On October 16, 2006, my friend Robin and I visited Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom near Orlando, Florida. While Robin is a Florida resident and has been there several times, I had only visited the park once before in 1982 on my high school senior class trip, so I was anxious to see how much I remembered and how much the park had changed. I remember riding Space Mountain, so of course had to do it again, though this time the motion got to me a little more. I also remembered the Haunted Mansion and the Hall of Presidents and buying my first Mickey Mouse sweatshirt. Well, I revisted both attractions and ending up buying several shirts this time around. I may be 24 years older now than I was when I first visited the Magic Kingdom, but I still had a wonderful time; yes, adults can have fun at Disney World too! I'm glad that I waited until October to take my vacation. While the park was busy, it was not horrendously overcrowded and, because it was a weekday and the kids were back in school, the lines were not too terribly bad. The only ride that I passed on due to the length of the line was Big Thunder Mountain.

The Magic Kingdom was Disney's second theme park, opening on October 1, 1971, in Bay Lake, Florida. Most of the attractions associated with the Walt Disney World Resort are actually located within the City of Bay Lake, including all four theme parks. Due to the fact the resort's primary mailing address is in Lake Buena Vista, it is commonly and erroneously held that the theme parks are also located in Lake Buena Vista.

For years, the Magic Kingdom was the only destination of note within the massive Walt Disney World complex, so most people came to know the park simply as "Disney World." Disney later added Epcot in 1982, the Disney-MGM Studios in 1989 and Disney's Animal Kingdom in 1998. The Magic Kingdom follows pretty much the same layout as California's Disneyland in Anaheim, though on a much larger parcel of land (107 acres). This venerable theme park has withstood more than three decades of changing cultures, a constantly shifting social climate, and an explosion of technology that has left lesser places outdated and obsolete. Yet, somehow, the Magic Kingdom continues to remain the undisputed king of Theme Parks, drawing more yearly visitors than any other. How the Magic Kingdom has managed to maintain its charm and appeal over the years is a lesson in simplicity. It has stayed true to its original vision, a place where families could gather in a clean and safe environment to enjoy the time they spend together.

The Magic Kingdom is divided into five distinct areas (lands), arranged in a spoke-like formation, all meeting at the top of Main Street USA right in front of Cinderella's Castle. The five lands consist of Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Liberty Square and Adventureland. Each land is themed to its appropriate title and maintaining that theme is paramount to the park's operation. A vast network of underground tunnels connect all sections of the Magic Kingdom, thus preventing guests from seeing any of the necessary "behind the scenes" operations, and preventing cast members from one land from having to walk through another. Well, that was the original idea anyway - recent changes to park policy now allow cast members to walk freely through the park in whatever outfit they happen to be wearing.

The Disney World Resort is really a one week destination on its own, and you'll never get everything done in that week, but should you only have a day or two, then the Magic Kingdom is where you should be. It's a park that the whole family will truly enjoy; there are a few more thrilling rides to keep the older ones entertained, but it's the youngsters who will have the time of their life in this park riding rides devoted to their favorite characters, from Winnie the Pooh to Mickey Mouse, Buzz Lightyear to Peter Pan.