Disney World Training – Magic Kingdom Tips

This is a guest post courtesy of Valerie over at Affording the Mouse. She will be helping me with my Disney World Training posts.

I am excited that Kristin has asked me to provide a few posts highlighting some of my favorite Walt Disney World vacation tips. Since she has already begun offering some great tips on the Magic Kingdom in her “Disney World Training” series, I thought I would start there as well. Today, we’ll just scratch the surface with some general tips—and it’s highly likely that I’ll repeat a few of those that Kristin has already shared. (That’s because they’re important!) In the coming weeks, I’ll share more specific tips that even seasoned Disney visitors might not have thought of or known. Let’s get started!

• This applies to all of the parks: start your day early. Arrive a minimum of 30 minutes before opening to get through security and the ticket gate before the opening show, and to be near the front of the rope drop. If you’re planning a character meal in the MK, get the earliest seating possible. You’ll get to go into the parks before official opening, and get a unique view of Main Street and Cinderella’s Castle.
• Have a plan. You need not schedule every minute of the day, but know which attractions are on your “must-see” list, and prioritize accordingly. It helps to know which attractions consistently have the longest lines (in the MK, the “Mountains” as well as many of the Fantasyland attractions top that list) and which have a FastPass option.
• Use the Tipboard. In the MK, this is at the end of Main Street, just before you enter the castle hub. The tipboard gives valuable information, such as which attractions are closed and current wait times for those that are open. There is also a Cast Member stationed nearby to answer any questions.
• Speaking of closed attractions, be aware of refurbishment schedules and know height restrictions before you go. Nothing puts a downer on your WDW vacation like finding out that Dumbo is closed or that little Davey isn’t quite tall enough to ride Space Mountain with you.
• If traveling with small children, find the Baby Care Station. In the MK, it’s near the Crystal Palace. They have a full stock of baby items for purchase, as well as a quiet place to feed baby or simply relax with a toddler.
• Check the parade/fireworks schedule. If you want to view these, stake out a spot at least 30 minutes before showtime. (Grab a snack to make waiting a bit easier.) But if you don’t care to see them, this is a great time to hit a few of the attractions that normally have longer waits.
• If characters—especially the fairies—are important to your kids, you’ll want to get to Toontown when it opens at 10. By mid-morning, the lines are usually an hour wait or longer.
• Many parents advocate taking a rest at your resort in the afternoon. I’ve never been able to justify losing 3-4 hours of touring time to let my toddler nap. Instead, we head to one of the air-conditioned, dark theaters for a power nap! My favorite naps spot in the MK is The Hall of Presidents. (Of course, you know your own children and their needs. Do what works for you!)

As I said, we’ve barely touched on the Magic Kingdom. Next week, we’ll take a look at food options in the Magic Kingdom.

Valerie Gibbs is first and foremost a Disney enthusiast. She is passionate about helping families plan affordable Walt Disney World vacations. For personalized assistance, touring plans, and customized itineraries, you can contact her at: affordingthemouse@att.net, or visit www.affordingthemouse.com.