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1) Jungle Cruise
Jungle Cruise is an outdoor group boat ride through some of the world’s best-known simulated tropical waterways. You’ll pass through forest and jungle populated entirely by animatronic animals while your skipper comically narrates your journey.
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2) Pirates of the Caribbean
A slow moving boat ride through a series of sets that depict a pirate raid on an island settlement, from bombardment of the fortress to debauchery after the victory. Arguably one of the most influential theme park attractions ever created. It ranks high with all age groups.
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3) The Haunted Mansion
The Haunted Mansion serves up some of the Magic Kingdom’s best visual effects. “Doom Buggies” on a conveyor belt transport you through the house from parlor to attic, then through a graveyard. It’s only slightly scarier than a whoopee cushion, but preschoolers may still find it a bit too spooky.
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4) “it’s a small world”
Small boats carry you on a tour around the world, with singing and dancing dolls showcasing the dress and culture of each nation represented. Small World ranks high with preschool and grade school kids.
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5) Mickey’s PhilharMagic
Mickey’s PhilharMagic is a 3-D film with an odd collection of Disney characters, mixing Mickey and Donald with Simba and Ariel as well as Jasmine and Aladdin. Presented in a theater large enough to accommodate a 150-foot-wide screen, the movie is augmented by an arsenal of special effects built into the theater. PhilharMagic ranks high with all ages.
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6) Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a roller coaster geared to older grade-school kids who’ve been on amusement park rides before. There are no loops, inversions, or rolls in the track, and no massive hills or steep drops; rather, your ride vehicle’s seats swing side-to-side as you go through turns.
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7) Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid
Guests board a clamshell-shaped ride vehicle running along a continuously moving track (similar to Haunted Mansion‘s). Then the ride “descends” under water (which is just a lighting effect), past Ariel’s grotto and on to King Triton’s undersea kingdom. Preschoolers and grade schoolers rank it high. Other age groups? Not so much. |
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8) The Barnstormer
The Barnstormer is a dinky little coaster with a brief-but-zippy ride. Of the 53 seconds the ride is in motion, 32 seconds are consumed in leaving the loading area, being ratcheted up the first hill, and braking into the off-loading area. The actual time you spend careering around the track: 21 seconds. This is a good candidate for a kid’s first roller coaster.
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9) Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Parents and kids sit in small fiberglass elephants mounted on long metal arms, which spin around a central axis. Controls inside each vehicle allow you to raise the arm, making you spin higher off the ground. Despite being little different from rides at state fairs and carnivals in parking lots, Dumbo is the favorite Magic Kingdom attraction of many younger children.
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10) Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Another ride system similar to Haunted Mansion. Here you’ll move along a track in slow moving space ships. Each car is equipped with two laser cannons and two scorekeeping displays, enabling you to compete with your riding partner. A joystick allows you to spin the car to line up the various targets. Each time you pull the trigger, you release a red laser beam that you can see hitting or missing the target.
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| 11) Rest
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12) Tom Sawyer Island
Tom Sawyer Island is a getaway within the park. It has hills to climb; a cave, windmill, and pioneer stockade (Fort Langhorn) to explore; a tipsy barrel bridge to cross; and paths to follow. You can watch riverboats chug past. It’s a delight for adults and a godsend for children who want to cut loose after being closely supervised all day.
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13) Country Bear Jamboree
A charming cast of animatronic bears sings and stomps through a series of country and Western songs. On the plus side, it’s an air-conditioned refuge on hot days, and the remix of “The Ballad of Davy Crockett” and “Ole Slew Foot” is genius.
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| 14) Swiss Family Treehouse
An immense replica of the Swiss Family Robinson’s arboreal abode. Don’t do Swiss Family Treehouse unless you’re prepared to climb stairs. For your effort you’ll be rewarded with some wonderful bird’s-eye views of the Magic Kingdom.
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15) Peter Pan’s Flight
Peter Pan’s Flight is superbly designed and absolutely delightful, combining beloved Disney characters, beautiful effects, and charming music. Embark on a relaxing trip in a “flying pirate ship” over old London and thence to Never Land, where Peter saves Wendy from walking the plank and Captain Hook rehearses for Dancing with the Stars on the snout of the ubiquitous crocodile. Nothing here will jump out at you or frighten young children.
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16) The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Ride a Hunny Pot through the pages of a huge picture book into the Hundred Acre Wood, where you encounter Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Owl, Rabbit, Tigger, Kanga, and Roo as they contend with a blustery day. There’s even a dream sequence with Heffalumps and Woozles.
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| 17) Rest
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