Get ready for a magical day at Walt Disney World with a Magic Kingdom one day itinerary that will help you do it all! From new attractions to classic rides to seeing your favorite Disney characters and more, there’s so much to do in Magic Kingdom. But, with so much to do and a massive park to cover, it can be hard to fit it all into just one day. Luckily, it is possible with a bit of planning!

This one day Magic Kingdom itinerary covers everything you’ll need to plan your day without needing to come up with your own strategy including the newest roller coaster, TRON: Lightcycle / Run, nighttime entertainment and daytime parades, suggestions for those who purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass, and how to tackle the park in a day whether you’re staying at a Disney World hotel or not. Let’s get to it!

Magic Kingdom Overview

One of the first things you might be wondering is, “Can you do Magic Kingdom in one day?”. The answer is YES! It is possible to do everything you want to do in the park in just one day. You just might have to forego some R&R to get it all done. The best way to ensure you have a successful day in Magic Kingdom though, is to pick out your top priorities for the day. Magic Kingdom has the most attractions of any park plus a parade and nighttime fireworks show. So, you may need to pick a handful of things you definitely want to do and leave the rest for another visit.

But, how do you choose the rides that you and your family don’t want to miss out on? Here’s a breakdown of what rides you may want to prioritize based on who you’re traveling with.

Best Rides for Kids

Magic Kingdom is one of the best theme parks in Disney World for kids. This is because there are so many rides that don’t have height requirements, meaning kids of any age can go on them. And, if your child is 48” or taller, they can go on all of the rides. However, if you can’t get to all of the rides in one day, here are the top attractions to prioritize:

• Peter Pan’s Flight
• “it’s a small world”
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid
• The Barnstormer (must be 35 inches or taller)
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (must be 38 inches or taller)

Best Rides for Adults

If you’ve got an adults-only Disney trip planned, you’re likely not looking to spend a ton of time on slow-moving attractions or rides made specifically for kiddos (like The Barnstormer). Here are the best rides for adults in Magic Kingdom:

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Space Mountain
• TRON: Lightcycle / Run
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Trian
• Haunted Mansion

Rides to Prioritize With Lightning Lane Multi Pass in Magic Kingdom

Before we dive into the full Magic Kingdom one day itinerary, it’s important to touch on Lightning Lane Multi Pass and how to best use it throughout your day. If you’re not familiar, Lightning Lane Multi Pass is the new paid service that allows you to skip the lines at select rides throughout the theme park. This system replaced FastPass+ in 2021 and is an additional fee on top of your park ticket.

A standard standby line is available at all of the attractions in Magic Kingdom (aside from Tiana’s Bayou Adventure which has a free virtual queue option), so you don’t have to purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass to ride all the attractions in the park. However, if you’re visiting during a busy season, the holidays, or you just don’t want to spend a lot of time waiting in line, this is a great option for you and your family.

If you do choose to purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass, you can book your Lightning Lane selections up to 7 days prior to your trip if you’re staying at a Disney World Resort hotel or up to 3 days prior to your trip if not.

However, not all rides are created equal when it comes to securing a Lightning Lane. Several rides are much more popular and can “sell out” of return times more quickly than others. We suggest making Lightning Lane reservations for these first and then moving to lower-priority rides later in the day.

What Rides To Book First With Lightning Lane Multi Pass

Not sure which rides you should book first with Lightning Lane Multi Pass? Here’s a quick breakdown of how you should prioritize Lightning Lane selections for rides in Magic Kingdom. Start with the priority 1 rides if you see return times available. Then move to priority 2 rides, and then move to priority 3 rides. Integrating this approach into your Magic Kingdom one day itinerary will help you accomplish more.

First Priority

• Jungle Cruise
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Splash Mountain
• Haunted Mansion
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Space Mountain

Second Priority

• See Princess Tiana and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall
• See Cinderella and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• “it’s a small world”
• Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade
• See Mickey at Town Square Theater

Third Priority

• Mad Tea Party
• Mickey’s Philharmagic
• Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
• Tomorrowland Speedway
• Meet Mickey at Town Square Theater
• Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid
• The Barnstormer
• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin

Note that Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and TRON Lightcycle / Run are available as Lightning Lane Single Passes. This means that they are not included in Lightning Lane Multi Pass. Instead, Lightning Lane entrance can be purchased at a separate cost on the day of your visit.

