My Favorite...Place at Magic Kingdom Park

Magic Kingdom Park - the crux of Walt Disney World Resort.  It is no secret that for most guests, Magic Kingdom Park is the favorite of the four theme parks.  I tend to agree, if for no other reason than the intense magic that is present.  With it's six distinct lands - Main Street U.S.A, Adventurland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, and Tomorrowland - there are attractions that are sure to please even the most lackluster traveler.

I appreciate and enjoy each of the unique lands within Magic Kingdom Park and have a favorite location within each one, but when it comes to an overall favorite location with the park itself, Main Street U.S.A. takes the cake.  

There is little to compare to the splendor and magic of entering Magic Kingdom Park.  I get goosebumps simply typing the words!  Walt Disney World has a knack for entrances - the "Welcome Home" greetings at the resort entrances, the one-on-one interaction with the cast members at the theme park turnstiles, the theming of the resort lobbies - and the entrance to Walt's Magic Kingdom Park is no exception.  As guests pass underneath the Walt Disney Railroad Station they begin to glimpse the marvel that is Main Street U.S.A.  Lined with souvenir shops, a real working barber shop, and restaurants, Main Street U.S.A is decorated in turn of the century, small-town America style.  This grand entrance to Magic Kingdom Park is filled with Walt Disney history, which is the number one reason that this area of the park is my favorite.  I am a sucker for Disney trivia, and this street is littered with it!  

The symbolism along this American main street is great, as Main Street U.S.A. represents Magic Kingdom Park's opening credits.  The names of key personnel and contributors to the park's opening are visible in the building's upper floors.  Many of the storefront windows bear fictitious business names that represent a tribute to a significant individual who played a key role in the development of the park.       

The buildings here use a technique called forced perspective, which allows the relatively short buildings, at only 189 feet tall, seem large scale.  The second and third stories of the buildings decrease in height, leaving the buildings to appear to be larger and taller than the actually are.        

It may seem strange to some that my favorite place in the entire park is a street with no thrill rides, or any rides at all for that matter!  The truth is that I could plop myself along the curb and sit for hours.  I get lost in the horse-drawn carts that burst forth with frolicking, singing and dancing cast members in their turn of the century garb, vendors wrangling seemingly hundreds of Mickey Mouse shaped balloons, PhotoPass photographers taking a family's first Disney World photo, the Main Street pianist tickling the ivories outside of Casey's Corner, the smell of Main Street Bakery's fresh cinnamon rolls, the Dapper Dans Barber Shop Quartet entertaining the crowds, characters meeting guests in front of the Town Square Theater, little ones getting their first haircuts at The Harmony Barber Shop, stroller wheels getting stuck in the train track along the street, and the breathtaking view of Cinderella Castle.  There are tears in my eyes.  

Without fail, I linger in this place a little longer each time I visit.  The sheer exuberance on my children's faces as they take in the excitement of the hustle and bustle of Main Street U.S.A. is worth ten-fold the joy they get from riding Dumbo or seeing the fireworks.  Main Street U.S.A, as the first glimpse of "The Most Magical Place on Earth," was designed to transport the guest into a place like no other.  After a few steps into this enchanted place, I begin to hum along: 

I'm walking right down the middle of Main Street, U.S.A.

It's the heart of America.
The heartbeat of a holiday.
The place was made with a magical plan
And just around the corner is a Fantasyland.
I'm walking right down the middle of Main Street, U.S.A.

My Favorite Things

Folks ask me all the time, "What is your favorite thing at Walt Disney World?"  I usually look perplexed, as though I couldn't possibly choose a FAVORITE aspect of Walt Disney World, but in truth, there are so many favorites, that it would take a long afternoon chat (preferably over a Dole Whip float)  to articulate my favorite Walt Disney World list.  

To that end, I present to you: My Favorite Things - Walt Disney World.

Value Resort

I supposed the best way to begin this lengthily list of posts is to start where most Disney travelers start - where should I stay?  There are all types of vacationers out there, and I have found that most, if not all, are trying to maximize every dollar that is spent on said vacation.  The Disney vacationer is no exception.  For those who have chosen to stretch their dollar the farthest, Disney has resort options that offer a standard hotel room, with an added bonus of Disney magic.

While Disney has added the Art of Animation as a "Value Plus" resort option that I absolutely recommend for larger parties needing larger accommodations in their family suites, my favorite traditional Value Resort is Pop Century.  

This resort takes guests on a time warp trip through the decades.  Iconic themes from the 50's through the 90's litter the landscape of each section of the resort.  Guests will revel in the discovery of each of the ten buildings as they spy Big Wheels, bowling pins, Rubik's cubes, and 8 track tapes.  This resort certainly takes guests back in time.  

Three pools are available for guests in the 90's section and 50's section, as well as the most popular "Hippie Dippie" pool located in the 60's section near the main lobby and food court.  It is exactly what you'd expect of a hippie pool, complete with flower showers on the pool deck, and a temporary tattoo station.      

Rooms at Pop Century are decorated in the style of the decade in which they are located.  Each has two double beds or one king sized bed, nightstand, telephone, small table and chairs, armoire, TV, mirror, clock radio, and open closet area.  A beverage cooler is also provided.  The single sink vanity area has a mirror and is separate from the tub and toilet area.      

Pop Century is the newer of the Value resorts, in comparison to the All-Star resorts in this category, and has less wear-and-tear that comes along with well used resorts.  It is for this reason that many guests choose again and again to stay on this property.  Folks who stay at Pop Century fall in love with the ambiance, and come back for the value!  It is a great resort option offering value accommodations at a value price that will help stretch your dollar and make magical memories with your family.