Magic Kingdom — it’s home to a sea of people at all times, “boring” theme park food, and rides that are just for kids, right? WRONG!

For the purpose of this post, we want you to take everything you think you know about this incredibly popular park and throw it out the window! That’s right, just TOSS IT AWAY! Some of the things you believe about Magic Kingdom are total LIES. But don’t worry, we’re here to debunk those for you and give you the straight facts.

Join us now as we debunk 11 of the biggest NEW lies about Magic Kingdom!

1 — Magic Kingdom Is ALWAYS Packed/ The Lines Are Always LONG

Okay, okay, yes, Disney World in general and Magic Kingdom can get seriously busy, particularly around big events or the holidays. We’ve seen HUGE crowds in the parks during parts of the holiday season, around New Year’s Eve, during runDisney race weekends, and more. Ride wait times can also skyrocket around these busy times. And yes, oftentimes those crowds can indeed be found at Magic Kingdom.

But it isn’t always like this!

Generally, you’ll see lower crowds in Disney World (including at Magic Kingdom) during very early January, late January, early February, the end of August, middle/late September, and early/middle November.

A good tip is to look at the ticket prices and hotel pricing. Periods where the pricing is lower are typically expected to be times with lower demand (a.k.a. fewer crowds). Weeks/days where the pricing is very high are times when you can expect to be in the parks with a LOT of people around you.

While those tips generally work for wait times too (visiting during lower crowd times can get you on the rides with shorter waits) you can also use some other tips to help you get on those popular rides FAST. If you are willing to get up early, rope dropping a park (getting there before opening and being one of the first to get in) can sometimes help you get on rides with shorter waits since other folks have likely decided to sleep in.

If you are staying at a Disney World or other qualifying hotel, Early Theme Park Entry is another great perk to take advantage of as it allows you to enter a theme park of your choice (with a park pass/valid ticket) 30 minutes EARLIER than everyone else. That’s some precious time that could help you accomplish your park goals!

Staying late can also help you avoid some of the bigger crowds. Once the littlest kiddos go back to the hotel for the night, you may find the crowds start to thin out. You can get even more time in the parks without the crowds if you stay for Extended Evening Hours, offered in select parks on certain days only for Deluxe Disney World Hotel and Deluxe Disney Villas guests.

Plus, take advantage of special moments — like fireworks shows and parades — to hit up the rides while others are busy watching the entertainment. There are ways to avoid the longest lines — you’ve just got to know what to do!

2 — The Castle Is Being Demolished

Hold up — is Cinderella Castle going to be DEMOLISHED?! If a story claiming that the Castle would be taken down in the near future came across your TikTok feed recently, you’re not alone. But do NOT stress — the rumor is just that — a rumor!

It seems that the rumor began thanks to a TikTok video posted by The Mouse Trap. The video claims that the Castle will be totally removed after the 50th Anniversary ends and shares that the news is “devastating.” But visit The Mouse Trap’s website and you’ll quickly realize that you’ve fallen into a mouse trap of your very own.

The Mouse Trap describes itself as the “world’s best satire site” and they further emphasize that things you read there are NOT true, real, or accurate.

Now, that’s not to say that Disney can’t or won’t change Cinderella Castle at some point in the future. We have seen decorations added and removed, and paint color schemes changed over the years, so you never know what will be next. But it seems the story about it being totally removed from the park is FAKE.

Click here to see every Disney World and Disneyland Castle TRANSFORMATION in history!

3 — The Splash Mountain Re-Theme Has Been Canceled

Another rumor that has been floating around the internet in recent months is that Disney’s re-theme of Splash Mountain to the Princess and the Frog-themed Tiana’s Bayou Adventure ride has been canceled. But this rumor is simply not true.

This rumor again comes from a TikTok that was posted by The Mouse Trap, which, as we’ve mentioned, is a satire-based site. Contrary to the satirical TikTok, the project is very much moving forward. In fact, Disney has already announced that Splash Mountain in Disney World will be CLOSED starting January 23rd, 2023. It will then begin its transformation to the Tiana ride.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is set to open in Disneyland and Disney World in 2024.

It’ll feature the return of various voice actors from the film, entirely NEW characters, music, and more.

Click here for a FULL breakdown of this transformation!

4 — You Can “Easily” Get Everything in the Park Done in Just One Day

If you’ve only got 1 day at Magic Kingdom, you might be trying to calculate just how to accomplish EVERYTHING in one day. And while you might be able to utilize Early Theme Park Entry, Extended Evening Hours, Genie+, and other tools to maximize every moment of your day in the parks, one day generally just isn’t enough to see EVERY SINGLE THING in Magic Kingdom.

Now, don’t get us wrong. If you’re up for the challenge, it may be technically possible to get on all of the rides, but it’ll take a lot of planning and a bit of luck.

