Our 1-day Magic Kingdom touring plan presents a step-by-step itinerary for a super go to to Walt Disney World, with technique to attend in strains 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 instances within the final yr, together with for TRON Lightcycle Run and the return of Fortunately Ever After fireworks. It additionally takes under consideration Early Entry and Prolonged Night Hours, Lightning Lanes, elevated crowds, and exhausting ticket events.
So much has modified at Magic Kingdom this yr, and much more is ‘in flux’ as of Summer time 2024 due to Tiana’s Bayou Journey and Nation Bear Musical Jamboree in Frontierland, in addition to the debut of Lightning Lane Multi Go, potential closures of Huge Thunder Mountain Railroad and Peter Pan’s Flight, plus no matter else is going on. 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, loads has modified and can change over the course of the following month at Magic Kingdom. A few of these issues will or might change inside the subsequent week, so I don’t have the time or inclination to overtake this itinerary because of this. As a substitute, listed below 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 an alternative makes use of a digital queue and has a Lightning Lane (see How one can Trip Tiana’s Bayou Journey for all the things it’s good to know)
- Tiana’s Bayou Journey is averaging a number of hours of downtime per day (as such, you must prioritize it to reduce the probability of breakdowns stopping you from using)
- Tiana’s Bayou Journey might open a standby line as early as July 8, 2024 (however most likely received’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 strains, besides maybe on July 17)
- Lightning Lane Multi Go replaces Genie+ on July 24, 2024 (see our Information to Lightning Lane Multi-Go & Single Go at Walt Disney World)
- Peter Pan’s Flight is closed for refurbishment from July 8 by August 20, 2024
- Huge Thunder Mountain Railroad possible will shut for round a yr beginning in September 2024
As you’ll be able to see, there are numerous shifting components proper now and will probably 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 Go 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 companies. In the event you do plan on spending the additional, seek the advice of our 1-Day Magic Kingdom Itinerary with Genie+ and Lightning Lanes. Definitely, Genie+ is most helpful at Magic Kingdom–the one park the place we advocate readers buy the upcharge.
In the event you’re staying on-site and might arrive early, try our report on Early Entry at Magic Kingdom. Likewise, for those who’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 allow you to save time and keep away from crowds, supplying you with a giant benefit. Nevertheless, neither are strictly vital for a productive day in MK.
Whereas effectivity is a giant purpose, 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 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 “excellent day.” Moreover, this Magic Kingdom touring plan is optimized in order that wait instances are minimized.
To perform all the things in a single day, some (much less in style) points of interest and reveals are skipped. (Sorry, Magic Carpets of Aladdin! Truly…not sorry.) For our journey scores and evaluations of each attraction, learn our complete Finest Magic Kingdom Sights & Trip Information publish. 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, no less than one particular person in your occasion will must be awake and on-line earlier than 7 am. It is because company with a sound ticket and a Disney Park Go reservation for Magic Kingdom will be capable to entry the digital queue for TRON Lightcycle Run beginning at 7 am on the day of their park go to. That is performed exterior the park–earlier than you allow your resort lodge, or from actually anyplace.
The 7 am digital queue fills up quick. Our How one can Trip TRON Lightcycle Run & Digital Queue Velocity Technique is important studying and covers all the things it’s good to know–like growing your possibilities of success! In the event you’re unsuccessful at 7 am, you’ll be able to attempt once more to affix the digital queue once more at 1 pm from inside Magic Kingdom. (Alternatively, you’ll be able to gamble and solely try to affix at 1 pm for those who’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’ve 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 a super 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. In the event you’re driving, this implies leaving for the park to permit ample time to park and get from the Transportation and Ticket Heart (TTC) to Magic Kingdom.
In the event 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? – In the event 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 can have average or longer wait instances.
As a substitute, you must head to the left of Cinderella Fortress and focus your power on Adventureland or Frontierland–in style points of interest which might be not open for Early Entry…
Set Sail for Journey(land) – Whereas this suggestion may appear unorthodox, Jungle Cruise has develop into one of the in style points of interest in Magic Kingdom following its reimagining. In reality, 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 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’ll be able to truly normally arrive in Frontierland a bit of later and nonetheless knock out Huge Thunder Mountain Railroad with minimal wait.
Magic Kingdom Classics — Double again to Tangled Bathroom Territory (not the official title of this space…but it surely ought to 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 a giant deal to do them within the reverse order.
Character Intermission – Whilst you’re in Pooh’s neck of the (100 acre) woods, now could be a good time to knock out some character meet & greets for those who’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 company prioritize rides. Accordingly, it may be a superb time to knock out the next:
- Meet Daring Disney Friends as Circus Stars at Pete’s Foolish Sideshow
- Meet Dashing Disney Friends 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 necessary to your occasion. If that’s the case, you must prioritize Princess Fairytale Corridor and Mirabel (there’s a path that cuts from Fairytale Corridor to Fairytale Backyard, which is in entrance/to the aspect of Cinderella Fortress) above The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. The princesses are in style and provide 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 friends are Goofy and Donald Duck as circus performers. The “dashing” friends are Daisy and Minnie Mouse, wanting pretty as all the time. The costumes for each units of characters are improbable. Ariel can be a superb decide–her line will get loads worse later within the day since it is a popular-but-low-capacity meet & greet.
