Disney World Castle in the evening
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Home to such iconic rides as Space Mountain, “it’s a small world” and Haunted Mansion, Magic Kingdom is a must-do for any visit to Walt Disney World. Unfortunately, with so many amazing attractions to see in one park, it can be tricky to squeeze into a single day. Enter our Magic Kingdom day plan.

This 1-Day Magic Kingdom touring plan offers any guest step-by-step instructions on how to do almost everything in the park for an exciting and fun-filled day. Now, while it is possible to get all things done in one day, it isn’t likely due to crowds and current Park Pass Reservations.

Not to worry though. You’re sure to have one of the best days ever, no matter how much you get done. That’s the magic of Disney! (Updated September 5, 2023)

Magic Kingdom Partners statue in front of Cinderella Castle

About Our Magic Kingdom 1-Day Itinerary

This comprehensive guide will walk you through our tried-and-tested approach to tackling the Magic Kingdom if you only have a day, including options both with and without children or Lightning Lane access.

Disney Genie+ & the Lightning Lanes

With the introduction of Genie+, guests can choose between doing things the old-fashioned way in standby lines or, if it’s available and in the budget, using the Lightning Lanes, Disney’s paid replacement for FastPass+. Ringing in at $15 per person per day for Genie+ and between $7 to $15 each for Individual Lightning Lane Access, the line-skipping service can be a steep price to pay for some guests.

However, if you can afford it, we highly recommend splurging, particularly at Magic Kingdom, as it will allow you to get much more done in a day. In fact, thanks to the Lightning Lanes and showing up almost an hour before the park opened on our last trip, we were able to accomplish all of this by 11:30 AM: Peter Pan’s Flight, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, “it’s a small world,” Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Pirates of the Caribbean.

For anyone keeping track, that’s a good chunk of the best Magic Kingdom attractions and it’s not even noon yet. We’re happy to say that you can easily repeat this on your own vacation just by following the simple tips in our touring plan. Here’s how to make it happen.

Tomorrowland Speedway in front of Space Mountain in Magic Kingdom Park

How to Approach Your Magic Kingdom Day

Magic Kingdom is the most popular, highest-attended theme park in the world, typically seeing well over 20 million guests annually. And with good reason – it continues to provide guests of all ages with fun things to do over and over again.

So, while many guests are visiting for the very first time, others are returning for their second, tenth or even hundredth visit. For your best shot at beating the crowds and experiencing as much as possible, you’ll need to go in with a plan and a headstart.

First, plan to arrive at least 45 minutes before the park is scheduled to open. During COVID-19, it isn’t unheard of for cast members to begin letting guests in prior to the official opening. That, dear friends, is an opportunity. Those extra 45 minutes in the park are crucial to getting in front of the crowds and staying there.

Once you’re inside the park, try not to get overwhelmed by everything that’s available. Between the rides, stage shows and other entertainment, there is a ton to see and do at Magic Kingdom and the pressure to experience everything can be anxiety-inducing, to say the least.

Admittedly, to truly see and do it all at Magic Kingdom, you do need to spend at least two days. However, by skipping over the things that don’t interest you, you can save a bunch of time and, hopefully, accomplish most of the attractions on your to-do list in just a day.

In general, we suggest you do the most in-demand (AKA busiest) rides first, then fill in with in-betweener attractions (we’re lookin’ at you, Winnie the Pooh) while you’re waiting for the more popular offerings. Through it all, you’ll also try to stay ahead of the crowds, hopefully knocking out rides before the lines get too long.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Attraction, brown cottage with greenery
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Attraction

Most Popular Magic Kingdom Attractions

So, what Magic Kingdom attractions should you focus on for your day in the park? These first rides – both nostalgic classics and new favorites – are what we consider the park’s can’t-miss attractions.

Consider these the most popular rides that any passholder or regular park-goer would recommend to others and gladly re-ride on any visit. In other words, expect a quintessential Disney World experience with long lines to match.

