Guide to Magic Kingdom Attractions That Aren't Rides

Is Disney fun if you don’t like rides? Magic Kingdom has a ton of them, so many so that it is easy to forget there are other options. What if they aren’t your thing? Are there other free things to do? This guide to Magic Kingdom attractions that aren’t rides is for you.

Guide to Magic Kingdom Attractions That Aren’t Rides

1. Have a Touring Plan

2. Front of the Line Options

3. Shows

4. Characters

5. Games

6. Play Areas

7. Places to Explore

8. Parades and Cavalcades

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Guide to Magic Kingdom Attractions That Aren’t Rides

What can you do at Disney World without rides? There are a ton of options at Magic Kingdom.

1. Make a Touring Plan

A day at Magic Kingdom is like spending a day in a sauna with three layers of robed people sitting on your lap while someone pours water on your head. The average person’s hair thinks it is 1988 and crimps with the aid of only humidity.

The discomfort is amplified when you have to wait in line. Make a touring plan to minimize irritation.

Every good touring plan starts with an early arrival time. The park is not as crowded in the morning. If your kids do not look like the picture below at the end of the day, you left attractions at Magic Kingdom on the table.

The ideal touring plan for you depends upon what you want to do. Touringplans.com offers free personalized plans that you can update throughout the day.

Pro tip: Try to save indoor, less popular attractions for the afternoon when it tends to be hot and rainy.

2. Magic Kingdom Attractions Guide for Front of the Line Pass Options

Disney World no longer offers the free FastPass+ system. If you want to skip the line, you have to pay. There are two systems in place, Genie+ and individual Lightning Lanes.

You don’t need to concern yourself with individual Lightning Lanes for attractions that aren’t rides, but you still need to consider Genie+.

What is Genie+?

Genie+ is a paid system that allows you to enter an express line on most of the best Magic Kingdom attractions throughout the day.

How Does Genie+ Work?

Genie+ allows you to reserve spots to avoid lines. Everyone who purchases it can start making reservations at 7:00 a.m. on the day of their visit. This applies whether you are in an on property hotel or off.

You can make a new reservation every two hours OR when your prior selection expires or has been used. This means you can book one less than every two hours if you have no selection pending. If your first selection is later in the day, you may end up holding more than one pass at once after you book your second one.

Disney selects the times for you. You can’t pick.

You can only use Genie+ for each attraction once per day. The days of riding the same thing over and over again with FastPass+ are over.

What Are the Magic Kingdom Genie+ Attractions That Aren’t Rides?

This is a moving target. As character experiences and other attractions return, it is reasonable to assume options will be added. Check the offerings at the time of your trip. As of the time of this update, the following attractions accept Genie+:

1. Mickey’s PhilharMagic

2. Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor

What Does Genie+ Cost?

As of the time of this update, Genie+ costs $15.98 per person per day. You can add it to your vacation package at any time.

Tips for Genie+ Attractions That Aren’t Rides

Pro tip: You do not have to purchase Genie+ for every day of your trip. Purchasing it for Magic Kingdom doesn’t lock you into having to purchase it at the other parks.

Bonus pro tip: Official rules state you can be five minutes early or 15 minutes late for your reservation. If you arrive outside of your return window, they do not have to honor your pass.

Is Genie+ Worth it at Magic Kingdom for Attractions That Aren’t Rides?

Is Genie+ worth it at Magic Kingdom for attractions that aren’t rides? Nope, not even a little. Save your money.

The non-ride attractions at Magic Kingdom that accept Genie+ are basically walk-ons. If you really don’t plan to ride anything, this would be a monumental waste of money.

However, most people ride something. If you plan to ride even a handful of rides, Genie+ is definitely worth it.

3. Shows

Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress

Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress is even older than Disney World itself. It opened at the World’s Fair, and has bounced between Disney World and Disneyland since.

The attraction has a moving theater with an animatronic family talking about different periods in history. The story is slow to say the least, but I’m sure it wasn’t in 1964. The last scene features a futuristic family, if the future were the 1990s.

The attraction has air conditioning and there is never a wait, so it is a good option for the afternoon.

