Walt Disney World Anniversary: 50 Favorite Things We Love About Magic Kingdom

In honor of the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World, which opened on October 1, 1971, we are counting down the top 50 of some of our favorite things about the most magical place on earth! This week, we take a look at some of the things we love most about the first WDW theme park, the Magic Kingdom.

With so much to love about Magic Kingdom, it was pretty hard to choose. Overall, I tried to focus less on the attractions (though they are amazing) and more on some of the other details that make this theme park so… magical! So put on your Mickey ears, grab a turkey leg, and get ready to book a flight, because this list (in no particular order) is going to make you want to fly to Florida immediately!

Please Note: Not every activity is currently available due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Make sure to check out our Instagram for even more photos of Magic Kingdom favorites!

1. Riding the Monorail – arrive to the park in style
2. Train Station – the first thing you see sets the stage for your wonderful day
3. Mickey Landscaping – made of gorgeous flowers in front of the train station
4. Meeting Mickey – visit with the main mouse himself at Town Square Theatre
5. Main Street Windows – shop names on the upper floors honor Disney Legends throughout the years
6. Shopping on Main Street, U.S.A. – the perfect place to find the perfect souvenir
7. Confectionery Scents – that sweet smell of sugar is being pumped onto the sidewalk to draw you in… and it works!
8. Mickey Balloons – sure, they can be purchased across property, but I love the photo op here!
9. Dapper Dans – this popular barbershop quartet performs throughout the day
10. Flag Retreat Ceremony – an inspiring patriotic event
11. Partners Statue – a wonderful tribute to Walt and Mickey
12. Cinderella Castle – a beauty to behold, including it’s recent “glow up” and 50^th anniversary decorations
13. Cinderella Mosaics – found inside the castle are some stunning works of art retelling Cindy’s story
14. Wishing Well – off to the side of the castle is a quiet place to make your wish
15. Castle Stage Shows – welcoming you to the park, and telling stories throughout the day
16. Parades/Cavalcades – a chance to see your favorite characters “float” by
17. Hub Twinkle Lights – it’s a magical moment as dusk falls and the twinkle lights in the trees turn on
18. Fireworks – from Wishes to Happily Ever After to Enchantment, the cherry on top of your day
19. Tinker Bell’s Flight – it’s always a crowd-pleaser when Tink is able to soar from the castle tower
20. Rope Drop – arriving early, beating the crowds, and walking right on to your favorite ride
21. Purple Wall – it may be commercialized now, but it came from humble and organic beginnings
22. Tomorrowland Neon Lights – bright and colorful at night
23. Meeting a Princess – many opportunities, through meet & greets, parades, shows, or dining
24. Royal Dining – at either Cinderella’s Royal Table or Be Our Guest Restaurant
25. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique – where little princes and princesses can get a royal makeover
26. Sword in the Stone – a fun photo op just outside Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
27. Tangled Bathrooms – the best themed rest area in all of WDW
28. Haunted Mansion Graveyard – make sure to read the headstones, they’re about as punny as a Jungle Cruise Skipper
29. Thanksgiving Dinner – brought to you family-style and all-you-can-eat at Liberty Tree Tavern
30. Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe – where it’s the most wonderful time of the year all year long
31. View from the top of Splash Mountain – don’t blink (or scream) or you’ll miss this beauty
32. Dole Whip – a tasty, fruity frozen treat available at 2 locations in Adventureland
33. Immersive Queues – I’m not personally a fan of the germy things everyone touches, but rather the detailed, walk-through theming
34. WDW Railroad – one of Walt’s original inspirations
35. Disney Mountain Range – Space, Splash, and Big Thunder make up this fun and thrilling trio, with Seven Dwarfs Mine Train as a bonus!
36. Boat Rides – from it’s a small world to Jungle Cruise
37. Dark Rides – fan-favorites like Peter Pan’s Flight and Haunted Mansion
38. Classic Spinners – cute carnival-type rides like Dumbo and Mad Tea Party
39. Audio-Animatronics – pirates and parrots and presidents, oh my! All developed by Disney
40. Air-Conditioned Theatres – Mickey’s PhilharMagic, Carousel of Progress, and more providing relief from the Florida heat
41. Distinct Architecture – amazing attention to detail for each individual land
42. Hidden Mickeys – fun to hunt for throughout the park
43. Mickey-Shaped Foods – pretzels, ice cream treats, caramel apples and more are available throughout WDW, but might taste even better here?
44. People Watching – rest and take it all in, including the people around you
45. Music – beautifully-themed for each land; take some time to listen
46. Personalized Ears – it’s a right of passage to get your name stitched on Mickey ears at the Magic Kingdom!
47. Seasonal Décor – Disney goes all-out for fall and winter holidays
48. Hard Ticket Events – like Halloween and Christmas parties, and other After Hours events
49. Behind the Scenes Tours – learn the history of the park and how it operates
50. Cast Members – the heart and soul of the most magical place on earth!

It’s easy to see why the Magic Kingdom has been a fan-favorite for the last 50 years! We can’t wait to see what they have in store for the next 50!

What are some of your favorite things about the Magic Kingdom? Let us know in the comments!