We just got back from a Florida Vacation and our trip to the Magic Kingdom was truly a highlight. Anyone complaining about this place really is just "doing it wrong" or something.

Let me start off saying that I am pretty new at the whole Disney thing, and prior to this visit-- I hadnt been in 20 years (since I was a kid). I pretty much laughed at all of the people who write about "Disney Magic" and all that silliness-- and decided to take my kids to Disney, just looking for a place that would make them smile. What I didn't know is that the Magic Kingdom would make mom and dad smile just as much as the kiddies.

We decided to go in September, as our kids (ages 4 & 7) are on a year-round school schedule and we assumed that the park wouldnt be too crowded. We were absolutely right, and we didnt wait more than 10 minutes for any ride and walked right on most of them. I should note that we did use the fastpass to get on Jungle Cruise and Winnie the Pooh, and would have waited for both for 30-45 minutes if we handnt done this.

We went to fantasy land first, and the kids enjoyed Dumbo and Peter Pan quite a bit. The grown-ups didnt really get into it until we rode the Haunted Mansion, which is one of the best rides in the park. This ride is creepy and fun, but in a good way. Its not creepy in a bloody/horror kind of way, but in a the ghosts are dancing around the dinner table and hanging from the chandeliers kind of way. The ride is great, and even my four year old loved it (he wasnt spooked at all).

We headed to Thunder Mountain and Splash Moutain next, both of which are excellent. Thunder Moutain is a roller coaster without any big hills or loops, but it does get some pretty good speed and has some nice twists and turns. Splash Moutain is a long water ride with some great animations and a few nice hills. Thankfully, you really dont get too wet on this one.

After grabbing some lunch (the food was good, and at Disneyworld- healthy side options are available with all meals), we rode Pirates of the Caribbean and the Jungle Cruise which were both great fun for the whole family. We checked out the Tiki Room Bird show while waiting for our Jungle Fastpasses, which was cute-- but probably not worth your time.

At this point in the afternoon, it started to rain and unfortunately for us-- the rain never stopped. We did get to ride Buzz LightYear's Spin (excellent), Winnie the Pooh (great for small kids), the Tea Cups, and It's a Small World (long and boring) in between dodging raindrops.

We also found some shelter from the rain watching Micky's Philharmonic 3D show, which is fantastic, and the Monster's Inc laugh floor, which is hilarious and awesome.

At this point, we were all tired and ready for a break-- so we ended up heading back to our hotel for a bit. We ended up heading back and watching the fireworks from a nearby hotel parking lot, and they were also very good and certainly worth the wait.

If you are anywhere near Orlando and have a chance to go by the Magic Kingdom-- don't miss it. This place is one of a kind, and everything there is done so well. This park doesn't have big, crazy roller coasters or anything that scare the pants off of ya-- but what it does have is so much better, especially if you have kids under the age of 10.

What to expect:
- One million five year old princesses emerging from the BippetyBoppety Boutique. (Yes, For $200 your daughter can become a real princess! Complete with hairstyle,nails, make up and dress.)
- One million boys with too much sugar (Where else to spend the $200 you didn't use in the BBB, but candy?)
- Two million worn out parents that still manage to have a great time.
- Not a single ride that appeals directly to teenagers or all adult parties.

Ride by ride:

1. WDW Railroad
Start the day with this in order to skip Main street. Train stops in Frontierland and Toontown.

2. Disney Dreams Come True parade
All your favourite characters, and a song that never ends. Beware of fake parades appearing to be the Dreams Come True parade! Best place to see parades: Main Street.

3. Swiis Family Treehouse
Was under renovation. Good. As far as I can remember that place was a big "B" with some added "oring".

4. Magic Carpets
Standard issue ride. Forgettable, but decent fun.

5. The Enchanted Tiki Room
OLD attraction that got a much needed update in the 90s. Good place to wait for the Pirates Fastpass to be ready. (The actual show is very quick and if you are lucky (sit in the "front" row near the exit) you might even get a "souvenir".

6. Jungle Cruise
If you want absolutely no excitement, but a jungle cruise, this is it.

7. Pirates of the Caribbean
Sure, they added Captain Sparrow, but the real addition to this attraction is the pirate ship battle. Amazing!

8. Splash Mountain
My girlfriends favourite. A weird mixture of cutesy puppetry and a scary splash at the end. A classic that cant be missed. A good idea is to get a Fastpass to Thunder Mountain or vice versa before going here.

9. Thunder Mountain
Not the most thrilling ride you'll ever go on, but definately the most scenic. I love this coaster and so will you! Fastpass!

10. Tom Sawyer Island
Can only be reached by a raft. Seems like a huge playground for kids. Never been there.

11. The Hall of Presidents
A Mechanised Nixon and all of the U.S. presidents throughout history? And they sing? On stage? I will return here when they add George W. Ah, hahahaha.