The next level down is attractions guests tend to go on as “fillers” or “in-betweeners” while waiting for the above-mentioned rides:

  • Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
  • “it’s a small world”
  • Liberty Square Riverboat
  • Mad Tea Party
  • Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
  • Peter Pan’s Flight
  • Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover

Astro Orbiter in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom Park

Traveling with children? Be sure to save some time for these kid-friendly rides:

  • Astro Orbiter
  • Barnstormer
  • Dumbo the Flying Elephant
  • Magic Carpets of Aladdin
  • Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
  • Tomorrowland Speedway
  • Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid

Hoping to catch your breath, rest your feet and soak up some A/C? If you have some extra time, these stage shows are a fun way to slow things down a bit.

  • Country Bear Jamboree
  • Enchanted Tales with Belle
  • Hall of Presidents
  • Mickey’s Philharmagic
  • Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
  • Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room

Overall, our Magic Kingdom Day Plan focuses largely on rides, simply because there are so many of them and they tend to take less time than the lengthier shows. That being said, if you have the luxury of time and can spend an extra day at Magic Kingdom, or you’re simply looking for a more relaxed experience, don’t miss out on the various shows and entertainment offerings.

If you’re not sure whether an attraction is right for you and your group, do your homework beforehand so you don’t waste time on some you’d rather skip. YouTube is a great resource for attraction ride-throughs and the perfect way to assess if a ride is too intense or worth your precious time.

Mickey's Philharmagic sign with Cinderella Castle in background in Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park

Best Itinerary for Magic Kingdom – 3 Options

Now, this isn’t a one-size-fits-all kind of deal. No trip to Disney World can, should or will be the same. You also can’t just walk into Magic Kingdom (after opening, no less), do attractions all willy-nilly and expect to get a lot done.

Rather, for a productive visit that’s as stress-free as possible, do your research, arrive early and let who you’re traveling with and how much time and money you have to spend be your guide.

Can’t afford Genie+? No worries! As long as you arrive early, are strategic with your attractions and follow the first of our Magic Kingdom strategy guides below, you can still accomplish quite a bit just by using the standby lines.

Traveling as a family or with a group of Disney adults? Chances are that aside from the first several rides we mentioned, your list of can’t-miss experiences will probably vary.

And that’s a good thing! With only one day in Magic Kingdom, time is of the essence, so don’t waste it on something you aren’t really interested in. You don’t need to do it all to feel like you’ve truly experienced Magic Kingdom. This is why we’re including not one, not two, but three different touring plan options.

Disney balloons on Main Street, USA in Magic Kingdom Park

Whichever itinerary you choose, plan to arrive early. This means also taking advantage of Early Theme Park Entry if you’re hoping to stay at one of the Disney World hotels. As we mentioned previously, about 45 minutes ahead of the official opening time is good, one hour before is better.

That’s at the front gates, not just pulling into the parking lot. This is key to making the plan work; otherwise, there’s a good chance you’ll be fighting the crowds (and the lines) the rest of the day.

Why? Because lately, Disney has been opening the parks about 45 minutes to an hour prior to the time posted online or My Disney Experience. We don’t know how long this will continue, but we might as well enjoy it while it does. Unfortunately, this does narrow down your AM transportation options a bit.

If you’re using the Walt Disney World bus transportation system, there’s a decent chance you’ll arrive only 30 minutes early because of stops and traffic. Accordingly, take an Uber or LYFT or, if you can, drive your own car in the morning then use Disney’s complimentary transportation options on your way home.

Prince Charming Regal Carrousel in Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park

Option 1: No Height Restrictions or Lightning Lanes

Our first plan focuses on guests who have no height restrictions in their group, meaning everyone who’s visiting can go on any attraction. It’s also the strategy to follow if you’re on a budget and skipping out on the Lightning Lanes in favor of the standby lines. 

Once inside, you’re going to make a mad dash to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Along with the new Tron Lightcycle / Run, this Individual Lightning Lane attraction is the most popular ride at the park and, as such, is one of the rides with the greatest demand throughout the day. Since Tron can currently only be experienced using either the virtual queue or Individual Lightning Lane access, your best bet is to try to join the virtual queue right away when it opens at 7:00 AM (another window is available at 1:00 PM if you miss the first one). This frees you up to do Seven Dwarfs Mine Train as soon as you enter the park before the wait time gets out of control.

