What’s the Best Way to Do Magic Kingdom? This One-Day Itinerary is YOUR Answer!

Are you trying to figure out the best way to do the Magic Kingdom on your Disney vacation?

Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World is the most visited theme park in the entire world. That means it can be very busy, and going in without a plan is a certain recipe for disaster.

But with a few helpful tips and tricks, you can create the perfect one-day Magic Kingdom itinerary, see and do everything you want, and not feel like you’re rushing around the park not actually enjoying it. 

Tomorrowland Rockets in the Magic Kingdom with the TTA. Best way to do Magic Kingdom in one day with itinerary.

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What to Expect at Magic Kingdom Park

Magic Kingdom Park is the most popular Walt Disney World theme park, after all, it does have all of the classic attractions like Haunted Mansion, The Jungle Cruise, and Pirates of the Caribbean.

Ye Olde Christmas Shop in the Magic Kingdom Santa Sleigh at the entrance

So walking into the park prepared for the day will allow you to get a head start over most of the other guests in the park that day.

What time does Magic Kingdom Park open?

Throughout the year opening times at all four Walt Disney World theme parks vary. Most of the time Magic Kingdom opens at 9:00 a.m., but there are some busier times like Christmas, Easter, and New Year that the park will open at 8:00 a.m. 

Disney Christmas decorations in Magic Kingdom with Cinderella Castle in the Background

The best way to know what time the park opens is to check the My Disney Experience app. This will show the most up-to-date park hours all in one convenient spot. 

How expensive is it to go to Magic Kingdom Park

A single-day, non-park hopper ticket to Magic Kingdom Park starts at $109 and goes up based on the day and if you want to add park-hopping availability.

New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Cinderella Castle. Best way to do Magic Kingdom in one day with itinerary.

Purchasing your tickets in advance and linking them to your My Disney Experience app before you arrive at Magic Kingdom Park will allow you to skip the long lines at the ticket booths. 

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Here’s Your Best Magic Kingdom Park Itinerary

The best way to do the Magic Kingdom and to get everything on this one-day itinerary done is to arrive at the park early and stay late.

Disney one-day game plan itinerary
Download your Disney one-day game plan itinerary by clicking image!

If you’re staying at a hotel that offers early entry or late night hours utilize them. Plan to arrive at least an hour and 30 minutes before the official opening of the park. 

1. Start Early

When Magic Kingdom Park says they open at 9:00 a.m., and you arrive at 9:00 a.m. you’re already late.

Cinderella Castle with Ferry Boat in Disney Magic Kingdom Orlando Florida. Best way to do Magic Kingdom in one day with itinerary.

If you’re staying at any Walt Disney World hotel you get 30 minutes of park time before regular non-resort guests.

Disney Magic Kingdom Tomorrowland Wide view with Peoplemover and Space Mountain. Best way to do Magic Kingdom with one day itinerary.

So that means you can hit some of the big rides like Space Mountain starting at 8:30 a.m. If this is the case plan to be at Magic Kingdom by 7:00 a.m. so you can be near the front of the pack to get to your destination.

2. Head to Tomorrowland

After you’ve been let into the park you’ll need to decide where to head first. As a Single Rider, I always go to Tomorrowland first, but if you’re traveling with kids you’ll want to go to Fantasyland first. 

Tomorrowland Monsters Inc Laugh Floor Magic Kingdom

With this itinerary, I’m assuming you’re staying at Walt Disney World and are taking advantage of the 30 minute early morning park time.

3. Ride the Top Rides in Tomorrowland

If you’re starting in Tomorrowland head straight for Space Mountain, then Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin.

Disney Magic Kingdom Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover

After becoming a Galactic Hero hit the Tomorrowland Speedway, and go back to the Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover. This should take about an hour if you arrived early. 

4. Explore Fantasyland

Those starting in Fantasyland will want to get in line for either Peter Pan’s Flight or Seven Dwarfs Mine Train since those are the two most popular rides in the area.

New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Cinderella Fountain. Best way to do Magic Kingdom in one day with itinerary.

Both of these get long lines even in the morning so be sure to plan for this. If you can, do one then do the other right away. Your afternoon and evening time will thank you. 

Disney Magic Kingdom Fantasyland Peter Pan’s Flight Entrance

5. Head Over to Frontierland

It’s now between 9:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. and the park is open for regular guests. It’s starting to get busy and there’s one more big place to go before you can finally slow down for the morning. 

Disney Magic Kingdom Log Flume Ride on Water of Splash Mountain Frontierland
Splash Mountain

After completing your first set of rides, you’ll want to head immediately to Frontierland and get on Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. This is one of the best ways to do the Magic Kingdom.

Disney Magic Kingdom Big Thunder Mountain Railroad roller coaster going over the bridge Frontierland
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

These two attractions are very popular, and the lines can often reach well past the regular queue. This should take you to about 11:00 a.m., especially since Splash Mountain is a longer ride at about 20 minutes. 

Ready to plan your theme park trip? Watch the best vacation planning tips on YouTube. Get started here!

6. Have Lunch at Sleepy Hollow 

Just a short walk away from Frontierland is Sleepy Hollow, a fun quick-service spot that’s become one of my favorites for lunch. The line here does get long quickly, but it moves fast since the menu is somewhat limited. 

Magic Kingdom Sleepy Hollow Refreshments Waffles Menu

Refueling here often leads me to get a Hand-dipped Corn Dog or a Spicy Chicken Waffle Sandwich and a Sprite. There’s plenty of seating with a view of Cinderella Castle or just around the corner in Liberty Square.

This is one of the best ways to do the Magic Kingdom.

