Your Best Day at Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom is arguably the most popular park in all of Walt Disney World. Who are we kidding — it is the most popular park in all of Disney World. It can be painfully overwhelming at times and, as an adult, you may want to figure out how to make the most of your Magic Kingdom day without feeling like you’re going to go insane. Maybe that’s just us? We’ll give you some tips anyway!
You Don’t Have to Eat in the Park
Eating in the parks can be a big ask — especially if you don’t have reservations. While there are undoubtedly some amazing quick service options in Magic Kingdom, you don’t want to end up at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café. Oof. Trust us on that one.
With the Monorail loop right outside of the Magic Kingdom gates, you can enjoy cuisine at the Contemporary, Grand Floridian, and Polynesian. We would leave the Magic Kingdom in a heartbeat if it meant sitting down with some Ohana noodles. Yum. There are so many great options just moments away. Consider Chef Mickey’s, The Wave, Steakhouse 71, Kona Cafe, or Narcoossee’s.
It’s work thinking about where you can eat outside the park that might feel like an escape from the busy streets of Magic Kingdom.
Hit Those Big Attractions First
When you get to Magic Kingdom and the gates have flung wide open, you will have a rush of adrenaline like nothing you’ve felt before. Maybe that’s a little bit dramatic, but it’s absolutely exciting! With rides like Space Mountain and (coming soon) TRON not too far from Main Street Hub, it’s great to hit those first and beat the long lines. Especially if you’re visiting during peak season.
If you’re staying in a Resort that offers early park access, consider mapping out the big rides (or popular attractions) first. Imagine: Space Mountain, Seven Dwarves Mine Train, Peter Pan’s Flight, and Big Thunder Mountain all in the first 90 minutes. Now that sounds like a good day at Disney.
Don’t Skip Out on Main Street
It’s far too easy to make everything about attractions, entertainment, and rushing from this to that. But it doesn’t have to be. You can easily get the full Magic Kingdom experience and still take some time to explore Main Street USA. Main Street is one of our favorite places in Magic Kingdom and its charm is every bit of what makes Disney World so special. Take time to explore the shops, soak in the rich history, and chat with Cast Members. They’ll be glad to share secrets about the park and their own experiences.
Take a Break
When you’ve hit your limit and you just need a break, TAKE IT. You don’t need to run yourself ragged just for the sake of soaking in every little moment. There’s so much to do and see at the parks but taking a beat to relax and enjoy yourself can be just the rejuvenation you need.
We recommend sitting in the hub, people watching, riding the WDW Railroad, or stepping out to Seven Seas Lagoon and taking a boat ride. It’s not worth overdoing it in the Florida heat. Take a break and enjoy the day!
It’s Okay if You Skip the Fireworks, Really.. it’s Fine.
Spoiler alert: this is a hot take, but one we take seriously. Fireworks are great and there’s no doubt about it, but if you’ve seen one you’ve kind of seen them all. The fireworks show is going to be so crowded and it can be extremely stressful and (unpopular opinion) not worth it. If you really want to watch the nighttime spectaculars, consider watching from Tomorrowland or by Big Thunder Mountain. But if you really don’t to be in the crowds, watch from the Polynesian or the Contemporary.
Point is, while the fireworks are amazing you don’t have to watch them. The stress of the end-of-day Magic Kingdom Crowds can be fiercely overwhelming. Do what’s best for you and your family. Make sure you enjoy the day you see fit.
We hope these tips help you figure out your next Magic Kingdom visit. We invite you to check out our show to learn more about how to have a great trip in Disney Parks.