The ride is located right behind Cinderella Castle past Prince Charming Regal Carrousel. So, if you can go through it, do so. Otherwise, take the walkway just to the right of the castle. Once you’ve finished this whimsical coaster, head over to Peter Pan’s Flight, another of the park’s most popular attractions. For some people, this romantic dark ride is more filler than must-do. If that’s you, feel free to skip it and move on to Haunted Mansion, your next stop after leaving Fantasyland.

After soaring to Neverland and back, feel free to hit up “it’s a small world” and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh before making your way to Liberty Square. The Haunted Mansion is a fantastic ride to sit down and relax, especially after the craziness of the initial rush to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. This blissfully air-conditioned attraction tends to get busy during the hotter hours of the day (noon-4 PM). It shouldn’t be missed, so do it now to avoid hitting major crowds later.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom Park

After Haunted Mansion, it’s time to stroll over to Frontierland where you have two major attractions to do: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and (once it opens) Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Your first stop? The roller coaster, of course. Guests can’t get enough of this family-friendly coaster – day or night, it doesn’t matter. In other words, for the shortest lines possible, experience Big Thunder first before the lines get too long. Afterward, head on over to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (after it opens in late 2024, of course).

Since most guests don’t like to get wet that early in the morning, they tend to save it for later when it’s warmer. However, zigging when others zag saves you time, so embrace the watery fallout and capitalize on those shorter lines. If you’re really worried about getting wet, just bring a poncho with you! (Check out our packing guide for the parks for some suggestions.)

By this point, you should have already experienced around seven different attractions and more than half of the rides on our must-do list. Best of all, if you played your cards right, it should only be around 10:30-11:30 AM depending on how early the parks opened and if you were able to participate in Early Park Entry. Now is a great time to take a lunch break. And bonus, eating during off-hours (like an early lunch) will allow you to beat the rush and save even more time. Since you’ll be over in Frontierland, we recommend trying out Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe, a great quick-service option for Spanish food.

Inside Spanish-style restaurant

Alternatively, if you have some time and you’re wanting a theme park meal that’s a cut above burrito bowls, head over to the Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen. This quirky table service restaurant is based on the iconic Jungle Cruise, one of the next stops for our day. It’s located next door in Adventureland which is conveniently right where you’re headed when you’re done eating.

Once lunch is over, your next stop is Pirates of the Caribbean. Fortunately, as it’s a relatively fast-moving ride, the line for this Disney classic usually moves pretty quickly. In fact, there’s a good chance the wait time will only be around 10-15 minutes at this point. Next, jump on the Jungle Cruise (right next door) for a boat ride of a different kind. Once onboard, you’ll be delighted with decades-old dad jokes and the driest humor ever heard on the water. With luck, your wait time for this should be 15 minutes or less.

After your aquatic animatronic safari, grab a snack at Sunshine Tree Terrace, which serves up amazing soft-serve cones and floats, or the ever-popular Aloha Isle, home to the world-famous DOLE Whip. If you’re feeling something savory, the Adventureland Egg Roll Wagon is another solid option. Cheeseburger Spring Rolls, anyone? With your snack in hand (or in your stomach), make your way across Main Street, U.S.A. towards Tomorrowland for a trip on Space Mountain. This nostalgic coaster is another classic attraction that frequently boasts wait times of 50 minutes or more. This early, if you can get on with a 25 to 30-minute wait, you’re in good shape.

After Space Mountain, head over to Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin for a bit of friendly competition. Then, stop by the Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover, the perfect attraction to rest and rejuvenate for a while. Every day in the parks deserves some moments of peace and quiet to help keep you sane, and this approximately 10-minute ride is just the trick. By the time you’re done with this attraction, it’s probably going to be about 2:30-3:30 PM. With lunch, snack time and all of the Magic Kingdom mountains out of the way, it’s time to keep circling around the park.