The Ultimate Magic Kingdom One Day Itinerary

This Magic Kingdom one day itinerary was created for guests who want to do everything in Magic Kingdom with a limited amount of time. The itinerary does differentiate schedules based on guests who have Early Theme Park Entry and those who do not. Guests who opt to purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass during their day should take into consideration the Lightning Lane priorities above and integrate them into the schedule. You may also want to skip rides that do not appeal to those in your travel party. Feel free to customize your itinerary to fit your needs!

7AM on the day of your visit

There’s no sleeping in when you have one day in Magic Kingdom! But, why the 7AM wake up call? Well, that’s when you can “get in line” for the newest roller coaster in the park – TRON: Lightcycle / Run!

At 7AM, you should open the My Disney Experience app on your phone and check for any available virtual queue spots for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. These attractions are very popular and the virtual queue tends to fill up quickly, so it’s important to act fast. If you’re able to secure a spot, you’ll receive a return time and can enjoy other attractions in the meantime. If the line fills up, you’ll have another chance at joining the virtual queue later in the day at 1PM.

Park Opening

When planning your Magic Kingdom one day itinerary, arriving early to maximize your time in the park is important. If you are a Disney World hotel guest, we recommend that you arrive 45-60 minutes before park opening. This will help you take full advantage of Early Theme Park Entry. Regular guests should aim to arrive at least 30 minutes before park opening.

When deciding where to start your day, we recommend beginning in Fantasyland. Peter Pan’s Flight and Seven Dwarf Mine Train are two of the most popular attractions in the park. So, it’s best to ride them early in the day to avoid long wait times later on.

Morning

So you’ve arrived at the park early and gotten on your first ride (or two) in Fantasyland. Now it’s time to tackle all the other rides nearby including “it’s a small world,” The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid, and The Barnstormer.

Fantasyland is also home to several character meet-and-greets including the chance to meet Ariel, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, and other princesses. Take breaks between rides to meet some of the characters if you’re hoping to fill up your autograph book!

If you’re feeling hungry, grab a morning snack at Gaston’s Tavern. The giant cinnamon roll is a popular choice and is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. All in all, there’s a lot to do in Fantasyland, so plan to spend most of your morning here.

After Fantasyland, head towards Frontierland. And, on your way, stop by Haunted Mansion. This ride can have long wait times later in the day, so it’s best to ride it early in the morning.

Once you arrive in Frontierland, be sure to get in line for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. This is also a great time to check out the Country Bear Jamboree or head over to explore Tom Sawyer Island.

Lunch

By this point in your day at Magic Kingdom, you may be starting to feel a bit hungry. Luckily, there are plenty of dining options to choose from. We recommend stopping at a quick service restaurant for lunch so that you can get right back to riding all the attractions when you finish.

You’ll want to base your lunch choice on how far you’ve made it in the itinerary. If you’re still in Fantasyland, we suggest eating at Pinocchio Village Haus. If you’re just on your way into Frontierland, we suggest trying Columbia Harbor House. Or, if you’re well into Frontierland, stop by Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe.

No matter where you choose to eat, be sure to take advantage of mobile ordering through the My Disney Experience app. This allows you to pre-order your meal and avoid waiting in long lines.

Early Afternoon

By the time early afternoon rolls around, you’ve likely already tackled about half the park and stopped for some much-needed food.  Now, it’s time to head to Adventureland! In Adventureland, don’t miss the classic Pirates of the Caribbean ride and take a quick break for some Dole Whip from Aloha Isle. You can also explore the Swiss Family Treehouse, ride The Magic Carpets of Aladdin, and get a good laugh by going on Jungle Cruise.

