Magic Kingdom Essentials

• MK is the biggest park at WDW with the most to do. It cannot really all be done in one day. When visiting, have your top five rides in mind but go with the flow and don’t put too much pressure on trying to do everything.
• If you aren’t interested in the fireworks, it can be a great time to hop in line. Most ride times drop substantially starting 15 minutes before the fireworks until they end.
• MK is unique in that only half the park opens for the on-property Early Morning Entry. This means it’s the only park an off-property guest can have an advantage at for rope drop. If you’re rope dropping as an off-property guest, start at the Adventureland bridge (not Liberty Square) and decide if you are going for Jungle Cruise, Pirates, Splash, or Thunder. You can easily be one of the first in line for any of these.
• If you’re staying off-property, plan extra time when traveling to the Magic Kingdom. Parking is at the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC) and you must then ride a monorail or take a ferry to reach the parks. This will add around thirty minutes from parking to arrival at the MK gates.
• Many will enter the Magic Kingdom and either immediately turn left into Adventureland, then proceed clockwise through the park OR turn right into Tomorrowland and proceed counter clockwise. Either approach will land you at Frontierland and Fantasyland, where the highest concentration of popular rides are at the busiest time of the day. I’d recommend going straight to either Fantasy or Frontier, then to the other of those two, and finally continuing the circuit from there.
• Tomorrowland, like Galaxies Edge and Pandora, is best experienced at night. The entire land is covered in lights, with the Astro Orbiter especially shining once the sun has set.

• Mickey – He’s in the parades and at a few of the stage shows, but many people leave having missed the opportunity to see the mouse up close. Mickey hides out in the town hall at the very front of the park. As you enter, the building is immediately to your right. Because he’s so easy to miss, waits are almost always short.
• Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto, Daisy, Chip, and Dale – The Sensational Six and friends occasionally wave down from the Train Station wearing their special 50th Anniversary attire.
• Chip and Dale – Causing mischief outside Pete’s Silly Sideshow in Fantasyland. 
• Princesses – The princesses have a dedicated area in Fantasyland. There will usually be two lines open with each featuring two different princesses. Who is there can rotate, but Cinderella is a regular. Princesses can also be seen waving down from the Train Station occasionally. Currently visiting: Tiana, Rapunzel, Cinderella, and Elena. 
• Cinderella’s Wicked Stepsisters, Anastasia and Drizella – This duo wanders around outside behind the castle in Fantasyland. Sometimes their mother, Lady Tremaine, joins them. 
• Belle – She takes a break from reading books to greets guests in her village attire at the former location of the Enchanted Tales with Belle in Fantasyland. Once the attraction reopens, she should once again be found inside telling stories.
• Stitch – Guard your left shoe as you visit this alien friend at the big stage in Tomorrowland.
• Pooh and Friends – These sweet woodland friends sometimes wave down from the Train Station.
• Country Bears – These goofy bears roam around outside their show in Frontierland.
• Captain Jack Sparrow – Set course to find him outside his ride in Adventureland.

Characters on Pause – The below characters had meets at MK pre-pandemic that will hopefully be returning soon.

• Minnie, Daisy, Donald, Goofy – The other members of Mickey’s Clubhouse appear at Pete’s Silly Sideshow in the back corner of Fantasyland. These characters typically are wearing themed costumes and not their traditional attire.
• Aladdin and Jasmine – Greeting world travelers near the flying carpets in Adventureland.
• Ariel – Sitting in a seashell grotto next to her ride in Fantasyland.
• Alice and the Mad Hatter – Up to hijinks near the Mad Tea Party in Fantasyland.
• Buzz Lightyear – Known to hang around his ride in Tomorrowland… and beyond. 
• Tigger and Pooh – On the hunt for honey next to their ride in Fantasyland.
• Merida – Practicing archery in her courtyard next to the Fantasyland bridge.
• Gaston – Found flexing and doting over himself outside his tavern in Fantasyland. 
• Peter Pan – When he’s not hanging around his ride, Peter can be seen roaming around Fantasyland for unique interactions. 
• Fairy Godmother – Magically appears around the carousel and castle area in Fantasyland.
• Mary Poppins – Has been known to pop into the Garden Theater next to the Town Hall near the entrance to the park or in Liberty Square. She is often joined by either Bert or a silly penguin. 
• Tinker Bell – Tink rests her wings at the Garden Theater next to the Town Hall near the entrance to the park.

