Old page wikitext, before the edit (old_wikitext ) | '{{about|the theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida|other Disney theme parks called "Magic Kingdom"|Disneyland (disambiguation)|other uses|Magic Kingdom (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox amusement park
|image= [[Image:Magic Kingdom Logo.svg|125px]]<br />[[Image:Partners and Cinderella.jpg|250px]]
|caption=The "Partners" Statue and [[Cinderella Castle]], the icon of the Magic Kingdom
|name=Magic Kingdom
|opening_date={{start date and age|October 1, 1971}}
|resort=[[Walt Disney World Resort]]
|location=[[Bay Lake, Florida|Bay Lake]]
|location2=[[Florida]]
|location3=[[United States]]
|theme=Magic Kingdom
|homepage=[http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/parkLanding?id=MKLandingPage Magic Kingdom Homepage]
|operator= [[Walt Disney Parks and Resorts]]
|owner= [[The Walt Disney Company]]
}}
{{DWR}}
'''Magic Kingdom''' is one of four [[theme park]]s at the [[Walt Disney World Resort]] located near [[Orlando, Florida]]. The first park built at the resort, Magic Kingdom opened Oct. 1, 1971. Designed and built by [[WED Enterprises]], the park's layout and attractions are similar to [[Disneyland|Disneyland Park]] in [[Anaheim, California]]. In 2010, the park hosted approximately 17 million visitors, making it the most visited theme park in the world.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.themeit.com/etea/2010Report.pdf| title=TEA/ERA Theme Park Attendance Report 2010 | work=www.themeit.com | date=2011-06-17 | accessdate=2011-06-17}}</ref>
==Dedication==
{{cquote|''Walt Disney World is a tribute to the philosophy and life of Walter Elias Disney... and to the talents, the dedication, and the loyalty of the entire ''Disney'' organization that made Walt Disney's dream come true. May Walt Disney World bring Joy and Inspiration and New Knowledge to all who come to this happy place ... a Magic Kingdom where the young at heart of all ages can laugh and play and learn — together.''|||[[Roy Oliver Disney]], 25th October 1971}}
<!--{{Listen|filename=|title=The Dedication to The Magic Kingdom Park (Orlando, FL)|description=Roy O. Disney's Dedication|format=[[Ogg]]}}-->
==History==
===Construction===
{{See also|utilidor}}
Although [[Walt Disney]] himself had been highly involved in planning [[Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow (concept)|''The Florida Project'']], The Walt Disney Company began construction on Magic Kingdom and the entire resort in 1967 after his death. The park was built similarly to the existing Disneyland in California but was built in a larger area and improved upon the design of Disneyland in several ways.
There are several anecdotes relating to reasons for some of the features of Walt Disney World, and Magic Kingdom specifically. According to one story, Walt Disney once saw a [[Frontierland]] cowboy walking through [[Tomorrowland]] at Disneyland. He disliked that the cowboy intruded on the futuristic setting of Tomorrowland and wanted to avoid situations like this in the new park.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.hiddenmickeys.org/WDW/MagicKingdom/Secrets/General/Underground.html | title=Fun Facts of Magic Kingdom's Underground Complex | work=www.hiddenmickeys.org | year=1995 | accessdate=2007-05-03}}</ref> Therefore, Magic Kingdom was built over a series of tunnels called [[utilidor]]s, a [[portmanteau]] of ''utility'' and ''corridor''. These tunnels allow employees (aka [[cast member]]s) to move through the park out of sight from guests, maintaining the show's cast.
Because of Florida's high water table, the tunnels could not be put underground, so they were built at the existing grade. This means that the park is actually built on the second story, giving Magic Kingdom an elevation of {{convert|107|ft|m}}. The area around the utilidors was filled in with dirt removed from the [[Seven Seas Lagoon]], which was being constructed at the same time.
The utilidors were built in the initial construction and were not extended as the park expanded. The tunnels were intended to be designed into in all subsequent Walt Disney World parks, but these plans were mostly set aside because of financial constraints. Future World at [[Epcot]] and [[Pleasure Island (Disney World)|Pleasure Island]] each have a smaller network of utilidors.
===Opening===
Magic Kingdom opened as the first part of Walt Disney's planned Florida Project on Oct. 1, 1971. It was the only theme park on the resort at the time and opened concurrently with two hotels on the property: [[Disney's Contemporary Resort]] and [[Disney's Polynesian Resort]]. The park opened with 23 attractions, three unique to the park and 20 copies of attractions at Disneyland. The Walt Disney Company promised to increase this number with more attractions like those in Disneyland as well as more unique ones. The attractions were split into six themed lands, five copies of those at Disneyland and the unique [[Liberty Square]].
While there is no individual dedication to Magic Kingdom Park, the dedication by [[Roy O. Disney]] for the entire Walt Disney World Resort was placed within its gates.
Since opening day, Magic Kingdom has only been closed for five incidents: [[Hurricane Floyd]], the [[September 11 attacks]], [[Hurricane Frances]], [[Hurricane Charley]], and [[Hurricane Wilma]].<ref>"[http://disneyreporter.110mb.com/disneyreporter/transporter/wdw/mk/index.htm Magic Kingdom]" Disney Reporter - Where the Magic Lives</ref>
===Naming confusions===
''Magic Kingdom'' had often been used as an unofficial nickname for Disneyland Park before the Walt Disney World Resort was built. The official tagline for Disneyland is ''The Happiest Place On Earth,'' while the tagline for Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom is, ''The Most Magical Place On Earth.'' Despite the similarities, the Florida park's tickets have always borne the official name of ''Magic Kingdom.'' In 1994, in order to differentiate it from Disneyland, the park was officially renamed to ''Magic Kingdom Park'' but is most often simply called ''Magic Kingdom.'' Like all of Disney's theme parks it does not take an article ("the"), however it is a common mistake to see it described as such. The sign on the railroad station at the front of the park erroneously states "The Magic Kingdom."
