DisneyTips.com Your Guide To A Great Disney Vacation
A Walt Disney World vacation can be stressful in that guests want to see as much as possible during their time there. With four theme parks brimming with attractions, entertainment, and dining in addition to Disney Springs, two water parks, and dozens of Disney Resorts, guests might feel totally overwhelmed trying to figure out what are the must dos. No trip to Walt Disney World is complete without at least one visit to the Magic Kingdom which is filled with both classic and thrilling attractions and experiences that are sure to amaze guests. Those who spend time in the park can blast off into space, socialize with ghosts, sail with pirates, fly with Peter Pan, and sail around the world. With so many amazing experiences to enjoy in the Magic Kingdom, there are some rookie mistakes which Disney pros avoid in order to save both time and frustration. Here are eight rookie mistakes that many people make in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.
[google_ad]
1. Not Arriving For Let The Magic Begin
The Magic Kingdom opens at different times each morning depending on the season and day. Be sure to look up the exact time of opening and get to the park at least a half hour before that. Guests who are there early are welcome to enter the park to spend time on Main Street U.S.A. before the park officially opens. Main Street and the hub in front of Cinderella Castle remain open while the rest of the park is still closed. Roughly 5 minutes before the official park opening, “Let The Magic Begin” begins! This is a welcome show held on the stage in front of the Castle with fun music, special characters, and a few fireworks to kick off the day!
2. Heading To Fantasyland First
Once inside the park, rookies make the mistake of heading straight for Fantasyland which is where the majority of guests head since plenty of them have small children. Fantasyland tends to be one of the most popular areas of the park thanks to its whimsical and adventurous attractions which are suitable for guests of all ages. Since Fantasyland is frequently crowded, Disney pros know that some of the best times to visit the area are during the afternoon parade or late at night when many families with children have left.
3. Not Booking FastPasses
Rookies who visit the Magic Kingdom often don’t take advantage of the complimentary FastPass system. FastPasses act as reservations which allow guests to experience a specific attraction at a designated time where they can enjoy it with little to no wait time. Guests are entitled to book three FastPasses for each day in advance and those who stay on property can book up to sixty days in advance as opposed to thirty days in advanced for those who stay off property. Disney pros know that the Magic Kingdom has plenty of popular attractions which are best enjoyed with a FastPass to avoid wasting lots of time spent in long lines. Some of the best FastPass options in the Magic Kingdom are Space Mountain, Peter Pan’s Flight, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and Splash Mountain.
4. Not Booking Advanced Dining Reservations
In addition to FastPasses, rookies often skip booking Advanced Dining Reservations. These reservations, or ADRs, allow guests to make dining reservations for full service restaurants in Walt Disney World up to one hundred and eighty days in advance. The Magic Kingdom is home to several amazing full service restaurants which guests are sure to love enjoying in their time in the park. Since the restaurants are so popular, guests are smart to book Advanced Dining Reservations for locations like Be Our Guest Restaurant, The Crystal Palace, and The Plaza Restaurant well ahead of time.
5. Not Meeting Mickey
One of the quintessential experiences that guests have to enjoy in Walt Disney World is meeting Mickey Mouse and plenty of rookies skip this amazing moment while hurrying to other attractions or experiences. Guests who spend time in the Magic Kingdom can meet Mickey dressed in his magician outfit in the Town Square Theater on Main Street just inside the entrance to the park. Guests who take the time to meet the mouse can enjoy checking out amazing magic tricks as well as pose for unforgettable photos.
[google_ad_btf]
6. Skipping The Classics
The Magic Kingdom is filled with thrilling and popular attractions that many guests are sure to not skip, but it is also home to plenty of classic experiences which can be considered underrated. While these classic experiences are not the most popular, they are still amazing in their own ways and definitely should not be skipped by guests. Some classic attractions in the Magic Kingdom that shouldn’t be missed are the Swiss Family Treehouse, Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, the Country Bear Jamboree, the Hall of Presidents, the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, and Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress.
7. Not Lining Up Early
As night falls in the Magic Kingdom, there is a wonderful show that takes place high in the skies over Cinderella Castle. Happily Ever After invites guests to wrap up their magical day with gorgeous fireworks, awesome projections, and familiar Disney characters and music. While the show can be seen from all over the park, the best views can be enjoyed from Main Street which easily becomes crowded well before the first firework explodes. Guests who want to ensure the perfect view of Happily Ever After should definitely plan on lining up at least an hour before show time.
8. Skipping The Goodnight Kiss
Once the Magic Kingdom is officially closed for the night, guests should opt to linger and enjoy the ambiance for a little while instead of heading right for the park exit. Those who remain up to a half hour after the park closes can enjoy the special Goodnight Kiss which includes a speech thanking guests for spending their time in the Magic Kingdom accompanied by beautiful lighting on Cinderella Castle.
