AndiMagic Kingdom is the most popular park in the Walt Disney World Complex. It’s very busy to say the least! If you have never been, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with everything to do and see. Not to mention the crowds! These are the BEST Magic Kingdom Park tips that I’ve picked up over my 15 years of visiting Walt Disney World.
Before Visiting Magic Kingdom Park Tips:
1. Buy A Valid Magic Kingdom Ticket
Disney does NOT have discount tickets! Make sure that when you see a “really good” deal online or from someone in person, you verify it’s from a legit company. Also, tickets are not transferable. Don’t buy a ticket from a friend or stranger that offers you a discount on the days they didn’t use.
Purchase your Walt Disney World Tickets through the company website or with a Disney Travel Advisor, like me 🙂
2. Make Disney Dining Reservations
At this time, you can make your dining reservations 60 days out from the beginning of your trip. Some of the best restaurants and time slots will go quickly, so make sure to reserve as soon as it opens!
3. Make A Magic Kingdom Bucket List
I’m all about bucket lists, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that I have one for the Magic Kingdom.
We all have different likes and interests, not to mention the interests of the people traveling in your family or group. Your Magic Kingdom list will probably look a whole lot different than mine.
The whole point of the list to make sure you prioritize what is most important for your Magic Kingdom Park day. Come up with a few must do’s for each person in your family/group and make those a priority.
4. Have Realistic Expectations
Before you even head to Disney, make sure you keep your expectations in check. Is it the most magical place on Earth? Absolutely! But everyone else thinks so as well!
The crowds can be CRAZY at Disney! Depending on the time of year, the crowds will vary. Summer, Christmas and holidays expect large crowds. There may be lines for EVERYTHING! Like rides, food, drinks, characters, the monorail and even the bathroom!
You will not be able to see and do everything Magic Kingdom has to offer in one day, or maybe even one week. This is why the list from above is so important! Make a list of the must do’s and everything else will be a bonus!
5. Download the Disney App
The My Disney Experience Mobile App is awesome! Before the trip, you can purchase tickets, make dining reservations and make Genie+ reservations.
During your trip, you’ll have access to all the Disney park information right on your phone! It shows the daily shows and show times. Plus, an up to date wait time estimate for each ride! It’s extremely convenient!
Download now, so that it will be ready to go during your trip.
6. Research Height Restrictions on Rides
This applies mostly to families with little ones. There’s nothing worse than hyping your kid up for a ride and then find out that they can’t ride it!
Magic Kingdom Park Tips- Park Day:
7. Get There For Rope Drop!
This may be the most IMPORTANT Magic Kingdom Park tip I can ever give you! Get to Magic Kingdom BEFORE it opens! You can get more done in the first hour or two of park opening than you can the rest of the day.
Rope drop is the term us Disney addicts use for park opening.
8. Plan Extra Time For Arrival To The Park
If you are driving yourself to the Magic Kingdom, allow extra time for parking and getting into the park.
After parking in the lot, you’ll need to take the monorail or ferry to get over to the Magic Kingdom. I would allow at least 15-20 minutes for this.
9. Use Rider Switch
Rider Switch is a system for riders to switch off waiting in line for a ride.
For example, if you have a four year old that is not tall enough or doesn’t want to ride a certain ride, the parents can switch off. One rides it while the other waits with the four year old, and when they’re done the other parent gets to ride.
These are the rides at Magic Kingdom that provide Rider Switch:
- The Barnstormer
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
- Space Mountain
- Splash Mountain
- Tomorrowland Indy Speedway
10. Take A Break During The Day
After a long morning of riding rides and walking around the park, it’s good to take a break. We break in one of two ways.
We either take a big break in the middle of the afternoon by going back to the resort to swim or relax. Or we will take small breaks throughout the park to rest and recharge.
11. Take Time To Notice The Details
The creators of Magic Kingdom have put so much thought and details into the park. Every land is specially themed and decorated.
Main Street has the names important Disney people on the windows.
Lady & the Tramp’s paw prints are outside Tony’s Town Square Restaurant.