==Transportation and Ticket Center==
{{See also|Walt Disney World Monorail System}}
[[File:Transportation and Ticket Center.png|thumb|150px|right|TTC logo]]
The layout of the resort places Magic Kingdom more than a mile away from its parking lot, on the opposite side of the man-made Seven Seas Lagoon. Upon arrival, guests are taken by the parking lot [[Trackless train|trams]] to the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC), which sells tickets to the parks and provides transportation connections throughout the resort complex. It also has a small gift shop and the central lost-and-found facility for all four theme parks.
[[File:Magic Kingdom Monorail Entry Arch.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Entry arch for the Magic Kingdom line from the TTC]]
To reach Magic Kingdom, guests either use the [[Walt Disney World Monorail System]], the [[Staten Island Ferry|Staten Island-style]] ferryboats, or [[Disney Transport|Buses]] depending on the location of their hotel. The three hotels closest to Magic Kingdom, [[Disney's Contemporary Resort]], [[Disney's Polynesian Resort]], and [[Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa]] use either the ferry or monorail system to travel to Magic Kingdom. Guests staying at Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground can also ride a dedicated ferry boat to the Magic Kingdom docks. The other hotels take the buses to travel to this specific park. The three ferries are clad in different trim colors and are named for past Disney executives: the General Joe Potter (blue), the [[Richard F. Irvine]] (red) and the [[Joe Fowler|Admiral Joe Fowler]] (green).
The main monorail loop has two lanes. The outer lane is a direct nonstop loop between the TTC and Magic Kingdom. The inner loop has additional stops at Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's Polynesian Resort and [[Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa]]. Epcot is accessible by a spur monorail line that was added upon that park's opening in 1982.
==Lands of the Magic Kingdom==
{{main|Magic Kingdom attraction and entertainment history}}
{{Further2|[[List of attractions at the Walt Disney World Resort]]}}
[[Image:Mainstreetflorida.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Main Street, U.S.A.]]
[[File:CinderellaCastle-0958.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Cinderella Castle at night with Christmas Dream Lights]]
[[Image:Wishes Magic Kingdom.jpg|thumb|150px|right|[[Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams]] is the largest fireworks show ever presented at the Magic Kingdom]]
[[Image:Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse 1.jpg|thumb|right|150px|[[Swiss Family Robinson (film)|Swiss Family Robinson]] Treehouse]]
[[File:Thunder wdw.jpg|thumb|right|150px|[[Big Thunder Mountain Railroad]]]]
The park map lists 46 attractions in six themed "lands." Designed like a wheel with the hub in front of [[Cinderella Castle]], pathways spoke out across the {{convert|142|acre|km2}} of the park and lead to these six lands.
The [[Walt Disney World Railroad]] runs along the perimeter of the park and makes stops at [[Main Street, U.S.A.]] and [[Frontierland]].
===Main Street, U.S.A.===
{{main|Main Street, U.S.A.}}
Instead of being a replica of a small [[Midwestern United States|Midwestern American]] town, Main Street at Magic Kingdom features some stylistic influences from around the country. Taking its inspiration from [[New England]] to [[Missouri]], this design is most noticeable in the four corners area in the middle of Main Street, where each of the four corner buildings represents a different architectural style. There is also no opera house on Magic Kingdom's Main Street as there is at Disneyland; instead, there is the Town Square Theater. Also, this is where Christopher George Weaver, the "mayor" of Main Street U.S.A., and one of the park's most important figures, resides.
Main Street is lined with shops selling merchandise and food. The decor is early-20th century small-town America, inspired by Walt Disney's childhood and the film ''[[Lady and the Tramp]]''. City Hall contains the Guest Relations lobby, where cast members provide information and assistance. A working [[barber]] shop gives [[haircut]]s for a fee. The Emporium carries a wide variety of Disney souvenirs such as plush toys, collectible pins and Mickey-ear hats. Tony’s Town Square Restaurant and The Plaza Restaurant are table-service locations. Casey's Corner is at the end of Main Street and sells traditional American [[ballpark]] fare including hot dogs and fries. The Main Street [[Confectionary]] sells sweets priced by their weight, such as candied apples, crisped rice treats, chocolates, cookies and fudge.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?Restaurant.ID=469|title=Main Street Confectionary, Magic Kingdom|accessdate=2010-04-29|publisher=[[Walt Disney World]]}}</ref>
Most windows on Main Street bear the name of people who were influential at Walt Disney World or other Disney parks. An example of a classic Main Street, U.S.A. attraction is the Walt Disney World Railroad, which transports guest throughout the park, making stops at Main Street, U.S.A. Fantasyland, and Frontierland. The railroad's previous stop at Mickey's Toon Town Fair was replaced by the Fantasyland stop in 2012.
