What is a must-see for adults in Magic Kingdom?

[jenningspaige]

Hi there!

My husband and I are going to be visiting Disney World in June for the first time ever. We bought 3 day park hopper tickets and want to see at least a little bit of all 4 parks. I think we'll do a full day at Epcot and Animal Kingdom, and half days at MGM and Magic Kingdom. Sound okay?

Now, being native So. Californians, we have been to Disneyland about 3 million times. We've ridden everything there many, many times. So really, we don't need to ride the repeats at Magic Kingdom unless you think they are different enough to make it worth our while to stand in line. Our favorites at Disneyland are Space Mountain and Haunted Mansion--should we see those at Magic Kingdom too, or are they the same?

What other rides should we for sure see? We're adults so we're not into little little kid rides like Dumbo or anything like that. If it has any adult appeal though, we'll probably want to do it. We're not opposed to little kid rides, they just usually have such long lines.....

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Aimeedyan]

I don't think any rides at Disney are little kid rides, I LOVE Peter Pan and Dumbo as much as the kid next to me I do understand the lines.

I think you'll both love Mickeys Philharmagic - even my DH was impressed and it takes a lot to impress him. He's not a Disney person. Buzz is awesome, too!

Half a day at AK is good, I think you'll find, esp if you get there at opening and do the safari first. I know many people do a full day there, soaking in the atmosphere and such, but we were done in less than 4 hours and did it all and some shows. Festival of the Lion King and Tarzan were both great, I think. Even if you stay there all day, they close early (6pm I think?) anyways, so you still have a half day to spend someplace else.

We do half a day at MK now, I don't have to re-ride all the old favorites each time (Except Peter Pan, I have to do that). We actually did all we wanted in 3 hours last time, but were booking it through there.

I have only been to DL once, and can't remember all the distinctions, but I think all the rides are different. Do you have Winnie the Pooh there? That's a great ride. Haunted Mansion is different, if I remember right...

The great thing about park hoppers is that you can switch if you run out of must sees, and then return later to hit anything else if you have extra time =) have a blast!

 

[buckeye]

Make sure you ride Buzz Lightyear (more than once...), Hall of Presidents, you may want to ride Splash with the side-by-side seating, Tomorrowland Transit Authority (not a thriller---just relaxing and very Disney).

I'd want to ride lots more, but I think those are important ones that you can't experience at DL.

 

[bishop1989]

You may realize that 1 full day in AK is too much. If you start early you can be done there by 2 and head to another park. Must sees are Buzz, Splash Mt., Mickey's Philhar., Hall of Pres. (although American Experience in EPCOT is similar and better), and throw in Space Mt. just because you are at WDW.

 

[twojo21]

i agree with the others, i normally spend 1/2 day at animal kingdom (we start out early at 8am)

magic kingdom is the gem of wdw. at wdw's mk that disneyland doesnt offer or is slightly different is splash mountain (very fun themed log ride), mickeys phillarmonic (3d music adventure), haunted mansion (which is different in outside design & in some inside elements from disneylands) cinderella castle (decor is different from disneylands) & has a great restaurant royal table inside (we love this restaurant very nice at dinner or lively at princess character breakfast) & cinderella carousel (romantic at night) to name a few. there's also alot of disney favorites at wdw similiar to dl. although some dl rides are located in the mgm & epcot parks here at wdw.

 

[ckckc2000]

The space mountain at Disneyland is a lot better than the one at WDW-NOT that it's all that bad either,but it would be worthwhile/not to miss ride-We really enjoyed space mountain at Disneyland-it's darker and they play music-and at WDW it's a lot brighter inside,with no music -Oh I rode space mountain at WDW when it 1st opened-my friend just went and she said it hasn't changed that much

 

[dawgsgirl]

Don't miss Philharmagic at MK. I disagree about AK. It is a beautiful park. Make sure to see the Lion King show.

 

[Leota]

I think Haunted Mansion is a must at both Parks. WDW is a tad different from DL - WDW Pirates is different too (DL's is better, IMHO) But,still, it's nice to see both.
WDW Tiki Room has been redone, while DL still has the original - that might be interesting - and I'm not sure, but I don't think DL has the Pooh ride.I know it wasn't in DL my last trip out there. Even tho it replaced our Beloved Mr. Toad & is geared towards little folks it's still a fun little ride.

IMHO, the two Kingdoms are different enough that I would still plan a full day. That's just me tho, I spend the majority of my time in MK & re-ride my favorites over & over again. I also think that AK can fill a full day & isn't a Park to rush from attraction to attraction, but rather to wander thru, explore & soak up the atmosphere.....

 

[HollyJoy]

Definatley Mickey's Philharmagic! Awesome! Space Mountain and the Haunted Mansion are two other great rides. But please, don't cut yourself short. ALL of the rides are fun!

 

[AJKMOM]

For adults who love Disney- Mickey's Philharmagic is the best.

I'm not sure what else you have at DL, but the Winnie the Pooh Ride is cute, too.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

Philharmagic!!!

 

[Eyore4Ever149]

Everything! You must see everything!!! MK really requires 2 days. You could skip ToonTown Fair- its mostly rides for little passengers and character meets (well maybe you do want to go there)

Dont miss anything else though! LOL!

 

[jenningspaige]

Thanks so much for the replies, everyone! I think, from talking to several people, that we will spend the better part of one day at Animal kingdom and then head over to MGM in the evening to see that park. I've actually been to MGM once several years ago and wasn't that impressed. Haven't ever been to the other parks. But since everyone seems to love the magic kingdom, it's probably best to devote a whole day just to it.

Thank you for all the suggestions, you were very helpful!

 

[dan-tot]

No space mountain lots better at DL. Country Bear Jambore since they no longer have it at DL plus the show at DL was totally different. Philharmagic is good and Pooh just for the experience. Time keeper, stich, the transit authority since DL no longer has it. If you are looking to have lunch in the park I would go to Cosmic Rays in Tomorrowland. I would take a restfull ride on the paddle wheeler. I know they have one at DL but that is a nice ride and you can see alot of things since the undercover has been cleaned up.

Dan-tot

 

[SoCalKDG]

Jungle boat is better at MK as well(longer than DL). Don't do POTC, big disappointment compared to DL.

 

[mkpat]

Another vote for Philharmagic! Also Splash Mountain...

 

[eeyore0062]

We are adults and the things I MUST see and do at MK are:

Pirates of the Caribbean
Splash Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Haunted Mansion
Peter Pan's Flight
Mickey's Philharmagic
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Tomorrowland Transit Authority'
Wishes

oh and have a Dole Whip in Adventureland!

 

[popeyeohoh]

My most favorites

Buzz
Space Mountain

Splash Mountain
All Parades and fireworks

 

[ricktib]

I'm not sure if this is at DL, but to be a Disney fan you must see Carousel of Progress once in your lifetime. And another vote for Philharmagic as well.

We've found that if you hit the more popular attractions soon after park opening, and are up on your stroller-dodging skills, you can easily see MK in half a day.