Our 1-day Magic Kingdom touring plan affords a step-by-step itinerary for a really perfect go to to Walt Disney World, with technique to reduce time in line, maximize effectivity, and keep away from crowds. We’d journey these sights, eat at these eating places & snack stands, and extra. (Updated January 23, 2023.)
This one-day Magic Kingdom itinerary has been overhauled a number of occasions within the final 12 months, making an allowance for Walt Disney World’s fiftieth Anniversary celebration, Early Entry and Extended Evening Hours, Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, elevated crowds, and onerous ticket events. Suffice to say, lots has modified at Magic Kingdom within the final a number of months, each from a substantive and technique perspective.
We go to Magic Kingdom commonly “for the sake of research” (a glorified excuse to observe Country Bear Jamboree and loop the PeopleMover), monitoring wait occasions, testing plans, and fine-tuning our technique. This is the revised Winter 2023 Magic Kingdom itinerary we’ve devised consequently, together with rope drop precedence and when to do Seven Dwarfs Mine Train…
fiftieth Finale Update: If you go to Walt Disney World between now and March 2023, this itinerary is correct. It has been up to date for the closing of Splash Mountain and the way that alters the rope drop dynamic.
However, equally massive modifications are on the horizon in early April 2023. That will see the top of the Disney Enchantment and triumphant return of Happily Ever After, which is the far superior nighttime spectacular. More importantly–a minimum of from a strategic perspective–is the opening of TRON Lightcycle Run in Tomorrowland. We’re anticipating this to make use of a digital queue, which suggests it received’t upend the technique right here, however in case you’re visiting on or after April 3, you need to look forward to the Spring 2023 replace to this itinerary.
In the meantime, right here’s how one can plan your day within the Magic Kingdom…
This Magic Kingdom itinerary additionally assumes you’ll not be shopping for the Lightning Lane line-skipping companies. If you do plan on spending the additional, seek the advice of our 1-Day Magic Kingdom Itinerary with Genie+ and Lightning Lanes. Without a doubt, Genie+ is most helpful at Magic Kingdom–the one park the place we advocate readers buy the upcharge. If you wish to see an instance of what we achieved within the park, see My Day Using Genie+ at Magic Kingdom.
If you’re staying on-site and might arrive early, take a look at our report on Early Entry at Magic Kingdom. Likewise, in case you’re staying at a Deluxe Resort or Disney Vacation Club property, examine our expertise throughout Extended Evening Hours at Magic Kingdom. Either of these issues will enable you save time and keep away from crowds, providing you with an enormous benefit. However, neither are strictly needed for a productive day in MK.
While effectivity is an enormous aim, this Magic Kingdom itinerary focuses on each doing as many rides as doable whereas nonetheless having fun with the Disney ambiance and particulars that make Magic Kingdom the most well-liked theme park on the earth. Our Magic Kingdom itinerary is considerably subjective in that it covers our favourite issues to do throughout our “perfect day.” Additionally, this Magic Kingdom touring plan is optimized in order that wait occasions are minimized.
To accomplish every thing in a single day, some (much less standard) sights and reveals are skipped. (Sorry, Magic Carpets of Aladdin! Actually…not sorry.) For our journey scores and critiques of each attraction, learn our complete Best Magic Kingdom Attractions & Ride Guide submit. For one thing extra complete to plan each facet of your trip, from the place to buy low cost tickets to when to go to and extra, learn our 2023 Walt Disney World Vacation Planning Guide.
Pre-Rope Drop Arrival – For a really perfect expertise at Magic Kingdom, we advocate arriving to the park about half-hour earlier than official opening time, and choosing up this itinerary from there. If you’re driving, this implies leaving for the park to permit enough time to park and get from the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) to Magic Kingdom.
If you’re staying on-site and are eligible for Early Entry at Magic Kingdom (see above), we’d advocate arriving 45 minutes earlier than the official begin time of that.
Fantasyland Flight? – If you’re not eligible for Early Entry, don’t trouble with Fantasyland or Tomorrowland. Those are the 2 lands open for that on-site perk, and by the point that 30 minute “headstart” is over, the entire headliner sights in each lands can have average or longer wait occasions.
Instead, you need to head to the left of Cinderella Castle and focus your vitality on Adventureland or Frontierland–standard sights which might be not open for Early Entry…
Set Sail for Adventure(land) – While this suggestion might sound unorthodox, Jungle Cruise has develop into probably the most standard sights in Magic Kingdom following its reimagining. In truth, Jungle Cruise is the #2 attraction by common within the final 12 months. Accordingly, we’d advocate knocking it out first.
Immediately after Jungle Cruise, one possibility is correct subsequent door: Pirates of the Caribbean. This is the simple alternative if you wish to decrease strolling. It’s additionally your best option now that Splash Mountain is closed–you are able to do Frontierland and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad later within the afternoon.
Magic Kingdom Classics — Double again to Tangled Toilet Territory (not the official title of this space…but it surely must be!) and do Haunted Mansion adopted by the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and ‘it’s a small world’.