In the distance beyond the end of Main Street stands [[Cinderella Castle]]. Though only 189 feet (55m) tall, it benefits from a technique known as [[forced perspective]]. The second stories of all the buildings along Main Street are shorter than the first stories, and the third stories are even shorter than the second, and the top windows of the castle are much smaller than they appear. The resulting visual effect is that the buildings appear to be larger and taller than they really are.
Symbolically, Main Street, U.S.A. represents the park's "opening credits". Guests pass under the train station (the opening curtain), then view the names of key personnel along the windows of the buildings' upper floors. Many windows bear the name of a fictional business, such as "Seven Summits Expeditions, [[Frank Wells|Frank G. Wells]] President", with each representing a tribute to significant people connected to the Disney company and the development of the Walt Disney World Resort.
The park contains two additional tributes: the ''Partners'' statue of [[Walt Disney]] and [[Mickey Mouse]] in front of [[Cinderella Castle]] and the ''Sharing the Magic'' statue of [[Roy Oliver Disney|Roy O. Disney]] sitting with [[Minnie Mouse]] in the Town Square section of Main Street, U.S.A. Both were sculpted by veteran Imagineer Blaine Gibson.
===Adventureland===
{{main|Adventureland (Disney)}}
Adventureland represents the mystery of exploring foreign lands. It is themed to resemble the remote jungles in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, South America and the South Pacific, with an extension resembling a Caribbean town square.
It contains classic rides such as [[Pirates of the Caribbean (ride)|Pirates of the Caribbean]] and [[Jungle Cruise]].
===Frontierland===
{{main|Frontierland}}
Frontierland is where guests can relive the [[American Old West]] – from cowboys and Indians, to exploring the mysteries of the Rivers of America. Frontierland contains classic attractions such as [[Big Thunder Mountain Railroad]], [[Splash Mountain]], and the [[Country Bear Jamboree]].
===Liberty Square===
{{main|Liberty Square (Magic Kingdom)}}
This area of the park is based on an [[American Revolution]]ary colonial town. The Magic Kingdom's Rivers of America hosts the ''Liberty Belle'' riverboat. Liberty Square is home to [[The Haunted Mansion]] and the [[Hall of Presidents]].
===Fantasyland===
{{main|Fantasyland}}
In the words of Walt Disney: "Fantasyland is dedicated to the young at heart and to those who believe that when you wish upon a star, your dreams come true." Fantasyland is themed in a medieval-faire/carnival style.
Attractions include "[[It's a Small World|it's a small world]]", [[Peter Pan's Flight]], [[The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (attraction)|The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh]], [[Mickey's PhilharMagic]], [[Snow White's Scary Adventures]], [[Prince Charming Regal Carrousel]], and [[Mad Tea Party]].
====Expansion====
The land is currently undergoing a large expansion and renovation. "The New Fantasyland will be constructed in phases with most new experiences open by late 2012."<ref name=FLEupdate01-20-2011>{{Cite web
| last = Smith
| first = Thomas
| title = Update on New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park
| date = 18 January 2011
| url = http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/01/update-on-new-fantasyland-at-magic-kingdom-park/
| accessdate = 20 January 2011}}</ref>
Recent conceptual artwork for the expansion shows several new additions and changes.<ref name=FLEupdate01-18-2011>{{Cite web
| title = Disney World’s Fantasyland expansion
| publisher = WOFL FOX 35
| date = 18 January 2011
| url = http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/attractions/disney/011811-disney-announcements
| accessdate = 18 January 2011}}</ref> Included is a new [[The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure|dark ride]] themed to Disney's 1989 film ''[[The Little Mermaid (1989 film)|The Little Mermaid]]'' (also opened at [[Disney California Adventure Park|Disney California Adventure]]). The ride is going through testing, and will be released after the Storybook Circus. There will also be an area themed to Disney's 1991 film ''[[Beauty and the Beast (1991 film)|Beauty and the Beast]]'' featuring [[The Beast's Castle]] with a new dining experience, [[Gaston (Beauty and the Beast)|Gaston's]] tavern, and [[Belle (Disney)|Belle's]] cottage.<ref name="FLEupdate01-18-2011"/>
[[Snow White's Scary Adventures]] will be removed and an area themed to Disney's 1937 film ''[[Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937 film)|Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs]]'' will be built. It will feature [[Snow White (Disney)|Snow White's]] cottage and The Seven Dwarfs mine train roller coaster ride, the first rollercoaster to move in a wobbling motion on track. Princess Fairytale Hall, a new [[Disney Princess]] meet and greet will be established where Snow White's Scary Adventures currently exists.<ref name=FLEupdate01-18-2011/>
Mickey's Toontown Fair closed permanently in February 2011 in order to make way for the expansion.<ref name=FLEupdate12-10-2010>{{Cite web
| last = Smith
| first = Thomas
| title = New Fantasyland Expansion Update
| date = 10 December 2010
| url = http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/12/new-fantasyland-expansion-update/
| accessdate = 10 December 2010}}
</ref> Some elements of Mickey's Toontown Fair will be demolished and others will be re-themed to a new Storybook Circus area. An expanded [[Dumbo the Flying Elephant (ride)|Dumbo the Flying Elephant]] ride will be built with an interactive queue. A second Dumbo the Flying Elephant will be built next to it in order to increase capacity. The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm was re-themed to [[The Great Goofini]]."<ref name=FLEupdate01-18-2011/> A Casey Jr. mini-water park will be released soon. A big top area will be built for meet-and-greets.