Location: Tomorrowland

Genie+ accepted: No

Indoor or outdoor: Indoor

Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room

Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room is an air conditioned show wherein animatronic birds squawk at you. There is never any wait beyond waiting for the next show to start. It is a great place to sit down and cool off in the afternoon.

This attraction was originally developed in the 1960s for Disneyland. It shows, but not necessarily in a bad way. There is an I Love Lucy vibe, if Lucy and Ricky were birds.

Location: Adventureland

Genie+ accepted: No

Indoor or outdoor: Indoor

magic kingdom attractions guide that aren't rides disney world enchanted tiki room

Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor

Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor is a show wherein the audience helps Mike Wazowski collect laughter. Cameras zoom in on audience members to mock them. The line usually isn’t much longer than waiting for a show or two. This is a great afternoon attraction.

If you like dad jokes, this is a must do in Magic Kingdom.

Pro tip: Do not waste a Genie+ selection on this attraction.

Location: Tomorrowland

Genie+ accepted: Yes

Indoor or outdoor: Indoor

Country Bear Jamboree

Country Bear Jamboree has been around for a long, long time, opening in 1971. It’s obvious. Animatronic bears sing and tell jokes that are inappropriate for young children. Fortunately, they likely won’t be able to understand what they are saying anyway.

This is a good attraction for people who appreciate the history and want to get out of the sun. You will never have to wait beyond waiting for the next show to start. Save this for the afternoon.

Location: Frontierland

Genie+ accepted: No

Indoor or outdoor: Indoor

Enchanted Tales with Belle

Enchanted Takes with Belle is a Beauty and the Beast themed live show. Select children are invited to participate. If your kid is not selected, this could be a real downer. It is very popular, so prepare accordingly if it is a priority for you.

Note: This attraction is temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 as of the time of this update. When it comes back, I would not be surprised if it was added as a Genie+ attraction. Check the offerings at the time of your visit.

Location: Fantasyland

Genie+ accepted: No

Indoor or outdoor: Indoor

The Hall of Presidents

The Hall of Presidents is a show with a crazy long video followed by every president together onstage (in animatronic form, not like a bunch of corpses).

The current president gives a speech. Occasionally, you’ll get an adult with opposing political views who heckles the animatronic speaker, which is a great way to exact social change.

The attraction never has a wait beyond waiting for the next show to start, so it is a great option for the afternoon. The indoor queue has some interesting stuff to see as well, so a minor delay is tolerable.

Location: Liberty Square

Genie+ accepted: No

Indoor or outdoor: Indoor

Nighttime Fireworks

What are the best attractions at Magic Kingdom? The nighttime displays are at the top of the list.

Disney fireworks put your hometown’s display to shame. They are long, filled with intellectual property, and blast your child’s favorite songs throughout. The shows change periodically, but all are impressive. Check the offerings at the time of your visit.

Pro tip: In addition to the fireworks in the sky, there are typically projections on the castle. If you care about seeing these, camp out early or consider a dessert party.

Location: Main Street, U.S.A.

Genie+ accepted: No

Indoor or outdoor: Outdoor

Streetmosphere Entertainment

Throughout the day, there are short, outdoor shows starring characters and barbershop quartets. Check the offerings at the time of your visit.

Location: Main Street, U.S.A.

Genie+ accepted: No

Indoor or outdoor: Outdoor

Mickey’s PhilharMagic

Mickey’s PhilharMagic is a 3-D movie during which Mickey conducts an orchestra. Instruments fly and Donald Duck gets mad. There is never any wait beyond waiting for the next show. Visit this one in the afternoon.

Pro tip: Do not waste a Genie+ selection on this attraction.

Location: Fantasyland

Genie+ accepted: Yes

Indoor or outdoor: Indoor

4. Character Meet and Greets

Do characters walk around Magic Kingdom? Not without handlers. In addition to the facilities listed below, you can often meet several other characters in scheduled places. Check the offerings at the time of your visit.

Pete’s Silly Side Show

At this location, you can meet the Fab Five characters dressed in circus gear.

Location: Fantasyland

Genie+ accepted: No

Indoor or outdoor: Outdoor

Princess Fairytale Hall

You can meet various princesses throughout the day at Fairytale Hall. The lines get long. If this is really important to you, consider heading here early.

