The original Walt Disney World Resort theme park, aka Magic Kingdom, has many areas to explore.  One area that you may be very familiar with, but never really noticed, may be the Town Square just within the entryway to the Magic Kingdom.

Setting The Stage For Family Fun

Like a classic Disney Movie the entrance to the Magic Kingdom sets the stage for a day where families can:
"Leave Today and Enter the World of Yesterday, Tomorrow, and Fantasy"

Main Street USA certainly fills the bill for the World of Yesterday and the Town Square is the Disney guest's introduction to this idealistic vision of small town America during the early 20th century.  The Town Square provides a central meeting point for people to gather, a train station, the City Hall, a Fire Station, Barber Shop, Restaurant, Theater, and Shops.


All of these well-themed locations filled with Disney details and often they are all overlooked because the Town Square also happens to frame the Disney World guests first glimpse of Cinderella Castle and provides the entrance way to the rest of the Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom Town Square Landmarks

The Town Square is filled with iconic landmarks.  Starting with the patriotic flag pole prominently positioned in the center of the square.  Each day before sunset a special flag retreat ceremony is held.

Pictured above is the Main Street Railroad Station.  The railroad is an important part of all of the Disney Magic Kingdom locations around the world and is the only official attraction (ride) that is located on Main Street.


The Town Square Theater is where you can find Mickey Mouse and have your picture taken with him.
Special Disney Insider Hidden Secret:
This is also currently also the only place at the Walt Disney World Resort where you can have a conversation with Mickey Mouse.



Tony's Town Square Restaurant is a Disney Table Service Restaurant that is themed according to The Lady and the Tramp and features Italian specialties.



The City Hall is where you can find Guest Services and get a special celebration button.


The Fire Station is where you can get signed up to play the FREE interactive Sorcerers of The Magic Kingdom game.  All guests who sign up get a pack of FREE collectible game cards to keep as a souvenir.


The Magic Kingdom also has a fully functioning barbershop located on Town Square.  Many a child has gotten their memorable first haircuts here.  They don't take reservations, so don't be surprised if there is a long line waiting out the door or prior to its opening.


The last landmark is the second most famous statue in the Magic Kingdom.  This one depicts Walt's brother Roy sitting on a bench with Minnie Mouse.

Character Greetings

Often you can meet Disney Characters in and around Town Square.  The characters change from day to day so you have to be on the lookout or consult a Disney Cast Member as to the schedule for the day.

Main Street Transportation

The last little known Disney World Hidden Secret about Town Square is that there a several special vehicles that you can ride up and down Main Street USA.  You are most likely to see them early in the day and during times when the park is less crowded.  There are signs around the Town Square where you may board the vehicles. ...and the best part is that they are FREE!

Don't Overlook The Town Square Ever Again!

Hopefully after you have read this article it has sparked your interest to pay closer attention to the Main Street Town Square and all it has to offer.  I have only scratched the surfaced on all there is to see and explore on and around the square.  Don't be afraid to slow down a little and check out the Town Square, even if that time is when you are heading on your way out of the Magic Kingdom!

One the the best parts of visiting the Magic Kingdom is all of the Disney Character interactions that can occur without having to spend extra for special events or Disney Character Dining.  Without spending extra there are 18 different Disney Character meet and greet opportunities that you can take part in at the Magic Kingdom.

Disney Friends At Town Square

Each day there are usually a number of Disney Characters that congregate at the Town Square, just inside the Magic Kingdom.  They are great opportunities for Disney guests to meet and greet Disney characters and to start the process of having their picture taken with Disney characters,

Here we see Marie waiting to meet with Disney World Guests.

Classic Disney Characters

At Pete's Silly Sideshow, located in the back of the Magic Kingdom in the area currently known as Storybook Circus there are 4 different Classic Disney Characters that you can meet in two separate lines.  In one line you can see Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck, while the other line allows you to meet Goofy and Donald Duck.