For those doing just an average amount of planning and not wanting to spend every second of their trip worrying about the next 2 minutes, we’re going to go ahead and recommend much more than 1 day to see it all in Magic Kingdom.

Magic Kingdom has over 25 attractions, some of which can have significantly longer waits than others. Add in the need to eat and stop to use the restroom, and the desire to do some shopping or watch a parade, and you’ll find yourself easily overwhelmed.

Our advice? Don’t set “doing everything in 1 day” as your goal unless you and your entire party are fully, 1000% dedicated to it (and prepared to fail if that happens). If you want to take some time to really enjoy things and go at a normal pace, make a list of your top must-dos in the park and have everyone in your group do the same.

Prioritize your must-dos ahead of everything else so you can leave the park feeling accomplished, even if that means you skip a few rides along the way.

Remember that unexpected things can happen — like sudden ride closures due to technical issues or weather problems that can ruin an entire day’s plans. Try to get on any must-do outdoor rides ahead of afternoon storms and watch for ride reopenings on the My Disney Experience app in case a ride temporarily shuts down during your stay.

Need help planning your Magic Kingdom day? Click here for your ULTIMATE 1-day plan for Magic Kingdom!

And to see our ranking of ALL the Magic Kingdom rides, see our video below:

5 — It’s Just for Kids

Magic Kingdom is “just for kids” — that’s a phrase you might hear tossed around a lot, but it’s a big LIE. While it is true that Magic Kingdom has a lot of kid-friendly rides with no or very low height requirements, that doesn’t mean there aren’t quite a few thrills to be had!

Some of the most thrilling rides in the park are Disney’s “mountains” — Space Mountain, Splash Mountain (soon to be Tiana’s Bayou Adventure), and Space Mountain. See if you’re a true thrill seeker and get on all 3 in one day!

Add on Seven Dwarfs Mine Train for good measure and you’ve got a pretty exciting day.

Plus, you can’t beat the history of the Carousel of Progress, the epic views from the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, the beautiful scenery in Pirates of the Caribbean (there’s a drop too!), and the spooky vibes of the Haunted Mansion.

And we cannot write this post without at least mentioning the upcoming TRON Lightcycle Run ride! This could be the most thrilling ride in the entire park with its unique bicycle design, its indoor and outdoor coaster components, and its great lighting effects.

So yes, your little one will enjoy riding the Mad Tea Party and Peter Pan’s Flight, but you might just be surprised how much fun older teens/adults can have in the park too! Don’t let its “little kid-friendly” rep deceive you!

Click here to see our FULL list of thrill rides in Disney World

6 — There’s No Alcohol

Speaking of being more fun for adults, another lie you may have heard about Magic Kingdom is that it is a supposedly “dry” park where no alcohol is served. While alcohol may not be as easy to find in this park as it is in, say, EPCOT, there are alcoholic drink options in Magic Kingdom — you just have to know where to look!

When Walt Disney opened Disneyland park back in 1945, it was famously an alcohol-free park. That carried over to Magic Kingdom, but in 2012, things changed when Be Our Guest Restaurant opened in Magic Kingdom and started to offer beer and wine with its meals. Since then, more alcohol has been added to Magic Kingdom restaurant menus.

You can currently find alcoholic beverages at Table Service (sit-down) restaurants in Magic Kingdom. That means you’ll need a reservation (or need to join a walkup waitlist, if there’s availability) to grab a drink in this royal kingdom — no ordering your sangria with your chicken tenders and fries at the quick service. So, again, it can make getting a drink here a bit more difficult, but you can get that wine or cocktail if you really want it!

Click here to see where you can find beer and alcohol in Magic Kingdom!

7 — There Isn’t Any Good/Unique Food

Compared to the diversity in EPCOT and the unique eats in Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom’s food scene can sometimes look like a barren landscape. But again, as was the case with searching for alcohol, it’s all about knowing WHERE to go and WHAT to get!

For example, you will NOT find your standard theme park eats on the menu at Jungle Navigation Co., Ltd. Skipper Canteen in Adventureland. Instead, this spot is home to Asian, South American, and African-influenced dishes. Falafel? Siu Pork? Lamb Chops? A coconut bar with pineapple-basil compote? Yeah, that’s not exactly your standard burger and fries — but all of this and MORE are on the menu at Skipper Canteen!

Need a quick meal instead? Opt for some oh-so-delicious spring rolls at the Spring Roll Wagon…

…or delight in a unique DOLE Whip float at Aloha Isle (we recommend the Tropical Serenade).

Did you know you could even get a spicy chicken waffle sandwich or a full-on Thanksgiving meal (with ooey gooey toffee cake!!!) in Magic Kingdom!? Well, you do now — you’re welcome!

