Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
207
and red-white-and-blue T-shirts.
Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe,
filled with decorations
and Disney ornaments galore, celebrates Christmas every day of the year.
FANTASYLAND
The most fanciful land in the park, Fantasyland features attractions that bring classic
Disney characters to life. It is by far the most popular land in the park for young children,
who can sail over Merry Ole' London and Never Never Land, ride in a honey pot
through the Hundred-Acre Wood, and fly with Dumbo. If your kids are younger than 8,
you'll find yourself spending a lot of your time here (and at Mickey's Toontown Fair,
detailed below).
Cinderella Castle
Moments
Frommer's Rating:
A (for visuals)
Recommended Ages:
All ages
There's actually not a lot to do here, but it's the Magic Kingdom's most widely recognized
symbol, and I guarantee that you won't be able to pass it by without a look. It's not as if
you could miss it anyway. The fairy-tale castle looms over Main Street, U.S.A., its
189-foot-high Gothic spires taking center stage from the minute you enter the park.
One of the most popular restaurants in the park is set inside the castle,
Cinderella's
Royal Table
(p. 178), along with the
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.
Elaborate mosaic
murals depict the Cinderella story in the castle's archway, and Disney family coats of arms
are displayed over a fireplace. An actress portraying Cinderella, dressed for the ball, often
makes appearances in the lobby. The Castle Forecourt Stage features live shows daily, so
be sure to check the daily
Times Guide
's schedule for
Dream Along with Mickey.
Dis-
ney's latest outdoor stage show is an entertainer that features singing and dancing by
Mickey, Peter Pan, Captain Hook, and plenty of other familiar favorites (both good and
evil).
Cinderella's Golden Carrousel
Moments
Frommer's Rating:
B+ for younger kids, A for carousel fans
Recommended Ages:
All ages
One of the most beautiful attractions at Disney, the Golden Carrousel is as enchanting
to look at as it is to ride. Originally built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Co. in 1917, the
carousel toured many an amusement park in the Midwest long before Walt Disney
bought it and brought it to Orlando 5 years before the Magic Kingdom opened. Disney
artisans meticulously refurbished it, adding 18 hand-painted scenes from Cinderella on
a wooden canopy above the horses. Its organ plays Disney classics such as “When You
Wish Upon a Star.” Adults and children alike adore riding the ornate horses round and
6
Behind the Scenes
Fun Facts
You'll never catch a glimpse of, say, Mickey relaxing with his head off, or Pluto
taking a candy-bar break—that would ruin the entire illusion (and this is a world
built on fantasy). The people inside the characters, and other cast members, take
breaks as well as travel around the park through an intricate system of under-
ground tunnels that are off-limits to the public, unless you pay a premium for a
behind-the-scenes tour that I tell you about on p. 222.
