To avoid the lines, you might consider having a Magic Kingdom Touring Plan for Walt Disney World. Here are some of our best tips…
I know like most people you have an idea what you like to do when you head to the Disney Parks. Most people try to squeeze out a couple rides on the the Big Name Attractions before the park really gets busy. Some people just go with the flow of people around the park. Other people buy guide books that teach them how to avoid the lines, I am going to show you mine for FREE!
Recently someone asked me if I had an Touring Plan for the Disney Parks. Do I have certain rides I go on first, or do I have any tools I use in assisting in my park planning. Being the Disney Nerd I am I do have a Attack Plan for all 4 Disney Parks that I am going to write about over the next few weeks.
This week I am going to talk about the Magic Kingdom and over the past 50+ visits to the park I have a set way of going around the park. I am not a big fan of crowds, nor am I a fan of lines. Most times when I goto Disney it is during the slow season. I have gone at Spring Break, July 4th and the other holidays when it has been super busy. The only time I have never gone was during Christmas. It doesn’t really matter when you go there are going to be people there and I think I have only experienced an empty park back in the early 90’s, most other times it is moderately busy.
Get there Early
I like to get to the park at rope drop or plan an early breakfast at Crystal Palace to grab some photos of the park before all the people come in.
Be sure to make your Disney Advanced Dining Reservation far enough in advanced for the Crystal Palace, ask for seating before the park opens for some spectacular photos of yourself and your family on Main Street USA.
And were off
Once Disney drops the rope I have noticed most people are making a mad dash towards 3 rides.
- Space Mountain
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Thunder Mountain
I myself am guilty of being one of those people way back when. I would hurry off and try to ride Space Mountain atleast 3 times before I did anything else.
First Stop Fantasyland
Over the years I have learned when you get into the park the first place you want to go is Fantasyland, especially with kids. You walk into Fantasyland on any day around noon and it will be PACKED! So we have always made it a point to hit up the rides in Fantasyland first.
Start on the Peterpan side and work your way clockwise towards Tomorrowland. We usually just go from ride to ride with no wait time.
Wait on Mickey Phillharmagic till later in the day when you need a break and want to sit down for awhile. There is plenty of room so there is no need to rush it.
Onward to Tomorrow
By the time you are done in Fantasyland most the people who ran to Tomorrowland are done and moving onto new locations. So there is usually a decline in people for a short period. This is your chance to check out Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear, Astro Orbiter, Speedway, etc.
Hold off on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority. I find this ride is the best later in the afternoon or around dusk with all the neon in Tomorrowland lit up.
Journey to Adventure
At this point most of the people who slept in late are arriving to the park and they are going towards Fantasyland or Tomorrowland which means this is the best time to attack Adventureland.
Ride the Jungle Boats, Carpets, Pirates, etc. The lines should be short but the day is starting to heat up. This would be a great time for a Dole Whip!
Wait on the Swiss Family Treehouse as we will get to this ride later in the day since it is just a walk through anyway.
Give us Liberty
Most people think at this point I would head up to Frontierland and hit up Thunder & Splash Mountain since we are so close, but they would be wrong. We take a short detour through Liberty Square and hit the Haunted Mansion and the Hall of Presidents. This is also a good time to have lunch at a few of my favorites Liberty Tree Tavern, Peco Bill’s or Sleepy Hollow.
Or if your not eating lunch and want a Disney Snack that is more like a meal you can get a Turkey Leg right on the edge of Frontierland.
The Final Frontier
Now is the time to head over to Frontierland and visit the Mountains – Thunder and Splash. Head out to Tom Sawyer Island to work off that lunch. If you have a little one there is a play area right underneath the Walt Disney World Railroad. Hang out here after you are done with the rides in the area till the train comes.
There are bathrooms here as well so if you need to go this is a great pit stop location.
Riding the Rail
Take the train over to Mickey’s Toontown.
Ride the Barnstormer a few times, and check out Mickey & Minnie’s House while you can. If you are into autographs Tinkerbell and her friends are here in the air conditioning under the Big Top. Play on Donalds boat or in the play area if you have little ones.
Time to Relax & Take in a Show
After you are done in Toontown head back to Fantasyland and check out Mickey’s Phillharmagic. Usually from there we Ride the Tomorrowland Transit and Carousel of Progress stuff where we can sit down and relax. Most times my feet are tired at this point so taking in the shows seems to help restore my used up energy.
Walk to Adventureland and do the Tree House and Tiki Room. Along with any other shows you want to do.
This is also a good time to check out a parade or any other shows you might have missed.
Ride Rinse Repeat
You have done just about everything in the park by now. This is when you whip out your smart phone and bring up my favorite tool – Lines from Touring Plans.com. Check wait times on rides you may want to ride again.
Time to Eat
So we like to take a early dinner. Most times we are going to leave the park and visit one of the Resorts. This would be a good time to do that. You could always leave and hit another park, go back to the room to freshen up, or if you are really hardcore go back through my Plan of Attack all over again.
Parades & Fireworks
Usually by the time we leave for dinner and come back it is starting to get dark, there is where you will try to find a good seat for one of the nighttime parades and shows. If you are a little early you can always window shop on Main Street till it gets closer to the time.
Extra Evening Magic Hour
I love Extra Magic Hours especially in the evening. Most times the park starts out crowded then they seem to dwindle down to nothing. I can remember being at WDW at 3am one time..It was fabulous!
As far as an attack plan goes during EMH I usually go clockwise around the Park. We usually walk a little slower and take in being in the Magic Kingdom at Night. I love all the lights and sounds of being there after dark!
There you have it
Well there is my Magic Kindgom Attack Plan. There are tons of books out there that charge big bucks for what I just gave you for free. If you have any suggestions of want to share with us your Attack Plan let us know in the comment section below.
Stay tuned next time as I share with you my Touring Plan of Epcot and the World Showcase.
When Chip isn’t having a great time at Walt Disney World he is busy blogging about it over at Chip and Company – Your Source for Disney News, Food, and Views.
Check out the Hollywood Studios Touring Plan.
Learn more tips and tricks for your next Walt Disney World vacation. Destinations in Florida can also help you add tips and tricks to your next vacation.
Chip says
Yes those snacks that are there listed on the Chip and Co website are used under the Disney Dining Plan and are snack credits.
That is what makes them so good they are so big you think they wouldnt be a snack credit but they are..
Ange says
So when you say “Disney snack that is more like a meal” are these part of the Disney Dining Plan that come out of your snack count? or are they not on the plan at all? Thanks.
Kimberly says
This is a good plan. It’s almost what we do too; though, our plan is slightly different as we always give MK 2 days, but very good plan! Thanks for sharing.
Kim says
We love WDW!!! We stay at Fort Wilderness and absolutely love it!! We will be there in December, so I am planning our park visits now. Thanks so much for your information.
Jennifer says
My only comment would be: If you wait for the Fairies that late in the day it will be a 90 minute plus wait. We pretty much follow your plan, except after FL around 10am we line up for the opening of Toon Town (which will soon change with the refurb) see the Fairies and then pick up where you leave off. GREAT PLAN btw – and Crystal Palace early ADRs are the BEST!!
Jannel says
Thanks for posting such great WDW info! We are heading there Dec. 11th and I find all your info very useful and informative. Thank you!!