Our 1-day Magic Kingdom touring plan provides a step-by-step itinerary for an excellent go to to Walt Disney World, with technique to attend in traces much less, keep away from crowds, and rating a spot within the TRON Lightcycle Run digital queue. We’d journey these points of interest, eat at these eating places & snack stands, and extra. (Up to date July 2, 2024.)
This one-day Magic Kingdom itinerary has been overhauled a number of occasions within the final yr, together with for TRON Lightcycle Run and the return of Fortunately Ever After fireworks. It additionally takes into consideration Early Entry and Prolonged Night Hours, Lightning Lanes, elevated crowds, and arduous ticket events.
So much has modified at Magic Kingdom this yr, and much more is ‘in flux’ as of Summer season 2024 because of Tiana’s Bayou Journey and Nation Bear Musical Jamboree in Frontierland, in addition to the debut of Lightning Lane Multi Cross, potential closures of Huge Thunder Mountain Railroad and Peter Pan’s Flight, plus no matter else is occurring. We’ve been testing and tweaking our technique, and devised this revised 2024 Magic Kingdom itinerary because of this, together with rope drop precedence and when to do Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare…
July 2, 2024 Replace: Because the prior paragraph suggests, so much has modified and can change over the course of the following month at Magic Kingdom. A few of these issues will or may change throughout the subsequent week, so I don’t have the time or inclination to overtake this itinerary because of this. As an alternative, listed here are some need-to-know bullet factors:
- Tiana’s Bayou Journey is open
- Throughout its preliminary opening interval, Tiana’s Bayou Journey has no standby line–it as a substitute makes use of a digital queue and has a Lightning Lane (see Easy methods to Trip Tiana’s Bayou Journey for every thing you might want to know)
- Tiana’s Bayou Journey is averaging a number of hours of downtime per day (as such, it’s best to prioritize it to attenuate the probability of breakdowns stopping you from driving)
- Tiana’s Bayou Journey may open a standby line as early as July 8, 2024 (however in all probability gained’t till the journey is dependable)
- As soon as Tiana’s Bayou Journey opens a standby line, it turns into the #1 rope drop precedence
- Nation Bear Musical Jamboree opens on July 17, 2024 (it won’t have lengthy traces, besides maybe on July 17)
- Lightning Lane Multi Cross replaces Genie+ on July 24, 2024 (see our Information to Lightning Lane Multi-Cross & Single Cross at Walt Disney World)
- Peter Pan’s Flight is closed for refurbishment from July 8 by means of August 20, 2024
- Huge Thunder Mountain Railroad seemingly will shut for round a yr beginning in September 2024
As you’ll be able to see, there are plenty of transferring components proper now and might be for the following month-plus. Our subsequent replace to the steps under will come after Tiana’s Bayou Journey has a standby line and Lightning Lane Multi Cross has launched and settles into regular tendencies. Our assumption is that’ll be someday in August 2024. Whereas extra is on the horizon after that, none of it issues as a lot as these two main variables.
This Magic Kingdom itinerary additionally assumes you’ll not be shopping for the Lightning Lane line-skipping providers. Should you do plan on spending the additional, seek the advice of our 1-Day Magic Kingdom Itinerary with Genie+ and Lightning Lanes. Certainly, Genie+ is most helpful at Magic Kingdom–the one park the place we advocate readers buy the upcharge.
Should you’re staying on-site and may arrive early, try 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 provide help to save time and keep away from crowds, providing you with a giant benefit. Nevertheless, neither are strictly essential for a productive day in MK.
Whereas effectivity is a giant objective, this Magic Kingdom itinerary focuses on each doing as many rides as potential whereas nonetheless having fun with the Disney ambiance and particulars that make Magic Kingdom the most well-liked theme park on the planet. 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 occasions are minimized.
To perform every thing in a single day, some (much less common) points of interest and exhibits are skipped. (Sorry, Magic Carpets of Aladdin! Truly…not sorry.) For our journey rankings and critiques of each attraction, learn our complete Finest Magic Kingdom Points of interest & Trip Information submit. For one thing extra complete to plan each side of your trip, from the place to buy low cost tickets to when to go to and extra, learn our 2024 Walt Disney World Trip Planning Information.
Get on the grid to enter The Grid – On the morning of your Magic Kingdom day, not less than one particular person in your social gathering will should be awake and on-line earlier than 7 am. It is because friends with a legitimate ticket and a Disney Park Cross reservation for Magic Kingdom will have the ability to entry the digital queue for TRON Lightcycle Run beginning at 7 am on the day of their park go to. That is accomplished exterior the park–earlier than you allow your resort lodge, or from actually anyplace.