12. Liberty Square Riverboat
A 20 minute ride that takes you right back where you started. No bathrooms. No thrills. But a great snapshot opportunity.

13. The Haunted Mansion
Though one of the most impressive mansions, and perhaps the most stylish and atmospheric attraction of them all... The Haunted Mansion is simply not... scary. Its as if the makers thought that the more ghosts they could cram into the place, the scarier it would be. Instead it became.. cluttered. Its still a show you cant miss!

14. 'It's a small world"
Shun like the plague. Puppet hell. And they sing. Always.

15. Peter Pan's flight
Peter Pan never flew in a Pirate ship! Did he? Old, predictable and slow. But very nostalgic.

16. Mickey's Philharmagic
Absolutely awesome! 3D theatre at its best!

20. Winnie the Pooh
Perhaps the most confusing storytelling ever concieved in a ride like this. And a 20 minute ride? My gawd! It's Winnie the Pooh though!

29. Space Mountain
Miss this and cry!

32. Stich's great escape
A revamped frightfest. This used to be the only adult attraction in WDW. Now its not even close to scary. But you get a close encounter (and I mean CLOSE) with Stitch!

33. Buzz Lightyear
Fun, if you enjoy sitting in a Tea cup while blasting at anything that moves.

34. Laugh Floor
Im stll amazed and dazzled. What a fun surprise! The wait time is awful, and the show is short, but it will be worth it.




Highlights of my day (as a 25 year old male):
- Mickeys Philharmonic (cant remember the exact name)
The biggest surprise of them all. I expected a lame 3D movie, but instead I found that old magical feeling from watching early morning Disneyshows. Don't miss it!
- Space Mountain
Always makes me giggle. An indoor rollercoaster!

Biggest surprises:

- Jack Sparrow in the flesh
The guy who acted as Jack Sparrow did an absolutely great job! Can't imagine how many times he must have watched the trilogy to copycat Depps behaviour. /applauce!
- The Monsters Inc. Laugh floor
I had no idea you could do this for real! Go see what I mean!
- Food.
The food at Disneyworld is actually good. And not expensive as I would have been lead to believe.



Bottomline:
WDW is a KIDS park. It's still recommended for everyone who ever watched anything Disney. In other words: Recommended for everyone. This place, even with the kids, is too fun to miss.


Tips:
Get Fastpasses!
Skip Main street till the end of the day.

We went on 31st July 2008, 4 adults and 4 children, 2x6 & 2 x8 year olds. I was half expecting queues and extra expense but I couldn't have been more pleasantly surprised. Didn't see a queue that was more than 20 minutes, used fast-track on a couple of rides which worked out well, went from attraction to atraction around Fantasy land with ease, and then onto others with no problems. We only spent one day there from 9am til 6pm and we experienced about 80% of the rides and shows, just missing out on some of the Futureworld stuff.

Food and drink was reasonably priced, people were polite and helpful, there was loads of space, never felt crowded or rushed, the whole day was a joy, though of course it did tire us out a bit. Would have loved to have stayed for the fireworks but we were whacked and needed to get out and have dinner.

I was prepared to be disappointed thinking we'd spend so long in queues and it would be crowded and overbearing, but it wasn't like that at all, it was wonderful and I'd certainly go again.

The attractions we went on were: Dumbo, Winnie The Pooh, Peter Pan's Flight, It's A Small World, Mickey's Philarmagic, Haunted Mansion, Hall Of Presidents, Liberty Belle Boat, Jungle Cruise, Splash Mountain, Country Bear Jambouree, Pirates Of The Caribbean, Big Thunder Mountain, and the Train. Not bad for one day.

There's nothing like walking down Main Street USA. It's truly a wonderful and classic experience.

We love the Magic Kingdom. It's great for families and for anyone really if you just have the right frame of mind. There's lots to do for everyone. Kiddy rides, thrills for teens, and great family rides, too.

Favorites of ours include Splash Mountain (do Fastpass but get 'em early or else you'll be riding at 11 at night), Big Thunder Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, Buzz Lightyear, Monsters Inc, Peter Pan, and the Haunted Mansion. Everything is really great though. The only thing I'd really say skip is the Country Bear Jamboree. It's old and boring. The only thing entertaining about it is how outdated it is. Mickey's Philhar Magic is the BEST 3-D SHOW I'VE EVER SEEN ANYWHERE!!! Don't miss it, it's fantastic for everyone!

See the fireworks and the SpectroMagic parade.

Eat at Pecos Bill's for lunch in Frontierland, get ice cream on Tom Sawyer Island, and relax.

For dinner, try Tony's Town Square on Main Street for Italian or Liberty Tree Tavern in Liberty Square for American fare.

Whatever you do, you're going to have an amazing time at the Magic Kingdom!!