===Storybook Circus===
Storybook Circus, part of the aforementioned Fantasyland expansion is currently in progress. It is located at the former site of Mickey's Toontown Fair. Attractions include [[The Great Goofini]] and [[Dumbo the Flying Elephant]], which was removed from its current location in Fantasyland on January 8, 2012 and an expanded duplication is being built here. Storybook Circus began soft openings on March 12, 2012. The rest of the area was opened on March 31, 2012. On the map, this is part of Fantasyland.
===Tomorrowland===
{{main|Tomorrowland}}
In the words of Walt Disney: "Tomorrow can be a wonderful age. Our scientists today are opening the doors of the Space Age to achievements that will benefit our children and generations to come. The Tomorrowland attractions have been designed to give you an opportunity to participate in adventures that are a living blueprint of our future."
Tomorrowland is themed to be an intergalactic city; a concept of the future as seen from around the 1950s: rockets, UFOs and robots, etc. Classic attractions include [[Space Mountain (Magic Kingdom)|Space Mountain]], [[Carousel of Progress]], [[Astro Orbiter]], [[Tomorrowland Transit Authority]] and the [[Autopia|Tomorrowland Speedway]]. Other current attractions include [[Stitch's Great Escape]], [[Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin]] and [[Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor]].
==Former lands==
===Mickey's Toontown Fair===
{{main|Mickey's Toontown#Magic Kingdom|l1=Mickey's Toontown Fair}}
An expansion of the land created as '''Mickey's Birthdayland''', and later '''Mickey's Starland''', this area was home to attractions such as [[Mickey's House and Meet Mickey|Mickey's Country House]], Minnie's Country House, [[The Great Goofini|The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm]], and Donald's Boat.
This land closed permanently on February 12, 2011 to make way for the expansion of Fantasyland. The Walt Disney World Railroad station in Mickey's Toontown Fair was closed for the duration of the construction.<ref name=FLEupdate12-10-2010/>
==Planned film==
Director [[Jon Favreau]] and [[Walt Disney Pictures]] plan to produce and release a film concerning a family at [[Disneyland]] which finds the [[amusement park|theme park]] characters and attractions coming to life.<ref name=varietynovember>Graser, Marc. [http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118027299 "Jon Favreau enters Disney's 'Magic Kingdom'"], ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'', November 10, 2010. [http://www.webcitation.org/5v00gTWGB WebCitation archive].</ref>
Favreau, who said "the Disney iconography was probably the first set of archetypes that I was exposed to" and that Disney movies and attractions "made a deep impression on me as a child", noted that, "When I first heard about the ['Magic Kingdom' film] project, I was on my way to visit Disneyland with my family. I took notes and had no problem filling a book with all the ideas that this concept offered, even on first blush."<ref>Boucher, Geoff. [http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2010/12/14/jon-favreau-explains-why-he-traded-iron-man-3-for-disneyland-trip/ "Jon Favreau explains why he traded 'Iron Man 3' for Disneyland trip"], "Hero Complex" (colun), ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', December 14, 2010. [http://www.webcitation.org/5v00ntgqG WebCitation archive].</ref>
Marc Abraham and Eric Newman of [[Strike Entertainment]] are scheduled to produce the film.<ref name=varietynovember /> Writer-producer [[Ronald D. Moore]] had previously written an original script for the project, which the studio eventually declined to use, stating that Favreau and a new [[screenwriter]] will develop a new script.<ref name=varietynovember /> On June 20, 2011, ''[[Spider-Man 2]]'' story contributor, [[Michael Chabon]] signed on to write the film's script.
==See also==
Similar Parks:
*[[Disneyland Park (Anaheim)|Disneyland Park]] ([[Anaheim, California]])
*[[Tokyo Disneyland]] ([[Japan]])
*[[Disneyland Park Paris]] ([[France]])
*[[Hong Kong Disneyland]] ([[Hong Kong]])
Fiction set in the Magic Kingdom:
*[[Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom]] - A 2003 science fiction novel set in and around the Magic Kingdom
*[[The Kingdom Keepers]] - A 2005 novel set in the Magic Kingdom by Ridley Pearson
*[[Disney on Ice#Disneyland Adventure|Pixar's The Incredibles in a Magic Kingdom Adventure]] - A play formerly set in the Magic Kingdom
*[[Adventures in the Magic Kingdom]]- A 1990 Video Game for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]]. Although the cover art and title suggest that the game is intended to depict the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, the location of attractions within the in-game overworld map suggests a layout more akin to Disneyland in Anaheim, California.
Albums:
*''[[Walt Disney Takes You to Disneyland: A Musical Tour of the Magic Kingdom]]''
*''[[Magic Kingdom attraction and entertainment history]]''
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
*[http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/magic-kingdom/ Official Magic Kingdom section within disneyworld.com]
{{Disney parks}}
{{Disney World resort}}
{{Magic Kingdom}}
{{WDW Coasters}}
{{Theme Parks of Florida}}
{{Navigation Applause Award}}
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[[Category:Walt Disney Parks and Resorts]]
[[Category:Magic Kingdom| ]]
[[Category:Walt Disney World Resort]]
[[Category:1971 establishments in the United States]]
[[Category:Amusement parks in Greater Orlando]]
[[Category:Visitor attractions in Greater Orlando]]
[[ar:مملكة السحر]]
[[ca:Magic Kingdom]]
[[cs:Magic Kingdom]]
[[cy:Magic Kingdom]]
[[de:Magic Kingdom]]
[[es:Magic Kingdom]]
[[fr:Magic Kingdom]]
[[it:Magic Kingdom]]
[[he:ממלכת הקסם]]
[[nl:Magic Kingdom]]
[[ja:マジック・キングダム]]
[[no:Magic Kingdom]]
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[[simple:Magic Kingdom]]
[[zh:神奇王國]]' |
New page wikitext, after the edit (new_wikitext ) | '{{about|the theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida|other Disney theme parks called "Magic Kingdom"|Disneyland (disambiguation)|other uses|Magic Kingdom (disambiguation)}}
{{Fuck you asshole Wikipedia! You must be killed!
