Walt Disney World is huge. If you’re from the UK its as big as Greater Manchester! Read on to find out more about the most Magical place on Earth.
But for many visitors, even being in Magic Kingdom alone… it would make them feel like that’s all Disney World has to offer. And before they realize that Magic Kingdom is only ONE of the theme parks that make up Disney World. This realization would make anyone think to themselves, “How big is Disney World Magic Kingdom?”
Magic Kingdom Overview
Magic Kingdom, located in Bay Lake, Florida near Orlando, first opened on October 1st, 1971. It became first of the four Disney World’s theme parks alongside Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The main feature of Magic Kingdom is Cinderella Castle. Which also become the very symbol of Disney as a brand. And over the years, Disney Orlando has grown to one of the most popular and visited theme parks in the entire world. In 2016, Magic Kingdom alone attracted 20.395 million visitors. Retaining its number one spot as the most visited theme park in the world for the 11th year in a row. And the most visited theme park in North America for 17 years.
How Big is Disney World Magic Kingdom?
When one would think of Disney World, many would express that the best part of the park is a large number of rides and attractions located throughout the entirety of Disney World Orlando. And in Magic Kingdom alone, there are a lot of rides that you can find and discover. When you wonder how big is Disney World Magic Kingdom when it comes to the size… the rides are one of the many reasons that show how big the park is. Much like how one would ask how many acres is Disney World Florida. And so what are these rides in Magic Kingdom that would make you realize how big Magic Kingdom is?
1.) Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
One of the best examples of rides that would make you realize how big Magic Kingdom is. Designed by Imagineer Tony Baxter and engineer Bill Watkins, its concept was inspired by the Western River Expedition. It is also located in a few other Disney theme parks such as Disneyland in California, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris. Its total height is 104 feet (32 meters), with speeds of up to 36 miles per hour. The standard ride duration is seven minutes.
And while short…
It’s still plenty of time to enjoy and appreciate the ride. Besides, this is generally the tallest ride in any Disney park. Not only because of its size, but also for those who are able to get a good view of the park. Guests will be able to appreciate how big Disney Orlando is. While it first opened in Disneyland, it got a larger design for Disney World due to its huge space. Simply put, the Disney World version of Big Thunder Mountain is 25% larger than that of the Disneyland version.
2.) Space Mountain
An indoor roller coaster themed around outer space. First opened on January 15, 1975, it is Disney Orlando’s oldest rides in its history. It is also original because it’s only found in Disney Orlando. And while there are some changes to its design and technology over the years… Space Mountain continues to grow and evolve. Not only in terms of design and tech, but also in attendance and general popularity. The original space mountain had one track, but after its closure in April 2009 for a very lengthy renovation period that lasted until November of the same year… Space Mountain emerged even bigger than ever.
The new Space Mountain features two different tracks – Alpha and Omega. Track Alpha has a height of 60 feet, a drop of 26 feet, and a total length of 3,196 feet. With speeds up to 28 miles per hour, it would take you up to two minutes and thirty seconds for the ride to complete. Track Omega has similar height and drop to to Alpha, but the length is 10 feet shorter at 3,186 feet. Yet, Omega has the same ride duration as Alpha, giving visitors an equal opportunity to enjoy the ride whether they choose Alpha or Omega.
3.) Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
A Snow White-themed roller coaster located not only in Magic Kingdom but also in Disneyland Park in Shanghai. Vekoma manufactured this ride and it is also located in the Fantasyland section in both parks. This is among the newer rides at Magic Kingdom. It opened in 2014 as part of a major expansion called New Fantasyland. The ride’s length is 2,000 feet (or 610 meters) with speeds of up to 34 miles per hour (or 55 kilometers per hour), with an overall ride duration of 2 minutes and 50 seconds.
4.) The Barnstormer
There are roller coasters for adults and for the younger visitors as well. And like the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, it’s located in the Storybook section of Disney World. It has a height of 9.1 meters, a length of 207 meters, and with up to speeds of 40.2 kilometers per hour. And while this may not be what you call big, but its small size helps complement the size of the park. After all, you need some smaller things to better appreciate the size of the park.
5.) Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
It is formerly known as the WEDWay PeopleMover from way back in 1975. While other rides take on fictional themes such as sci-fi and fantasy… Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover is more on urban themed. But with a bit of a futuristic element. The Ride’s length is 5,484 feet. It has a speed of 6.84 miles per hour, with 32 vehicles available that can carry up to 20 people. The ride only takes about 10 minutes to complete. While not considered not one of the Magic Kingdom rides, it still serves as a great way to travel around the park. Or if you want to appreciate how big is Disney World Magic Kingdom, then this tour/transit system will take you on a ride around Magic Kingdom to see all the different rides it has to offer!
6.) Astro Orbiter
Want something a little more intense and that you want to go for a little spin? This ride is Magic Kingdom’s very own rocket-spinner attraction. While it can be found in other Disney parks around the world in Tokyo and Paris, each with a different name… it has become a signature ride for the park itself. All with the similar theme of spacecraft traveling through space. What makes this a pretty big ride? Well, it’s the amount of changes it has undergone over the years to better fit the theme of Tomorrowland.
