One of the most common questions people ask is how to get the most from a Disney vacation, especially Walt Disney World in Orlando. With four parks, two water parks and Downtown Disney, planning a vacation can seem overwhelming.
I’ve got some good news!!! Once you understand how the parks are laid out and tricks to avoid the madness (or at least minimize it), a Disney vacation CAN BE relaxing…. Well, your feet might get tired after a long day, but you won’t lose your mind figuring out what to do next.
A side note: When you use a Disney vacation specialist to plan your trip and they give you an itinerary to follow, it’s okay to skip ahead sometimes! Weather, unexpected crowds or kids having meltdowns might mean you need to adjust. You can do it!
With that said, let’s explore the Magic Kingdom. The plan I suggest really does work. We have been taking the kids to Disney since they were 5 and 2, now 21 and 18 and 10. When they were little, it worked. Now that they are coaster junkies, it still works. Park crowds, operating hours, attraction closures and weather can affect the best of plans, though, so flexibility is also an important part of any good Disney plan (yes, it’s worth repeating)!
There are essentially two ways to approach a day at the Magic Kingdom: plan or don’t plan. Those who don’t plan are easy to spot. Huddled together, the group studies a park map trying to figure out where they are, where they’ve been and how to possibly fit everything else in! They’re usually grumpy! Those with a plan cruise through the day enjoying the magic of Disney.
Magic Kingdom Step-by-Step Planning Guide
This guide offers a general plan to experience the Magic Kingdom, but customize it to fit your family’s needs. Using the information here, create customized maps at the Disney site to suit your family’s desires. The customized maps offer suggestions based on the ages of children traveling in your group and can simplify your decision making process.
The Magic Kingdom is laid out much like a clock.
- Picture Cinderella’s Castle as the middle of the clock, where the hands turn.
- At “noon” is the New Fantasyland with iconic children’s rides like “It’s a Small World,” Mickey’s PhilharMagic show and Peter Pan.
- The Storybook Circus, at 1:30 on our clock, features “Dumbo” and other attractions geared for younger families.
- On the “clock” at 3:00 is Tomorrowland with Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin.
- At 6:00 is Main Street, U.S.A. — where you enter the park.
- At 8:00 you’ll find Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Adventureland and Frontierland.
- Finally, at 10:00 is Liberty Square featuring the Hall of Presidents and the Haunted Mansion.
See how easy it is?
Now, let’s plan your day!
Before you go, do just a bit of research
1. Make a list using the customized map page on the Disney website of all the rides and attractions your family would like to experience. Add any restaurants you want to enjoy. If you purchase tickets in advance, plan to make fast pass reservations 30 days before your vacation (60 days ahead if staying on Disney property) — more on this in a bit.
2. Plan to arrive at the park an hour before it opens, especially if visiting during peak season. That gives you more time to enjoy the park before the big crowds hit! Include a midmorning snack and drink in your bag, especially if you have a lunch reservation at 1:00 or later (highly recommended)! We’ll be traveling through the park counter-clockwise — unlike most park guests.
Your Magic Kingdom in a day experience
3. Once the park opens, stroll along Main Street. Enjoy the sights, sounds and smells, but save shopping for the afternoon when you want a break from the heat!
4. Head to Tomorrowland, which is 3:00 on your “Magic Kingdom” clock.
Notes on attractions in Tomorrowland:
- Families with older kids and teens will probably want Space Mountain fastpasses for later in the day. Those with younger kids will want fastpasses for Buzz Lightyear for a second ride later in the day. You should be able to ride either of these soon after park opening, no fast pass needed. (Rider Swap works on Space Mountain)
- Stitch’s Great Escape is designated as a ride for “all ages,” but most people I’ve talked with find it better for kids ages 10 and up. (Rider Swap works here, too)
- Tomorrowland Speedway lines get long and hot as the day progresses. Ride early if you plan to ride at all or get a fast pass. Standby times can stretch to 45 minutes or more.
5. Continue to the Storybook Circus area of New Fantasyland — 1:30 on the “Magic Kingdom clock,” to ride Dumbo and the Barnstormer. These kid sized attractions are especially popular among the preschool set.
NOTE: If you’re traveling with older kids, skip Storybook Circus. This might be a good time to ride the Tomorrowland Raceway if lines aren’t already too long.
6. Continue counterclockwise into Fantasyland Forest, located at noon on the clock. This is the newest area in the Magic Kingdom and features the popular Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, the carousel, Peter Pan’s Flight and the Be Our Guest Restaurant. Most everyone will also want to catch “It’s a Small World” and “Mickey’s PhilharMagic” show, at least once.
Of these attractions, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Peter Pan’s Flight have the longest wait times. Use Fastpass for these attractions.