The 7 am digital queue fills up quick. Our Easy methods to Trip TRON Lightcycle Run & Digital Queue Velocity Technique is crucial studying and covers every thing you might want to know–like rising your possibilities of success! Should you’re unsuccessful at 7 am, you’ll be able to attempt once more to hitch the digital queue once more at 1 pm from inside Magic Kingdom. (Alternatively, you’ll be able to gamble and solely try to hitch at 1 pm when you’d choose to journey at night time.)
Add TRON Lightcycle Run into this itinerary every time is handy after your boarding group will get known as. You will have an hour to return to the attraction from receiving the notification that it’s your time to journey. Upon arrival, you’ll enter The Grid of TRON!
Pre-Rope Drop Arrival – For an excellent expertise at Magic Kingdom, we advocate arriving to the park about half-hour earlier than official opening time, and selecting up this itinerary from there. Should 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.
Should 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? – Should 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, the entire headliner points of interest in each lands may have average or longer wait occasions.
As an alternative, it’s best to head to the left of Cinderella Fortress and focus your power on Adventureland or Frontierland–common points of interest which are not open for Early Entry…
Set Sail for Journey(land) – Whereas this suggestion may appear unorthodox, Jungle Cruise has turn into probably the most common points of interest in Magic Kingdom following its reimagining. Actually, Jungle Cruise is the #4 attraction by common within the final yr. Accordingly, we’d advocate knocking it out first.
Instantly after Jungle Cruise, one possibility is true subsequent door: Pirates of the Caribbean. That is the simple alternative if you wish to reduce strolling. It’s additionally your best option now that Splash Mountain is closed–you’ll be able to really normally arrive in Frontierland a little bit later and nonetheless knock out Huge Thunder Mountain Railroad with minimal wait.
Magic Kingdom Classics — Double again to Tangled Rest room Territory (not the official title of this space…however it 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 strategy. If you wish to avoid wasting steps, it’s not a giant deal to do them within the reverse order.
Character Intermission – When you’re in Pooh’s neck of the (100 acre) woods, now could be a good time to knock out some character meet & greets when you’re so inclined. A few these open after the remainder of Magic Kingdom, and so they usually have decrease crowd ranges within the first hour that they’re open as a result of most friends prioritize rides. Accordingly, it may be a very good time to knock out the next:
- Meet Daring Disney Buddies as Circus Stars at Pete’s Foolish Sideshow
- Meet Dashing Disney Buddies as Circus Stars at Pete’s Foolish Sideshow
- Meet Ariel at Her Grotto
- Meet Mirabel at Fairytale Backyard
- Meet Numerous Princesses at Princess Fairytale Corridor
Clearly, you’re going to know if princesses are essential to your social gathering. If that’s the case, it’s best to prioritize Princess Fairytale Corridor and Mirabel (there’s a path that cuts from Fairytale Corridor to Fairytale Backyard, which is in entrance/to the facet of Cinderella Fortress) above The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. The princesses are common and supply Lightning Lane line-skipping, so that you need to beat the late-arriving crowd there.
Personally, Pete’s Foolish Sideshow is my favourite of the bunch. The “daring” Disney buddies are Goofy and Donald Duck as circus performers. The “dashing” buddies are Daisy and Minnie Mouse, trying pretty as at all times. The costumes for each units of characters are incredible. Ariel can be a very good decide–her line will get so much worse later within the day since it is a popular-but-low-capacity meet & greet.
Area Out – The above is probably going all you’ll have the ability to accomplish earlier than crowds construct, so proceed from the far nook of Fantasyland to Tomorrowland. If the road for Buzz Lightyear’s Area Ranger Spin is beneath half-hour, do this. Knock out Area Mountain too by way of the standby line.
To recap, earlier than lunch you’ll hopefully have achieved the next, so as:
- Jungle Cruise
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Huge Thunder Mountain Railroad (non-compulsory–save for later if it’s an excessive amount of strolling)
- Haunted Mansion
- Character Meet & Greets (non-compulsory)
- Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
- ‘it’s a small world’
- Buzz Lightyear’s Area Ranger Spin
- Area Mountain
On a extremely busy day, you would possibly solely hit the primary 4 of those. On a slower day, you would possibly have the ability to accomplish much more than we’ve got listed right here. Both means, to attain all of this, it’s crucial that you simply arrive earlier than official park opening time. Should you arrive later, you’ll be fortunate to do half of this listing.
Leisurely Late Lunch – Should you’re in a position to accomplish ~8 points of interest to start out the morning, it’s best 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.
Proper now, there aren’t many nice counter service eating choices in Magic Kingdom. Our go-to is beneficial for dinner; different 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 you’ll want to take 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) exhibits 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 all over the world by very smart and engaging individuals. When you’re of their neck of the woods, you’ll want to 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 Essential Road 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 fireplace, 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 attention-grabbing than the ‘fantasy fluff’ you’d look forward to 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 Essential Road makes for higher images.
Masterpiece Intermission: Extra Snacking – You will have just a few choices to select from, as lined in our Finest Magic Kingdom Snacks & Desserts. This listing was simply up to date and expanded, and now additionally consists of the worst snacks that we extremely advocate avoiding.
