Method to the Magic: 10 Things To Know Before Taking On the Magic Kingdom

The Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World is without a doubt a favorite location of the majority of Disney fans, and rightly so. For many, it's considered Disneyland 2.0. For others, it's simply the place where dreams come true. That all being said, with all its magic and wonder, this park isn't for rookies.

This magnificent Mecca of all things magical can be the best part of your trip, but it can also be a set of mean streets if you don't know how to maneuver them. Fret not, we've got ten tips and tricks for you to rock the Magic Kingdom the right way.

10 It's Huge

The Magic Kingdom is the largest jewel in Disney's crown and easily one of the largest parks on any Disney property. There are more than enough rides, attractions, characters, restaurants, and shops to satisfy any guest. It quite literally has something for everyone to enjoy.

That all being said, it is very possible to go into overload at this park. You're not going to be able to do it all in one day, so pace yourself and enjoy the ride. There are few things worse than a burnt-out Disney fan. Make a small, easy to follow plan before passing the gates.

9 Visit on a Weekday

Take it from experience, you do not want to visit the Magic Kingdom on a weekend. Why? Because weekends are when the locals visit, and crowds can get gigantic and monstrous with both kids and adults flooding in. If you can help it, avoid making a trip on Friday or Saturday.

If you want to get some seriously magical park time, go on a weekday. Monday through Thursday, you'd be surprised at how small the crowds are compared to the weekend. On a good Wednesday, you can see clear across a sparsely populated street in front of the castle. It's indescribably beautiful.

8 Magic in the Morning

This goes for any Disney Park, but you definitely need to make a point of starting your park days as early as you can. Not only do you have the opportunity to rope-drop your favorite attractions, but you also don't have to fight ginormous waves of people to get where you need to go.

After you've seen the welcome ceremony at the castle, feel free to mosey to your favorite attraction, get a little breakfast at a quick-service place, or simply explore the parks. We'd prefer to do our riding in the morning, but feel free to enjoy the space while it lasts.

7 Watch Out For Kids

This goes without saying, but any trip to Disney is going to involve some interaction with kids. Whether they're just waiting in line to get on Splash Mountain in front of you, or literally running about the park, you will see them at some point on your trip.

Most kids are great, just happy to be there as we all should be, but there are some that are more than a little unpredictable. Kids will dart out in a crowd, bump into other pedestrians, and who knows what else. Pay attention underfoot and make sure no young guest decides to become a stumbling block.

6 Watching the Wheels

Whether they're strollers, wheelchairs, rascal scooters, or even the Main Street Vehicles, there can be just as much rolling traffic as there is foot traffic in the Magic Kingdom. Families with strollers and guests with the need for mobility assistance are always going to be a presence in the parks, so keep your eyes open.

It doesn't take much to cause an accident with one of these wheeled devices, so be sure to give them enough space to move and maneuver where ever they're going. It's all fun and games till someone gets stepped on, and no one wants to see Disney from the first aid stand.

5 Parade Routes

The Disney World Parades are some of the most creative and imaginative displays in the park. Each float is a work of art and all of the performances are carefully choreographed and marvelous. That being said, if you've already seen the parades and want to avoid traffic, we've definitely got you covered.

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The 3:00 parade causes the most traffic jams, and you do not want to get crunched in a crowd of onlookers. Our solution, find land in the Magic Kingdom (we recommend Tomorrowland) and stay put until the parade passes. No one likes just standing around, so be sure to find a spot to camp out.

4 Rustle Up Some Grub

Hopefully, if you choose to take on the Magic Kingdom you won't forget to make time to chow down. Sure you can grab a burger or some fries at any old theme park quick-service restaurant, but we're talking about treats you can only find in the Magic Kingdom.

From something as simple as a Cheshire Cat tail to something as massive as a turkey dinner at the Liberty Tree Tavern, the Magic Kingdom has loads of good eats to offer its guests. Popcorn and turkey legs are wonderful, but if you go to Disney, make time for at least one sit down meal.

3 Watch Your Wait

We've talked about this little matter recently, but we feel it's one of those things that just bears repeating. The wait times for Disney attractions are never 100% accurate and are subject to change. Depending on the time of day and the attraction you choose, wait times can yo-yo in a matter of minutes.

It's always a smart idea to get the more popular rides out of the way first, but it is possible to use up those Fastpasses. So if you're still jonesing for some ride action, don't be too discouraged by the wait times, and don't be afraid to check again later.

2 Find Your Fireworks Spot Early

If you're planning on catching the Nighttime Spectacular at the castle, follow the tips from the bus recordings. That notion about arriving at least 45 minutes before the show starts isn't such a dumb idea. This isn't just a suggestion, it's borderline mandatory if you want a decent view of the fireworks.

The closer it gets to showtime, the more cramped and packed Main Street will be for the spectacular. So if you want the choice spots, consider arriving an hour before the lights go down to find your perfect view.

1 Take Time to Take It In

Easily something many park-goes overlook is the opportunity to just stop and take some of the magic in. The Magic Kingdom is without question the most beautiful and inspiring park in all of the Walt Disney World Resort. Sometimes it's fun to run, go, and do things all over, but there needs to be time to savor.

The Magic Kingdom evokes different emotions for everyone. For many, it's the place where magic and childhood live forever, as cliche as that might sound. There's a lot to love an admire about this park, so take the time to notice it.

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