When you think of Disney World it is highly likely the first thing you think of is either Magic Kingdom or something located inside the famous Disney Park. Full of famous attractions, Disney landmarks and it is usually the first stop on most people’s Disney World Vacation so we thought we would share 20 of our Magic Kingdom Tips.
Find Out More About Magic Kingdom:
- How Big is Magic Kingdom?
- The Best Magic Kingdom Rides and Shows
- Magic Kingdom Afternoon Parade
- Magic Kingdom Quick Service
- Places to Eat in Magic Kingdom
- The Best Magic Kingdom Snacks
- Best Magic Kingdom Breakfast Locations
20 Handy Tips for Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom is the original Disney World Park opening back in October 1971 and can keep you occupied for days. The park is so much fun and as with all the Walt Disney World Resort Parks it is always helpful to have some useful tips for when you are in Magic Kingdom. Here are 20 tips for Magic Kingdom.
1. Get There for Rope Drop
Now I’m not saying every time you go to Magic Kingdom that you need to be there for rope drop but, I would recommend getting there early at least a couple of times. First thing in the morning you can really get on some attractions. We quite often wait by the bridge next to the Adventureland entrance that leads on to Liberty Square via the Christmas Shop and hit Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Splash Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean in a very short space of time. In fact, we have been on Big Thunder Mountain twice in the past before hitting Splash Mountain and Pirates. Of course, you can head to Space Mountain or Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, but more people do tend to head in those directions. This makes getting to Magic Kingdom for rope drop our number one tip.
2. Ride Attractions during the Fireworks
The evening Fireworks are another great opportunity to get on some attractions. Most of the crowds will be in front of Cinderella’s Castle so make sure you are in the area of the park where you need to be when the Fireworks start, and you will see the standby line times drops considerably on most attractions.
3. Don’t Ignore the Enchanted Tiki Room, the Hall of Presidents, the Carousel of Progress and Country Bear Jamboree
You might be tempted to ignore the attractions in the title above but please don’t. All these attractions have a wonderful charm to them and have a really classic Disney feel to them and they are definitely worth experiencing. On a busy day in Magic Kingdom we have enjoyed all these attractions and then waited for more popular attractions when parade’s and fireworks on and the standby lines times decrease.
4. Get a Dole Whip Float on a Very Hot Day
On a really hot day in Magic Kingdom get a Dole Whip Float. This snack is so refreshing on a hot day I really can’t recommend it enough. You can get a Dole Whip Float from Aloha Isle in Adventureland which is next the Enchanted Tiki Rooms and Aladdin’s Magic Carpet ride. These are also snack credit eligible if you are on one of the Disney Dining Plans.
You can find out all about the Disney Dining Plan here.
You can also find my Best Magic Kingdom Snacks here.
5. Cut Through the Emporium to Avoid the Crowds
If there is a parade running, the fireworks are on or it is just really busy on Main Street then cut through the Emporium. Located on the left-hand side of Main Street as you face the Castle the Emporium runs all the way down Main Street so you can enter next to the Barber Shop as you enter Magic Kingdom and follow it all the way to the end where you can exit via the inside seating area for Casey’s Corner and you will be out in the main hub adjacent to The Crystal Palace restaurant. This can often be a quicker way to get from the park entrance to the Hub in front of Cinderella’s Castle when Main Street is busy.
6. Get Something to Eat either Early or Late
Another tip to beat the long lines at quick service restaurants is to eat at what I would call more unusual times. What I mean is have your lunch early or very late as the lines can get really busy from 12pm up to 2pm. If you are happy to eat very early or wait until late afternoon you will save quite a bit of time. This might be a struggle if you have younger children, but it is definitely very beneficial.
7. Ride Big Thunder Mountain Rail Road at Night
Big Thunder Mountain Rail Road becomes a different ride at night and it’s tricky to explain. It seems like a longer ride, you can’t see where you are heading quite so well which makes it more exciting and the views of the park are great too. Definitely try to ride Big Thunder Mountain at night it is so much fun in the dark!
8. Make Sure You All Take a Break
If you need to take a break, then do so. Magic Kingdom can be a busy park as well as tiring so if any of your party are fading a little take a break. You don’t have to stop for a full meal just grab a drink and sit down and take a break. Even if you must sit on a wall in the shade for five minutes with a bottle of water it is worth doing. Over the years we have learned how important it is to take regular breaks in the parks especially for the benefit of any children that might be in your party. It can be very tempting to keep going but believe me it is probably not worth it.
9. Take the Walt Disney Rail Road or the Liberty Belle
Both the Rail Road and the Liberty Belle are great ways to relax a little while getting some great views of Magic Kingdom. The rail road is also a nice way to get around the park so don’t completely ignore it along with the Liberty Belle.
10. Watch the Fireworks from the Middle of Main Street
I love watching the fireworks from Main Street in the evening. The Main Street setting provides a lovely natural frame to Cinderella’s Castle with the fireworks going off above it. Yes the hub is good too but I just think there is something a little more charming about standing further back in Main Street.