7. Enjoy Liberty Square

Afternoons at Magic Kingdom can be hectic. It’s the busiest time of the day, but you can still do a lot if you know where to go. 

Disney Magic Kingdom Liberty Square The Liberty Bell

Liberty Square is where you’ll find the Liberty Square Riverboat that takes you around the Rivers of America and the iconic Haunted Mansion attraction. Both of these are nice afternoon rides. Both are relatively calm and the views from the Riverboat can’t be beaten. 

8. Voyage to Tom Sawyer Island

After completing both of these attractions, head over to Tom Swayer Island where you can explore caves, barrel bridges, and old huts, or just find a rocking chair and take in the sights and sounds of Magic Kingdom.

Tom Sawyer Island Dapper Day at the Magic Kingdom
Tom Sawyer Island

This is a great spot to relax in the heat of the day, or if you just need a break from the crowds.

9. Enjoy the Magic Kingdom Parade

Parades are back at Magic Kingdom, so be sure to find a spot for Disney’s Festival of Fantasy Parade.

Santa and Reindeers during Disney Christmas Parade Magic Kingdom
Christmas Parade (Photo Courtesy of Disney Co.)

To know what time the parade is currently showing, check the My Disney Experience app. You can view the parade from most places in Frontierland, Liberty Square, the castle hub, and down Main Street U.S.A.

This is one of the best ways to do the Magic Kingdom.

10. Grab a Dole Whip in Adventureland

By this time you’re probably getting pretty tired and in need of some places to sit down and enjoy some air conditioning.

Disney Dole Whip Epcot

This is the prime time to head to Adventureland and get a Dole Whip and eat it while waiting in line for Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room.

Adventureland Enchanted Tiki Room. Magic Kingdom Secrets. Best way to do Magic Kingdom in one day with itinerary.
Adventureland Enchanted Tiki Room

The adorable show is one of my favorite spots in all of Magic Kingdom. 

11. Have a Swashbuckling Adventure on Pirates of the Caribbean

Then walk over to Pirates of the Caribbean, where you’ll enjoy a 20-minute boat ride through some of the most iconic ride scenes in any Disney Park.

Pirates of the Caribbean Ride with Captain Jack Sparrow

12. Take a Ride on the Jungle Cruise

If you really want to round out Adventureland, then get in line for the Jungle Cruise, but by now the line is going to be very long so you may want to wait for this until later in the evening. 

Skipper on the Jungle Cruise. Best way to do Magic Kingdom in one day with itinerary.

13. Eat One of the Famous Disney Snacks

As you exit Adventureland to the castle hub, stop at the Spring Roll Cart to get one of the infamous Hamburger Spring Rolls. These crispy fried treats are a fan-favorite Disney Snack! 

14. As the Evening Starts, Enjoy the Remaining Attractions

The sun is starting to set, but there’s still plenty to do at Magic Kingdom. Depending on where you started in the morning, you’ll want to do the opposite now.

Mickeys Halloween Party Space Mountain
Space Mountain at the Magic Kingdom

So if you started in Tomorrowland, this is your time to go to Fantasyland, and if you started in Fantasyland this is your time for Tomorrowland. 

It’s likely that big rides like Space Mountain and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train have longer lines, but they will die down as the night goes on.

Magic Kingdom New Fantasyland Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Consider doing some of the smaller attractions like The Mad Tea Party and the Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover first. 

15. Find your spot for the fireworks

While the best spot to view Disney Enchantment is from the front of Cinderella Castle, I actually prefer to be on either side or behind the castle.

Walt Disney World Fireworks Show in Magic Kingdom Castle. Best way to do Magic Kingdom in one day with itinerary.

Not only are the crowds smaller, but you can see fireworks going off all around you. It’s a really unique thing that not many people take advantage of. 

This is one of the best ways to do the Magic Kingdom.

16. Know How to Prep Yourself for Leaving the Magic Kingdom Park

Leaving the park is often the worst part of the day, not just because you’ve been surrounded by magic and now you have to exit, but everyone else is doing the same thing.

Shimmering Cinderella Castle with Christmas Lights at the Magic Kingdom Lake Buena Vista Florida
Cinderella Castle at Christmastime

Take your time leaving the park and casually stroll through some of the shops in the park. All of the stores along Main Street U.S.A. stay open one hour after the official park closing, so this is a good time to browse The Emporium.

17. Hop on Your Favorite Form of Transportation

Once outside the gates, you can take the monorail, ferry boat, or sometimes a bus back to the Ticket and Transportation Center to walk to your car. 

disney monorail transportation ticket center

All options will be pretty busy at this time, but we recommend using the ferry boat to leave.

Watch Next: The Official Disney World Monorail Route

Final Thoughts on the Best Way to Do the Magic Kingdom

A day at Magic Kingdom Park is filled with exciting attractions, great food, and of course plenty of Disney nostalgia.

New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Story Book Circus Pluto. Best way to do Magic Kingdom in one day with itinerary.

Whether you’re flying Dumbo solo or riding the teacups with friends and family, there’s so much to do that you might need a second day to really do it all.

What’s the Best Way to Do Magic Kingdom

Now it’s your turn, what’s your favorite thing to do at the Magic Kingdom? Let us know in the comments section below.

Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipster!

About the Author

Megan DuBois Theme Park Writer

About the Author

Megan is a theme park expert and frequent traveler to magical places. She covers all things Disney and Universal and runs marathons for fun.

She thinks you can tell a lot about someone by the name of their signature lipstick, and hers is NARS Dragon Girl.

UP NEXT: Magic Kingdom for Adults the Complete Guide

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