No visit to Walt Disney World is complete without spending plenty of time in the Magic Kingdom. The park is home to whimsical lands which aim to bring guests on all sorts of adventures through attractions, entertainment, dining, and shopping. Those who spend time in the Magic Kingdom can blast off into space, sail with pirates, hang out with ghosts, dine with the Beast, fly over London with Peter Pan, and dive into the seas with Ariel. With so much to see and enjoy in the park, guests might feel a little overwhelmed trying to do it all in one trip or one vacation. While it’s simply impossible to see and do everything in one Walt Disney World vacation, there are certainly some do’s and don’ts which are guaranteed to save guests time and frustration and ensure that they see as much of the parks as possible. From not forgetting important planning steps to simply not missing out on some of the classics, here are ten do’s and don’ts for Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.
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1. Do Arrive For Rope Drop
One of the easiest ways to ensure a great day in the Magic Kingdom is by arriving bright and early for rope drop. This entails getting to the park before it officially opens and waiting on Main Street to be let further inside. While waiting, guests can browse the shops, pick up some breakfast at the Main Street Bakery, and enjoy a welcome show that happens with Cinderella Castle in the background. Once the park is officially open for the day, guests who arrived for rope drop are some of the first inside the Magic Kingdom where they can enjoy low wait times and few crowds.
2. Don’t Skip Extra Magic Hours
Another great way to make the most of each moment in the Magic Kingdom is taking advantage of Extra Magic Hours. These special times are available only to those who are staying on property at a Disney Resort and include one park opening an hour early each morning and another remaining open up to two hours later each night. Guests who want to enjoy quiet times in the Magic Kingdom with very low wait times should definitely plan on visiting during Extra Magic Hours.
3. Do Book FastPasses
Since the Magic Kingdom is home to some of the most popular and iconic attractions in Walt Disney World, it is no wonder that guests often encounter rather lengthy wait times. Those who want to still enjoy the popular experiences while avoiding the long wait times should opt to book FastPasses. FastPasses act as reservations and allow guests to enjoy an attraction at a specific time where they can experience it with little to no wait time. Some of the best FastPass options for the Magic Kingdom are Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and Peter Pan’s Flight.
4. Don’t Forget Advanced Dining Reservations
Guests who are looking to enjoy a full service meal in the Magic Kingdom had best plan ahead since many of the restaurants are popular and tend to fill up quickly. Those who know that they want to enjoy a specific dining location should book Advanced Dining Reservations which can be made up to one hundred and eighty days in advance and guarantee a table at the location.
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5. Don’t Skip The Underrated
While many guests get caught up in the popular attractions in the Magic Kingdom, there are plenty of other experiences which can be considered underrated. While these attractions might be overlooked by many guests, they are still amazing and should not be skipped on a day in the park. Some underrated attractions that should not be missed are Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, Country Bear Jamboree, the Hall of Presidents, the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, and Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress.
6. Do Enjoy A Dole Whip
Nothing says vacation like decadent snacks, and the Magic Kingdom is home to some of the most unique and delicious in all of Walt Disney World. One of the most iconic snacks found in the Magic Kingdom is served up in Adventureland at the Sunshine Tree Terrace. The Dole Whip is a delicious concoction that combines fresh pineapple and refreshing ice cream and it is a must have on every Disney vacation!
7. Do Some Shopping
The Magic Kingdom is home to some of the most amazing shopping locations and guests are sure to find the perfect souvenir to always remember their trip with. Guests can spend plenty of time shopping in the Emporium on Main Street where they can find everything from picture frames and kitchen items to stuffed animals and clothing. In addition, there are plenty of unique shopping locations found throughout the park that are always worth a browse!
8. Do Stop To Enjoy A Meal
Long days in the parks can be tiring and a great way to refuel and relax for a bit is stopping to enjoy a full service meal. Thankfully, the Magic Kingdom is home to some amazing full service dining locations including Be Our Guest Restaurant where guests can dine inside the Beast’s castle, the Crystal Palace where guests can enjoy an extensive buffet and meet favorite characters from Winnie the Pooh, Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen where servers pose as former Jungle Cruise Skippers trying to earn an extra buck, and Tony’s Town Square Restaurant where guests can dine on Italian classics alongside Lady and the Tramp.
9. Don’t Be Late For Happily Ever After
Fireworks have always been the perfect way to wrap up a day at Magic Kingdom! Happily Ever After Fireworks has replaced Wishes, but has thankfully lived up to the beautiful display of fireworks, lasers, projection, music, and storytelling Magic Kingdom is known for. With 18-minutes of “heart, heroism, and humor”, Happily Ever After will send you on your way with your own “happily ever after” ending to an unforgettable Magic Kingdom day!
10. Do Stay For The Kiss Goodnight
There is one final magical touch to each day in the Magic Kingdom that many guests miss out on because it occurs after the park officially closes each night. The Kiss Goodnight occurs near Cinderella Castle when special lighting and music are played along with a speech thanking guests for spending their days in the park. There is no better way to end a perfect day in the Magic Kingdom than by enjoying the Kiss Goodnight!