• MK has the best mix of “must do” and “great to do” attractions at any of the parks. It has four (soon to be five) roller coasters along with Splash Mountain to provide something for thrill seekers; best in class dark rides like Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Voyage of the Little Mermaid; and fun shows like the Tiki Birds, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, and Mickey’s Philharmagic. You really can’t go wrong with rides at MK!
• Longest waits / best choices to Genie+:
  • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
  • Haunted Mansion
  • Jungle Cruise
  • Peter Pan’s Flight
  • Pirates of the Caribbean
  • Space Mountain
  • Splash Mountain (if it’s warm out)

• Breakfast – very few places at MK serve a quick breakfast and all of them tend to have long lines. Quick Service Breakfast options include: Main Street Bakery (Starbucks), Sleepy Hollow, Friar’s Nook, Gaston’s Tavern, and Cheshire Cat Cafe. Plan for a fifteen minute wait at any of these locations, even using mobile order. With the morning a prime time to ride attractions, it may be better to eat in the room before hitting the park. At the moment none of the table service restaurants in MK offer breakfast (several did pre-pandemic).
• Snacks – MK has a great selection of snacks all over the park, but aside from popcorn and pretzels they vary by location. Either make a list ahead of time of what you want to try and seek it out, or grab it when you see it. Don’t expect that special Dole Whip cone you spot in Adventureland to be available in Tomorrowland, and the park is big enough that you won’t want to go back for that snack you missed.
• Quick service – Frankly, you’ll probably end up eating at the quick service that’s near you when you decide it’s time to eat. None of them are bad and generally are surprisingly good for theme park food – though unsurprisingly expensive. If you’d like to plan it out, the main (though not all) eateries to choose from are:
  • Casey’s Corner – On Main Street at the end of the Emporium. Casey’s serves up hotdogs of various sorts.
  • Pecos Bill’s – At the far end of Frontierland, right before the entrance to Adventureland. Pecos Bill’s offers a variety of Tex Mex options.
  • Liberty Square Market – Right next to the Hall of Presidents, this open air market is the location in MK to buy fresh fruit as well as the famous Turkey Leg.
  • Columbia Harbor House – in between Liberty Square and Fantasyland they serve a variety of fried seafood and chicken fingers.
  • Pinnochio’s Village Haus – Right on the main Fantasyland square they have pizza, pasta, and salads.
  • Cosmic Ray’s – Burgers, Hot Dogs, and standard American offerings. Ray’s is a great place for picky eaters. While you get your money’s worth from the foot long hot dogs, the burgers can underwhelm.
• Table service – For any Table service at MK or Walt Disney World, you should look into getting an Advanced Dining Reservation (ADR). While they do save some tables for the walk-up list, those spots go fast and you will find they will either have no availability or require you to return in a few hours. Overall MK isn’t known for its outstanding table service dining.
  • Be Our Guest offers a unique experience with an immersive setting and some appearances by the Beast, but the quality of food for the high price you pay usually leaves diners disappointed. 
  • Crystal Palace offers buffet quantity and quality. It used to be a fantastic character meal with Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, and Tigger that we hope to see return soon!
  • Cinderella’s Royal Table is a unique experience, getting to dine inside the castle, but it has always been known for pushy service and mediocre food. The draw was meeting a plethora of princesses. Once they return it may be worth it (there were better princess meals at Epcot and the resorts), but right now seeing Cinderella wave at you once hardly seems worth it . 
  • The Plaza offers sandwiches, burgers, and ice cream sundaes. This casual spot is a step above Quick Service, but not by much. 
  • Skippers Canteen offers food for more adventurous eaters, with a menu that makes stops in Africa and India.
  • Tony’s Town Square has a tendency to appear on lists of “the worst dining in Disney” and I agree. Its Italian menu is sometimes compared to Olive Garden…and I’d rather eat there than Tony’s.
  • Liberty Tree Tavern serves up a family style Thanksgiving feast. Dinner itself is good but not great, though the ooey gooey toffee cake is fantastic. Personally, I dislike the cramped tables and crowded atmosphere – some may find it cozy.
  • Diamond Horseshoe’s food varies and is currently offering the same family style menu as Liberty Tree Tavern. Disney has not figured out what they want to do with this space after ending their stage show over a decade ago. We have had good meals there, but the menu has changed multiple times.
• For really good table service you can hop on the monorail for a ten minute ride to some of the best restaurants at WDW.
  • Contemporary Resort: Chef Mickey’s, Steakhouse 71, and California Grill.
  • Polynesian Resort: Ohana and Kona Cafe.
  • Grand Floridian Resort: Grand Floridian Cafe, Cítricos, Narcoossee’s, 1900 Park Fare (closed currently), and Victoria and Albert’s (closed currently).
  • If you’re willing to take a 15 minute boat ride you can also add two spots at Wilderness Lodge: Storybook Dining at Artist’s Point and Whispering Canyon.

