Laughin' Place Playground.

Splash mountain and Big Thunder Mountain (both located in Frontierland in the Magic Kingdom) are big attractions for older kids and adults. These rides are not for toddlers or the faint of heart. Thankfully Disney carved out a little spot for those to play while the thrill seekers have their fun.

The Laughin' Place is a cute little play area located just behind the Splash Mountain fast pass distribution machines. This is one of those unmarked spots that can't be found on your Magic Kingdom map. It's not a large play area but it does have a small slide and several doors and windows for the kids to climb through. My daughter is 3 and was thrilled with the play area. There is a built in bench for tired moms and dads to rest.

It's easy to reunite your party here. Both Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain rides end in the area behind the playground.

Tip: The laughin' place playground is a cool shaded area for little kids to escape the Florida sun.
Trick: You will not see a sign to direct you to this area. Walk to the Splash Mountain fast pass distribution machines and you will see the play yard to the right.
Tidbits: A restroom is located just a few steps from the Laughin' Place. The Frontierland train station is also just a few steps from the play yard.

The Haunted Mansion

The Haunted Mansion is a wonderful attraction. It can be scary for little kids. It is a "haunted" mansion filled with ghost and spooky sounds and sights. My kids are currently 5 and 3 and love the ride. My son likes scary things (thanks to Scooby Doo) and my daughter has been on the ride so many times that the spooks are too familiar to creep her out.

The attraction starts when a group enters a chamber and is introduced to the Ghost Host (narrator). I don't want to give to much away but there will be a brief moment of darkness and a spooky sighting before a hidden door opens and you will enter the second section of the ride.

During the second section of the ride you will board your doom buggy for your ride through the rest of the mansion. The mansion was refurbished to include a new section through an attic that expands the story of the bride plus a few new spooks here and there.

If you've watched the movie bearing the same name starring Eddie Murphy then you will find some of the props very familiar. There is an entire room dedicated to Madame Leota (the lady in the crystal ball). The room is filled with flying instruments just like the movie. The singing bust found in the graveyard of the movie can also be found singing in the rides graveyard.

Tip: Just outside the mansion's doors you will pass by a graveyard filled with tombstones honoring the imangineers who worked on the mansion. The last tombstone is in memory of Leota Thomas. Take a moment and look at her tombstone. The woman depicted on it periodically moves her head and opens her eyes.
Trick: Find a hidden Mickey in the dining room scene. On the table a dinner plant and 2 saucers are used to make Mickey.
Tidbit: The mansion is the only ride to be found in four different Disney properties. It is in both Disney World and Disney Land in the US and also in Tokyo and Paris.

Cinderella Fountain

Here's another little extra Disney magic. In the Magic Kingdom behind Cinderella's castle (Fantasyland side) this fountain sits. The fountain is inspired by the fairytale and of course the Disney movie. It's a nice spot for a quick picture or snack break.

The Sword In the stone

As a mom I am always looking for non-ride activities for my kids to enjoy while Dad enjoys thrill rides or why we wait for a show, parade, dining reservation, etc. The sword in the stone is one of my favorite. You won't find it on your Magic Kingdom map. It falls under the category of extra magic. It's just a little something extra that Disney has added to the park for an extra dose of magic.

The stone is located in the Magic Kingdom in Fantasyland. It is just in front of Cinderella's Carousel. There is one step behind the sword to help little ones climb up to give the sword a good tug.

Tip: This is a great family photo opt. Since there is a step even smaller kids can give it a go.
Trick: The stone is located closer to the castle which often has lighter traffic making it easier to get a good picture.
Tidbit: There use to be a show where a lucky child was chosen by Merlin to pull the sword from the stone. The show is not currently running.

Ferry Boat

If you are driving yourself to the Magic Kingdom, you will have a few extra steps than those staying in a Disney resort to be walking down Mainstreet. After parking your car, you will board a tram that will drop you off at the ticket center. Just past the ticket booths you will either board the monorail to the Magic Kingdom or the Ferry Boat. There are 2 levels to the boats. Both have wonderful views of Cinderella's castle.
There are pros and cons to the boat. The boat has a great view and is more spacious than the monorail. The trip across the lake is a little longer than the monorail.

Tip: The second level will give you a great view and wonderful photo opts on the journey to the kingdom.
Tricks: For a quick exit, bypass the bench seats and the second level and walk to the opposite side of the boat. You can stand while the boat is moving and you'll be one of the first ones off.
Tidbits: there are 3 different ferry boats : Fowler, Irvine, and General Joe Potter.

Snow Whites Adventures

Snow White's Adventures is a classic Disney dark ride in Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom. For this ride you will board a car that seats 4 comfortable. You may be able to get 5 in one car if you are travel with several small children. Each car is named after one of the seven dwarfs. The ride does have a few scenes with the witch and lightning that may be too scray for some children. But the ride is very true to the movie and ends with Snow White and her Princess riding off into the sunset.

Tip: This ride like all of the Fantasyland rides can have very long lines. Grab a fastpass if possible!
Trick: Outside the attraction, look for the witch. She pops out to spook the crowd from the window above the attraction.
Tidbit: The ride was orginial called Snow White Adventure without the scary. Disney then took out some of the scary moments and added Scary to the title.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant

The Dumbo ride in the Magic Kingdom is a classic Disney World ride. It is one of the original attractions. The ride is a wonderful because the whole family can enjoy it together. There are no height requirements. The line for Dumbo always appears short but it is actually a very slow moving line. There are a limited number of guest that can fit on the ride at each turn so it make the wait feel long. With that being said it's DUMBO!!! It such an iconic ride that it's hard to visit the World without waiting out the line.
Tip: In front of the ride you will find a Dumbo ready for pictures so if you don't have time to wait out the line you can still have a little Dumbo experience.
trick: If you are staying in a Disney resort, use your magic hours to ride Dumbo. During Magic hours the wait is usually shorter because of the smaller crowd. (shorter not short)
Tidbit: Dumbo the Flying Elephant is one of the original Fantasyland rides.