Our 1-day Magic Kingdom touring plan provides a step-by-step itinerary for a really perfect go to to Walt Disney World, with technique to attenuate time in line, maximize effectivity, and keep away from crowds. We’d journey these points of interest, eat at these eating places & snack stands, and extra. (Up to date January 23, 2023.)
This one-day Magic Kingdom itinerary has been overhauled a number of instances within the final yr, bearing in mind Walt Disney World’s fiftieth Anniversary celebration, Early Entry and Prolonged Night Hours, Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, elevated crowds, and arduous ticket events. Suffice to say, loads has modified at Magic Kingdom within the final a number of months, each from a substantive and technique perspective.
We go to Magic Kingdom usually “for the sake of analysis” (a glorified excuse to observe Nation Bear Jamboree and loop the PeopleMover), monitoring wait instances, testing plans, and fine-tuning our technique. That is the revised Winter 2023 Magic Kingdom itinerary we’ve devised in consequence, together with rope drop precedence and when to do Seven Dwarfs Mine Practice…
fiftieth Finale Replace: When 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.
Nonetheless, equally massive modifications are on the horizon in early April 2023. That may see the top of the Disney Enchantment and triumphant return of Fortunately Ever After, which is the far superior nighttime spectacular. Extra importantly–not less than 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 implies it gained’t upend the technique right here, however when you’re visiting on or after April 3, you need to await the Spring 2023 replace to this itinerary.
Within the meantime, right here’s the right way to plan your day within the Magic Kingdom…
This Magic Kingdom itinerary additionally assumes you’ll not be shopping for the Lightning Lane line-skipping providers. When you do plan on spending the additional, seek the advice of our 1-Day Magic Kingdom Itinerary with Genie+ and Lightning Lanes. Undoubtedly, Genie+ is most helpful at Magic Kingdom–the one park the place we suggest readers buy the upcharge. If you wish to see an instance of what we completed within the park, see My Day Utilizing Genie+ at Magic Kingdom.
When you’re staying on-site and may arrive early, take a look at our report on Early Entry at Magic Kingdom. Likewise, when you’re staying at a Deluxe Resort or Disney Trip Membership property, examine our expertise throughout Prolonged Night Hours at Magic Kingdom. Both of these issues will show you how to save time and keep away from crowds, providing you with an enormous benefit. Nonetheless, neither are strictly vital for a productive day in MK.
Whereas effectivity is an enormous objective, this Magic Kingdom itinerary focuses on each doing as many rides as attainable whereas nonetheless having fun with the Disney ambiance and particulars that make Magic Kingdom the preferred theme park on the earth. Our Magic Kingdom itinerary is considerably subjective in that it covers our favourite issues to do throughout our “good day.” Moreover, this Magic Kingdom touring plan is optimized in order that wait instances are minimized.
To perform the whole lot in a single day, some (much less widespread) points of interest and reveals are skipped. (Sorry, Magic Carpets of Aladdin! Truly…not sorry.) For our journey scores and opinions of each attraction, learn our complete Finest Magic Kingdom Points of interest & Trip Information 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 Trip Planning Information.
Pre-Rope Drop Arrival – For a really perfect expertise at Magic Kingdom, we suggest arriving to the park about half-hour earlier than official opening time, and choosing up this itinerary from there. When you’re driving, this implies leaving for the park to permit enough time to park and get from the Transportation and Ticket Middle (TTC) to Magic Kingdom.
When you’re staying on-site and are eligible for Early Entry at Magic Kingdom (see above), we’d suggest arriving 45 minutes earlier than the official begin time of that.
Fantasyland Flight? – When you’re not eligible for Early Entry, don’t hassle with Fantasyland or Tomorrowland. These are the 2 lands open for that on-site perk, and by the point that 30 minute “headstart” is over, all the headliner points of interest in each lands could have reasonable or longer wait instances.
As an alternative, you need to head to the left of Cinderella Fortress and focus your power on Adventureland or Frontierland–widespread points of interest which are not open for Early Entry…
Set Sail for Journey(land) – Whereas this advice might sound unorthodox, Jungle Cruise has turn out to be one of the crucial widespread points of interest in Magic Kingdom following its reimagining. In actual fact, Jungle Cruise is the #2 attraction by common within the final yr. Accordingly, we’d suggest knocking it out first.
Instantly after Jungle Cruise, one choice is correct subsequent door: Pirates of the Caribbean. That is the straightforward alternative if you wish to reduce strolling. It’s additionally the only option now that Splash Mountain is closed–you are able to do Frontierland and Huge Thunder Mountain Railroad later within the afternoon.
