Magic Kingdom, in Orlando, Florida, is the most visited theme park in the world, with over 22 million visitors per year.
That number alone should tell you that hoping to find “low crowds” is pure fantasy.
What you’re about to read is an excerpt from one of the chapters of my WALT DISNEY WORLD GUIDE, where I describe step-by-step how to visit Magic Kingdom while optimizing your wait times—and more.
If you’re planning a trip to Orlando, getting my guide will make you a very wise person 😎
Typical Day
Now I’ll try to describe a typical day at Magic Kingdom, applying a mix of techniques and tips I’ve learned over the years.
Introduction
Before diving into the details, here are a few important points:
- Walt Disney World parks are huge and packed with attractions and shows—even I haven’t experienced them all, despite my many trips.
- Use this sample day as a reference and adapt it to your own pace and priorities—we all have different goals and dreams.
- Some techniques may apply only if you’re staying on-site, not off-site.
Park Arrival
Let’s assume a day at Magic Kingdom with official park opening at 9:00 AM and Early Entry at 8:30 AM.
Regardless of whether you’re staying on-site or off-site, factor in travel time from your hotel to the park entrance.
Magic Kingdom is the northernmost park on Disney property, and if you’re staying off-site, you won’t be able to park directly at the entrance. You’ll need to leave your car at the Transportation Ticket Center and then take either the monorail or ferry boat.
If you’re staying on-site, you can reach the park more directly using Disney’s transportation systems, as explained in my dedicated chapter.
If you’re at a Value Resort, travel time is about 20 minutes. Add another 10 minutes for the thorough but efficient security checks—every bag is inspected by a cast member.
So by 8:00 AM, or earlier, be ready at your resort’s bus stop.
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First Attraction
The strategy here is simple.
Start your day with one of the most in-demand rides, which will see long wait times almost immediately and rarely drop later in the day.
Examples include:
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Splash Mountain
- Space Mountain
Choosing the right one is crucial to how your day unfolds—I’ll explain more later.
Let’s say you choose Space Mountain.
Enter the park and head straight to the pathway that leads to Tomorrowland. Wait for the area to open or go in if you’re eligible for Early Entry.
Morning
Your first ride will influence the rest of your itinerary. One of the best ways to save time is by following a one-way path—minimizing unnecessary backtracking.
If you start at Space Mountain, your next attractions should be nearby to avoid wasting time walking across the park.
In Tomorrowland, my usual order is:
- Space Mountain
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
- Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
- Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
- Tomorrowland Speedway
- Astro Orbiter
Depending on wait times, this list is typically completed by 12:00 PM.
Afternoon
As you’ll read later, I always bring a backpack with snacks—this allows me to skip the crowded lunch hour at noon.
This way, I can move straight into Fantasyland and Storybook Circus. I suggest you do the same.
Now it’s time to make choices—this land has many attractions, but some are classic rides you’ve likely seen in other Disney parks.
Here’s my list:
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
- Under the Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid
- Enchanted Tales with Belle
- Mickey’s PhilharMagic
Again, it depends on wait times. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train tends to be very long, so I recommend saving it for the first ride on your second day at Magic Kingdom.
By mid-afternoon, around 4:00 PM, a break is necessary—for your body and your appetite. Take a rest at one of the food spots in this land.
Evening
Evening plans depend on whether you’ll return another day, if you want to see the nighttime show, and how much energy you’ve got left.
Assuming the park closes at 9:00 PM and the castle show is at 8:00 PM:
You don’t want to miss the show and you plan to come back the next day.
Getting a good spot for the evening show is essential—arrive at the central plaza 60 to 90 minutes early.
Between the afternoon break and 7:00 PM, you can go shopping or hit some minor rides.
At 6:30/7:00 PM, head straight to the central plaza for your spot.
Avoid getting too close to the castle—you’ll miss the full effect of the show.
A better spot is further back, ideally in front of the central flower beds—this way no one will block your view when everyone stands up.
Alternatively, you could skip the show and use that time to ride popular attractions with shorter lines.
Post-Show – Park Close
You thought the day was over? Not quite—the best part is just beginning!
Most guests will flood Main Street after the show—but not you.
Right after the show, head to one of the high-demand attractions listed earlier—you might catch it with almost no wait.
And there’s more.
You can enter the queue for an attraction right up until closing time—even if the line is two hours long.
After closing, no more guests are allowed to queue. Cast members will gradually guide everyone to the exit, and soon the park will be nearly empty. But Main Street shops remain open for an hour after closing, until 10:00 PM.
Use this time to shop—or do what I love most: enjoy that part of the park in peaceful solitude.
It’s priceless.
Summary
- 7:45 AM – transfer to the park
- 8:15 AM – enter the park
- 8:30 AM – Early Entry for on-site guests or ready for Rope Drop
- 9:00 AM – official park opening for off-site guests
- 12:00 PM – finish Tomorrowland, begin Fantasyland
- 4:00 PM – break
- 5:00 PM – minor attractions or shopping
- 6:30–7:00 PM – get ready for the show
- 8:00 PM – show starts
- 8:30 PM – ride major attraction
- 9:00 PM – park closes
- 10:00 PM – leave the park
Conclusion
As you’ve seen, this plan applies the techniques I explained earlier:
- Rope Drop for the first attraction
- One-way route to minimize walking
- Strategic compromises—doing everything in one day is impossible
- Skipping peak mealtime crowds
- Resting when others are in lines
- Using every minute of open hours
- Enjoying the park after closing time
This kind of day isn’t for everyone—but if you can follow this plan, your time at Walt Disney World will be unforgettable.
Don’t plan every minute, but define your must-dos and your optional stops. Leave room for spontaneity—maybe a shop, a surprise character meet-and-greet, or a last-minute meal.
I love to slow down, sit on a bench, and watch how guests interact with each other and the park—and reflect on how it all started with a mouse.
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