Mad Tea Party in Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park

If desired, make a stop at Tomorrowland Speedway and the Mad Tea Party. Although these two attractions tend to hold smaller wait times (typically no more than 20 minutes), they aren’t for everyone. Adults may find Tomorrowland Speedway slow and dull, while those prone to motion sickness should steer clear of those teacups (or face the messy consequences).

Once you’re done, head over to the Casey Jr. Circus area for a flight on Dumbo the Flying Elephant, if you’d like, or head to the back of New Fantasyland for The Journey of The Little Mermaid. Like Pirates of the Caribbean, this attraction’s line tends to move quickly, as the vehicles inside are constantly moving. On the other hand, Dumbo may be around a 20-30 minute wait.

At this point, you’ve dominated the park and should congratulate yourself on the achievement. With luck, it may only be about 5 PM, so the rest of the day can be spent at your leisure. Consider re-riding your favorites, doing any other attractions still on your list, enjoying a relaxing stage show or catching a parade or fireworks. Luckily, most shows have short wait times (typically around 10-15 minutes), making them great ways to avoid the heat if it’s hot. Overall, you’ll notice that our plan has you doing one big circle around the park. We’ve found this tactic to be very successful over the years, and it’s still the one we use today.

Disney characters on parade float

Option 2: With Lightning Lane Access & No Height Restrictions

As we mentioned earlier, if you can afford to buy Genie+ and make Individual Lightning Lane selections for your day at Magic Kingdom, you’ll definitely want to do so. This is in contrast with EPCOT and Animal Kingdom, which don’t typically require the extra investment unless it’s especially busy. In contrast, with more than 20 attractions covered by Genie+ (including the Festival of Fantasy Parade and Disney character meet-and-greets), Lightning Lane access is totally worth it at Magic Kingdom.

Here are the Magic Kingdom attractions with a Lightning Lane:

Genie+ Attractions

  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
  • Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
  • Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade
  • Dumbo the Flying Elephant
  • Haunted Mansion
  • “it’s a small world”
  • Jungle Cruise
  • Mad Tea Party
  • Meet Mickey at Town Square Theater
  • Meet Princess Tiana and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall
  • Meet Cinderella and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall
  • Mickey’s PhilharMagic
  • Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
  • Peter Pan’s Flight
  • Pirates of the Caribbean
  • Space Mountain
  • The Barnstormer
  • The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
  • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
  • Tomorrowland Speedway
  • Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid

Individual Lightning Lane Attractions:

  • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
  • Tron Lightcycle / Run

TRON Lightcycle Run sign

As for how to use Genie+ at Magic Kingdom, we won’t get into all the details here (see our guide for the basics). Depending on the amount of work, research and time you want to put in, you have a few different strategy options, including more advanced techniques like stacking or reservation refills.

However, for this itinerary, we’ll stick keep things simple. Let’s get started. With the Lightning Lanes and virtual queues, your day begins before you even get to the parks, as reservations can be made starting at 7 AM. To begin, wake up a few minutes early to open the app. From there, try to join the Tron Lightcycle / Run virtual queue before purchasing Genie+ (if you haven’t already) and get ready to make your first reservation(s): Jungle Cruise (surprise, we know) and, if you’re splurging on the park’s Individual Lightning Lane, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

Thanks to The Rock and the ride’s recent reimagining, the Jungle Cruise is experiencing a bit of a renaissance, recently snagging the title of Magic Kingdom’s most in-demand Genie+ reservation from Peter Pan’s Flight. Needless to say, it’s the first return time you should book. As for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, if you don’t want to pay for Individual Lightning Lane access, save it for the last ride of the night.

Afterward, it’s time for breakfast before Early Theme Park Entry or back to bed for a tiny bit before the official park opening. That’s right, even with the Lightning Lanes, we still recommend you arrive as early as possible. After all, you’ll still need to make use of the standby lines sometimes, and the fewer crowds you need to contend with the better. Staying at one of the Disney World hotels? That 30-minute head start with Early Park Entry is going to come in handy.