Magic Kingdom Classics — Double again to Tangled Rest room Territory (not the official title of this space…nevertheless it needs to be!) and do Haunted Mansion adopted by the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and ‘it’s a small world’.
We notice that includes 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.
House 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 House Ranger Spin is beneath half-hour, try this. Knock out House Mountain too through the standby line.
To recap, earlier than lunch you’ll hopefully have completed 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 House Ranger Spin
- House 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 have now listed right here. Both method, to realize all of this, it’s crucial that you simply arrive earlier than official park opening time. When you arrive later, you’ll be fortunate to do half of this listing.
Leisurely Late Lunch – When you’re in a position to accomplish ~8 points of interest to start out the morning, you need to have time for an early sit-down lunch. We suggest a desk service choice, with our favourite meals being at Skipper Canteen–an underrated gem of Magic Kingdom eating.
Proper now, there aren’t many nice counter service eating choices in Magic Kingdom. Our go-to is really useful for dinner; different alternate options are Pecos Invoice in Frontierland or Cosmic Ray’s in Tomorrowland. Neither are nice, however each get the job accomplished. Alternatively, two enjoyable sleeper picks are Sleepy Hole and Friar’s Nook–simply be 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 are simply too superior for most of the people to understand.
Hit up Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room or Nation Bear Jamboree through the hottest and busiest time of the day. Nation Bear Jamboree is the one must-do of those, and is beloved around the globe by extremely smart and enticing folks. Whilst you’re of their neck of the woods, be sure you wave to Huge Al and his crew.
Catch the three O’clock Parade – Competition of Fantasy is Magic Kingdom’s daytime parade, which arrives to Primary Avenue 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 entire parade is nice, although, with Tangled, Peter Pan, Monstro, and princess floats which are fairly cool.
Add to this performers in costumes which have plenty of element and are, in some circumstances, a bit darker and extra fascinating than the ‘fantasy fluff’ you’d anticipate finding in a Magic Kingdom parade, a catchy soundtrack, and a fantastic power, and you’ve got a parade that’s an actual winner. Frontierland is least crowded, however the space round Cinderella Fortress and Primary Avenue makes for higher pictures.
Masterpiece Intermission: Extra Snacking – You may have a number of choices to select from, as lined in our Finest Magic Kingdom Snacks & Desserts Listing. A few of these is perhaps unavailable relying upon once you go to; sure snack spots are solely open on weekends and busier days proper now.
When you did the ‘Masterpieces’ out of order and are in Liberty Sq. or Adventureland, the excellent news is that there are fantastic snacks in each of these lands, too. This consists of the Dole Whip and Citrus Swirl, that are beloved amongst Walt Disney World followers! Whilst you’re passing by way of Adventureland, be sure you do Pirates of the Caribbean when you haven’t already.
Fantasyland Enjoyable – With out Genie+ or Early Entry, you’re at a severe drawback in the case of doing the favored family-friendly Fantasyland points of interest. As such, the objective is to “outlast” the crowds, doing these rides within the late afternoon and early night as households with young children begin to wear down and head for the exits.
We’d suggest knocking out the remaining Fantasyland points of interest on this order:
- Mickey’s PhilharMagic
- Barnstormer Starring the Nice Goofini (skippable)
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant
- Beneath the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid
- Mad Tea Social gathering (skippable)
- Peter Pan’s Flight
Of these, the one lengthy wait you need to encounter is Peter Pan’s Flight. There’s actually no method round that one.
All Quiet on the Western Entrance — Make your method again to Huge 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. Huge Thunder Mountain Railroad is widespread, however not that widespread. This can be doubly true when TRON Lightcycle Run opens in a few months and Tomorrowland turns into the largest attract Magic Kingdom.
Cinderella Fortress Stage Present – If your loved ones is into characters, be sure you see Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire. This options a number of songs from Frozen, Tangled, and Princess and the Frog, plus characters from these movies and Mickey Mouse and buddies. It’s cute and nicely accomplished.
Whilst you can catch this all through the day, we’d strongly suggest catching one of many final two performances. The daylight and warmth will 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 suggest returning to Tomorrowland. Not as a result of it’s strategically vital–on the contrary, it’s not–however as a result of the environment is improved. The neon lights shine vivid and actually pop, and the tasteless land through the daytime has a ton extra character.
Whereas in Tomorrowland, be sure you do the PeopleMover, which is a leisurely journey above the land. As soon as completed with that, head over to Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress, which is a stage present chronicling improvements of the twentieth century. You can too do Tomorrowland Speedway if it pursuits you. At night time, Astro Orbiter is a must-do. The road is shorter and the environment is so a lot better.
