Disneyland Gal Headed To Magic Kingdom - What's Cool To See?

[TinkAgainU]

Annual passholder at DL. Going to WDW and plan to do Epcot and Animal Kingdom (one day each) - will only have an afternoon/evening at the Magic Kingdom. Can my fellow DL/DCA fanatics give me some hints on things "not to miss" at the Magic Kingdom? Suggestions GREATLY appreciated !!!

 

[mdmost]

I would focus on the things that are either better at MK or you can't do at DLR. This will probably be controversial but I'm okay with that.

Better at MK:
Haunted Mansion-outdoor queue is great. The start of the omnimover is better as it's the upside down staircases. Only downside is no Hatbox Ghost. I also like that Memento Mori's is right there when you exit.
Space Mountain-better queue, the lift up the mountain is more enjoyable, the warp tube effects are better, and overall the interior is better IMO because it's larger and the stars projected better. Only downside is sometimes you get light bleed from the TTA cars.
Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse- I'm hoping this will swing back to DLR when they reveal the renovated treehouse this year.
Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid- if you like this ride, the queue is really well done. Feels more put together than the CA version.

Things you can only get at MK:
Carousel of Progress- such an enjoyable show and you will be humming A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow after you leave
Country Bear Jamboree-if you never saw the show at DLR, you can still see it at MK
The Hall of Presidents
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
The Tomorrowland Transit Authority-make sure to watch for the EPCOT diorama when you enter one of the buildings.

Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like you have enough time for a meal at Cinderella's Castle or Be Our Guest. Both are really good. One you get to dine in a Disney castle. The other, it transports you to the movie.

I would definitely ride Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain, the TTA, Carousel of Progress, and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. If you have time for others, try to get them in. Little Mermaid is really if you have the time.

 

[TexasJedi]

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train would rank as my #1 "must-do" in your situation, but be forewarned, it's likely to have the longest wait time. The PeopleMover and Carousel of Progress are also unique and very worthwhile and very easy to get on.

I wouldn't bother with Thunder Mountain Railroad or Jungle Cruise--they're essentially the same as DL. Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion have differences, so that's fun to explore, and I'd go with HM over POC if choosing between the two, because I feel POC is better at DL than MK. It's a Small World is another you could skip, because while it's a bit different, it too feels inferior to me because it's all indoors.

For quick sitdown shows, I'd recommend the Country Bear Jamboree and/or the Monster's In. Laugh Floor.

Stay for the fireworks! The shows at MK are amazing!

 

[TinkAgainU]

Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like you have enough time for a meal at Cinderella's Castle or Be Our Guest. Both are really good. One you get to dine in a Disney castle. The other, it transports you to the movie.

Thank you! I had not heard of "Be Our Guest" and a spot opened at 8:45pm just as I looked - so of course, I booked it !!!! Must have been fate I see the fireworks are at 8:15pm - I was assuming best place to watch is Main Street - and we can get there in time ... any suggestions for where to watch fireworks if going to Be Our Guest right after - in DL we would want to be on Main Street but not sure its the same in MK? We will be there next week for the current fireworks show.

 

[BrianL]

The highlights have been covered, so I will give you a few,"no-need-to-bothers."

-Peter Pan's flight - while the MK version is actually a little better with a nice queue, the wait is long and it is still very similar to the DL version.
-Pirates of the Caribbean - the exterior is a little cooler, the ride will likely disappoint a DL vet - it's way shorter!
- Big Thrunder Mountain - this is basically the same, and lacks some of the effects from DL.
-Buzz Lightyear - It's very similar to the DL version but the guns are mounted and hit detection is not as obvious

At Epcot, Soarin' is about the only thing that is identical to the DCA version. Do make sure to check out Cosmic Rewind. I also highly recommend Spaceship Earth. Test Track is fun, but it uses the same technology as Radiator Springs Racers and is much shorter (though faster at top speed). At Animal Kingdom, if you are feeling nostalgic, they still have It's Tough to be a Bug, if you want to check that out since hte DCA one is long gone. Kali River Rapids is very similar to Grizzly River Run but shorter. Everything else is uniqe to AK and is worth checking out - don't miss Flight of Passage for sure!

Have fun!

 

[crystal1313]

Carousel of progress, Peoplemover, country bears for sure. Just because they are no longer at DL. I had fun comparing the attractions that are the same but different. Dole whips at aloha isle. They have way more options at WDW than DL. For me, it was really fun to just walk around and take it all in. Kinda weird to not know where everything was. But fun to explore too! Have a great time!!

 

[ComeToSocialize]

My wife and I loved Country Bear Jamboree on our last WDW trip. Our first time seeing it. Such a strange show but so funny/fun!

Carousel of Progress is also great. It’s long but the song really gets in your ear by the end.

TTA people mover is worth doing and never has a long wait. I really wish they hadn’t ruined this at DL!

Mine Train for sure of course. You can buy ILL for it if you want save time.

Those are the 4 unique must-dos in my mind. Hall of Presidents is OK but you’ll get the point if you’ve seen Lincoln. HM and Splash are slightly better at WDW but not enough to really matter.

At AK, definitely prioritize the Pandora rides, Everest and the Safari. Dinosaur is pretty weak and Kali Rapids is basically GRR. AK is mostly for walking around and exploring!

