When someone mentions Disney World, your mind probably goes straight to Magic Kingdom. After all, there’s a reason that it has earned a title as the most popular theme park in the world! And with such popularity comes — you guessed it — people…and A LOT of them. Though there is no right or wrong way to visit the busy theme park, there are definitely some things to consider and some Magic Kingdom mistakes you can make along the way.

I’ve been lucky enough to grow up right outside of Disney World, experiencing the good, the bad, and the ever-changing. While I know the parks like the back of my hand now, that wasn’t always the case! With all the changes Walt Disney World has implemented lately and a growing family, I’ve made my fair share of bad calls. Here are the ten biggest Magic Kingdom mistakes that can destroy your Walt Disney World vacation and how to avoid them!

Not Making a Theme Park Reservation in Time (Or At All)

Of the four Walt Disney World theme parks, Magic Kingdom houses the most rides and entertainment which draws crowds from around the entire globe. And, while visiting Disney World used to mean that you could show up to any theme park you wish at any time of the day, that’s not always the case anymore. Now, Disney requires that certain park-goers make Theme Park Reservations in addition to having a valid theme park ticket. And, if you fail to do so before Magic Kingdom books up for the day you want to visit…well…you’re not getting in.

As of this writing, park pass reservations are required for Annual Passes and non-date-based tickets. So, if you have a traditional date-based ticket, you don’t need to worry about this mistake because it’s impossible to make it. Just get up and go!

Not Knowing The Ins and Outs of Early Theme Park Entry

Early Theme Park Entry is a new(er) Disney World hotel guest perk that allows anyone staying at a Disney Resort to enter any of the four theme parks up to 30 minutes before the park opens for the day any day of the week. And, if you use it right, it can be a game changer in getting more done on a busy park day.

However, not every ride in Magic Kingdom opens early! Typically, only Tomorrowland and Fantasyland are open for early entry guests. So, while Disney allows everyone through the gates onto Main Street U.S.A., it limits hotel guests to Fantasyland and Tomorrowland to start their day. This means that you CANNOT ride attractions like Jungle Cruise, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, or Big Thunder Mountain Railroad before the park officially opens for the day.

Here are the rides that are currently open in Magic Kingdom for early theme entry:

• “it’s a small world”
• Astro Orbiter
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• Mad Tea Party
• Mickey’s PhilharMagic
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• Space Mountain
• The Barnstormer
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Tomorrowland Speedway
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
• Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid
• Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Space Mountain, and TRON Lightcycle / Run tend to be the most popular early entry rides. So plan ahead and don’t head to the wrong parts of the park if you’re taking advantage of this perk!

Trying To Do Everything In One Day

There are 41 total attractions within Magic Kingdom, including rides, shows, and entertainment. Though you don’t have to plan everything down to the second, it’s essential to have some type of strategy before you arrive. There is WAY too much entertainment to see and do everything in one day, so you’re going to have to choose what’s most important to you.

Pick five must-do rides, one must-do show, a restaurant (if that’s important to you), and plan for the fireworks spectacular, Happily Ever After. Will you be able to cover more than this? Yes! However, knocking out your must-dos early in the day will relieve stress and allow everything extra to fall right into place.

If you feel you must do everything in one day, purchasing one of Disney’s new Lightning Lane services for your party will help ensure you don’t waste time standing in long lines.

Thinking You Can Dine At Table-Service Restaurants Without a Reservation

As one of the busiest theme parks in the world, Magic Kingdom houses some of the busiest restaurants as well. Inside the park, you’ll find quick service and table service dining options. At quick service restauarnts, guests order at a counter and collect their food, while at table service restaurants, a server seats guests at a table and serves them throughout their meal.

While you may be able to secure a walk-up table at one of the table service restaurants in the park, it is highly unlikely — especially during peak season. Dining reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance and can be canceled prior to two hours before the reservations without penalty.

