For the brave souls who stay at Magic Kingdom from open to close, there is plenty to fill your day. From characters, shows, food and more, there is more than a day’s worth of activities! Today I have compiled my favorite things to do with, 40 Things to do open to close at Magic Kingdom.
1. See the Welcome Show. Get to the park for rope-drop to see the Welcome Show at Cinderella’s Castle. Your favorite Disney characters will appear on stage, a great way to start your day at the Magic Kingdom.
2. Take photos in front of Cinderella’s Castle. Look for a PhotoPass photographer stationed along Main St USA for a classic in front the castle photo.
3. Buy a coffee or treat at Main Street Bakery. This is the Starbucks location of Magic Kingdom. Find coffee, tea, pastries, cake pops and much more.
4. Listen to the Dapper Dans harmonize on Main St. Find this barbershop quartet entertaining guests throughout the morning with tap dancing, singing and engaging with guests!
5. Meet Disney Princesses at Princess Fairytale Hall. Guests can meet & greet with 2 different Disney princesses in one location at this Fantasyland stop.
6. Pick a horse on Prince Charming Regal Carrousel. For a classic attraction, ride this carrousel Fantasyland attraction, magical for all ages.
7. Take flight on Peter Pan’s Flight. Another classic attraction that is great for all ages. Fly over Neverland and more. Look for Ariel among the mermaids! This attraction tends to have long lines and a Fastpass+ is recommended.
8. Sing along to it’s a small world. A visit to Disney World isn’t complete without getting “it’s a small world…” stuck in your head! This attraction is a slow boat ride great for all ages.
9. Become a happy haunt on the Haunted Mansion. Mosey over to Liberty Square to ride Haunted Mansion, plus entry the interactive queue. Board your own doom buggy for a tour of this Haunted Mansion, now offering a on-ride PhotoPass opportunity!
10. Stop at a Coin Press machine. Guests can stop at a coin press machine for an inexpensive souvenir throughout Disney World. There are pressed penny machines and pressed Quarters too. Get one for each park, including Magic Kingdom.
11. Visit Cinderella’s Wishing Well. To the right side of Cinderella’s Castle find Cinderella’s wishing well. A fun photo spot that many guests do not know about!
12. Try the fish & chips from Columbia Harbour House. Columbia Harbour House is a quick service food location in Liberty Square. They have amazing and reasonably priced fish & chips.
13. Take a break inside Mickey’s PhilarMagic. This 12-minute 3D show is perfect for a break. It holds 486 guests, therefore the only waiting you will do is for the last show to end.
14. Meet Ariel in her Grotto. The only location at Disney World to meet Ariel with her tail is in her Grotto at Fantasyland. Go under the sea with Ariel!
15. Ride Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid. After meeting with Ariel, relive scenes from Disney’s The Little Mermaid on this fun attraction for all ages. It offers continuous boarding, therefore lines tend to move along.
16. Visit Bonjour! Village Gifts. This Fantasyland gift shop is themed after Disney’s Beauty and the Beast with a selection of items to browse from books, pins and more.
17. Meet everyone’s favorite character, Gaston. At least to himself he is everyone’s favorite! Gaston makes for a fun character interaction.
18. Visit the big tent in Fantasyland at Big Top Souvenirs. This shop is themed after a circus tent and sells a variety of favorite souvenirs for guests, as well as fresh treats! Grab a t-shirt, plush and much more.
19. Board your own Dumbo and soar. A beloved attraction at Disney is Dumbo, ride one of 2 Dumbo – The Flying Elephant attractions in Fantasyland. Long line? No worries, kids will have a blast at the indoor play area while waiting, parents will appreciate the air conditioning.
20. Take a spin on the Mad Tea Party. Guests of all ages can enjoy this classic attraction. You may get dizzy, but the smiles are worth it.
21. Catch the Afternoon Parade, Festival of Fantasy Parade. This daily parade is weather permitting and celebrates characters and attractions of Fantasyland. See many favorite Characters as well, they may even wave hi just to you!