Don’t forget that the virtual queue for TRON: Lightcycle / Run opens for a second time at 1PM. So, if you missed your chance to ride in the morning, be sure that you have the My Disney Experience app open at this time to secure yourself a spot in line.

3PM Parade

At 3PM, it’s time for the Festival of Fantasy Parade at Magic Kingdom. This parade is a must-see for anyone visiting the park. The parade features many of your favorite Disney characters, including Mickey and Minnie Mouse, as well as floats and music that will have you singing and dancing along.

The parade route begins in Frontierland and makes its way through Liberty Square before ending on Main Street U.S.A. Be sure to grab a spot along the parade route early, as it can get crowded quickly.

Late Afternoon

As the day progresses, the crowds may start to thin out a bit, making it the perfect time to catch Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire on the Cinderella Castle stage. This show is held several times a day, so make sure to check the entertainment schedule in the My Disney Experience app to see when the next show is taking place.

After the show, you can finish up any rides in Adventureland that you may have missed earlier in the day and then it’s time to make your way to Tomorrowland! There are several attractions in this area of the park including Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, and the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover which are all must-dos.

If you have some extra time and are interested in meeting a few more Disney characters, this is also a great time to stop by the Town Square Theater to meet Mickey Mouse.

Dinner & Fireworks

After a long day of exploring the Magic Kingdom, it’s time for dinner. There are plenty of options available for both quick service and table service dining if you’d prefer a more formal meal.

For a quick meal, try Casey’s Corner or Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe. Both offer delicious food options that will satisfy your hunger without breaking the bank. But, if you’re looking for a more upscale dining experience, consider making a reservation at Skipper Canteen, Be Our Guest Restaurant, or Cinderella’s Royal Table.

Be sure to time your dinner a bit earlier in the evening, because you don’t want to miss the big fireworks show! Happily Ever After traditionally takes place sometime between 8-10 PM, so be sure to check the My Disney Experience app for the official time. There are plenty of great spots to watch the fireworks, but some of the best locations include Main Street U.S.A., the hub, and the top of the train station.

Evening

The sun may be setting but your day in Magic Kingdom isn’t done just yet! After the fireworks show, head back to Tomorrowland and go on any attractions that you may have missed earlier in the day. This is also a great time to hop in line for TRON Lightcycle / Run since the line tends to be shorter later in the evening and the nighttime lights are a fun addition to your ride experience!

Right before the park is set to close, we recommend getting in line for a ride that may have had a wait time that was just too long for you during the day. While the park may close at a certain time, the rides remain operating until all of the guests in line have ridden. So, get in line right before the clock strikes park closing and you just might find that you don’t want to wait too long!

And, on your way out of the park, don’t forget to do some shopping! The stores on Main Street, U.S.A. stay open 30-60 minutes after park closing, so you can pick up a few souvenirs without having to carry them around with you all day. Plus, you get some extra time to enjoy the park.

Late-Night Transportation

Once Magic Kingdom closes and you’re on your way to the exit, it’s time to think about how you’re going to get back to your hotel. Luckily, there are several transportation options available to you.

First, if you’re staying at one of the Disney resorts on the monorail loop, such as Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, or Disney’s Contemporary Resort, you can simply head to the monorail station and take it back to your hotel. The monorail typically runs for about an hour after park close, so be sure to check the schedule to make sure you don’t miss it. In some cases, you may also be able to take boat transportation or walk back to these resorts as well.

If you’re not staying on the monorail loop, don’t worry. Disney provides bus transportation to every Disney Resort hotel, so you can head straight to the bus stop.

If you parked in the Magic Kingdom parking lot, keep in mind that the Express Monorail, ferryboat, and parking lot trams also stop running about an hour after park close. So if you don’t want to walk all the way back to your car, be sure to leave the park before the trams stop running.

And, there you have it – a full Magic Kingdom one day itinerary! While one day is certainly enough for Magic Kingdom, you just might find yourself excited to come back again…after some much-needed rest.

Comments

What rides and shows are on your must-do list when you visit Magic Kingdom? Let us know in the comments your best memories from the park and what rides you always include in your Magic Kingdom one day itinerary!