House Out – The above is probably going all you’ll be capable to 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 underneath half-hour, do this. Knock out House 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
- Huge Thunder Mountain Railroad (non-obligatory–save for later if it’s an excessive amount of strolling)
- Haunted Mansion
- Character Meet & Greets (non-obligatory)
- Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
- ‘it’s a small world’
- Buzz Lightyear’s House Ranger Spin
- House Mountain
On a very busy day, you would possibly solely hit the primary 4 of those. On a slower day, you would possibly be capable to accomplish much more than we’ve got listed right here. Both means, to attain all of this, it’s crucial that you just arrive earlier than official park opening time. In the event you arrive later, you’ll be fortunate to do half of this listing.
Leisurely Late Lunch – In the event you’re capable of accomplish ~8 points of interest to start out the morning, you must have time for an early sit-down lunch. We advocate 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 advisable for dinner; different alternate options are Pecos Invoice in Frontierland or Cosmic Ray’s in Tomorrowland. Neither are nice, however each get the job performed. Alternatively, two enjoyable sleeper picks are Sleepy Hole and Friar’s Nook–simply make sure to 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 strains, so take an AC break with these life-changing (in a great way) reveals which might be simply too superior for most of the people to understand.
Hit up Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room or Nation Bear Jamboree throughout the hottest and busiest time of the day. Nation Bear Jamboree is the one must-do of those, and is beloved world wide by very smart and engaging folks. Whilst you’re of their neck of the woods, make sure 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 Foremost 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 might be fairly cool.
Add to this performers in costumes which have numerous element and are, in some circumstances, a bit darker and extra fascinating than the ‘fantasy fluff’ you’d look forward to finding in a Magic Kingdom parade, a catchy soundtrack, and an ideal power, and you’ve got a parade that’s an actual winner. Frontierland is least crowded, however the space round Cinderella Fortress and Foremost Avenue makes for higher pictures.
Masterpiece Intermission: Extra Snacking – You’ve 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.
In the event you did the ‘Masterpieces’ out of order and are in Liberty Sq. or Adventureland, the excellent news is that there are great 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 Adventureland, make sure to do Pirates of the Caribbean for those who haven’t already.
Fantasyland Enjoyable – With out Genie+ or Early Entry, you’re at a critical drawback relating to doing the favored family-friendly Fantasyland points of interest. As such, the purpose 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 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 must encounter is Peter Pan’s Flight. There’s actually no means round that one.
All Quiet on the Western Entrance — In the event 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 no less than mid-2024 (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 in style, however not that in style.
Cinderella Fortress Stage Present – If your loved ones is into characters, make sure 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 buddies. It’s cute and properly performed.
Whilst you can catch this all through the day, we’d strongly advocate 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 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 necessary–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 throughout the daytime has a ton extra persona.
Whereas in Tomorrowland, make sure 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 too can 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 a lot better.
Dinner: Be Our Visitor Restaurant – Nonetheless the most well-liked restaurant in Magic Kingdom, Be Our Visitor Restaurant (learn our full assessment) stays a really exhausting Advance Eating Reservation to attain. The theming and a focus 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 stable menu gadgets. Be sure to take a look at the West Wing!
In case you are in a position, seize an Advance Eating Reservation earlier than your trip. In the event you’re unable to attain a reservation, control 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 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 Foremost Avenue 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 pressure 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 areas for many who don’t need to be within the crush of crowds. (Severely, don’t underestimate the chaos and congestion, which will be downright uncomfortable, particularly for these with strollers or ECVs. Personally, I’d not watch Fortunately Ever After from Foremost Avenue if I had been an ECV consumer; I’d not really feel protected.)
Night Sights: Higher at Evening – At this level, you must 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 Prepare are some points of interest that we most strongly advocate doing at night time for a superior expertise.
Clearly, you received’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. If in case you have time for extra points of interest, try our 10 Finest Magic Kingdom Sights at Evening for others so as to add to this plan.
Mine Prepare Half Court docket Shot – One minute earlier than Magic Kingdom closes, think about 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 performed the latter. You mainly keep away from the lengthy strains 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 performed with both of the above choices, the Magic Kingdom will probably be closed. Bear in mind that the retailers on Foremost Avenue 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 main points 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 decide right here.
In the event 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 notice that this assure has no money worth and isn’t supplied to residents of any state besides Wyoming. Additionally notice that any day you might be at Magic Kingdom ought to be wonderful, so for those who don’t have a good time, it’s most likely your personal fault! ;))
Whereas this itinerary covers many of the park in a single day, in a very very best world, we advocate studying our 2-Day Magic Kingdom Perfect 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 all the things with out feeling rushed–you are able to do the opposite parks in at some point every.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about motels on our Walt Disney World Accommodations Critiques web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Critiques. To save cash on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a novel 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 all the things it’s good to know!
Your Ideas
What would you embody in your very best day within the Magic Kingdom? Any hidden gem favourite points of interest, quiet spots you take pleasure in savoring, little particulars to cease and revel 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 reap the benefits of Early Entry or Prolonged Night Hours? In the event you haven’t visited Walt Disney World, what do you propose on doing? Any questions we may also help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