Should 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! When you’re passing by means of Adventureland, you’ll want to do Pirates of the Caribbean when you haven’t already.
Fantasyland Enjoyable – With out Genie+ or Early Entry, you’re at a severe drawback on the subject 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 advocate 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 Celebration (skippable)
- Peter Pan’s Flight
Of these, the one lengthy wait it’s best to encounter is Peter Pan’s Flight. There’s actually no means round that one.
All Quiet on the Western Entrance — Should you skipped it earlier, make your means 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 till not less than mid-2024 (to transform the log flume journey to a Princess and the Frog attraction), there’s no have to prioritize this space of the park. Huge Thunder Mountain Railroad is common, however not that common.
Cinderella Fortress Stage Present – If your loved ones is into characters, you’ll want to 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 pals. It’s cute and nicely accomplished.
When you can catch this all through the day, we’d strongly advocate catching one of many final two performances. The daylight and warmth might be brutal for earlier showtimes, and Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire is comparatively prolonged. (Or so it feels when standing instantly 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 ambiance is improved. The neon lights shine vibrant and actually pop, and the tasteless land through the daytime has a ton extra character.
Whereas in Tomorrowland, you’ll want to 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 ambiance is so significantly better.
Dinner: Be Our Visitor Restaurant – Nonetheless the most well-liked restaurant in Magic Kingdom, Be Our Visitor Restaurant (learn our full overview) stays a really arduous Advance Eating 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 objects. Be sure that to take a look at the West Wing!
If you’re ready, seize an Advance Eating Reservation earlier than your trip. Should you’re unable to attain a reservation, regulate the My Disney Expertise app for Stroll-Up Waitlist availability.
Various Dinner: Columbia Harbour Home — Given the sheer variety of worthwhile points of interest within the Magic Kingdom and the excessive wait occasions, 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 straightforward decide. We love grabbing a desk by the window, recharging, and watching the hustle and bustle of Magic Kingdom exterior.
Nighttime Spectacular: Fortunately Ever After – The beloved Fortunately Ever After fireworks have returned! This nighttime spectacular options new projections on Essential Road and can be drawing colossal crowds. That’s unlikely to alter anytime quickly, as Walt Disney World followers love Fortunately Ever After and are popping out in full power to see it.
Our Viewing Information to the Fortunately Ever After Fireworks at Magic Kingdom covers the perfect & worst spots to see the nighttime spectacular. Maybe most significantly, it shares just a few nice low-crowds places for many who don’t need to be within the crush of crowds. (Severely, don’t underestimate the chaos and congestion, which might be downright uncomfortable, particularly for these with strollers or ECVs. Personally, I might not watch Fortunately Ever After from Essential Road if I have been an ECV person; I might not really feel secure.)
Night Points of interest: Higher at Evening – At this level, it’s best to have about an hour till park closing on a standard night time. Dumbo, Huge Thunder Mountain Railroad, the Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover, and Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare are some points of interest that we most strongly advocate 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 Prepare, we’ll cowl that under. You probably have time for added points of interest, try our 10 Finest Magic Kingdom Points of interest at Evening for others so as to add to this plan.
Mine Prepare Half Court docket Shot – One minute earlier than Magic Kingdom closes, contemplate leaping in line for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare. That is like sinking a game-winning, half courtroom shot.
Or, so I assume…I’ve by no means accomplished the latter. You mainly keep away from the lengthy traces all day by getting in line as late as you potential 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 might be closed. Bear in mind that the outlets on Essential Road are usually open an hour after park closing, so then is the time to do your memento buying.
Past buying, it is 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 strong, shock decide right here.
Should you’re in a position to do even 75% of the issues on this Magic Kingdom touring plan, you’re 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’re at Magic Kingdom must be superb, so when you don’t have a good time, it’s in all probability your personal fault! ;))
Whereas this itinerary covers a lot of the park in a single day, in a very best world, we advocate studying our 2-Day Magic Kingdom Perfect Day Plan. That’s how a lot time you need 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 imagine requires two days to do every thing with out feeling rushed–you are able to do the opposite parks in sooner or later every.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about lodges on our Walt Disney World Resorts Opinions web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Opinions. To economize on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys submit takes a novel take a look at intelligent objects 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 every thing you might want to know!
Your Ideas
What would you embrace in your best day within the Magic Kingdom? Any hidden gem favourite points of interest, quiet spots you get pleasure from savoring, little particulars to cease and luxuriate in, or scrumptious snacks to attempt? Do you agree or disagree with our technique? Do you propose on shopping for Genie+ or an Particular person Lightning Lane throughout your day in MK? Will you benefit from Early Entry or Prolonged Night Hours? Should you haven’t visited Walt Disney World, what do you propose on doing? Any questions we may help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even whenever you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