|image= [[Image:Magic Kingdom Logo.svg|125px]]<br />[[Image:Partners and Cinderella.jpg|250px]]
|caption=The "Partners" Statue and [[Cinderella Castle]], the icon of the Magic Kingdom
|name=Magic Kingdom
|opening_date={{start date and age|October 1, 1971}}
|resort=[[Walt Disney World Resort]]
|location=[[Bay Lake, Florida|Bay Lake]]
|location2=[[Florida]]
|location3=[[United States]]
|theme=Magic Kingdom
|homepage=[http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/parkLanding?id=MKLandingPage Magic Kingdom Homepage]
|operator= [[Walt Disney Parks and Resorts]]
|owner= [[The Walt Disney Company]]
}}
{{DWR}}
'''Magic Kingdom''' is one of four [[theme park]]s at the [[Walt Disney World Resort]] located near [[Orlando, Florida]]. The first park built at the resort, Magic Kingdom opened Oct. 1, 1971. Designed and built by [[WED Enterprises]], the park's layout and attractions are similar to [[Disneyland|Disneyland Park]] in [[Anaheim, California]]. In 2010, the park hosted approximately 17 million visitors, making it the most visited theme park in the world.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.themeit.com/etea/2010Report.pdf| title=TEA/ERA Theme Park Attendance Report 2010 | work=www.themeit.com | date=2011-06-17 | accessdate=2011-06-17}}</ref>
==Dedication==
{{cquote|''Walt Disney World is a tribute to the philosophy and life of Walter Elias Disney... and to the talents, the dedication, and the loyalty of the entire ''Disney'' organization that made Walt Disney's dream come true. May Walt Disney World bring Joy and Inspiration and New Knowledge to all who come to this happy place ... a Magic Kingdom where the young at heart of all ages can laugh and play and learn — together.''|||[[Roy Oliver Disney]], 25th October 1971}}
<!--{{Listen|filename=|title=The Dedication to The Magic Kingdom Park (Orlando, FL)|description=Roy O. Disney's Dedication|format=[[Ogg]]}}-->
==History==
===Construction===
{{See also|utilidor}}
Although [[Walt Disney]] himself had been highly involved in planning [[Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow (concept)|''The Florida Project'']], The Walt Disney Company began construction on Magic Kingdom and the entire resort in 1967 after his death. The park was built similarly to the existing Disneyland in California but was built in a larger area and improved upon the design of Disneyland in several ways.
There are several anecdotes relating to reasons for some of the features of Walt Disney World, and Magic Kingdom specifically. According to one story, Walt Disney once saw a [[Frontierland]] cowboy walking through [[Tomorrowland]] at Disneyland. He disliked that the cowboy intruded on the futuristic setting of Tomorrowland and wanted to avoid situations like this in the new park.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.hiddenmickeys.org/WDW/MagicKingdom/Secrets/General/Underground.html | title=Fun Facts of Magic Kingdom's Underground Complex | work=www.hiddenmickeys.org | year=1995 | accessdate=2007-05-03}}</ref> Therefore, Magic Kingdom was built over a series of tunnels called [[utilidor]]s, a [[portmanteau]] of ''utility'' and ''corridor''. These tunnels allow employees (aka [[cast member]]s) to move through the park out of sight from guests, maintaining the show's cast.
Because of Florida's high water table, the tunnels could not be put underground, so they were built at the existing grade. This means that the park is actually built on the second story, giving Magic Kingdom an elevation of {{convert|107|ft|m}}. The area around the utilidors was filled in with dirt removed from the [[Seven Seas Lagoon]], which was being constructed at the same time.
The utilidors were built in the initial construction and were not extended as the park expanded. The tunnels were intended to be designed into in all subsequent Walt Disney World parks, but these plans were mostly set aside because of financial constraints. Future World at [[Epcot]] and [[Pleasure Island (Disney World)|Pleasure Island]] each have a smaller network of utilidors.
===Opening===
Magic Kingdom opened as the first part of Walt Disney's planned Florida Project on Oct. 1, 1971. It was the only theme park on the resort at the time and opened concurrently with two hotels on the property: [[Disney's Contemporary Resort]] and [[Disney's Polynesian Resort]]. The park opened with 23 attractions, three unique to the park and 20 copies of attractions at Disneyland. The Walt Disney Company promised to increase this number with more attractions like those in Disneyland as well as more unique ones. The attractions were split into six themed lands, five copies of those at Disneyland and the unique [[Liberty Square]].
While there is no individual dedication to Magic Kingdom Park, the dedication by [[Roy O. Disney]] for the entire Walt Disney World Resort was placed within its gates.