This location is not well known to most Disney World guests and is a great way to get to meet these characters without a long wait!

Characters From "Aladdin"

Adventureland is the home to many great attractions and the opportunity to meet some of your favorite characters from the hit Disney movie "Aladdin."  The characters will vary depending upon the day, but you may get to meet Genie, Princess Jasmine, and/or Aladdin.

Characters From Disney/Pixar's Toy Story

Are you a Toy Story fan?  Well, who isn't?  If you would like the chance to meet some of these characters, then you should make your way to the attraction queue for Splash Mountain, where they have a special spot for meeting Magic Kingdom guests.  Woody & Jessie are among the characters you may meet.

Characters From "The Princess and the Frog"

Liberty Square is home to a special little garden where you may meet Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen from "The Princess and the Frog."  Tiana's Garden Glen is a great place to meet a Disney Princess with usually short lines and a shady waiting area.

Merida From Disney/Pixar's Brave

If you love Merida, you can meet her at a special meeting place between Cinderella Castle and Cosmic Ray's.  This well, designed area allows for a great picture setting and you may even get an archery lesson from Merida herself!

Mickey Mouse

What visit to the Magic Kingdom is complete without visiting the mouse that started it all, Mickey Mouse!  In the Town Square Theater which can be found to your right as you enter the Magic Kingdom,  Mickey Mouse meets guests all day.  If you are tight on time, you can get a FastPass+ to reserve a time to meet Mickey Mouse and cut down on your wait.

Tinker Bell

Everyone's favorite feisty fairy can also be found at the Town Square Theater.  Like Mickey Mouse, you can also get a FastPass+ to reserve a time to meet Tinker Bell if you do not want to wait in the standby line.

Princess Fairytale Hall - Anna & Elsa from Frozen and Cinderella and Rapunzel

The place to meet Disney Royalty is currently at Princess Fairytale Hall which is located in Fantasyland behind Cinderella Castle.

There are currently two different queues where you can either wait to meet Princess Anna & Queen Elsa from Frozen or Cinderella & Rapunzel.  Both lines have FastPass+ as an option, so if meeting your favorite is a must you may want to use this option.

Ariel At Her Grotto

Ariel has her own special spot in Fantasyland where you can meet her "Under The Sea."  Ariel's Grotto provides a great photographic background for your special pictures with your favorite mermaid.  You can also get FastPass+ for Ariel.

Enchanted Tales with Belle

Although it is billed as an attraction, Enchanted Tales With Belle is also a meet and greet opportunity for all children (and adults) who volunteer to take part in the performance.  This is a great opportunity to get your picture taken with Belle!

Incredibles Super Dance Party In Tomorrowland

Take advantage to meet the cast of The Incredibles and dance along to the hits with them. Mr. Incredible, Mrs. Incredible, and Frozone were all dancing to the music played by the DJ at RocketTower Plaza.

Winnie The Pooh & Friends at A Place For Friends To Meet

Right next to the Many Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh attraction is A Place For Friends To Meet, where you can meet one or more of Winnie The Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and Eyeore.  Today we caught Winnie The Pooh and Tigger walking to the meeting place.

Peter Pan

Right next to the entrance to Adventureland near the Crystal Palace and the Aloha Isle (home to the Dle Whip) is a small patio where you may get to meet Peter Pan.  He can often be found here meeting guests.  Sometimes Peter and Wendy could be found meeting guests near Peter Pan's Flight in Fantasyland.

Alice In Wonderland

Often you can meet Alice In Wonderland next to the Mad Tea Party attraction.  Sometimes Alice is joined by the Mad Hatter or the White Rabbit.

Lady Tremaine and the Stepsisters - Anastasia & Drizella

Life isn't always about Princesses.  Often you can meet Cinderella's less famous step sisters Anastasia and Drizella behind Cinderella Castle with their mother Lady Tremaine.  If you have a chance to interact with the Step Sisters you will find that they are often quite hilarious.