At Epcot, Frozen, Spaceship Earth and Living with the Land are my favorite unique rides. I honestly think test track is kinda underwhelming compared to RSR. Mission Space is eh (though the restaurant is great). I haven’t done Cosmic Rewind yet but I’m sure it’s awesome. Don’t forget the 3 caballeros boat ride at the Mexico pavilion! It’s fun and sometimes people don’t realize it’s there, usually very short line.

 

[Aurora0427]

Annual passholder at DL. Going to WDW and plan to do Epcot and Animal Kingdom (one day each) - will only have an afternoon/evening at the Magic Kingdom. Can my fellow DL/DCA fanatics give me some hints on things "not to miss" at the Magic Kingdom? Suggestions GREATLY appreciated !!!

We love Enchanted Tales with Belle!

Also, their version of Splash Mountain is so much better than DL, but it may have already closed for the reimagining. Their Jungle Cruise is different as well, and there’s a really cool Jungle Cruise themed restaurant there called Skipper’s Cantina (I think) We loved it! People Mover is unique and they have the Swiss Family Robinson tree. Also, the Monsters Inc show in Tomorrowland is hilarious. Seven Dwarves Mine Train, their Ariel queue is a must see… it’s so detailed and beautiful. You can also meet Ariel as a mermaid. Their setup for Dumbo is so much better than Disneyland. I love the circus theming back there.

I do not like BTMRR or Space at MK… BTMRR is super jerky, and both it and Space make me super nauseous.

Darn. Now I want to plan a trip to Disney World.

 

[DLgal]

Check out Liberty Square (do Hall of Presidents)

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

People mover

Check out "New Fantsayland section"

Meet Mickey at Town Hall (he talks)

 

[Kerr84]

People have already said most of these:

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, People Mover, Country Bear Jamboree, Monsters Inc Laugh Floor, and Talking Mickey. I would definitely stop into Gaston’s to snap a picture in his chair! I would definitely ride Splash if it is still open. Some unique restaurants would be Cinderella’s, Be Our Guest, or Skipper Canteen.

 

[GoingSince1990]

AVOID BUZZ! You will spend the whole ride marveling at how inferior it is to the DL version!

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

As others have said Carousel of Progress, People Mover, Mine Train and Country Bears. As far as the fireworks if you don't care about being really close we watched them from the area of the People Mover and I liked it there.
When you go to Epcot make sure when you go to the countries to make sure you walk around the entire pavillions. Canada has a really pretty area at the back. The UK has a pretty garden in the back. The tile work in Morocco is amazing. Check out the koi pond in Japan. Also the trains in Germany. Lots of amazing restaurants but 2 snack places I would check out is Karamell Kuche in Germany, the caramel butter bars are amazing and Les Halles in France.

 

[Aurora0427]

AVOID BUZZ! You will spend the whole ride marveling at how inferior it is to the DL version!

For the life of me I cannot place Buzz at Magic Kingdom. 20 visits and I am drawing a total blank.

 

[DLgal]

For the life of me I cannot place Buzz at Magic Kingdom. 20 visits and I am drawing a total blank.

It's at the corner of the entrance to Tomorrowland, next to the Monsters Laugh Floor.

 

[KPeterso]

Personally, I would skip MK. It is by far my least favorite park. But, I am weird like that. I find it is so inferior to Disneyland that I book it only because others I am with want to go there. I even find the restaurants there not worth my time in MK. I find the restaurants outside MK far better. The few things I would consider doing there are PeopleMover, 7 Dwarves Mine Train, Carousel of Progress, Monsters Inc Laugh Floor, and the dueling Dumbos. And maybe Jungle Cruise or Haunted if time.

 

[Kerr84]

They just announced Enchanted Tales with Belle will be back in February so I would add that to your list!

 

[Chickinvic]

If time is tight, don't bother with their Space Mountain (it sucks compared to DL's) or their Pirates (it sucks compared to DL's). I would do the things DL doesn't have (or no longer has). Such as:

Country Bear Jamboree
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Carousel of Progress
People Mover

And beyond that I'd just do rides I like even if they exist in both parks.

 

[GoldeneyezCA]

MK - Your plan for fireworks and Be Our Guest is perfect - these are basically the only things that are worth the time for us at MK. Otherwise, we just feel like it’s a copy of DL, with less soul, somehow. We found 7DMT to be incredibly underwhelming, but it is unique. If you’re getting Genie+, definitely book it to avoid the 45-120 min wait.

AK - Pandora rides, Everest, Kilimanjaro Safari, Festival of the Lion King show, and spend some time just walking around looking at the animals (Discovery Trails) and theming (get close to the Tree of Life). That park is just insanely beautiful. Food: Satuli Canteen, Tusker House, Tiffins, or Yak and Yeti. This park closes early, so make sure you have a plan for the evening.

Epcot - Guardians is the best ride at WDW, period, if you can handle coasters. Book an Individual Lightning Lane at 7 am if you miss the 7 am virtual queue (was gone in about 1 second during our December trip). Someone recommended going to Epcot twice during our trip so we could ride Guardians again, and it was great advice! Try to get a reservation for Space 220 Restaurant. See above for other recommended rides, and Ratatouille was also cute. Check out the World Showcase at night.

Have fun!

 

[gatorlisa]

Meet Mickey at Town Hall (he talks)

Just FYI...Mickey at Town Hall does not talk anymore. That ended somewhere around 2018 or 2019.

 

[DLgal]

Just FYI...Mickey at Town Hall does not talk anymore. That ended somewhere around 2018 or 2019.

Bummer. Thanks for the update.