Since opening day, Magic Kingdom has only been closed for five incidents: [[Hurricane Floyd]], the [[September 11 attacks]], [[Hurricane Frances]], [[Hurricane Charley]], and [[Hurricane Wilma]].<ref>"[http://disneyreporter.110mb.com/disneyreporter/transporter/wdw/mk/index.htm Magic Kingdom]" Disney Reporter - Where the Magic Lives</ref>
===Naming confusions===
''Magic Kingdom'' had often been used as an unofficial nickname for Disneyland Park before the Walt Disney World Resort was built. The official tagline for Disneyland is ''The Happiest Place On Earth,'' while the tagline for Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom is, ''The Most Magical Place On Earth.'' Despite the similarities, the Florida park's tickets have always borne the official name of ''Magic Kingdom.'' In 1994, in order to differentiate it from Disneyland, the park was officially renamed to ''Magic Kingdom Park'' but is most often simply called ''Magic Kingdom.'' Like all of Disney's theme parks it does not take an article ("the"), however it is a common mistake to see it described as such. The sign on the railroad station at the front of the park erroneously states "The Magic Kingdom."
==Transportation and Ticket Center==
{{See also|Walt Disney World Monorail System}}
[[File:Transportation and Ticket Center.png|thumb|150px|right|TTC logo]]
The layout of the resort places Magic Kingdom more than a mile away from its parking lot, on the opposite side of the man-made Seven Seas Lagoon. Upon arrival, guests are taken by the parking lot [[Trackless train|trams]] to the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC), which sells tickets to the parks and provides transportation connections throughout the resort complex. It also has a small gift shop and the central lost-and-found facility for all four theme parks.
[[File:Magic Kingdom Monorail Entry Arch.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Entry arch for the Magic Kingdom line from the TTC]]
To reach Magic Kingdom, guests either use the [[Walt Disney World Monorail System]], the [[Staten Island Ferry|Staten Island-style]] ferryboats, or [[Disney Transport|Buses]] depending on the location of their hotel. The three hotels closest to Magic Kingdom, [[Disney's Contemporary Resort]], [[Disney's Polynesian Resort]], and [[Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa]] use either the ferry or monorail system to travel to Magic Kingdom. Guests staying at Disney's Wilderness Lodge and Disney's Fort Wilderness Campground can also ride a dedicated ferry boat to the Magic Kingdom docks. The other hotels take the buses to travel to this specific park. The three ferries are clad in different trim colors and are named for past Disney executives: the General Joe Potter (blue), the [[Richard F. Irvine]] (red) and the [[Joe Fowler|Admiral Joe Fowler]] (green).
The main monorail loop has two lanes. The outer lane is a direct nonstop loop between the TTC and Magic Kingdom. The inner loop has additional stops at Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's Polynesian Resort and [[Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa]]. Epcot is accessible by a spur monorail line that was added upon that park's opening in 1982.
==Lands of the Magic Kingdom==
{{main|Magic Kingdom attraction and entertainment history}}
{{Further2|[[List of attractions at the Walt Disney World Resort]]}}
[[Image:Mainstreetflorida.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Main Street, U.S.A.]]
[[File:CinderellaCastle-0958.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Cinderella Castle at night with Christmas Dream Lights]]
[[Image:Wishes Magic Kingdom.jpg|thumb|150px|right|[[Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams]] is the largest fireworks show ever presented at the Magic Kingdom]]
[[Image:Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse 1.jpg|thumb|right|150px|[[Swiss Family Robinson (film)|Swiss Family Robinson]] Treehouse]]
[[File:Thunder wdw.jpg|thumb|right|150px|[[Big Thunder Mountain Railroad]]]]
The park map lists 46 attractions in six themed "lands." Designed like a wheel with the hub in front of [[Cinderella Castle]], pathways spoke out across the {{convert|142|acre|km2}} of the park and lead to these six lands.
The [[Walt Disney World Railroad]] runs along the perimeter of the park and makes stops at [[Main Street, U.S.A.]] and [[Frontierland]].
===Main Street, U.S.A.===
{{main|Main Street, U.S.A.}}
Instead of being a replica of a small [[Midwestern United States|Midwestern American]] town, Main Street at Magic Kingdom features some stylistic influences from around the country. Taking its inspiration from [[New England]] to [[Missouri]], this design is most noticeable in the four corners area in the middle of Main Street, where each of the four corner buildings represents a different architectural style. There is also no opera house on Magic Kingdom's Main Street as there is at Disneyland; instead, there is the Town Square Theater. Also, this is where Christopher George Weaver, the "mayor" of Main Street U.S.A., and one of the park's most important figures, resides.
Main Street is lined with shops selling merchandise and food. The decor is early-20th century small-town America, inspired by Walt Disney's childhood and the film ''[[Lady and the Tramp]]''. City Hall contains the Guest Relations lobby, where cast members provide information and assistance. A working [[barber]] shop gives [[haircut]]s for a fee. The Emporium carries a wide variety of Disney souvenirs such as plush toys, collectible pins and Mickey-ear hats. Tony’s Town Square Restaurant and The Plaza Restaurant are table-service locations. Casey's Corner is at the end of Main Street and sells traditional American [[ballpark]] fare including hot dogs and fries. The Main Street [[Confectionary]] sells sweets priced by their weight, such as candied apples, crisped rice treats, chocolates, cookies and fudge.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?Restaurant.ID=469|title=Main Street Confectionary, Magic Kingdom|accessdate=2010-04-29|publisher=[[Walt Disney World]]}}</ref>
Most windows on Main Street bear the name of people who were influential at Walt Disney World or other Disney parks. An example of a classic Main Street, U.S.A. attraction is the Walt Disney World Railroad, which transports guest throughout the park, making stops at Main Street, U.S.A. Fantasyland, and Frontierland. The railroad's previous stop at Mickey's Toon Town Fair was replaced by the Fantasyland stop in 2012.