Whether you’re there for early entry or not, start your morning with a mad dash to Space Mountain to ride on standby. After that, it all comes down to your virtual queue return time for Tron and whichever Genie+ reservations you can get. Then, fill in the gaps with standby lines at other in-demand or in-between rides. Just keep in mind that Genie+ reservation availability isn’t guaranteed. And while it is possible for more return windows to open up during the day, it doesn’t always happen. So, if there’s an attraction that you absolutely can’t miss, consider booking the reservation as soon as you see it.

Skull in Adventureland at Magic Kingdom Park

Having said that, other return windows fill up quicker than others. In general, taking into account how quickly the spots fill up, here’s how you should consider prioritizing your Magic Kingdom Genie+ reservations. Of course, if there’s something you aren’t crazy about, feel free to skip it or save it for standby.

  1. Jungle Cruise
  2. Peter Pan’s Flight
  3. Splash Mountain
  4. Space Mountain
  5. Festival of Fantasy Parade
  6. Haunted Mansion
  7. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
  8. Pirates of the Caribbean
  9. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
  10. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
  11. “it’s a small world”
  12. Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid
  13. Dumbo the Flying Elephant
  14. Disney Character Sightings

Those aren’t the only Genie+ attractions at Magic Kingdom, but for the other rides, using the Lightning Lane typically isn’t necessary. Plus, depending on how busy it is, you probably won’t get an opportunity to book half of the Genie+ attractions, let alone all of them. Just keep a few things in mind when making your reservations:

  • Remember you can only choose the next available return window, so be strategic with your choices
  • Your next Genie+ ride reservation can be booked after checking in for your previous return window or after two hours have passed (the 120-Minute Rule), whichever comes first
  • Due to the 120-Minute Rule, you can also make your next ride reservation two hours after the park opens

You have a few different options for how to spend your time between your scheduled return windows. We like peppering in some of those filler rides we mentioned earlier or enjoying some entertainment like a stage show or parade.

If you’re hungry, you can also use this time to stop for a snack or meal. Whatever you choose to do, just try to stay in the same area to avoid too much backtracking. For example, if you’re waiting for a Peter Pan’s Flight reservation, consider killing time at “it’s a small world,” Haunted Mansion or Mickey’s Philharmagic nearby or stopping for a Lobster Roll from Columbia Harbour House or flatbread from Pinocchio Village Haus.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride in Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park

Option 3: With Kids & Height Restrictions

Kids may be why most guests visit Disney World, but they also make a trip to The Most Magical Place on Earth a little, well, complicated. That’s why it’s important to have a plan that accommodates everyone. A huge key to doing this is the Parent Swap (Rider Switch) program. Disney created this thoughtful service to help parents enjoy some of the parks’ bigger attractions even if their little ones are too small.

All parents need to do is ask for a parent swap at the entrance of any attraction with a height restriction. For instance, let’s say you’re headed to Space Mountain and you have one child who can’t ride. At the entrance, ask a Cast Member there to do a parent swap. They’re going to ask you which parent is riding first and which one is staying behind. The one who’s riding first will enter the line and ride, while the parent who waits will be given a return time on their ticket from the Cast Member.

This allows them and two other guests to go through the Lightning Lane once the first parent has finished riding. Sadly, a lot of guests are unaware of this program, which is unfortunate because it can save a lot of time. At Magic Kingdom, rides with height requirements include:

  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – 40in (102cm) or taller
  • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – 38in (97cm) or taller
  • Space Mountain – 44in (112cm) or taller
  • Tiana’s Bayou Adventure – 40in (102cm) or taller
  • Tomorrowland Speedway – 32in (81cm) or taller
  • The Barnstormer – 35in (89cm) or taller
  • Tron Lightcycle / Run – 48in (122cm) or taller

The Barnstormer kiddie coaster in Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park

So, assuming you have kids who don’t meet some or all of the height requirements and aren’t paying for Lightning Lane access (if you do splurge, adjust accordingly), this is the plan you’ll want to follow:

Head over to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train when the park opens. It’s the first attraction with a height requirement, so be sure to get the parent swap before you enter the attraction. Let the first one ride, then the second. Afterward, stay in Fantasyland and do Peter Pan’s Flight followed by “it’s a small world” and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, in that order. Next, head over to Liberty Square and the Haunted Mansion.

