August 17-24, 2013
website: disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/magic-kingdom/
Attractions: It's a theme park for families.
Price: It varies depending on how many days you go, but it isn't cheap
How we got there: Airplane to Orlando then rental car
Best For: All ages but I think the little ones - up to 8 years old - will like it a bit more
Rating: 4 1/2 stars, they need some bigger roller coasters
Rainbow over the Castle at Magic Kingdom
Most Interesting thing I learned: I like Magic Kingdom again! I almost stopped going because the rides and stuff are mostly for little kids. Then they put the new "Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom" card game in, now people from age four to grandpas come just to play this game, but more on that later.
Space Mountain
This roller coaster tries to be realistic, you go on a mission to space with lots of drops and turns. The roller coaster isn't smooth. My Mom doesn't like it because it rattles all her teeth. The one in Disneyland is smoother. This is a roller coaster in the dark, it goes pretty fast and you can't see where you are going. You don't sit side by side, you sit in a row. Being by themselves in the seat freaks some kids out.
Thunder Mountain
This roller coaster isn't as scary as Space Mountain, you can see where you are going. It's fun to be on this one when the fireworks are going off, there is no wait and you can ride and see fireworks at the same time. It starts off in a cave, there are fake bats and it's pretty loud. People are laughing and having a good time on this one, it's not scary for little kids.
Splash Mountain
There is a good chance you will get splashed on this ride, especially if you are on the front. The rest of the ride you float around a river with singing frogs and little animals. There are two small drops that are no big deal and one big one. We went on it once with 2 kids, their Mom didn't ride with them. One of the kids was afraid of the dark, and going down drops. He spent most of the ride trying to get out, we kept telling him he couldn't. When it went down the big drop at the end he was screaming and my Dad had to hold him in his seat. We should have bought that picture.
Country Bear Jamboree
This is a 20 minute show were animated robot bears sing. It's great if you need to be somewhere air conditioned for a while. The show is cute, they tell corny jokes.
Haunted Mansion
This might scare younger children but there isn't a height limit. At first you go into a room that's an elevator, the lights go out and there is a scream. You want to be near the picture of a lady on a tightrope over an alligator since that's where the exit is. Everybody gets shoved into a small space to go to the place to get on the carts, it would be easy to get separated from a little kid here. You ride along in a black, round cart, 2 regular sized parents and one kid is the limit. Nothing really pops out in your face, but you do go slowly backwards at one point. There are skeletons in a graveyard that sing, part of the story that you see is about a woman that marries men and kills them. Younger kids might not get this. At the end they project a ghost into your cart and say he will follow you home.
Little Mermaid Ride
It's the same kinds of carts as the Haunted Mansion only they look like clams. It's really cute, it tells the story of the Little Mermaid. The "Under the Sea" section is really fun. There is usually a line for this, go during the fireworks. At Disneyland there is no line at all for this.
Speedway
Drive a fake race car on a track. I'm really bad at driving these and it makes my Dad laugh and say "I can't wait until you get your license." They don't let smaller kids drive alone.
Tea Cups
Spin till your parents think they will barf.
Be our Guest Restaurant
This is very cool, you eat in the ballroom of the Beast's Castle and the west wing. At one end of the ballroom there are windows and it's snowing outside. The Beast will walk through once or so during your meal, and you can take a picture with him on your way out. The food is very good. You can even try the "Grey Stuff," it's delicious. You have to make reservations very far in advance for dinner, if you have less than 90 days you can try to have lunch there but there will be a big line.
Also in this area is a shop that sells Beauty and the Beast things, and Gaston's Tavern. It looks like it does in the movie, with a big chair for Gaston. Gaston comes and walks around the fountain in front of the tavern sometime.
The Grey Stuff
Update: The Grey Stuff 2014, there is a Brownie underneath the icing.
Crystal Palace Restaurant
This is really good for kids, because it has Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Eyeore and Piglet that come by for pictures and have a parade for the kids. It's a buffet meal, and it's pretty expensive and it's not a quick meal. If you're looking for something faster and cheaper, try Peco's Bill's Tall Tale Inn. Again, you'll need reservations unless you are going at a time when it's not busy.
Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom Card Game
Each person that comes in the park can get 5 cards for free to play the game, plus a key card to keep track of the game and a map to show you where the portals are. You can get the cards at the Fire Station on Main Street, if that's too crowded go to the Christmas shop in Liberty Square. The card station is right behind it. You go to the portal and hold up your key card on the lock, the game shows a video to tell the story of villains taking over Magic Kingdom and you have to stop them by holding up cards. You can play the game at the beginner level with the free cards no problem. There is some strategy that is involved at the higher levels. You can also buy packs of cards plus one power card in the Emporium for $13.95. The power cards are the best and will help you defeat the villains quicker.
People sit at tables in the back of the Tortuga Tavern and trade cards.
Here's what a portal looks like before you activate it. Just like part of the wall.
Here's what a portal looks like after you activate it.
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