How to Enjoy Magic Kingdom as an Adult

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You guys know I love me some Disney and I have always loved Disney World, ever since I was a little girl. Now that I’m older, I always look forward to enjoying Disney World as an adult. If you loved Disney World when you were little, allow me to enlighten you on how to enjoy Disney World as a grown up. My favorite park is Magic Kingdom, so I’ll be focusing on that park for this blog post. (Look out for a future post on Epcot and drinking around the world!)

The Food

Guys, I love food and snacks. And I love Mickey-shaped treats. There are so many good food options at Magic Kingdom for kids and adults, and adults who want to act like kids. What I love is that there are quick food options and sit-down restaurants to choose from. So if you’re looking to grab a quick snack on your way to a ride or you want a longer dining experience, there are choices. And here are just a few of my favorites.

• Cinderella’s Royal Table
  • This is ideal for people who want a fancier meal and want a chance to meet Disney Princesses while they eat. The last time I went to Cinderella’s Royal Table, I had breakfast and not only was the food delicious, but the table had a great view of the park. It was also a great chance to meet and get photos with Disney Princesses. Going into the experience I thought it was just Cinderella, but I also got to meet and mingle with Ariel, Snow White, Aurora, and Jasmine. This is a pricier experience, but it was definitely worth it if you’re into the Disney Princesses and want a sit-down, fancy meal. You will also need to make a reservation ahead of time, which can be made up to 180 days ahead. I would suggest marking the date on your calendar and making a reservation as soon as possible.
• Dole Whip from Aloha Isle
  • Ah Dole Whip, the greatest frozen fruity treat. If you like pineapple and sunshine, you have got to try a Dole Whip when you’re in Magic Kingdom. It’s basically a pineapple, vanilla swirled frozen treat and it just tastes amazing. They also have floats and pineapple upside down cake. It’s a tropical paradise. Plus, they now have mobile ordering so you can order while you make your way over there, that way you don’t have to wait in the long line. It’s a popular spot so I would highly recommend ordering ahead of time.
• Be Our Guest Restaurant
  • If you love Beauty and the Beast, you need to eat at the Be Our Guest Restaurant. It feels like you’re in the Beast’s castle from the movie. This restaurant is such a wonderful experience. What’s great about the Be Our Guest Restaurant is that you can have a quick service or a more sit-down experience. Breakfast and Lunch are quick service where you choose your food from a touch screen and choose your seat and dinner is a prix fixe 3-course experience. It’s recommended that you make reservations ahead of time for all times of the day.
• Casey’s Corner
  • Casey’s Corner is great when you want to eat typical amusement park food that’s delicious, quick and filling. I recommend the macaroni and cheese dog. Come on, macaroni and cheese plus a hot dog? It’s good. They also have chili cheese hot dogs, french fries and corn dog nuggets. Also, Casey’s Corner is on Main Street and it’s fun to grab a snack and head over to sit on the grass with a perfect view of the castle while you eat. You can also do mobile ordering at Casey’s Corner too!
• Sleepy Hollow
  • When enjoying Magic Kingdom as an adult, you must, and I mean must, get either a funnel cake or a fresh fruit waffle sandwich at Sleepy Hollow. They have absolutely delicious desserts. The funnel cakes are just an amazing standard amusement part treat. The fresh fruit waffle sandwich has fruit and chocolate-hazelnut spread. What more could you ask for?? I always end my Disney World trips with a dessert from Sleepy Hollow.

The Rides

There are a lot of rides I love at Magic Kingdom, but these are my top four that are super fun for adults. They’re fast, thrilling, and just so much fun!

• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
  • This is one of my favorite rides at Magic Kingdom and it’s the newest on this list. Because it’s fairly new and super awesome, the line is always long. Be aware that you will wait and definitely plan to use a FastPass+ to save yourself some time. Trust me, it’s worth it. The Mine Train is basically a family-friendly roller coaster with small drops and winding turns. It takes you through the diamond mine where the seven dwarfs in Snow White worked.
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
  • Big Thunder Mountain is another family-friendly coaster with small drops. I am not a huge fan of giant roller coasters, so these rides are much more my speed. Plus, even though it doesn’t have giant drops, it is still fast and thrilling. This is another one that can have a long line so be prepared for that. Again, worth it. And my favorite part of Big Thunder Mountain is the scenery along the ride. It’s through a mountain (as the name suggests) and it just looks really cool. These are perfect for people like me who don’t want a huge coaster but still want a little speed and thrill. Easily one of my favorites at Magic Kingdom.
• Space Mountain
  • Space Mountain is one of the classic awesome rides at Magic Kingdom, and it’s popular for good reason. This one is a coaster in the dark and flashing space lights and sounds. I have loved Space Mountain since I was a kid, and this ride still holds up when you ride it as an adult. To me, one of the best parts of Space Mountain is that because it’s in the dark it has an added semi-scary element to it cause you can’t see what’s coming ahead. This one has big drops and it’s inside, which is nice if you’re at Disney World on a hot day.
• Splash Mountain
  • Another mountain ride! This one is a water ride, so be prepared to get wet! It’s a cool long flume ride with a big drop and it’s just a lot of fun, especially on a hot day when you want to cool off. If you want to get soaked, make sure to sit in the front. If you want just a little splash, sit near the back.

The Things for Little Kids That Are Fun for Grown Ups Too

There are a few things at Magic Kingdom at Disney World that are made for little kids, but they’re a ton of fun for grown ups too! Especially if you grew up watching Disney movies, there are some super fun, slightly cheesy rides and attractions that you’ll enjoy no matter how old you are.

• It’s a Small World
  • This is another Disney World classic. If you want to enjoy Magic Kingdom as an adult, you can’t forget It’s a Small World. I know it’s slow and cheesy and older than some of the new rides. But, what’s cool about It’s a Small World is that no matter how many times you go on it, the ride really does remind you that it’s a small world. You go through singing the song and watching all the children from different parts of the world singing and interacting. It’s just a cute, fun ride. And it’s another indoor ride that’s great to cool you off so you can relax after walking in the hot sun.
• Happily Ever After Fireworks
  • You’re never too old to enjoy fireworks. And you’re never too old for magic, so the Happily Ever After Fireworks are the perfect ending to any day at Disney World. If you’ve never stayed for the fireworks show, you have to try it. There’s a magical story in addition to a beautiful fireworks display. Just make sure to scope out a spot to stand that’s either off to the side or camp out early. Kids like to be on their parents’ shoulders so just be prepared for that.
• Mad Tea Party
  • This is your standard tea cups spinning ride and it’s a blast. You get to sit inside the Mad Hatter’s tea cups and spin them using the wheel in front of you. There’s no downside to a spinning tea cup ride.
• Under the Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid
  • I have to admit I’m a little biased here because The Little Mermaid was my favorite Disney movie as a kid, and I still love it. Similar to It’s a Small World in a sense, you ride through the water and get to watch several scenes from The Little Mermaid play out. It’s a slower-paced ride, but it’s still fun and relaxing. Again, after walking around in the sun, it’s nice to go inside and sit and ride along for a few minutes. Don’t use your FastPass+ on this ride, but it’s worth it if the line is reasonable.

I am absolutely a Disney lover and I truly enjoy going to Disney World. If you haven’t been to Magic Kingdom, I highly recommend it. It’s a fun time and you’ll enjoy a delightful sense of nostalgia for the movies of your childhood. Plus, there are some cool rides, delicious foods and sparkly Minnie Mouse ears everywhere!

Let me know in the comments what you love best when you travel to enjoy Magic Kingdom as an adult!