As you plan your trip to Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom Park should be a must-do stop. This iconic Disney Park with Cinderella Castle brings magic and excitement to Guests through amazing rides, shows, and the overall atmosphere.
During your visit to Magic Kingdom, we have a few dos and don’ts for you to think about. These will hopefully set you up for a magical time in Magic Kingdom, where you can enjoy all it has to offer Guests.
Do Go Early, Don’t Wait Until Park Opening
Magic Kingdom is always the busiest of the four Disney Parks. Because of this, the crowds build quickly throughout the morning. To avoid long waits and large crowds, hit Magic Kingdom early in the morning.
For those staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, go to Magic Kingdom for early entry. This allows you to enter Magic Kingdom thirty minutes before posted opening. Typically, this means that Fantasyland and Tomorrowland are open to Disney Resort Guests starting at 8:30 a.m. Thirty minutes doesn’t seem like a lot of time; however, it can allow you to experience top rides in these two lands before Magic Kingdom is officially open.
Going early doesn’t, however, mean showing up at the Magic Kingdom gates at opening time. Being early means getting to the bus at least an hour before you can enter the Park. This will allow you to get through security, tap into the Park and get to the early entry check-in, all before rides open.
Even if you aren’t staying at a Walt Disney World Resort, get to Magic Kingdom before the posted opening. You will need to park, walk to the Ticket and Transportation Center, and catch either the Ferry or Monorail; you will need some time for transportation. We highly recommend being in the Magic Kingdom parking lot at least an hour before you can enter the Park.
The early bird does get the worm in this case!
Do Have a Plan, Don’t Have a Strict Schedule
Magic Kingdom is huge. With six lands to discover, you will want a general plan. This means talking through what your must-do experiences are for the day. Have a general idea of what rides, shows, and dining everyone wants to experience and use that to guide the day.
Don’t show up in Magic Kingdom with a strict minute-by-minute plan. Not only will this frustrate everyone in your group, but you will quickly find that you can’t stick to it, and trying to do so is causing you to miss out on the magic.
By showing up with a general plan of what you want to accomplish during your visit to Magic Kingdom, you will be able to navigate the day better, which is essential. A strict schedule is unrealistic and will just cause frustration.
Do Ride the Thrill Rides, Don’t Miss the Classics
When you arrive at Magic Kingdom, you will want to make sure you find some thrills during your day. Make sure you join the virtual queue or purchase an Individual Lightning Lane for Tron: Lightcyle Run. This new high-speed, intense coaster shouldn’t be skipped.
Other thrilling rides you will want to experience are Space Mountain, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. You can also find Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion in Liberty Square to be thrilling in a different way.
As you enjoy those thrilling attractions, don’t forget to experience the classics. Peter Pan’s Flight is a small world; Dumbo and the Flying Elephants are also rides you should experience while visiting Magic Kingdom. These rides are what make Magic Kingdom so unique and magical. Don’t miss out on them during your visit. The trills are excellent, but so are the classics.
Do Enjoy the Entertainment, and Don’t Skip the Parade
Magic Kingdom, especially Main Street, U.S.A., is full of live entertainment. Start your day with the Dapper Dans as they welcome you to Magic Kingdom. Have fun seeing your favorite characters during Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire. This stage show happens multiple times during the day and is a perfect time to grab the Mickey snack and enjoy a show.
You also won’t want to miss the Festival of Fantasy Parade. This currently happens two times a day at noon and 3:00 p.m. It starts back in Frontierland and goes to the hub and down Main Street, U.S.A.. This is an outstanding parade with many beloved characters and exceptional floats. This is also where you can find the fire-breathing Maleficent dragon.
Do See the Fireworks, Don’t Wait for Hours
Happily Ever After is the fantastic and magical nighttime show at Magic Kingdom. This show features fireworks, projections, and music from some of our favorite Disney and Pixar films. This show is one of Disney’s best creations, and you don’t want to miss out on the magic.
Even though we think it is a must-do part of your Magic Kingdom day, we also don’t think you need to spend hours waiting for it. Although some spots are better than others, you can enjoy the show throughout Magic Kingdom.
If a perfect spot is essential to you, consider booking a dessert party. This allows you to enjoy some fantastic desserts before or after the show while watching from a particular viewing area.
Happily Ever After is a must-do when visiting Magic Kingdom. It is the perfect way to wrap up a magical day in the Park.
Those are some dos and don’t of visiting Magic Kingdom. We hope they will help you as you navigate the Park during your next Walt Disney World vacation.