Break for lunch!
Since you’re in Fantasyland, all the restaurants are easy to get to. Quick queue meals are available throughout the park. Or, use these time tested tips instead:
- The standby line for Be Our Guest moves quickly so if you can’t get dinner reservations here, lunch is a great option. The restaurant is large and air conditioned.
- Other restaurant options are available nearby if you don’t want to wait, including The Plaza Restaurant on Main Street for casual sit-down dining and the Crystal Palace or Cinderella’s Royal Table for character dining. (The Plaza Restaurant is our family’s favorite — large portions, excellent service and small restaurant — so it’s less hectic)
- We make our dining reservations for lunch around 1 or 1:30 p.m. This is the most crowded time in the park, so having reservations gets us out of the crowd and we don’t have to wait in long lines for quick service food. An early afternoon lunch is also a great way to recharge for the afternoon.
Now back to the park!
7. Now that the morning rush is past at Adventureland and Frontierland let’s head that direction (8:00 on your “Magic Kingdom clock.”)
Schedule fastpasses for Splash Mountain or Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at 2:00 p.m. or at least one hour after your lunch reservation. Visit other attractions in this area, including: Tinkerbell’s Magical Nook (see daily guide for meet and greet times), Jungle Cruise, the Magic Carpet’s of Aladdin, and the Enchanted Tiki Room show.
Notes on attractions in Adventureland and Frontierland:
- There’s a small playground tucked away to the right of the Splash Mountain entrance offering kids too small for the ride free space to play while waiting. Parent benches allow the “big kids” to rest in cool shade.
- Tom Sawyer Island (in Frontierland near Big Thunder Mountain Railroad) offers space to run, climb and explore. If kids are restless — or young kids are waiting on big kids — Tom Sawyer’s Island is a great space to get out of the stroller and play! This section of the park closes around 5 p.m. My kids still love it!
- Check your daily park map for parade times. The afternoon parade runs along Main Street and through Frontierland. It’s quite popular and crowds vie for the best spots up to two hours before parade time. For more detailed information on parade routes, times and best viewing locations, visit Kingdom Magic Travel. We use parade “downtime” to snack, rehydrate, visit the restroom and take naps.
8. After the parade, move on to Liberty Square featuring the Haunted Mansion (recommended for kids age 10+ because it’s a bit scary), Liberty Square Riverboat (a relaxing ride great for those who want to rest and young children), and the Hall of Presidents.
That’s it! You’ve made one successful loop through the park. Now that you’ve made your way once around the Magic Kingdom, decide what your group loved most and go do it again or watch a show on Cinderella’s castle stage. Using the Disney parks app, you can check standby wait times to decide the best choice. In general, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain and the Fantasyland rides thin out toward evening. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Buzz Lightyear, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and the princess meet and greets always have long lines.
As time allows, visit rides and attractions you enjoyed most while waiting for the evening parade and fireworks. If you have done all you want, head back to the hotel to escape the crowds, swim in the pool or take a nap before the evening parade and fireworks. Check the daily park map for show times. If you scheduled an evening dinner, relax and enjoy it knowing you have seen everything you planned!
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A few more tips
Regarding Rider Swap:
This feature is available for Disney theme park guests with children too young or too small to ride certain attractions. Rider Swap allows one adult to stay with young children while others ride the attraction. Afterward, the non-rider can ride the attraction without having to go through the regular queue and another guest can go too. No need to ride alone!
FASTPASS is free for all Disney guests. Each guest is allowed 3 fastpasses per day — all at one park. Park rules state that you must use your fast pass during the time stated on the ticket, though sometimes, that is waived. Most people book fast pass attractions before travel. The parks do make same-day fastpasses available to those who do not purchase tickets ahead of time, though quantities are limited. Check this out for the best Fastpass Secrets for Magic Kingdom.
Confused? I hope not! If you are, reread this post and use the included links. It does make sense! If you have questions or suggestions not addressed here, please leave a comment below. I will respond to all questions. AND I appreciate the feedback of other seasoned Disney guests!
Kathy says
This was such a great commentary. I loved the clock analogy. We will be in the Magic Kingdom for the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. We will only be in the park from 4-midnight, and we get on a Disney Cruise the next day. I am not so worried about the character meet and greets since we will be with characters for four straight days, but I need some tips/advice on how to pack as much in as possible while we are in the park.
My husband went to the park as a kid in 1984, I went in 1988, and we haven’t been back since. My daughters (8 & 4) don’t think that they will ever get to go since my husband has a prosthetic leg that doesn’t bend in the same spot that we bend. He will have to remove his leg to get on 95% of the rides. We won’t be telling them about this portion of the trip until we park in the lot that afternoon.
