The Waterways of Magic Kingdom
When you think of Walt Disney World, what comes to mind? Close your eyes and picture the gold- roofed turrets and billowing flags of Cinderella castle, the iconic center of Magic Kingdom park and Walt Disney World itself. The Magic Kingdom is home to famously classic Disney attractions that make it a must-do for everyone traveling to Disney World. Guests flock from around the globe to speed through the Milky Way on Space Mountain, board a runaway mine train in the old west, and fly to Neverland with Peter and Wendy. All of the big-ticket attractions like the ones I mentioned are classics for a reason, and you should absolutely use your Fastpass+ reservations for the top 3 attractions on your must-do list!
But Fastpsases get used quickly, and the afternoon sun in Florida can get hot. Guests of all ages are sweaty, thirsty, and more than a little tired come 4pm, and you’re looking for any kind of relaxing reprieve from the running around you’ve been doing all day. The next time you’re feeling run down and exhausted at Magic Kingdom, seek refugee on the water!
Relaxation at its Finest
There are so many great attractions on the water at Magic Kingdom. For the ultimate voyage in relaxation, hop aboard the Liberty Belle and take a scenic trip through the Rivers of America. Along the way, delight in the birds eye view of the Magic Kingdom only Liberty Belle passengers are treated to! You’ll cruise past Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Tom Sawyer Island, and The Haunted Mansion to name just a few. Climb to the uppermost deck for the best views…you might even be able to catch a glimpse of that famous castle! The relaxing, slow-moving boat departs every 30 minutes and takes you on a 20-minute voyage.
Next, take a short walk to Fantasyland and hop on the happiest cruise that ever sailed. I don’t think this attraction needs much introduction, as it made a name for itself over 50 years ago when Walt debuted it at the World’s Fair. Yep, it’s a small world is one of those classic attractions that make Magic Kingdom such an icon, and it also happens to be on the water! This cruise is a slow one, taking you on a worldwide journey exploring the different cultures of the world. As you’re taking a load off, take special care to note the handmade costumes on each of the animatronics figures through the ride- they have each been constructed by hand to reflect the clothes worn by the people of the world! Challenge: I dare you to not hum the song as you exit your boat. “It’s a world of laughter a world of tears”…..
Adventures Ahoy!
After that leisurely ride, I’d say it’s about time to get a little wild! The Jungle Cruise can satisfy your need for a nautical adventure, so head over to Adventureland to take a tour of the jungle like you’ve never quite imagined! Once on board, your skipper will kick things off in ridiculously frivolous manner like only Jungle Cruise skippers can! Definitely come to The Jungle Cruise ready to laugh, as it’s known to put a smile on even the most heat-exhausted of faces. Disclaimer: corny jokes and double-sided waterfalls are guaranteed.
Drink up me hearties, yo ho! That’s right lads and lasses, it’s time to board a pirate ship and set sail with Captain Jack Sparrow through the Caribbean! Bring your sword (and some run!) as you watch pirates pillage and loot a sleepy new-world town. Jump into battle with Captain Barboasa and his crew, but be careful! Make sure to steer your ship. Of course, keep your eyes peeled for the elusive Jack Sparrow, he liked to lurk wherever there is treasure to be found…and rum.
Find Your Laughin’ Place
You’re probably feeling mighty relaxed now after all of that slow cruising, right? Good. And all of that time on the water has left you high and….dry. That means it’s time you gather up your courage and prepare to get wet on Splash Mountain! Splash Mountain is arguably my favorite attraction, so naturally I saved it for last on the list! I love it so much because not only is the 50ft plunge down the briar patch thrilling, but because you get a really long ride in exchange for the probably lengthy wait time. Trust me, it’s worth it! From the outside, the attraction appears to be nothing more than a flume ride that climbs up, and finishes with the drop. But it’s so much more than that! The attraction is quite long, and you’ll pass through many different scenes, both inside and out! Join Br’er Rabbit on his quest to find his laughin’ place, and along the way you’ll encounter countless dips, drops, and twists in your log! As you finally ascend to Br’er Fox’s lair, you know you’re in for it! Brace yourself, because you’re going down the briar patch!
It’s clear that I love spending time on the waterways of Magic Kingdom. There are water attractions for folks of all ages, and I find that beating the heat on a water attraction is the only sure fire way to relax and cool off without wasting precious park time sitting on a shaded bench. To cap off your day at Magic Kingdom, opt to take the ferry back to Transportation and Ticket Center, and you can practically call yourself a sea captain. Happy sailing!
Special thanks to Maria Salerno for writing this article: Hiya pal! I am a NYC-based writer/musician thrilled to be bringing you all things Disney! I’m a WDW Annual Passholder, so you can find me in the parks regularly throughout the year. In addition to being a Disney Parks loving girl, I’m also a Disney toy and merchandise collector, a runDisney enthusiast, and Disney music and movie aficionado. You can follow me on Instagram: NYCtoAP and find me on YouTube: NYCtoAP. Thanks for reading, hope to see ya real soon!