Our Australian family Walt Disney World trip – Magic Kingdom
An Australian beginner’s guide to vacationing at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, Florida including what rides to go on and what not to miss – plus a ticket promo code!
Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom theme park
A trip to the USA Disney Parks is on most Australian family’s dream-trip list. But whilst Aussies often head straight for the geographically closer California Disneyland, Walt Disney World is not only achievable with a little more effort – it has so much to explore!
We recently visited Walt Disney World in Florida for the very first time and found it to be an amazingly unique family holiday destination in its own right, and not just a bigger version of Disneyland.
There are four major Florida Disney theme parks at Walt Disney World (WDW) making up a total used area of a massive 950 acres.
We decided our very first Walt Disney World theme park would be its most famous – Magic Kingdom. After Magic Kingdom we also visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios, EPCOT and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
We were so excited to visit our WDW park number one – Magic Kingdom!
Walt Disney World tickets promocode
Firstly, if you’re planning your own Aussie family holiday trip to Walt Disney World we have a tickets promocode for you!
Australia and New Zealand purchases booking tickets online to Walt Disney World in Orlando for the first time on Klook can use our LETSGOMUM20 promocode at checkout and save USD$20!
Go to Klook to buy discounted Walt Disney World tickets online
This page may contain affiliate links. If you book a stay or an attraction through one of them, I will receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). Thank you for your support!
Which is the most popular Walt Disney World park?
Magic Kingdom is the most popular of the 4 Walt Disney World parks.
Opened in 1971 and home to the huge Disney Cinderella Castle, it’s here you’ll find many unique and classic Disney rides and attractions.
Magic Kingdom is the Disneyland Park of Florida!
How do I enter Magic Kingdom?
To enter Magic Kingdom you will need to have purchased a valid Walt Disney World entrance ticket for the date you are attending, and currently you may still need a park reservation. You can read all about buying tickets and making park reservations in our How to buy Walt Disney World Tickets online from Australia feature here.
Magic Kingdom theme park entrance gates
How do I go through the Magic Kingdom entrance gates?
The Walt Disney Parks entrances work on an electronic access system, and you’ll need something scannable that has a record of your Disney account valid admission ticket, plus your park reservation for that day.
You can use a hard-copy Disney swipe card (we were given ours at our Disney Hotel) which is electronically linked to your Disney account, a Disney MagicMobile pass (a digital record of your ticket found inside your My Disney Experience mobile app) or a Disney MagicBand writstband.
The Disney entrance gate scanning system is a very efficient system to use. After going through the security bag scan check, just scan your Disney card, Disney app barcode or MagicBand near the Magic Kingdom entrance gate readers and you’re permitted to enter! Just be sure to always have your photo id (for example, your passport) with you just in case there are any issues.
Can I buy Magic Kingdom entrance tickets at the gate?
Yes, you can buy Walt Disney World tickets at the box office located at the entrance of all four parks including Magic Kingdom. That said, we don’t recommend waiting to buy your tickets on the day at the gate in case the park tickets have sold out, or the park has reached capacity and park reservations are already full for the day.
I would recommend pre ordering tickets online using Klook for peace of mind.
Main Street U.S.A. Magic Kingdom
What is it like to enter Magic Kingdom?
Walking into Magic Kingdom feels very much like walking into the original California Disneyland. After passing underneath the Disney railway train tracks through the pedestrian tunnel you emerge into the town square that heads old fashioned American Main Street U.S.A. It is at this moment you will see the iconic Disney sight at the end of the street – the fairytale Disney Cinderella Castle!
What is it like when you first see the Disney castle?
If you’re a big Disney fan like me, and especially if you have been planning and saving for your Disney trip for some time then this is often a very special moment.
You’ve made it to Disney and are now staring at the actual Disney castle – you can actually feel that Disney magic excitement!
Whether it’s your very first visit or your hundredth this can be a lovely moment to experience – particularly with your children.
What is there on Disney Main Street?
Along American Main Street you’ll find lots of operating stores.
Souvenir shops, boutique merchandise shops, food and coffee shops like Starbucks.
There’s a cinema – and even a hair dresser!
A horse drawn trolley and other vintage Disney vehicles slowly move up and down the street carrying guests.
Where can I buy Mickey Ears at Magic Kingdom?
It’s on Main Street that you can pop into the big gift stores and outfit yourselves with the essential Disney souvenir – Walt Disney World ears!
You’ll be looking at around $50 Australian dollars starting budget for a pair of genuine Disney Mickey or Minnie ears. It’s all part of the fun, and they look just the thing for another right of passage you will be doing next. The all-essential photo in front of the Disney Castle!
You can learn more about official Walt Disney World Photo Passes in our guide here.
You can buy Mickey and Minnie Ears on Main Street U.S.A.
The souvenir stores usually stay open after closing time so that you can buy your Disney souvenirs on the way out. The benefits being that you don’t have to carry your souvenirs around all day, and you don’t waste any of that precious ride time!
Disney Snacks and Treats
One of the best things about Disney parks is trying out all the unique and yummy snacks.