In the distance beyond the end of Main Street stands [[Cinderella Castle]]. Though only 189 feet (55m) tall, it benefits from a technique known as [[forced perspective]]. The second stories of all the buildings along Main Street are shorter than the first stories, and the third stories are even shorter than the second, and the top windows of the castle are much smaller than they appear. The resulting visual effect is that the buildings appear to be larger and taller than they really are.
Symbolically, Main Street, U.S.A. represents the park's "opening credits". Guests pass under the train station (the opening curtain), then view the names of key personnel along the windows of the buildings' upper floors. Many windows bear the name of a fictional business, such as "Seven Summits Expeditions, [[Frank Wells|Frank G. Wells]] President", with each representing a tribute to significant people connected to the Disney company and the development of the Walt Disney World Resort.
The park contains two additional tributes: the ''Partners'' statue of [[Walt Disney]] and [[Mickey Mouse]] in front of [[Cinderella Castle]] and the ''Sharing the Magic'' statue of [[Roy Oliver Disney|Roy O. Disney]] sitting with [[Minnie Mouse]] in the Town Square section of Main Street, U.S.A. Both were sculpted by veteran Imagineer Blaine Gibson.
===Adventureland===
{{main|Adventureland (Disney)}}
Adventureland represents the mystery of exploring foreign lands. It is themed to resemble the remote jungles in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, South America and the South Pacific, with an extension resembling a Caribbean town square.
It contains classic rides such as [[Pirates of the Caribbean (ride)|Pirates of the Caribbean]] and [[Jungle Cruise]].
===Frontierland===
{{main|Frontierland}}
Frontierland is where guests can relive the [[American Old West]] – from cowboys and Indians, to exploring the mysteries of the Rivers of America. Frontierland contains classic attractions such as [[Big Thunder Mountain Railroad]], [[Splash Mountain]], and the [[Country Bear Jamboree]].
===Liberty Square===
{{main|Liberty Square (Magic Kingdom)}}
This area of the park is based on an [[American Revolution]]ary colonial town. The Magic Kingdom's Rivers of America hosts the ''Liberty Belle'' riverboat. Liberty Square is home to [[The Haunted Mansion]] and the [[Hall of Presidents]].
===Fantasyland===
{{main|Fantasyland}}
In the words of Walt Disney: "Fantasyland is dedicated to the young at heart and to those who believe that when you wish upon a star, your dreams come true." Fantasyland is themed in a medieval-faire/carnival style.
Attractions include "[[It's a Small World|it's a small world]]", [[Peter Pan's Flight]], [[The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (attraction)|The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh]], [[Mickey's PhilharMagic]], [[Snow White's Scary Adventures]], [[Prince Charming Regal Carrousel]], and [[Mad Tea Party]].
====Expansion====
The land is currently undergoing a large expansion and renovation. "The New Fantasyland will be constructed in phases with most new experiences open by late 2012."<ref name=FLEupdate01-20-2011>{{Cite web
| last = Smith
| first = Thomas
| title = Update on New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park
| date = 18 January 2011
| url = http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/01/update-on-new-fantasyland-at-magic-kingdom-park/
| accessdate = 20 January 2011}}</ref>
Recent conceptual artwork for the expansion shows several new additions and changes.<ref name=FLEupdate01-18-2011>{{Cite web
| title = Disney World’s Fantasyland expansion
| publisher = WOFL FOX 35
| date = 18 January 2011
| url = http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/attractions/disney/011811-disney-announcements
| accessdate = 18 January 2011}}</ref> Included is a new [[The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure|dark ride]] themed to Disney's 1989 film ''[[The Little Mermaid (1989 film)|The Little Mermaid]]'' (also opened at [[Disney California Adventure Park|Disney California Adventure]]). The ride is going through testing, and will be released after the Storybook Circus. There will also be an area themed to Disney's 1991 film ''[[Beauty and the Beast (1991 film)|Beauty and the Beast]]'' featuring [[The Beast's Castle]] with a new dining experience, [[Gaston (Beauty and the Beast)|Gaston's]] tavern, and [[Belle (Disney)|Belle's]] cottage.<ref name="FLEupdate01-18-2011"/>
[[Snow White's Scary Adventures]] will be removed and an area themed to Disney's 1937 film ''[[Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937 film)|Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs]]'' will be built. It will feature [[Snow White (Disney)|Snow White's]] cottage and The Seven Dwarfs mine train roller coaster ride, the first rollercoaster to move in a wobbling motion on track. Princess Fairytale Hall, a new [[Disney Princess]] meet and greet will be established where Snow White's Scary Adventures currently exists.<ref name=FLEupdate01-18-2011/>
Mickey's Toontown Fair closed permanently in February 2011 in order to make way for the expansion.<ref name=FLEupdate12-10-2010>{{Cite web
| last = Smith
| first = Thomas
| title = New Fantasyland Expansion Update
| date = 10 December 2010
| url = http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/12/new-fantasyland-expansion-update/
| accessdate = 10 December 2010}}
</ref> Some elements of Mickey's Toontown Fair will be demolished and others will be re-themed to a new Storybook Circus area. An expanded [[Dumbo the Flying Elephant (ride)|Dumbo the Flying Elephant]] ride will be built with an interactive queue. A second Dumbo the Flying Elephant will be built next to it in order to increase capacity. The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm was re-themed to [[The Great Goofini]]."<ref name=FLEupdate01-18-2011/> A Casey Jr. mini-water park will be released soon. A big top area will be built for meet-and-greets.