Location: Fantasyland

Genie+ accepted: No

Indoor or outdoor: Indoor

Town Square Theater

Town Square Theater is a place to meet Mickey Mouse. There is nothing special about the room itself. If your kid is not dying to meet Mickey Mouse, you can skip it.

Location: Main Street, U.S.A.

Genie+ accepted: No

Indoor or outdoor: Indoor

5. Games

A Pirate’s Adventure ~ Treasures of the Seven Seas

A Pirate’s Adventure is a virtual treasure hunt starring Captain Jack Sparrow. It is free to participate and can be stopped and started at your leisure. It takes about 20 minutes to complete in total.

Location: Adventureland

Genie+ accepted: No

Indoor or outdoor: Outdoor

Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade

This area is not a typical arcade, but rather a laser shooting gallery. It’s like the Buzz Lightyear ride, except you have to pay for it. Unless you have an issue with the very mild movement of that ride, I would avoid this arcade and go for the free experience instead.

Location: Frontierland

Genie+ accepted: No

Indoor or outdoor: Outdoor

6. Play Areas

Casey Jr. Splash ‘N Soak Station

Casey Jr. is a Dumbo-themed splashpad with circus trains and animals shooting water. It is one of the best Magic Kingdom attractions for toddlers who don’t like rides. They will most certainly get wet.

Location: Fantasyland

Genie+ accepted: No

Indoor or outdoor: Outdoor

7. Places to Explore

Cinderella Castle

You enter Magic Kingdom onto Main Street, U.S.A. facing Cinderella castle. It is something to see. There is no question about that. Beyond taking a photo and walking underneath it, there isn’t much to do here unless you are paying for extras.

Location: Main Street, U.S.A.

Genie+ accepted: No

Indoor or outdoor: Outdoor

Firehouse

There is an antique firehouse on Main Street. It won’t take you long to walk through, but it will be interesting for transportation loving kids.

Location: Main Street, U.S.A.

Genie+ accepted: No

Indoor or outdoor: Indoor

Swiss Family Treehouse

Swiss Family Treehouse is a walk up and around a tree house with some decorations. It is quick and there is never a wait. There are a lot of stairs, so be prepared if you will need to carry children. It is a great option for Disney World for people who don’t like rides but want to be active.

Location: Adventureland

Genie+ accepted: No

Indoor or outdoor: Outdoor

Tom Sawyer Island

Tom Sawyer Island is an outdoor section with structures to explore and places for kids to climb. You access it via raft, which involves a line, but it is rarely long,

There is a TMZ video of an alligator attempting to hitch a ride. Once you arrive, uneaten, it is a great place for kids to burn energy.

Location: Frontierland

Genie+ accepted: No

Indoor or outdoor: Outdoor

Swiss Family Treehouse Magic Kingdom Attractions

8. Parades and Cavalcades

Cavalcades

What are cavalcades, you ask? I didn’t know either.

When Disney World reopened, in the interest of not getting shut down again, it tried to limit crowds by discontinuing big parades and fireworks shows. Instead, a couple characters randomly drove down the street in a cavalcade. Parades are back, but cavalacades are still around.

The cavalcades are much smaller than the big parades, but the floats are still intricate, characters wave, the music is loud, and you don’t have to fight crowds to watch. Wins all around.

Location: Main Street, U.S.A.

Genie+ accepted: No

Indoor or outdoor: Outdoor

Festival of Fantasy Parade

What should I not miss at Magic Kingdom? If your kids care about characters, this parade should be on the list. The floats are amazingly detailed.

Festival of Fantasy show times vary, but you can count on it being hot while you watch. Be ready for the heat.

Location: Main Street, U.S.A.

Genie+ accepted: No

Indoor or outdoor: Outdoor

Final Thoughts – Guide to Magic Kingdom Attractions That Aren’t Rides

Can you go to Disney if you don’t like rides? Yes, you can entertain yourself for a good part of the day without them. Use the guide to Magic Kingdom attractions that aren’t rides to decide what you want to do and enjoy the time with your family.

Visit Magic Kingdom with your kids. You will not regret it.