Although Haunted Mansion doesn’t have a height requirement, some little ones may find the ride too scary, so feel free to head over to Frontierland instead. Once there, you’ll be riding Big Thunder Mountain Railroad then Splash Mountain. Both offer Parent Swap, so if you need to use it, talk to a Cast Member at the entrance. It shouldn’t take you more than 40 minutes to do both of these in the morning if you’re swapping.

Then, take your lunch break in or around Frontierland or Adventureland. You’ll be heading to Pirates of the Caribbean right after for a family-friendly ride everyone will enjoy. When you’re done, head over to Jungle Cruise for another kid-approved attraction. Once you’re done with both of these, jump on The Magic Carpets of Aladdin before grabbing a snack from Aloha Isle or Sunshine Tree Terrace to enjoy during Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room. Trust us, your kiddos will love seeing all the birds and listening to the music.

Pirates of the Caribbean sign in Adventureland at Magic Kingdom Park

After the show, take your journey over to Tomorrowland where you’ll parent swap at Space Mountain, then head over to Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin to battle the evil Emperor Zurg and blow off some steam. Next, take a nice relaxing ride on Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover. When you’re finished, pick up the pace a bit at the Tomorrowland Speedway and let your kids drive (you crazy) around the track. Honestly, it’s kind of fun to watch them try and drive these cars and, at the same time, utterly terrifying.

After deciding 18 is when they’ll be allowed to get their license, head over to the Mad Tea Party so they can spin out that last bit of energy. Once you’ve stumbled off the ride, make your way (carefully) over to New Fantasyland and Dumbo the Flying Elephant or Journey of The Little Mermaid. If it’s super hot outside, we suggest Ariel over Dumbo as the latter is very much exposed to the sun while The Little Mermaid ride is blissfully shady and cool. Best of all, both of these attractions have no height requirements.

By this point, you’ve already done a lot and it should only be 5-6 PM. So, take time to go enjoy some of your favorite attractions again, see some more shows like Mickey’s Philharmagic or simply rest. The Casey Jr. Circus splash pad is a great place for your kiddos to cool off while you stay dry at one of the nicely shaded tables. Or for something completely different, this is also close to where guests can meet Donald and Daisy. And speaking of meet-and-greets, be sure to save them for the evening hours when the lines are shortest.

Elephant fountain at Casey Jr. Splash 'n' Soak Station in Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park

Tips & Tricks

Be Prepared to Change Your Plans

Your plans can and should change based on weather and ride closures. So, if you find that an attraction is down for maintenance or lightning, just skip it and move on to the next one. It’s always better to stay ahead of the crowds than to slow down and become part of them.

During heavy rain at the park, most people – the unprepared ones – go and hide somewhere until it lets up, heading to restaurants, stores and shows in droves or even huddling around bathrooms. Luckily, you’re not most people. Rather than waiting out the rain, now is the perfect time to hit up the bigger attractions for the first time or even return for a re-ride. So if you’ve done Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and you’re over in Tomorrowland, you may want to pause your activity there and head back over to ride again and take advantage of the shorter wait.

But, what if it starts to pour? Simply put on a poncho or open an umbrella (you did bring at least one of them, right?) and pray you’re wearing good shoes. Then, get out there and make the best of it. Believe it or not, you can accomplish a lot on days like these. They tend to happen in the summertime, so be sure to check the weather before you go to see if it calls for rain.

Similarly, an especially hot and humid day can also send you searching for a Plan B. To keep cool(ish), you may want to consider adding in shows here and there. For instance, when you’re in Adventureland, stop off at The Enchanted Tiki Room for the show and enjoy a snack. If you’re over in Fantasyland, check out Mickey’s Philharmagic.