11. Don’t Leave Straight after the Fireworks Unless You Have To
If you take the above advice and enjoy the fireworks, then try not to leave as soon as they finish as there will be thousands of other people thinking exactly the same thing. Wait a while as all the transport options leaving Magic Kingdom will be busy and I do mean all of them. If you can spend another hour or two in Magic Kingdom it will be a lot more enjoyable and it should be easier leaving the park that hour or two later.
12. Know Where the Cut Through Routes Are
There is various little cut through routes located throughout Magic Kingdom. From Sleepy Hollow through to Fantasyland via the side of the Castle, through Tomorrowland Terrace and as I mentioned earlier through the Emporium on Main Street. My best advice would be to study the park map before you go to get a good feel for the park. I did this before our first trip and it was so beneficial and even my Wife commented on my knowledge of how to get around the park at the time. Once you have been to Magic Kingdom a few times you will soon get to know your way around but prior to your first trip do look at that Magic Kingdom park map.
13. Find the Right Spot for That Castle Photo
The photo of your family in front of Cinderella’s Castle can be a very special photo that really can be a keepsake that you can have on show in your home for many years. My advice would be to not be tempted to get too close to the Castle when on Main Street. You will actually be better off getting your family photo taken closer towards the park entrance as you will get Cinderella’s Castle fully in the photograph. Make sure you remember this tip when you get to Magic Kingdom.
14. Sorcerer’s of the Magic Kingdom
My Son loves Sorcerer’s of the Magic Kingdom and it is a nice little extra activity that you can undertake in the park. Stop by the Fire House on Main Street to get your starter pack of cards, map and instructions on how to unlock the magic portals located throughout the park and off you go. This is an interactive quest with spot all over the park to unlock the portals and defeat the Disney Villains. Do give this a try if you like a fun magical quest. Below is the official description for Sorcerer’s of the Magic Kingdom:
Embark on an interactive scavenger hunt to halt Hades in his tracks! The Greek god of the Underworld must retrieve 4 missing shards to reassemble Merlin’s Crystal of the Magic Kingdom and make the park his new summer home. He’s enlisted a brigade of Disney baddies—Yzma, Cruella, Scar, Jafar, Maleficent, Ursula, Ratcliffe and Dr. Facilier—to help track down the fragments, which are hidden throughout the park. It’s up to you to foil their takeover attempts!
15. A Pirate’s Adventure – Treasure of the Seven Seas
This is an interactive quest around Adventureland where you use your magic band to activate interactive items located around the land with the use of a map that you are given at the beginning of your quest. There are five maps in total and you must complete each one in the right order. In the past we have been given fast passes for Pirates of the Caribbean as we work our way through the maps as well at the treasure finder cards that you get for each completed map. The final card is signed by Captain Jack Sparrow. A great little extra that not a lot of people make the most of and the kids really enjoy it.
16. Take the Lantern Photo at Rapunzel’s Tower
The glowing lantern photo at Rapunzel’s Tower really is a great photo opportunity in the evening. So, if you have the chance to get a photo taken in the evening with the glowing Lantern definitely do so. This can be very popular, but it really does make for a great photo.
17. Do a Dessert Party if You Can?
A Dessert Party is an extra cost, but we have really enjoyed the Happily Ever After Dessert Party at the Tomorrowland Terrace and the Wishes Dessert Party that preceded it. The Location is very good for watching the Fireworks, the all you can eat desserts are good and the atmosphere is nice and relaxed as you sit at your table eating, drinking and enjoying the Fireworks.
18. The Dumbo Stand by Line is Great for Kids
Dumbo is a Classic Disney Attraction and since the Fantasyland updates in 2014 the new indoor play area that is part of Dumbo’s Standby line is great for keeping kids occupied while you wait to enjoy the ride. When you enter the indoor play area you will be given a pager that will vibrate and flash when it is your turn to ride the attraction. This was a great idea by Disney.
19. Don’t Forget the Instagram Walls
This one is for the social media fans. Don’t forget the Instagram walls for those selfies in Tomorrowland. The Purple Wall is a popular selfie/photo spot nowadays. I have even seen Purple Wall merchandise across Walt Disney World Resort.
20. Stand Near the Fire Station for the Afternoon Parade
The Fire Station on Main Street is located right next to the exit for the Festival of Fantasy Parade and is normally quite an easy place to get a good spot for the Parade. It is also a really good spot if you want leave following the Parade. We will often park hop after the Parade as we have usually used our Fast Passes by this time of the day and this spot always works well for us if we want to move on.
20 Magic Kingdom Tips
So, there are some of our tips for Magic kingdom. I hope they help during your adventures in the park and you have as much fun as we do. If you would like to share this article on social media please do so as it helps us reach a new audience. You can use the 20 Magic Kingdom Tips pin image below too.
Thanks for reading this article on our Magic Kingdom Tips, you can find our previous post here.
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Thanks for stopping by.
Darren
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