>My wife picks on me. I still call Disney Hollywood Studios, MGM. This is what I know it as. I don’t mind it being Disney Hollywood Studios, but I know it as Disney MGM Studios. It’s kind of like when you are in School and your teacher gets married. You have a tough time calling her by her new name.
And I could pick on her, because when we’re down in Walt Disney World, she does something that many people do. She calls the Magic Kingdom, Disney World. I believe this happens, because the Magic Kingdom is what most people knew of Disney World when they were kids. Epcot, Animal Kingdom, the Studios, are all the add-ons to Disney World. So people call them by name, but the Magic Kingdom is Disney World. And that is appropriate, The Magic Kingdom is the most Magical park, you seem to see more characters there, more of the Disney from your childhood is there. But it’s even more than that. It’s like when you approach it, it’s special.
The Entrance to the Magic Kingdom is probably the most magnificent entrance of the four parks in Walt Disney World. This was the Original one in Florida, this was the one where the first “Weenie”** was put in front of the guests and this was the only one that Walt Disney Designed himself. I give you today’s Unknown Magic, the Entrance to the Magic Kingdom.
As you approach the Magic Kingdom, either by Boat, Monorail, bus or even walking, you start to feel the excitement in the air. The people going into the park seem to get a little more energy the closer you get to the entrance. I’m not talking commando, gotta run to get to Space Mountain energy, I’m talking a positive excitement energy. The anticipation starts to build on the Monorail as you hear,
Walt Disney saw the Magic Kingdom as an experience of being in a movie; where you were the star. With this in mind, the Disney Imagineers made the entrance to the Magic Kingdom reflect this idea. As you walk away from the turnstiles and toward the tunnels under the Main Street Train Station, the ground turns red. This is to simulate the guests walking on the “Red Carpet” before a movie premier. As you walk up Main Street USA (as discussed in The Windows on Main Street on 6/10) you will notice names on the Windows. These are the opening credits, to the Magical Experience you are now starring in.
Even if you don’t get the movie theme reference, the Entrance to the Magic Kingdom is a neat one. After you get through the through the courtyard out front of the Train Station you have to walk under the Train Station, which is kind of neat. You see old attraction posters on the wall, there are lockers under here that you can rent for the day (the lockers are rented from the information station in the middle of this area. When you emerge from underneath the Train Station, you have your first Perfect view of Cinderella Castle. As I said in a post earlier this week, Take your time and enjoy the view.
Now you are in Town Square. Here you may run into different ”Citizens” of Town Square such as Mayor Weaver and Scoop Sanderson or if you’re lucky, you may be able to hear the Dapper Dan’s sing. At the Town Square Park, is where they have a Flag Lowering Ceremony every afternoon at 5. There are different buildings that surround Town Square and each one of them is very neat to go into and see; Town Hall, the Main Street Emporium (talked about in a post on 6/25), the Firehouse and of course the Train Station itself.
Some people say that “Being in Town Square is when you realize you are in Walt Disney World.” And I can understand that, because here is where the excitement of the anticipation is finally realized. This is where you need to start out to get to the “Seven Themed Lands of the Magic Kingdom”.
So, now you know, The Entrance to the Magic Kingdom is an Unknown Magic that was originally set up for you to the have Magical Experience of being the star in the movie that is your day in the park. The rest of the Magic is in Town Square itself, the feelings of Magic and excitement await you.
** If you are not sure what a “Weenie” is, check out my post from 6/28 Animal Kingdom Weenie.