Lastly, tired, hungry and cranky kids can really throw a wrench in even the best-laid travel plans, especially when you need to contend with little ones’ nap times and feeding schedules. What’s more, it isn’t easy – or fair – to designate one parent to stay behind while the other one goes off to have fun. If you have a baby with you who needs to be breastfed, there is an indoor nursing station with A/C and comfy chairs on Main Street next to Casey’s Corner. Otherwise, you’re also welcome to feed anywhere in the park.

For a bit of multitasking, consider nursing during shows. Air conditioning, the guise of privacy thanks to the relative darkness and something to keep you entertained – what’s not to like? It’s like dinner and a show for your baby. Have a child who needs a nap? Change your plans up a bit and hit the attractions that offer parent swap. That way the kiddo can sleep for a while, there’s always a parent with them and no one misses out on anything.

Funnel cake with whipped cream and strawberries
Sleepy Hollow Snacks

Dining at Magic Kingdom

Dining, in our opinion, is just as important as the attractions during a Disney World vacation. So, we feel it’s very important to make sure your plan includes time for this. While we respect the thrifty parkgoers who pack their own lunches and snack their way through the day, we prefer the dining that’s available at the park simply because there are so many tasty options.

When you do come to a break in the day and you’re ready to eat, try staying close to the area that you’re already in so you can continue your touring plan as quickly as possible once you’re done. The best way to decide where you should eat will depend on how far you are in the plan, what time it is and how much time you’d like to spend dining.

If you’re hoping for a more leisurely experience, think about going to a sit-down restaurant like the Skipper Canteen in Adventureland or Fantasyland’s Be Our Guest Restaurant. Just remember that while walk-up seating may be available, reservations are recommended.

Needing a fast meal that will have you back on your way in no time? Opt for a quick-service restaurant like Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe in Frontierland or Columbia Harbour House in Liberty Square. And don’t forget the snacks! Aloha Isle in Adventureland is Magic Kingdom’s DOLE Whip destination while the Chesire Cat Tail from Fantasyland’s Cheshire Cafe makes for a deliciously portable treat.

Fireworks above Cinderella Castle

Don’t Forget the Parades and Fireworks

One of these things is easy to fit into your day while, sadly, the other can be a bit harder. It all depends on the schedule that Disney is running that day. When it comes to parades, as long as they’re offered at least twice that day, you should be fine.

The daytime parade makes for a more convenient watch if you only have one day at Magic Kingdom, so you’ll need to stop your attractions quest and head over to the nearest viewing area. The reason we suggest the daytime parade is twofold. First, there are typically fewer guests watching it, which means better viewing areas. Second, since more guests watch the evening parade, it’s the perfect time to get on more attractions with shorter wait times.

Since the fireworks at Magic Kingdom happen during the evening time, you shouldn’t really have to worry about missing out on anything. That being said, as the perfect theme park finale, don’t leave them out of your plan and hope things fall together naturally. Instead, grab a times guide at the entrance as you come in or look on the My Disney Experience app for the time, then plan on being about 45 minutes early for the best viewing.

Haunted Mansion in Liberty Square at Magic Kingdom Park

Some Final Thoughts

Overall, your 1-Day Magic Kingdom touring plan takes you in one big loop from Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in a counterclockwise circle of the park, ending back in Fantasyland or Tomorrowland depending on how far you get. Hopefully, by following our relatively simple strategy, you should be able to experience quite a bit while still having time to slow down, eat some great food, catch some entertainment and relax.

By the time the evening rolls around, you will have accomplished a lot. So, be proud and treat yourself to a lovely dinner somewhere and a fireworks finale. The nighttime is also a great time to just walk around the park and admire its glittering beauty. You’d be surprised at what you come across when you slow down and look at everything.

If you’re an avid visitor of Magic Kingdom and have some suggestions for our current touring plan, we’d love to hear them! Are there attractions we missed or shows you would include? Leave your comments below or send us an email. If we find it helpful, we’ll be sure to add it to the list.