Karen Dawkins says
Kathy, what a great surprise for your kids!
The park is not as full during the Not So Scary Halloween Party, so you should have no trouble getting on rides.
Some tips:
1. If staying on Disney property, be sure you schedule fastpasses for popular rides (Seven Dwarfs, Peter Pan (if that interests you), and Buzz Lightyear — or whatever 3 rides you think the kids will like best — during regular park hours and after your arrival. Then, during the Halloween Party, follow the same path and stop to enjoy the special events you encounter along the way.
Also, see the WDW website for specifics on how to get assistance for your husband. Their customer support should be able to assist if anything is unclear. I really appreciate how Disney makes it manageable for families with special needs.
Enjoy your cruise too! (See my tips for that. Just search disney cruise on my site!)
Debra says
LOVE THE DETAIL!!! Are your recommendations still the same, even after the changes at Magic Kingdom in the last couple of years? We are going in June and have 1 day to spend with grandparents and our 6 and 4 year old. Thanks!
Karen Dawkins says
Debra, We’ll be at Disney in June, too! 🙂
Excellent question! Yes, my recommendations are still much the same. BUT, take the time to schedule fastpasses before you go. Adjust your itinerary to meet those needs. For kids ages 6 and 4, I suggest a fastpass to the Disney princesses queue (if you want photos and/or have a girl), fastpass to Buzz Lightyear’s ride in Tomorrowland and a fastpass for either Splash Mountain or Big Thunder Mountain RR if kids are tall enough OR if they aren’t, then a fastpass to Peter Pan’s adventure — but only because the line is usually quite long. Here’s a link explaining the new Disney Fastpass+ system: https://familytravelsonabudget.com/disney/new-disney-fastpass/. Be sure to reserve your fastpasses 60 days before travel if you can.
Sandra @ The Adored Home says
What great info! As a Disney AP holder I go each month but I am always looking for great tips! I even go one I need to use!
Sandra
The Adored Home
Karen Dawkins says
Sandra, Do you have any tips for me? We leave Friday for an 8 day vacation! 🙂
OneMommy says
Are you telling me Fastpass is free??
Why oh why did I not know this when we went 2 years ago? LOL — We still saw all we wanted to see, but stood in some long lines with a 2 and 3 year old. We planned to do it this year, but thought we had to pay for it. Wait until I tell my husband!
Karen says
Yep. For now, it’s free. Sorry you didn’t know that before.
Family Travels on a Budget says
Leigh,
Great question! Kids get in free before their third birthday! 🙂 If you could schedule a trip between 2.5 and 3, you get to enjoy the magic of their wonder without breaking the bank (quite so much). Our kids' first trip was when our oldest was 5 and our younger son was 2 1/2. They loved every minute! You're an adventurous mom so whenever you decide to go, I'm confident you all will have fun!
Karen
leigh says
How young is too young to enjoy Disney? Twins are just 19 months…
Rosann says
Karen, this is such an informative article with really great great advice. Thank you so much for doing what you do here at this blog. I know you're becoming a very helpful resource to so many people. 🙂
Blessings,
~Rosann
Theresa @ SixSuitcaseTravel says
Wow! Lots of helpful information for making sure to get everything in at the Magic Kingdom!
Thanks for joining our blog hop! Adding your blog to my RSS reader!
The Budget Diet says
WOW…wonderfully detailed! Where was your blog 12 years ago when we attempted Disney on New Year's Eve ? I'm convinced it's their busiest day of the year!
Nan @ Playful Decor says
Great info!! We went for one day when kids were toddlers – big mistake! I always knew I'd wait until they were at least 5 but for some reason we took them early. So it will be a few more years. Def do reservations and go in January to beat the heat!
it's great to "BE" â„¢ says
Your post was very thorough. For any family traveling to Disney's Magic Kingdom you provided all the best information to have an enjoyable day. I shared via Twitter! And have bookmarked so if we ever go back I know exactly where I can refer to… I wish I knew then what I know now!
Karen Dawkins says
Thanks for that compliment. I appreciate it.
Familytravelsonabudget says
Kristl,
Ha! Twelve years ago I took the kids to Disney for the first time. We went in September. We celebrated New Year's Eve there this past year, though. Watched fireworks from Yacht and Beach Club. Awesome. We saw Downtown Disney, Hollywood Studios and Epcot's celebrations. Magical.
Karen
Karen Dawkins says
Nan,
Go again! Really! You'll love it because you'll have a plan now. If you want personalized attention, email me when you get that far. I'll help!
Karen
Familytravelsonabudget says
Thanks for that feedback. I hope you get to go back! In fact, writing the post made me want to go back… though I think I'll wait until early 2013 when the NEW Fantasyland is complete!