The Magic Kingdom Attractions We Always Avoid

Magic Kingdom is the original Walt Disney World Resort theme park. It’s often the place most Guests think of when thinking about a Disney vacation. This is probably because of Cinderella Castle and the view of her as you walk down Main Street, U.S.A. Magic Kingdom is made up of six lands. With so much on offer, spending a whole day in the Disney Park is easy.

When deciding to spend a day in Magic Kingdom, it’s typical for Guests to prioritize select attractions and experiences to ensure they don’t miss out on those that they must enjoy as part of their Disney experience. Beloved Magic Kingdom attractions include Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Space Mountain, “it’s a small world,” and more. While the use of Disney Genie+ and individual Lightning Lane passes can assist you in experiencing it all, if you’re visiting on a really busy day, you will miss things. So, which attractions and experiences should you skip?

Here are the Magic Kingdom attractions we always avoid, especially when we don’t have time to experience them all in one day.

Astro Orbiter

The Astro Orbiter in Tomorrowland is identified by the rockets that circle above The Lunching Pad. The Astro Orbiter is easier to see from a distance. The entrance to the attraction is next to the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover. Guests access the launch platform of the Astro Orbiter via an elevator. So why do we avoid this attraction?

Three rides in Magic Kingdom Park are almost identical – the Astro Orbiter, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, and The Magic Carpets of Aladdin. While each attraction offers a different ride vehicle, they all involve the same experience. Guests sit in the attraction vehicle, which then spins around a central arm. Each car has a lever to move up and down while the attraction turns. With three similar rides, the Astro Orbiter is always our final choice, so we tend to avoid this attraction. If we decide to ride, we will experience it during the evening to add to the ride’s theme.

The Barnstormer

Over in Fantasyland, Storybook Circus is home to The Barnstormer. Guests can climb aboard Goofy’s homemade stunt airplane before riding around a barn. This ride is perfect for Guests with children. But we generally avoid this ride as other thrilling attractions exist. It’s also located at the back of Magic Kingdom Park, so we often forget about it!

The Hall of Presidents

If you want to learn about or brush up on American history, you’ll want to watch this show in Liberty Square. The Hall of Presidents stars audio-animatronics of all 45 Presidents of the United States. The attraction tells how the Constitution was formed and the struggles fought by the Presidents along the way. This 25-minute show is a great way to escape the heat; otherwise, we’ll pass. We prefer singing along to Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room or enjoying the Country Bear Jamboree.

Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress

Another show that Guests can enjoy in Magic Kingdom Park is located in Tomorrowland. Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress is a revolving show that follows an American family over four generations of progress. The Tomorrowland attraction holds a special place in the hearts of many Guests, having been an idea initially conceived by Walt Disney for the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fare. Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress features the classic Sherman brothers’ song, “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow.” While every Guest of Magic Kingdom should experience this attraction once, we can’t help but avoid it. We love the song, but we nap during the show instead of watching it!

If you need a midday rest, we recommend taking a ride on the Walt Disney World Railroad. Alternatively, take a cruise on the Liberty Square Riverboat. This offers unique Tom Sawyer Island, Frontierland, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad views.

Tomorrowland Speedway

Take a ride on a miniature motorway, and enjoy views of Space Mountain on the Tomorrowland Speedway. This classic attraction allows younger Guests the chance to drive their own vehicle. As such, this attraction can often have a long line. We’d rather avoid this attraction, though.

Firstly, it’s frustrating when you can actually drive as the steering is rather tricky to keep steady in the Speedway cars. Expect your ride around the track to include bumping the track throughout. Secondly, the gas smell is overwhelming as you approach the loading station. This is also an attraction that can be extra hot in the middle of the day, between the sun beating down and the gas-powered car engines warming the vehicles. We also can’t forget about those Guests who think it’s fun to bump you from behind, even though they’re told not to do so!

Peter Pan’s Flight

Ok, we do love the magic of this Disney attraction. It’s not every day you get to fly over a miniature London and Neverland in a pirate ship that has been sprinkled with pixie dust. However, we can’t help but avoid this attraction unless we ride during Extended Evening Theme Park Hours. Let us explain why.

The main reason is the line. Peter Pan’s Flight is notorious for its extensive line during Park hours. Combine the long line with the short attraction that it is. Your flight over Neverland takes less than three minutes. While we love the extra magic experienced in the line of Peter Pan’s Flight, we generally choose to skip the extra long line and really short experience for another Magic Kingdom attraction.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant

Dumbo the Flying Elephant is found in the Storybook Circus area of Fantasyland. It’s a popular ride with younger Guests, especially as the queue line involves a huge indoor play area. Parents can sit and rest their legs in the air conditioning while their children burn energy in the big-top tent. We love the theming of this attraction. However, we’d rather ride The Magic Carpets of Aladdin. Guests can only lift and lower Dumbo. Taking a flight on a magic carpet allows you to tilt your ride vehicle forwards and backward and raise and lower it. 

Do you agree with our choices? Which Magic Kingdom attractions do you generally avoid? Are any of these on your list to experience or avoid during your next Walt Disney World Resort vacation?