Dinner: Be Our Visitor Restaurant – Nonetheless the preferred restaurant in Magic Kingdom, Be Our Visitor Restaurant (learn our full assessment) stays a really arduous Advance Eating Reservation to attain. The theming and a spotlight to element are nice right here and the meals is bold for a restaurant within the Magic Kingdom (not to mention in New Fantasyland), with a number of stable menu gadgets. Ensure to take a look at the West Wing!
In case you are in a position, seize an Advance Eating Reservation earlier than your trip. When you’re unable to attain a reservation, regulate the My Disney Expertise app for Stroll-Up Waitlist availability.
Different Dinner: Columbia Harbour Home — Given the sheer variety of worthwhile points of interest within the Magic Kingdom and the excessive wait instances, you would possibly need to save time by having dinner at Columbia Harbour Home, a counter service restaurant.
Nice seafood choices, plus the quaint and considerably secluded (or maybe underutilized is the higher time period) upstairs seating space makes this a simple choose. We love grabbing a desk by the window, recharging, and watching the hustle and bustle of Magic Kingdom outdoors.
Nighttime Spectacular: Disney Enchantment — Throughout Walt Disney World’s fiftieth Anniversary, Disney Enchantment is the nightly fireworks present in Magic Kingdom. This explicit present just isn’t superb, however fireworks exploding over Cinderella Fortress is all the time an excellent time, so that you gained’t need to miss it.
Crowds will be heavy within the entrance of the park, however we nonetheless suggest watching the Magic Kingdom fireworks (take a look at our viewing location suggestions for Magic Kingdom fireworks) from Primary Avenue. Pyro is widespread, so stake out a spot round 45 minutes prematurely of the fireworks.
Night Points of interest: Higher at Evening – At this level, you need to have about an hour till park closing on a traditional night time. Dumbo, Huge Thunder Mountain Railroad, the Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover, and Seven Dwarfs Mine Practice are some points of interest that we most strongly suggest doing at night time for a superior expertise.
Clearly, you gained’t have time to do all of them–and if Magic Kingdom closes earlier, you won’t have time for any of them. As for Seven Dwarfs Mine Practice, we’ll cowl that beneath. In case you have time for added points of interest, take a look at our 10 Finest Magic Kingdom Points of interest at Evening for others so as to add to this plan.
Mine Practice Half Court docket Shot – One minute earlier than Magic Kingdom closes, contemplate leaping in line for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Practice. That is like sinking a game-winning, half court docket shot.
Or, so I assume…I’ve by no means accomplished the latter. You principally keep away from the lengthy traces all day by getting in line as late as you attainable can, and you’ll actually really feel your self saving time in line.
Peaceable Park Closing – After you’re accomplished with both of the above choices, the Magic Kingdom can be closed. Remember that the outlets on Primary Avenue are sometimes open an hour after park closing, so then is the time to do your memento buying.
Past buying, this can be a nice time for appreciating the small print of Magic Kingdom because it empties. Swiss Household Robinson Treehouse adopted by a stroll on the boardwalk alongside the Rivers of America main away from Huge Thunder in direction of Haunted Mansion is a stable, shock choose right here.
When you’re in a position to do even 75% of the issues on this Magic Kingdom touring plan, you might be just about assured of getting a superb day within the Magic Kingdom. That’s our assure! (Please be aware that this assure has no money worth and isn’t provided to residents of any state besides Wyoming. Additionally be aware that any day you might be at Magic Kingdom needs to be superb, so when you don’t have a good time, it’s in all probability your individual fault! ;))
Whereas this itinerary covers many of the park in a single day, in a very superb world, we suggest studying our 2-Day Magic Kingdom Preferrred Day Plan. That’s how a lot time try to be spending in Magic Kingdom in case your journey lasts every week or longer. Magic Kingdom is the one park at Walt Disney World that we consider requires two days to do the whole lot with out feeling rushed–you are able to do the opposite parks in at some point every.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study motels on our Walt Disney World Resorts Critiques web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Critiques. To economize on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys submit takes a singular have a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Trip Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the perfect place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for the whole lot you could know!
Your Ideas
What would you embody in your superb day within the Magic Kingdom? Any hidden gem favourite points of interest, quiet spots you take pleasure in 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 Particular person Lightning Lane throughout your day in MK? Will you reap the benefits of Early Entry or Prolonged Night Hours? When you haven’t visited Walt Disney World, what do you intend on doing? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!