To make sure you get the very BEST of the BEST food in Magic Kingdom, check out our resources below:

• We’ve Eaten at Every Magic Kingdom Restaurant. These Are the BEST.
• Ranking EVERY SINGLE Magic Kingdom Restaurant
• 15 NON-NEGOTIABLE Disney World Snacks

And if you really want to become an expert, pick up our DFB Guide to Magic Kingdom snacks!

The book has photos, reviews, and prices for over 200 of the most popular snacks from the Magic Kingdom to help you plan your ideal visit to Disney World’s very first theme park!

Get the snack guide here!

8 — It’s All the Same, Generic Merchandise

When you walk through the Emporium in Magic Kingdom, you’ll see lots of the “standard” Disney merchandise items you’ll find at other parks and even your Disney World hotel or Disney Springs. But don’t be fooled. Magic Kingdom has much more to offer in terms of unique merchandise!

Sure, it doesn’t have the swords from the Japan pavilion in EPCOT or the dog costumes from the China pavilion in EPCOT. We aren’t denying that other parks can sometimes have many more options when it comes to unique merchandise, but that doesn’t mean you should count Magic Kingdom out!

Over at Memento Mori, you’ll find some GREAT Haunted Mansion items. Some of these do end up materializing in other places later, but if you’re looking for a one-stop shop for all things spooky, this is it — plus the shop is wonderfully themed!

For a more custom gift, head over to Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe. Here, you can get ornaments, buttons, and some ears customized to really make them one of a kind!

Look for custom parasols in Liberty Square…

…and custom silhouettes that you can have made of you and the family on Main Street, U.S.A.

You can also usually find some impressive glass-blown items in the Crystal Arts by Arribas Brothers shop within Magic Kingdom!

Again, it’s all about really looking for those unique items and not “settling” for whatever you might spot at the first store you walk into!

Click here to see the BEST souvenirs for every budget in Disney World!

9 — There Isn’t Anything NEW

Hasn’t “it’s a small world” been there for like…ever? Oh, you’re going to go on that Buzz Lightyear ride…again?! “Everything in Magic Kingdom is OLD!” That’s a lie you may have heard some say, but don’t believe it!

Yes, some classics in Magic Kingdom have been there for years and years. But Disney is constantly working to revamp things and Magic Kingdom is no exception!

So let’s go over some of the most recent changes in the park! On the PeopleMover, you’ll find a brand NEW narration (new as of 2022).

Over at the Carousel of Progress, some CHANGES have been made to the family’s looks in the final scene and other parts of the attraction.

The Walt Disney World Railroad has recently reopened with a new audio track of its own and some other subtle changes.

Plus, there’s massive work going on with the TRON attraction and the Tomorrowland Light and Power Co. gift shop.

And Splash Mountain will soon be transformed into a Tiana-themed ride.

Not to mention, if you haven’t been to the park for a few years, you may have missed that there is a Coco scene in Mickey’s PhilharMagic.

And who knows what other changes might be on their way. Disney has teased that some Blue Sky ideas are in development for potential lands beyond Big Thunder Mountain Railroad which could be themed to Encanto, Coco, and the Disney Villains.

Some of the changes made lately might not be truly “dramatic” but they do envigorate the park and could be a sign of more changes to come.

Click here to learn more about the Coco, Encanto, and Villains-themed lands that have been teased for Magic Kingdom

10 — It’s the “Happiest Place on Earth”

Nope. No way. This is a naming issue that often comes up so we’re taking this opportunity to set the record straight. Disneyland Resort is the “Happiest Place on Earth,” but if you’re at Disney World (of which Magic Kingdom is just one part) you’re actually in the “Most Magical Place on Earth.”

And now you can correct your friends with that tidbit and look like a true Disney expert.

11 — It’s Just Full of Disney IP (No Original Rides)

Disney’s Intellectual Property can readily be found throughout Magic Kingdom — from the Buzz Lightyear attraction to the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. But IP hasn’t totally taken over this park, contrary to what some believe!

Attractions like the Carousel of Progress, Space Mountain, the Haunted Mansion, “it’s a small world,” Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and the Enchanted Tiki Room are not based on Disney movies or shows, but instead are more original to the parks.

So if you’re looking to escape the catchy songs of Frozen or the appearance of Disney characters you’re all too used to seeing your kiddo play a thousand times on Disney+, you can still find that here!

And that’s our list of Magic Kingdom LIES that can be totally debunked.

For MORE Disney lies, click here to check out the 5 lies Disney NEEDS you to believe, or check out our video all about the LIES you might believe when it comes to Disney snacks. And stay tuned for more Disney news!

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What is one LIE you’ve been told about Disney World? Tell us in the comments!

The post Debunking 11 New LIES About Magic Kingdom first appeared on the disney food blog.