We notice that entails a little bit of backtracking, however waits for Winnie the Pooh’s darkish journey normally get longer than ‘it’s a small world,’ so it’s the objectively superior method. If you wish to avoid wasting steps, it’s not an enormous deal to do them within the reverse order.
Space Out – The above is probably going all you’ll be capable of accomplish earlier than crowds construct, so proceed from the far nook of Fantasyland to Tomorrowland. If the road for Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is below half-hour, try this. Knock out Space Mountain too through the standby line.
To recap, earlier than lunch you’ll hopefully have achieved the next, so as:
- Jungle Cruise
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Haunted Mansion
- Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
- ‘it’s a small world’
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
- Space Mountain
On a busier day, you would possibly solely hit the primary 4 of those. On a slower day, you would possibly be capable of accomplish much more than we now have listed right here. Either manner, to realize all of this, it’s crucial that you just arrive earlier than official park opening time. If you arrive later, you’ll be fortunate to do half of this checklist.
Leisurely Late Lunch – If you’re capable of accomplish ~8 sights to begin the morning, you need to have time for an early sit-down lunch. We advocate a desk service possibility, with our favourite meals being at Skipper Canteen–an underrated gem of Magic Kingdom eating.
Right now, there aren’t many nice counter service eating choices in Magic Kingdom. Our go-to is advisable for dinner; different alternate options are Pecos Bill in Frontierland or Cosmic Ray’s in Tomorrowland. Neither are nice, however each get the job executed. Alternatively, two enjoyable sleeper picks are Sleepy Hollow and Friar’s Nook–simply make sure you have a look at menus earlier than doing both of these, as their choices are extra restricted.
Magic Kingdom Masterpiece Theater – Afternoon is when any Disney theme park has its longest traces, so take an AC break with these life-changing (in a great way) reveals which might be simply too superior for most people to grasp.
Hit up Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room or Country Bear Jamboree in the course of the hottest and busiest time of the day. Country Bear Jamboree is the one must-do of those, and is beloved around the globe by very smart and enticing folks. While you’re of their neck of the woods, make sure you wave to Big Al and his crew.
Catch the three O’clock Parade – Festival of Fantasy is Magic Kingdom’s daytime parade, which arrives to Main Street roughly 20 minutes after the parade steps off in Frontierland. The float that captures everybody’s eye is the steampunk-esque Maleficent dragon float that breathes hearth, which makes for a photogenic scene. The complete parade is nice, although, with Tangled, Peter Pan, Monstro, and princess floats which might be fairly cool.
Add to this performers in costumes which have numerous element and are, in some circumstances, a bit darker and extra attention-grabbing than the ‘fantasy fluff’ you’d anticipate finding in a Magic Kingdom parade, a catchy soundtrack, and an amazing vitality, and you’ve got a parade that’s an actual winner. Frontierland is least crowded, however the space round Cinderella Castle and Main Street makes for higher images.
Masterpiece Intermission: More Snacking – You have just a few choices to select from, as coated in our Best Magic Kingdom Snacks & Desserts List. Some of these is perhaps unavailable relying upon whenever you go to; sure snack spots are solely open on weekends and busier days proper now.
If you probably did the ‘Masterpieces’ out of order and are in Liberty Square or Adventureland, the excellent news is that there are fantastic snacks in each of these lands, too. This contains the Dole Whip and Citrus Swirl, that are beloved amongst Walt Disney World followers! While you’re passing by way of Adventureland, make sure you do Pirates of the Caribbean in case you haven’t already.
Fantasyland Fun – Without Genie+ or Early Entry, you’re at a critical drawback relating to doing the favored family-friendly Fantasyland sights. As such, the aim is to “outlast” the crowds, doing these rides within the late afternoon and early night as households with babies begin to wear down and head for the exits.
We’d advocate knocking out the remaining Fantasyland sights on this order:
- Mickey’s PhilharMagic
- Barnstormer Starring the Great Goofini (skippable)
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant
- Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid
- Mad Tea Party (skippable)
- Peter Pan’s Flight
Of these, the one lengthy wait you need to encounter is Peter Pan’s Flight. There’s actually no manner round that one.
All Quiet on the Western Front — Make your manner again to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in late afternoon, as crowds ought to depart from this dead-end nook of the park by now.
With Splash Mountain now closed for the subsequent ~2 years (to transform the log flume journey to a Princess and the Frog attraction), there’s no must prioritize this space of the park. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is standard, however not that standard. This might be doubly true when TRON Lightcycle Run opens in a few months and Tomorrowland turns into the largest attract Magic Kingdom.
Cinderella Castle Stage Show – If your loved ones is into characters, make sure you see Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire. This options just a few songs from Frozen, Tangled, and Princess and the Frog, plus characters from these movies and Mickey Mouse and mates. It’s cute and nicely executed.
While you may catch this all through the day, we’d strongly advocate catching one of many final two performances. The daylight and warmth may be brutal for earlier showtimes, and Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire is comparatively prolonged. (Or so it feels when standing straight within the blazing solar, warmth and humidity!)