There are many Disney snack staples to be found at Magic Kingdom including Popcorn with their collectable buckets from the vendors around the park, Mickey Waffles dripping with syrup and much more. Mickey-ears-shaped everything edible, for that matter!
One thing is for sure – all Disney snacks taste heavenly!
Mickey Ears are essential for Disney Castle photos!
Our Magic Kingdom itinerary
First order of the day at Magic Kingdom was to look at the immediate ride wait times to work out what were the popular rides.
The main focus of our day was to soak up the atmosphere, see things unique to Magic Kingdom and do as many of the famous Disney rides there as possible.
Our Walt Disney World NO Lightning Lane ride strategy
We had not bought any Lightning Lane passes for Walt Disney World, so a ride strategy was needed to ensure that we got to ride all the good rides.
We did have the advantage of our Disney Hotel early entry for a head-start.
We especially wanted to make sure that we got to ride all those famous WDW rides we had been hearing about for so long, like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train!
The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride was so much fun!
Which is the best Magic Kingdom first ride of the day?
For Magic Kingdom, we decided that as Space Mountain had the longest wait time of 15 minutes it should be our first ride for the day.
Rides that quickly have longer wait times soon after opening will almost certainly have very long queues later in the day! It’s best to hit at least one of the popular rides early take advantage of the shorter wait time first-thing.
We loved Disney’s Space Mountain roller coaster in Magic Kingdom
What are the best rides at Magic Kingdom?
We quickly worked out that the most popular rides at Magic Kingdom were Space Mountain, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Peter Pan’s Flight and Tron due to the length of their ride queues. These then became our priority ride picks.
Tron called for a different approach to the other rides, however because it has no standby queue – meaning you can’t just line up without a pre-booking.
Which is the newest ride at Walt Disney World?
Magic Kingdom is home to Disney’s newest and fastest ride Tron Lifecycle Run. Opened in early 2023, this breathtakingly fast ride requires a free virtual queue reservation or paid fastpass.
Our Walt Disney World App Tron Lightcycle Run boarding group notification
How can I ride Tron?
To get a free place in the Tron Virtual Queue, you’ll need to download the My Disney Experience mobile app. and book a place the morning of the day of your visit to Magic Kingdom.
The Tron virtual queue places become available on the app at 7am and again at 1pm (check the app for exact details during your visit).
You don’t need to be inside the park to book the first boarding group place in the morning.
We used two phones logged into our Disney account with our fingers tapping the reserve button the second the clock ticked over 7am. Luckily we managed to snag a spot in the virtual queue – we were placed in GROUP 95. That’s a reflection of just how many people were trying to get a place in the queue at the same time!
When your boarding party comes up (you don’t know when until it does) you receive an hour’s notice time-block to ride. Ours came up around lunchtime.
The amazing TRON Lightcycle Run ride is the fastest ride at Walt Disney World
The virtual queues fill up in mere minutes in the morning but if you don’t get in you can always try again in the afternoon (if you are inside Magic Kingdom at that time).
Make getting a boarding group place on Tron a priority if you love thrill rides. Tron is certainly worth the trouble it takes to book a place in the queue!
Paid Lightning Lane passes
Lightning Lane Magic Kingdom Seven Dwarfs Mine Train sign
You can pay USD$20 per person for an individual Lightning Lane Entry pass for Tron so that you don’t have to worry about getting or waiting in the Virtual Queue.
There is limited availability, however paid entry was available for 5:45pm when our group was called at around lunch time.
The Tron virtual queue took around an hour of wait time, so if you can afford to buy an individual paid pass, this can be a great way to save time and ride Tron without having to wait!
What rides are unique to Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom?
The Country Bear Jamboree show
Whilst many classic Disney rides and attractions are copies of Disneyland’s originals, in addition to these we love to seek out what is special to each park.
In Walt Disney World we sought-out the Hall of Presidents, Country Bear Jamboree and Carousel of Progress.
As Australian tourists, we found each of these attractions fascinating and fun! A little piece of Americana and a real novelty to experience.
The Country Bear Jamboree show
A restaurant overlooking the Small World ride
The Magic Kingdom It’s a Small World ride is in a far more prominent position at Walt Disney World than it is at Disneyland.
We were able to actually have lunch at the Pinocchio Village Haus restaurant that directly overlooks the Small World ride boat boarding area. It was fun to be able to watch riders sailing down the river past our window!
The Pinocchio Village Haus restaurant overlooks It’s A Small World ride
There we could actually wave and hold up fun signs like “Say Pan”, and “Stick your tongue out”! It was a great fun place to get a bite to eat!
Magic Kingdom parades
Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade with Jiminy Cricket, The Mad Hatter, Snow White and Alice In Wonderland.
We saw some lovely parades throughout the day at Magic Kingdom purely by stumbling upon them.
Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade
There’s nothing more thrilling at Disney than seeing the stars of the show – Mickey and Minnie Mouse – waving to you in person. Their superstar status is plain to see no matter where they go!
You’ll see Mickey and Minnie in the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade, which runs twice a day at Magic Kingdom.
Check the app for the parade daily time slots.
Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade
Then there is the Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade parade which features lots of loved characters from more recent Disney movies like Toy Story, Moana and the Incredibles.
We caught this parade right in front of the Cinderella Castle, which made for an amazing – “Am I really here? Pinch me!” – moment!
The Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade parade
What is it like to break down in Space Mountain? A Disney ride breakdown
With many of our targeted rides and parade experiences under our belt by sunset we decided to take a ride on the more leisurely PeopleMover – a slow carriage ride along a meandering, highline rail track.
It was a beautiful trip looking down over Magic Kingdom and across to the castle. There were a few fits and starts along the way, and shortly after the train headed inside Space Mountain it finally ground to a full halt!
The Tomorrowland PeopleMover ride broke down in Space Mountain!
We found it really exciting to be stuck in Space Mountain! We passed the time playing games together on the Disney Go and Heads Up Apps until Disney Staff came to get us all.
Staff Cast Members asked us if we were able to walk out of Space Mountain and down some stairs. We happily followed them out along with all the other PeopleMover riders.
It was fun to be walking a ride instead of actually riding it! We were told where to step to cross the tracks in a certain way to be safe, and eventually we all emerged and headed down a flight of stairs.
We played games on Disney Go and Heads Up apps while we waited during the ride breakdown.
Disney staff gave us each a Lightning Lane pass for our trouble which we considered a bonus as we had had a fun experience breaking down.
Thanks to our PeopleMover breakdown we got to try a Walt Disney World Lightning Lane after all!
What is the Happily Ever After Fireworks Show like?
Happily Ever After Fireworks Show
The Magic Kingdom fireworks are truly spectacular to watch. They are big enough to be seen from several surrounding hotels and even some of the other Walt Disney World Parks like EPCOT.
No spoilers intended, but there is a special surprise appearance by a certain fairy during the fireworks who brings many oohs and ahhs from the watching crowds. I would make sure any little ones keep their eyes turned upwards towards the end of the fireworks display!
Are the Magic Kingdom fireworks the best Disney fireworks in the world?
Yes, we all agree that the Magic Kingdom fireworks are the best Disney Castle fireworks we’ve seen so far!
The Magic Kingdom castle fireworks at 9pm at the end of the day are absolutely worth staying for.
Watching the Disney fireworks is a wonderful opportunity to create even more magical Disney memories together.
Is there time to do any rides after the Disney fireworks?
We had time to do the Haunted Mansion ride after the fireworks
Always! In fact, this can be one of the best times to race around and get some rides done quickly!
Lots of families with small children leave right after the fireworks.
If there isn’t an after-hours event on, chances are ride lines are shorter and you can get a couple more rides in.
We managed to squeeze in Haunted Mansion ride using our free Lightning Lane pass and then ran to wait in a much-shortened queue to ride Peter Pan’s Flight. That was two major rides after the fireworks and before we left after closing time.
Happily, Disney theme parks allow you to join ride queues right up to close time – you just need to get in that line before the clock ticks over!
How do I buy Walt Disney World tickets online?
Klook sells Walt Disney World tickets
Purchase your Walt Disney World tickets on Klook. Klook is a registered Walt Disney World ticket reseller who offer discounted tickets.
Quick, easy and cheap, Klook is the best way to buy Walt Disney World tickets online, and you can do it all from your armchair at home or work!
Is there a Walt Disney World promo code?
Yes! Australian and New Zealand purchases get $20USD off Walt Disney World tickets if you’re new to Klook by using our promocode: LETSGOMUM20 at checkout!
Book tickets online to Walt Disney World in Orlando
Download the Walt Disney World App
To have your digital tickets on hand, and in preparation for your visit to Walt Disney World, download the Walt Disney World App My Disney Experience before you go at the App Store and Google Play.
Navigate around the theme parks, find restaurants, rides, check for event times and other points of interest. You can check ride wait times and much more.
Buy your Walt Disney World tickets here and use our discount code
Australia and New Zealand Let’s Go Mum Readers new to Klook get $20USD off Disneyland tickets with our Walt Disney World promocode: LETSGOMUM20
Buy your Walt Disney World tickets online here
You may also like to read these other Walt Disney World blogs:
How buy Walt Disney World tickets from Australia
Our Australian family Walt Disney World trip – Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Our Australian family Walt Disney World trip – EPCOT
Our Australian family Walt Disney World trip – Disney’s Animal Kingdom
3 Walt Disney World theme park hacks for your Australian family holiday
Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is a fantastic, world-class theme park. It offers plenty of classic Disney rides and attractions plus their own unique attractions.
Add to all this exciting new cutting-edge rides and you have an amazing holiday destination where your family can make magical Disney memories together! Just as Walt Disney himself intended.
If you enjoyed reading this article, please consider giving it a Facebook “Like”, share or we’d love to hear about your own Disney experiences in the comments below!
Disclaimers: Let’s Go Mum may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you with bookings made with Klook
The Let’s Go Mum family partnered with Disney & Klook for this Walt Disney World trip. As always, all opinions are our own.
All prices and times quoted were correct at September 2023, the time of publishing this article, but can change frequently. Please always re-check for current prices.
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