• If you see something you like, buy it! Items vary by location, so that cute hat you saw in Fantasyland may not be available elsewhere in the park – or worse, may sell out entirely before the end of your trip. (You can return things if you change your mind later.) Learn more about why “see it, buy it” is recommended.
• The Emporium is one of the largest shops in WDW. You’ll find a large selection of items including some of the most popular and newest souvenirs. Specialty items and product lines will not be available here.
• Main Street Cinema and Disney Clothiers offer limited edition, special releases, and high-end items.
• The Chapeau near the entrance to the park and Fantasy Faire in Fantasyland carry personalized Ear Hats.
• Sir Mickey’s behind the castle in Fantasyland offers princess dresses and accessories.
• Shops near rides typically carry themed merchandise to match, but not every ride has a shop. Each land has different offerings – Pixar items in Tomorrowland, pirate accessories in Adventureland, etc. 

• For Parades and occasionally Cavalcades expect that guests will start securing spots anywhere from 30-60 minutes in advance depending on crowds. Keep this in mind especially if you have small kids that need to be curbside to see the sights.
• Most viewers will congregate near the castle rotunda and Main Street itself, but the Parade route also travels through Liberty Square and Frontierland. Great viewing spots can be much easier to grab in these areas. Just be sure to stay behind the tape lines on the ground.
• Pay extra attention to the timings of Cavalcades. Several run back to back and you can catch a Princess Cavalcade followed immediately by Mickey’s 50th if you hang a round for just a few minutes.

• Depending on crowds, guests will start camping out for prime fireworks viewing spots 30-90 minutes before the show. The ultimate spot to view the fireworks is at the rotunda in front of the castle, and it will fill up first. After that, anywhere on Main Street or in line with Main Street on the entrance rotunda works. There is some opportunity to get a spot from the train station, but only a few dozen people are allowed access so you need to be there right when they allow families up. Lastly, some guests recommend viewing the fireworks from behind the castle in Fantasyland, but be aware that at this location you will miss out on the entirety of the show. Fireworks occur behind and above you, you won’t see the projections on the front of the castle, and it can be very loud (not recommended for kids under 3).
• Everyone leaves MK after the fireworks. If you aren’t out the gates before that last explosion, expect an hour to get on whatever mode of transportation you’re taking. If you’re able, instead go and ride a few more rides before the park closes and you will still get to your destination at about the same time as if you tried to leave immediately. Just be warned – if you watched the fireworks anywhere on Main Street, you will be swimming upstream against traffic.

— Dave