7.) The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
This ride is based on the hit 1992 animated film Aladdin. While it is similar also to another ride based on a famous animated film, called Dumbo the Flying Elephant… it’s more or less similar when it comes to how the ride operates. You can tell that it complements the park’s great size. Not only thanks to the ride’s size but also the duration, which lasts about 90 seconds.
8.) Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
Now, what makes this particular ride “bigger” is the fact that it was featured at the 1964 New York World’s Fair in 1964. This right being the past and the future together. And best of all, it holds the distinction of being the longest-running stage show in all Disney World Orlando. It becomes even better when you find out that Walt Disney himself took part in this attraction! The Magic Kingdom ticket prices are definitely worth it for attractions like these!
9.) Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
While other attractions and rides are big for their size and a number of visitors they attract on a daily basis… but what about some big laughs? Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor can hold up to 400 people, who all sit in a theatre. All the entertainment are likewise provided by digital puppetry. All of which provide audiences the best and funniest 10 minutes of their time for the rest of the day.
10.) Walt Disney World Railroad
Another great way to get a better view and a better understanding how big Magic Kingdom is… this train ride will take you around the park, stopping at many train stations along the way. The track itself is 1.5 miles long, and the total travel time around the entire park is about 20 minutes.
11.) Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Dumbo may be a small flying elephant, but he has shown that you can be something big without being big yourself. And you and your kids can experience the feeling of soaring through the air. And while it only lasts for about a minute… it’s still more than enough for anyone to feel like Dumbo himself as he flies through the air.
12.) It’s a Small World
One of Disney World’s more iconic attractions. In contrast to the roller coasters and other thrilling rides… this particular ride is more water-based. Visitors then sit in boats as they are taken to breathtaking displays of audio-animatronic children. These animatronic children all sing “It’s a Small World After All.” They are all sung with languages from all over the world. This ride may have existed since the 70’s… but this attraction has continued to amaze visitors both old and new.
13.) Under the Sea
If you’re a fan of The Little Mermaid, then this ride is for you. A fairly new attraction which opened on December 6, 2012. Visitors would get to experience the underwater world of Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Where two to three people can hop aboard in a cart and travel through and witness famous scenes and musical numbers from the movie. Or even get a chance to meet Ariel herself! With a track length of 624 feet, the ride would take you 6 minutes and 15 seconds.
14.) Peter Pan’s Flight
Another suspended dark ride similar in the vein of the aforementioned Under the Sea ride. This fun little attraction would also let visitors experience the magical world of Peter and Neverland. Groups of two to four people can board a flying galleon. Where they will travel along 17 feet of seeing famous scenes from the movie.
15.) Jungle Cruise
Wanna go on a jungle adventure? Take a ride on the boat and travel down rivers from Asia, Africa, and South America. And while the ride lasts for only seven minutes… there’s a lot to see and hear throughout this little jungle river excursion.
16.) Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
If you’re a big fan of Toy Story and Buzz Lightyear, then you’ll have a blast with this arcade of a ride! Just strap yourself in and experience one of the best five minutes of your life blasting aliens and trying to get a high score!
17.) Pirates of the Carribean
One of the very last projects that Walt Disney himself oversaw in 1967. If adventure and pirates are your game, then this particular ride has grown so popular that it resulted in the creation of a popular movie franchise of the same name. Featuring 50 boats that can hold more than a hundred people, each ship will see the exploited and adventures of a group of pirates.
18.) Haunted Mansion
Feeling brave enough to venture into a haunted mansion? Magic Kingdom’s got you covered! While Haunted Mansion has always differed in each Disney Park… it’s more or less the same, boasting to have “999 haunts” residing. Riders will pass through the dark halls, seeing ghosts and other supernatural events occurring. The ride can last as long as over eight minutes. Meaning you’ll have plenty of time experiencing all the spooky scares The Haunted Mansion has to offer.
19.) Splash Mountain
If you want to see one of the very things that define the word “big” in Magic Kingdom… Splash Mountain is THE top place to know when you want to get the feeling of how large of a theme park Magic Kingdom is. This ride took its inspiration by the stories and characters of the 1964 animated film Song of the South. Like with other attractions above… other Disney theme parks have their own Splash mountain, albeit at different sizes.
Magic Kingdom’s Splash Mountain has a considerable track length of 2,600 feet. Which means that you can go up to speeds of 40 miles per hours, and of course the drops, which has 5 in total. Combined, these numbers would make for one wet and thrilling ride!
At the end of the day, the rides make up the theme park’s size
The rides and attractions are what really keeps the park going. As well as giving it that sense of hugeness because of a lot of people coming all over the world. Of course, such a large amount of people going in and out of the park can mean a lot of waiting times. Fortunately, this is nothing that a Magic Kingdom FastPass can’t remedy.
But the main theme of how big a theme park can be all lay into some key factors. That includes the number of rides, the number of visitors in the park, the popularity of the park itself, and the travel between rides. This can also affect how to plan a day at Disney World. But these problems can be resolved with some proper planning through reading Magic Kingdom Advice online or through experienced travelers.