12. Pick A Parade Spot
If the parade is important to you, make sure to find your spot at least 30 minutes before it starts. Depending on the season, it may need to be an hour earlier.
If it’s not that important, but you’d still like to watch the parade, grab a spot five to ten minutes before it starts. You won’t have front row seats and will need to stand, but you should still have a good view.
13. Have a Firework Strategy
The Magic Kingdom Nightly Firework is spectacular and you don’t want to miss it!
This will be like the parade tip above. Depending on how important the fireworks will be to you, will depend on the timing of when to get your spot. I would plan on an hour for a good spot on Main Street.
However, I’ve found good spots 10 minutes before by finding a gap in a group of people. There’s definitely no guarantee you’ll get a good spot with this strategy, but you won’t be waiting for an hour either.
14. Disney Shopping Delivery
A great thing about shopping in the Disney parks is that you can have your purchases delivered to the park entrance or your resort (if staying on Disney property)! No more having to lug things around all day!
15. Shop At Night
The Disney stores stay open way after the park closes! This is when we do our shopping, so it doesn’t take away precious park time.
16. Stay Late
After the fireworks end, there is a mad dash of people leaving the park. I personally like to wait the crowd out. My thoughts are that we’ll be waiting in a monorail line and then a car line to leave, so why not wait in the park.
Like I said in the last tip, the Disney stores stay open very late! It’s the perfect time to shop for souvenirs or get that late night snack.
Plus, when the crowds die down you’ll be able to get a nighttime shot of the castle with minimal people!
Magic Kingdom Park Tips – What To Bring
17. Wear Comfortable Shoes
This is another one of the most important Magic Kingdom Park tips! You will be doing a TON of walking, so make sure you wear comfortable shoes!
18. Bring A Phone Charger
This is super helpful, because your phone battery will get depleted! There are a couple places to charge your phone throughout the park, but I recommend bringing a portable charger.
19. Bring a Poncho
The Orlando area is known for it’s daily afternoon rain storms in the summer. Bring a poncho, so you can throw it on and keep going about your day.
20. Water Bottle
Bring a light weight reusable water bottle that you can fill up throughout the day to keep hydrated.
Magic Kingdom Park Tips – Dining
21. Score An Early Breakfast Reservation
Breakfast reservations begin one hour before the park is scheduled to open for the day. If you book one of these, you’ll have access to an almost empty Main Street. This is a perfect time to get pictures of the Castle with no one else in the shot.
These are coveted time slots, so you’ll have to try and reserve the minute your booking window opens.
If the park opens at 9:00 AM, you’ll want your breakfast reservation no later than 8:15! Remember the tip earlier about rope drop? That’s much more important, so be done eating before the park opens!
22. Avoid Table Service Meals Before Noon
I know, the last tip is a complete contradiction to this one. But that is the ONLY exception. Again, you can get more done in the morning than any other time during the day, so we want to make the most of it.
Plus, if you have a dining reservation in the afternoon, you’ll be ready to sit and take a break.
23. Bring Food & Snacks Into The Park
Disney World allows you to bring in your own food and drinks. This is a great way to save money on bottled water and snacks! No alcoholic beverages.
24. Water For Free
Speaking of water, Disney does offer cups of ice cold water at all counter service locations and kiosks.
Make sure to drink plenty, because the Florida heat can be brutal!
25. Mobile Order
If you’re going to dine at a counter service restaurant, I recommend mobile ordering. From the My Disney Experience App, you can order your food and it will tell you when to come pick it up. That means no more waiting in line!!
26. Try a Dole Whip
This is a must try snack in the Magic Kingdom! It’s a perfect refreshing treat on a hot summer day. Actually it’s perfect any day!
27. Make a Dining Reservation at a Monorail Resort
A great way to take an afternoon break is to have a late lunch or early dinner at one of the monorail resorts. This will allow you to get out of the park and take a break.
Disney Monorail Resorts:
- Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Polynesian Village Resort
- Contemporary Resort
These are my Best Magic Kingdom Park tips!! Are you ready to explore Magic Kingdom?!?!
Need help planning or booking your Disney World Vacation?? I love helping others create magical Disney memories!
