Fantasy. Adventure. Frontier. Liberty. Tomorrow.
Where families play together while fairytales come true.
Magic Kingdom is probably the most famous of the theme parks at Walt Disney World because it is very similar to Disneyland Park in Anaheim. It has the most family-centric rides, and in my opinion, it is the greatest representation of Walt’s vision because of Tomorrowland. You will find all of the classic rides in Magic Kingdom, and the best firework nighttime spectacular with Happily Ever After!
Magic Kingdom is, in my opinion, the most well-rounded park for families. It has thrill rides, easy rides, inclusive rides, stellar entertainment, and it is filled with pixie dust and Disney magic! Check out the bottom for tips and tricks for how to maximize Lightning Lanes at Magic Kingdom as well as rope drop, transportation, character meet and greets, special magical moments, and so much more!
Lands
Magic Kingdom has a hub and spoke layout with the castle right in the center and pathways to the specified lands coming out from the castle. There is a distinguished difference between each land, and it is easy to get from one to the other. You can mostly see the castle from any land you enter, so if you ever get lost, just look for the castle, and you will be safe! For reference, the lands are located in order of clockwise left – Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, Fantasyland, then Tomorrowland if looking at the Castle.
Resorts
The monorail travels to Magic Kingdom, and there are three resorts that the monorail stops at. These are the Contemporary Resort, Polynesian Village Resort, and The Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. All of these are Deluxe Resorts, so they are pricey because they are luxurious and have a great location! Wilderness Lodge is also close to Magic Kingdom, and you can take a ferry boat right to the park. Any of these hotels would be an excellent choice if proximity to Magic Kingdom is important to you!
Dining
Each land has their own Table Service, Quick Service, Lounge, and Snack options. While Magic Kingdom is known more for rides than food, they definitely have some great options themed specifically to each land. Check out a comprehensive list below! My favorite Table Service restaurants are Cinderella’s Royal Table (Clock Strikes Midnightdessert) and Liberty Tree Tavern. My favorite Quick Service restaurants are Peco’s Bill and Columbia Harbour House, and my favorite snacks are the Nutella Waffle with fruit from Sleepy Hollow and pastries from The Confectionary!
Attractions
Magic Kingdom has thrill rides, dark rides, family rides, and full out experiences encompassing ride and show all spread out throughout their different lands. I would consider the rides at Magic Kingdom to be the most family friendly. My favorite rides are Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Jungle Cruise, and my favorite attractions are Enchanted Tales and Hall of Presidents.
Entertainment
Magic Kingdom is the place to go for parades and for the best nighttime spectacular, Happily Ever After! There is nothing like seeing the castle enchanted for this performance and watching Tinker Bell fly! Magic Kingdom entertainment is always very character focused, and this is the best park to see lots of attention on the Disney magic we all associate with Walt Disney World. The Festival of Fantasy parade is a big deal and a can’t miss as well!
Character Meet & Greets
Magic Kingdom is all about characters, so of course, there are plenty of opportunities to meet them! I will highlight a few below that are always there, but keep an eye out for characters that pop up around the parks, especially at the entrance on the terrace! You will also see some of the characters walking to their meet and greet spots, and if you see them, they will usually interact with a lot of the kids by holding their hands as they walk or giving big hugs! The characters are what makes the parks so magical! Also, remember at Fairytale Hall, you can see Cinderella and Tiana, and there is also a visiting surprise princess with them every day visiting!
Transportation Options
You can get to Magic Kingdom from several different routes. Remember that everything runs through the TTC (Transportation & Ticket Center), so there is no dedicated parking lot without taking a shuttle or other form of transportation to the park. If you park in the parking lot, take a tram to the TTC to board the monorail to Magic Kingdom (or EPCOT). If you want to go to EPCOT from Magic Kingdom, you need to switch to the EPCOT line at the TTC from the monorail. The TTC is also one of the places to get onto the Ferry Boat. The TTC also connects to buses that are not Disney owned (Off-site hotel buses, Lynx, Uber, Lyft, etc). ***Minnie Vans, operated by Lyft, are the only ones that drop you off right at the Magic Kingdom entrance. The TTC has security checkpoints as well as a beverage and snack kiosk, restrooms, a gift shop, and guest services, so they can direct you if you have any questions.
Parking at Magic Kingdom is $30 for standard, $45 for preferred, and FREE for resort guests.
Even More Magic at Magic Kingdom
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is even more magical than you could ever imagine! Your little ones really will feel like prince and princesses, and there is even a pirate option for the lads! The Fireworks Dessert Party is an excellent way to sample a lot of the desserts in Magic Kingdom and not waste time waiting in the hub for a good seat for the show! I think both of these experiences are totally worth it!
Lightning Lanes Passes
Magic Kingdom has the most attractions, so it is always worth it to get it to maximize the day. The only reason not to would be if you have a special ticketed event or DAS Pass.
Lightning Lane passes will almost always be most expensive for Magic Kingdom because it has the most attractions.
You can only use Lightning Lane Passes during regular park hours (not during special ticketed events) at Magic Kingdom.
TRON is ONLY available for a Lightning Lane Single Pass purchase or through a Virtual Queue reservation, no standby queue. (TRON is a very short ride, so it is not worth paying extra in my opinion unless you miss the Virtual Queue).
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is available for a Lightning Lane Single Pass. It is also a short ride, so I recommend skipping the extra payment and riding first thing in the morning or later at night during fireworks. Early Entry guests have a much better shot of riding it early enough to avoid the long wait times.
How Should I Plan My Day in the Parks?
At 7am EST: One member of your group should get Virtual Queue for TRON
At 7am EST: Another member of your group selects your first Lightning Lane Selection (I recommend Jungle Cruise, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Space Mountain, Peter Pan’s Flight, or Haunted Mansion as highest prioritis – these may not be the best rides, but they are most popular and sell out quickest).
After you scan into your first Lightning Lane, immediately select your next one.
Of course, do not select one of these if you have already scheduled one of them in your pre-planning.
1:00pm EST: All guests can try for the Virtual Queue for TRON
Magic Kingdom is typically open later than the other parks, and most of the special events are here as well. This is the most well-known theme park at this time.
Your child can get their first haircut at the barbershop on Main Street, and they will take pictures and make it a big deal! A lot of parents love this option because it makes a special day even more special!
Parade routes are closed during parade times, so make sure you allow extra time for alternate routes if you are not watching the parade, especially for dining reservations and lightning lanes!
Rope Drop Tips
If you want to have a chance at a high priority ride at rope drop, you need to be in line to get into the parks an hour before early entry posted time.
Resort Guests can take advantage of Early Entry and get in 30 minutes before the park opens to non-resort guests.
Scenario 1: If you are not buying Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, this is the obvious rope drop choice. (If the line to get in the queue is already long, run behind Mad Tea Party because that is where they funnel the line).
Scenario 2: If you purchase Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, an option is to rope drop Space Mountain and hit Buzz Lightyear quickly (if there is no wait) and try and get back over to Frontierland when it opens for the day and jump on Jungle Cruise or Big Thunder with a short wait time.
Scenario 3: If you purchase Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, an option is to rope drop Peter Pan, then try to make it back over to Frontierland for Jungle Cruise or Big Thunder before they open that land.
Make sure you are not rope dropping the attraction you got the first Lightning Lane Multi Pass Selection for.
*If you do not have Early Entry, make Peter Pan your first Lightning Lane Selection, and rope drop Jungle Cruise. Big Thunder can be your next Lightning Lane Selection.
