who has ever had an in-ground pool put in here). It would have been an incredibly costly undertaking to make this entire underground labyrinth watertight, so Disney took the opposite approach. They built the entire “underground” at ground level and piled massive amounts of earth on top of the maze - elevating The Magic Kingdom theme park up to the first story. The ground that was dug up to lay down as the “first floor” created a huge hole. By filling that hole to nearly the top with water, the Seven Seas Lagoon was born!
As you progress to different sections of The Magic Kingdom, notice how the sidewalks change to match the theme of the land you are in. Keep an ear tuned and you will hear that the music changes as well!
 “Must See” Rides & Shows
Several years ago, in an effort to alleviate some of the agony of waiting in long queues and make families’ Orlando vacations more pleasant, Disney came up with the FastPass. A FastPass permits guests to bypass the lines at some of the most popular attractions at Walt Disney World. The theme parks’ maps will highlight those attractions for which a FastPass is available. Near the entrance to these FastPass attractions, there will be a sign that clearly let’s guests know that there is a FastPass available. The FastPass machine is located very near this ride/show’s  entrance. To obtain a FastPass, simply insert your park ticket into the machine and a Fast Pass coupon will print out showing you a time range that you will be permitted to return and enter the FastPass line for that attraction, where you will be admitted to the show or ride, usually within five minutes. Make sure that you return to the attraction before your pass expires or it will not be valid! Finally, it is now possible to obtain more than one FastPass to further minimize your time waiting in lines at the most popular Walt Disney World attractions. You must wait forty-five minutes between acquiring each FastPass, however. For instance, at one o’clock you could obtain a Fast Pass for Space Mountain that tells you that you may return between two and three o’clock and enter the FastPass line for that ride. At one forty-five, you could go to the FastPass machine at Splash Mountain and obtain a FastPass for that ride as well.
 Ride Restrictions
This section appears from time to time on The Magic Kingdom web pages of this site and should help you to better plan your Orlando vacation. It points out rides or shows that have height, age or health restrictions and ones that you might want to think about missing because they could be upsetting or too frightening for some  small children. If there are at least two adults, Disney has a “child swap” option that makes it possible for the adults to ride the attraction or see the show. Tell the first “greeter” at the ride/show that you would like to exercise the “child swap” option and proceed through the line to the loading area. When you reach the loading area, one adult will be admitted to the ride or show while the other stays with the child (or children). When the first adult finishes, the other adult will then be allowed on/into the attraction at the head of the line. The adult that has already enjoyed the ride or show, then stays with the child(ren). If there's a third adult in your group, they can experience the attraction twice - once with each of the switching off adults, so that the switching off adults don't have to experience the attraction “alone.”
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October 1, 1971 is when it all began. This is the date the first Walt Disney World theme park opened . . . The Magic Kingdom. The navigation bar to the left outlines the different “Lands” of the Magic Kingdom. Each “Land” is described and has sections that include Secrets, “Must See” Rides and Shows and Ride Restrictions.