Tomorrowland Tranquility – After sundown, we advocate returning to Tomorrowland. Not as a result of it’s strategically essential–on the contrary, it’s not–however as a result of the environment is improved. The neon lights shine brilliant and actually pop, and the tasteless land in the course of the daytime has a ton extra persona.
While in Tomorrowland, make sure you do the PeopleMover, which is a leisurely journey above the land. Once completed with that, head over to Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress, which is a stage present chronicling improvements of the twentieth century. You may also do Tomorrowland Speedway if it pursuits you. At evening, Astro Orbiter is a must-do. The line is shorter and the environment is so significantly better.
Dinner: Be Our Guest Restaurant – Still the most well-liked restaurant in Magic Kingdom, Be Our Guest Restaurant (learn our full evaluation) stays a really onerous Advance Dining Reservation to attain. The theming and a spotlight to element are nice right here and the meals is formidable for a restaurant within the Magic Kingdom (not to mention in New Fantasyland), with a number of strong menu gadgets. Make positive to take a look at the West Wing!
If you’re able, seize an Advance Dining Reservation earlier than your trip. If you’re unable to attain a reservation, regulate the My Disney Experience app for Walk-Up Waitlist availability.
Alternative Dinner: Columbia Harbour House — Given the sheer variety of worthwhile sights within the Magic Kingdom and the excessive wait occasions, you would possibly wish to save time by having dinner at Columbia Harbour House, a counter service restaurant.
Great seafood choices, plus the quaint and considerably secluded (or maybe underutilized is the higher time period) upstairs seating space makes this a straightforward decide. We love grabbing a desk by the window, recharging, and watching the hustle and bustle of Magic Kingdom exterior.
Nighttime Spectacular: Disney Enchantment — During Walt Disney World’s fiftieth Anniversary, Disney Enchantment is the nightly fireworks present in Magic Kingdom. This explicit present isn’t superb, however fireworks exploding over Cinderella Castle is at all times a great time, so that you received’t wish to miss it.
Crowds may be heavy within the entrance of the park, however we nonetheless advocate watching the Magic Kingdom fireworks (take a look at our viewing location ideas for Magic Kingdom fireworks) from Main Street. Pyro is standard, so stake out a spot round 45 minutes prematurely of the fireworks.
Evening Attractions: Better at Night – At this level, you need to have about an hour till park closing on a traditional evening. Dumbo, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, the Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover, and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train are some sights that we most strongly advocate doing at evening for a superior expertise.
Obviously, you received’t have time to do all of them–and if Magic Kingdom closes earlier, you may not have time for any of them. As for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, we’ll cowl that beneath. If you could have time for extra sights, take a look at our 10 Best Magic Kingdom Attractions at Night for others so as to add to this plan.
Mine Train Half Court Shot – One minute earlier than Magic Kingdom closes, take into account leaping in line for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. This is like sinking a game-winning, half courtroom shot.
Or, so I assume…I’ve by no means executed the latter. You principally keep away from the lengthy traces all day by getting in line as late as you doable can, and you’ll actually really feel your self saving time in line.
Peaceful Park Closing – After you’re executed with both of the above choices, the Magic Kingdom might be closed. Be conscious that the retailers on Main Street are sometimes open an hour after park closing, so then is the time to do your memento purchasing.
Beyond purchasing, it is a nice time for appreciating the small print of Magic Kingdom because it empties. Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse adopted by a stroll on the boardwalk alongside the Rivers of America main away from Big Thunder in direction of Haunted Mansion is a strong, shock decide right here.
If you’re capable of do even 75% of the issues on this Magic Kingdom touring plan, you might be just about assured of getting a wonderful day within the Magic Kingdom. That’s our assure! (Please be aware that this assure has no money worth and isn’t supplied to residents of any state besides Wyoming. Also be aware that any day you might be at Magic Kingdom must be wonderful, so in case you don’t have a good time, it’s most likely your personal fault! ;))
While this itinerary covers a lot of the park in a single day, in a really perfect world, we advocate studying our 2-Day Magic Kingdom Ideal Day Plan. That’s how a lot time you need to be spending in Magic Kingdom in case your journey lasts per week or longer. Magic Kingdom is the one park at Walt Disney World that we consider requires two days to do every thing with out feeling rushed–you are able to do the opposite parks in at some point every.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Learn about resorts on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To get monetary savings on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips submit takes a novel have a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the very best place to begin is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for every thing it’s essential to know!
Your Thoughts
What would you embody in your perfect day within the Magic Kingdom? Any hidden gem favourite sights, quiet spots you get pleasure from savoring, little particulars to cease and luxuriate in, or scrumptious snacks to strive? Do you agree or disagree with our technique? Do you intend on shopping for Genie+ or an Individual Lightning Lane throughout your day in MK? Will you make the most of Early Entry or Extended Evening Hours? If you haven’t visited Walt Disney World, what do you intend on doing? Any questions we may help you reply? Hearing your suggestions–even whenever you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!