Full Day in Magic Kingdom
The park everyone knows and maybe that is all they think of when they think of Walt Disney World. There of course is more to Disney or Disney World, but you can’t go to ‘Disney’ and not visit the Magic Kingdom. It is the first of the 4 theme parks built and will have more rides than the other theme parks. If you’re going on a Disney vacation I always try to suggest more than one day in the Magic Kingdom. But I understand we do not all have that luxury. So how do I suggest a one day in this park?
A lot of this depends on the time of year and where you’re staying. The busier times of year will differ from the slower times. Being a Disney resort guest has the huge advantage of being able to enter the park early, this is so nice in getting more things done & enjoying a ‘quieter’ park.
*If you’re staying off-site skip to the next step
Tip number one as a Disney Resort guest enter the park as early as you can. If the extra time in the park starts at 8:30 am you will actually be able to enter the park at 8 am, sometimes even earlier. This is a great time to grab a coffee (I find this a must) and take pictures down Main St. If you’re there before rope drop head to the right and you can enter Fantasyland first thing. This will be busy, but don’t be too worried! Go wait in line for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. The line for this is always going to be long, do it first thing. After you have enjoyed this fan favorite head toward Frontierland for step 2.
Start here if you stayed off-property.
2. Head to the left side of the park toward Frontierland. Enjoy Big Thunder, Jungle Cruise, and Haunted Mansion.
3. It might be snack time or second breakfast to some and you’re on the side of the park with some of my favorite places to eat. You can go to Sunshine Tree Terrace for a Citrus Swirl, Aloha Isle for the popular Dole Whip, or my personal favorite Sleepy Hollow for the fruit and Nutella waffle. This is a huge waffle you could share if you wanted :)
4. After some snacks you’re fueled and ready for the next adventure! Check the My Disney Experience App for the latest show & parade times. After you have enjoyed your fruit and Nutella Waffle you can head toward the castle for Mickey’s Magical Friendship Fare show. Check for the latest times. If you’re not a show person keep walking on pass and head into Tomorrowland.
5. This is a great time to relax on the People mover or if you have kids who want to try their hands at driving check out Tomorrowland Speedway. This has always been a favorite of all the kids in my family, and always gets lots of laughs. It is a must-do for younger kids. With the older or more adventurous crowd time to check out Space Mountain! If you purchased Genie+ this is a ride worth it!
6. Need a break or have little ones and just want a more low-key attraction. Check out Carousel of Progress. This is a classic Walt Disney original attraction. It premiered at the 1964 New York World’s Fair. It has a catchy tune you will all be singing after this 20-minute attraction ends.
7 + At this point of the day you could be getting tired hungry or well both. If you’re reading this and planning just one day at the Magic Kingdom my best piece of advice is to have a lunch reservation. This gives everyone a chance to rehydrate fuel up and rest a little. For sit down table service lunches in the Magic Kingdom I personally like-
The Magic Kingdom does not have my personal favorite sitdown restaurants. So if you’re looking for an easy escape and break for lunch check out one of the restaurants at the near by resorts.
Grand Floridian Cafe at the Grand Floridian
‘Ohana at the Polynesian
Steakhouse 71 or a character meal Chef Mickey both at the Contemporary Resort. * Check the hours of each restaurant as currently, Chef Mickey is only serving breakfast until 12:30 and dinner begins at 5 pm.
After you have refreshed with a delicious lunch and maybe a tour of a beautiful monorail resort you can head back into the park for the afternoon parade and more rides. I like to head to Fantasyland at the end of the day or very first thing. This section of the park is busiest all day long.
I also like to have plenty of time in the afternoon to shop. I try to do this before the end of the day, as everyone is grabbing their souvenirs before heading out for the day.
Families with younger kids tend to leave around 5 or 6 pm. I know we always did and this was the key to a successful trip. Since we missed our daughter’s nap or down time during the day, we needed to head back to the resort to have an early dinner and quiet time before having more fun the rest of the vacation. Not pushing her or her cousins to last all day made for a fun low stress trip. When they all got a little older we could be there to enjoy the fireworks at the end of the day.
This plan can vary a lot and if it is a busy time of the year you may have longer wait times. Prioritize what you want to do most, purchase Genie+ to help get on those must-do rides & have at least one dining reservation or a plan to take a break! One last tip of advice is do not forget your water bottle! You can fill it up at the hotel before you head into the parks and ask for ice water at any quick service location to refill your water bottle.
Have questions? Want help customizing your time in Walt Disney World please contact me for free Disney planning!
gbuck@mickeytravels.com