The most popular restaurants, such as Cinderella’s Royal Table or Be Our Guest, book up very quickly. So be sure to plan ahead and make your reservations early if dining at a sit down restaurant in Magic Kingdom is important to you.

Thinking You Can Purchase Alcoholic Beverages

If you’ve been to other Disney World theme parks like EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, or Animal Kingdom, you’ve been able to grab a cocktail and walk around the park. Many guests are surprised when they learn this is NOT the case at Magic Kingdom.

Magic Kingdom has historically been known as a dry park since it opened in 1971. This was a rule that Walt Disney set himself! However, things have loosened a bit in recent years and you’re not able to purchase a small selection of beer, wine, and pre-made cocktails at select table-service dining locations. Just note that drinks must be consumed at the table and cannot leave the restaurant.

Assuming You Can Park Close To The Entrance

Unlike the other three theme parks, you can’t just pull into the Magic Kingdom parking lot and walk to the entrance turnstiles. Because Magic Kingdom is built above ground level, no parking lot is directly attached to the park. So, anyone driving to Magic Kingdom in their own car first has to park at the Transportation and Ticket Center, and then take either the monorail or ferry boat to get to the park entrance.

This extra step can add on another 45-90 minutes to your transportation time, depending on crowds. So, be sure to plan in that extra time if you plan to drive yourself to the park. You can reduce your travel time by staying at a Disney World Resort hotel near Magic Kingdom (allowing you to use the monorail, boat transportation, or a walking path to get to the park) or any other Disney hotel that offers bus transportation to Magic Kingdom.

Getting Stuck In Post-Firework Crowds

Magic Kingdom is home to one of the best fireworks displays in all of Disney World and you don’t want to miss it! However, no one else wants to miss it either which means that you’ll be watching with A LOT of other people. And, since it’s the end of the day, most people plan to leave the park right after resulting in massive crowds exiting at once.

If you plan to leave after the fireworks, try to grab a viewing area at the end of Main Street, U.S.A., close to the exit. Ideally, one of the best spots to watch is up the stairs at the railroad station since there are also projections on the castle and Main Street. If you plan on staying and continuing to enjoy the parks after the fireworks, try to view the show in a spot near the Adventureland or Tomorrowland entrances, making it easy to head right back to the fun after the show!

The shops on Main Street, U.S.A. are open at least thirty minutes after the park closes and sometimes up to one hour after. Post-fireworks will be the busiest time for shopping, so avoid Main Street U.S.A. and its surrounding shops at that time unless necessary.

Focusing on Only Rides and Not the Scenery

We know most people go to theme parks to ride rides, but don’t get hung up on just the rides! There is so much to see throughout the park, including hidden Mickeys, Easter eggs, pop-up shows, and the overall beauty of the parks.

Some of our best days spent at Magic Kingdom have included grabbing a coffee and sitting on the grass near Cinderella Castle, watching the Dapper Dan’s on Main Street, U.S.A, the impromptu shows on the castle stage, and more!

Not Paying Attention to Park Hours During the Holidays

During the holiday season, Magic Kingdom is home to several after hours parties including Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in early August through Halloween and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in early November through the end of December.

On days that these after hours parties are held, Magic Kingdom closes earlier than normal (usually around 6PM or 7PM). This means that there are no showings of the Happily Ever After fireworks spectacular and less time to ride and see everything you want to do. For guests coming to Disney World during these months, be sure to check the park hours for the days you are planning. If you want to make the most out of your Magic Kingdom day, be sure to visit on a day when the park does not close early.

Forgetting a Portable Charger

Between taking photos, character meet and greets, recording once-in-a-lifetime memories, and using the My Disney Experience App throughout the day, there’s a good chance your phone battery isn’t going to make it.

While there are machines around the park that sell portable phone chargers in a pinch, you’ll save money and stress by just bringing your own. It’s the number one thing on our packing list!

Comments

Did your biggest Magic Kingdom mistakes make it on our list? Let us know in the comments what you think everyone should do to make their Magic Kingdom day even better!