===Storybook Circus===
Storybook Circus, part of the aforementioned Fantasyland expansion is currently in progress. It is located at the former site of Mickey's Toontown Fair. Attractions include [[The Great Goofini]] and [[Dumbo the Flying Elephant]], which was removed from its current location in Fantasyland on January 8, 2012 and an expanded duplication is being built here. Storybook Circus began soft openings on March 12, 2012. The rest of the area was opened on March 31, 2012. On the map, this is part of Fantasyland.
===Tomorrowland===
{{main|Tomorrowland}}
In the words of Walt Disney: "Tomorrow can be a wonderful age. Our scientists today are opening the doors of the Space Age to achievements that will benefit our children and generations to come. The Tomorrowland attractions have been designed to give you an opportunity to participate in adventures that are a living blueprint of our future."
Tomorrowland is themed to be an intergalactic city; a concept of the future as seen from around the 1950s: rockets, UFOs and robots, etc. Classic attractions include [[Space Mountain (Magic Kingdom)|Space Mountain]], [[Carousel of Progress]], [[Astro Orbiter]], [[Tomorrowland Transit Authority]] and the [[Autopia|Tomorrowland Speedway]]. Other current attractions include [[Stitch's Great Escape]], [[Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin]] and [[Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor]].
==Former lands==
===Mickey's Toontown Fair===
{{main|Mickey's Toontown#Magic Kingdom|l1=Mickey's Toontown Fair}}
An expansion of the land created as '''Mickey's Birthdayland''', and later '''Mickey's Starland''', this area was home to attractions such as [[Mickey's House and Meet Mickey|Mickey's Country House]], Minnie's Country House, [[The Great Goofini|The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm]], and Donald's Boat.
This land closed permanently on February 12, 2011 to make way for the expansion of Fantasyland. The Walt Disney World Railroad station in Mickey's Toontown Fair was closed for the duration of the construction.<ref name=FLEupdate12-10-2010/>
==Planned film==
Director [[Jon Favreau]] and [[Walt Disney Pictures]] plan to produce and release a film concerning a family at [[Disneyland]] which finds the [[amusement park|theme park]] characters and attractions coming to life.<ref name=varietynovember>Graser, Marc. [http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118027299 "Jon Favreau enters Disney's 'Magic Kingdom'"], ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'', November 10, 2010. [http://www.webcitation.org/5v00gTWGB WebCitation archive].</ref>
Favreau, who said "the Disney iconography was probably the first set of archetypes that I was exposed to" and that Disney movies and attractions "made a deep impression on me as a child", noted that, "When I first heard about the ['Magic Kingdom' film] project, I was on my way to visit Disneyland with my family. I took notes and had no problem filling a book with all the ideas that this concept offered, even on first blush."<ref>Boucher, Geoff. [http://herocomplex.latimes.com/2010/12/14/jon-favreau-explains-why-he-traded-iron-man-3-for-disneyland-trip/ "Jon Favreau explains why he traded 'Iron Man 3' for Disneyland trip"], "Hero Complex" (colun), ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', December 14, 2010. [http://www.webcitation.org/5v00ntgqG WebCitation archive].</ref>
Marc Abraham and Eric Newman of [[Strike Entertainment]] are scheduled to produce the film.<ref name=varietynovember /> Writer-producer [[Ronald D. Moore]] had previously written an original script for the project, which the studio eventually declined to use, stating that Favreau and a new [[screenwriter]] will develop a new script.<ref name=varietynovember /> On June 20, 2011, ''[[Spider-Man 2]]'' story contributor, [[Michael Chabon]] signed on to write the film's script.
==See also==
Similar Parks:
*[[Disneyland Park (Anaheim)|Disneyland Park]] ([[Anaheim, California]])
*[[Tokyo Disneyland]] ([[Japan]])
*[[Disneyland Park Paris]] ([[France]])
*[[Hong Kong Disneyland]] ([[Hong Kong]])
Fiction set in the Magic Kingdom:
*[[Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom]] - A 2003 science fiction novel set in and around the Magic Kingdom
*[[The Kingdom Keepers]] - A 2005 novel set in the Magic Kingdom by Ridley Pearson
*[[Disney on Ice#Disneyland Adventure|Pixar's The Incredibles in a Magic Kingdom Adventure]] - A play formerly set in the Magic Kingdom
*[[Adventures in the Magic Kingdom]]- A 1990 Video Game for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]]. Although the cover art and title suggest that the game is intended to depict the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, the location of attractions within the in-game overworld map suggests a layout more akin to Disneyland in Anaheim, California.
Albums:
*''[[Walt Disney Takes You to Disneyland: A Musical Tour of the Magic Kingdom]]''
*''[[Magic Kingdom attraction and entertainment history]]''
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
*[http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/magic-kingdom/ Official Magic Kingdom section within disneyworld.com]
{{Disney parks}}
{{Disney World resort}}
{{Magic Kingdom}}
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