22. Go behind the scenes on Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover. This attraction gives great views of Tomorrowland plus behind the scenes look at Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Space Mountain and Mickey’s Star Traders shop!
23. See how technology changed the 20th century on the Carousel of Progress. This attraction was one that Walt Disney himself was involved in creating. This classic attraction features the catchy song, “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” by Richard and Robert Sherman.
24. Try for Galactic Hero on Buzz Lightyear’s Ranger Spin. Get a perfect score (999,999) to become a Galactic Hero on this attraction and receive a sticker! Learn how to become Galactic Hero.
25. Have a laugh at Monster’s Inc Laugh Floor. Come to the laugh factory, led by Mike Wazowski. This a hilarious, not to miss attraction for all ages with audience participation.
26. Blast into space, on Space Mountain. Board your own rocket for an indoor roller coaster on Space Mountain. A Fastpass+ is recommended for this attraction.
27. See the Flag Retreat at 5pm. This display occurs daily on Main St USA at Magic Kingdom.
28. Try the Nutella fruit and waffle sandwich from Sleepy Hollow. At Magic Kingdom, find this quick service location.
29. Cool down at The Hall of Presidents. Take in some history and air conditioning inside The Hall of Presidents.
30. See a replica of the Liberty Bell and Liberty Tree. Step back into colonial America times when you enter Liberty Square, in Magic Kingdom. Guests can see a replica of the Liberty Bell and Liberty Tree. Read, 5 things people do not notice in Liberty Square.
31. Visit the Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade, an old fashioned shooting arcade. Spend a couple quarters and test your aiming skills at Fronteirland Shootin’ Arcade, near Splash Mountain.
32. Enjoy a Dole Whip from Aloha Isle. Dole Whip is a guest favorite snack and found in Magic Kingdom from Aloha Isle.
33. Visit a ground-breaking attraction in Adventureland. Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room was the first to use the Audio-Animatronics technology. Come see the Tiki Gods and tropical birds come to life.
34. Sing along with A Pirates life for me…! On the classic attraction, Pirates of the Caribbean, take a ride through a 17th century town. This attraction features an on-ride photo.
35. Pick up a secret treasure map in Adventureland. Visit A Pirate’s Adventure ~ Treasures of the Seven Seas for your map and to start your treasure hunting in Adventureland. The map makes for a great free souvenir.
36. Take the plunge and get wet on Splash Mountain. Plunge into the briar patch, after enjoying a boat ride through Splash Mountain. Chances are, you will get wet!
37. Board a haunted mine train on Big Thunder Mountain. Legend is the trains have been seen taking off and racing through the mine shaft on their own! This is a roller-coaster attraction.
38. Get a view of Magic Kingdom from 6 stories up. Climb the 116 steps total during the self-guided walk through attraction, Swiss Family Treehouse. At the highest point guests get a view from 6 stories above Magic Kingdom! This attraction rarely has a wait.
39. See the nighttime Fireworks spectacular. Each evening, weather permitting, guests are dazzled by Happily Ever After. The 18-minute fireworks show uses the most lasers, special effects and more to date!
40. Shop Main St USA at the end of your day. Did you know the stores on Main St USA stay open later than the attractions and rest of Magic Kingdom? Therefore, accomplish all the rides you want first and shop last.
Thanks, Sara
Learn more about the Walt Disney World Parks including attractions, secrets, tips and more. Plus my friends at Destinations in Florida can help you plan your perfect Walt Disney World vacation.
Laurie says
I need your expert advice. Since we will be in Orlando in July, we wanted to spend 1 day at WDW. My son wants to ride a few rides at Hollywood Studio before heading to the magic kindom On the day we are going, both parks have early magic hours. ( We are staying) at Disney Springs). I was thinking of going to Hollywood first and head straight to Toy story Land. From there doing Tower of Terror on the way out and spend the rest of the day at MK. Do you think we can save our first 3 fastpasses for MK? Or do you think we are crazy? LOL