For many Disney fans, Magic Kingdom is their No. 1 favorite park. And if you are planning your first trip to Disney World visiting Magic Kingdom to ride famous attractions like Jungle Cruise or Space Mountain, strolling down Main Street, U.S.A., and seeing Cinderella Castle are the iconic experiences you’re probably dreaming of.
But all this attention on Magic Kingdom means it’s the park that often feels the most crowded. The AllEars Team visits Magic Kingdom A LOT — like we’re there almost every day. So I polled the team for the Magic Kingdom CHEATS we use to share them with you!
Now before we get started, let me clarify. I don’t mean actual “cheats.” We would never advise you to break any rules at Disney World, nor try to cheat the system. But there are some little-known tips and tricks to give you a little bit of an edge in Magic Kingdom. We’ve found them over years of experience — and now you can use them, too. Let’s get into it.
Visit mid-week if you can
It’s probably not surprising that Magic Kingdom is often the first park on the itinerary for vacations. That means the day after people typically arrive for a vacation can be the most crowded. That’s often Friday for a long weekend, both weekend days, and — maybe surprisingly — Monday. If you’re taking a week’s vacation and traveling on Sunday, you’re probably going to hit up Magic Kingdom first thing Monday morning, right?
Now, many things can influence crowd levels, including conventions or competitions on site, runDisney races, local school holidays, and the weather forecast. But all other things being equal, we try to visit on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday when we can.
Grab your morning coffee outside of the park
One of the longest lines in the Magic Kingdom first thing in the morning isn’t for a ride — it’s for Starbucks. Yep. You can get Starbucks at Main Street Bakery on Main Street, U.S.A., and it’s the first stop for many people. That’s why we pick up our coffee with little to no lines at the Joffrey’s Coffee kiosk at the Ticket and Transportation Center.
You’ll find it over the left after you walk past the ticket windows — in between the Monorail and Ferryboat entrances.
Watch the time for that train ride
You might want to re-think boarding the Walt Disney World Railroad a few minutes before or during the afternoon parade in Magic Kingdom.
The train is often delayed while the parade crosses its path as it enters the park in Frontierland.
Take the stairs at the Monorail station
This is a small trick, but will save you a couple of minutes on your way into Magic Kingdom. When you board the Monorail at the Ticket and Transportation Center, try to be on the right side of the queue and board the Monorail car furthest to the right.
When you arrive at Magic Kingdom, the crowds will head right off the car to access the ramp. Go left instead! Take the short set of stairs down, and you’ll be ahead of most of the people who were on the Monorail with you, and get to the tapstiles ahead of the group.
Take your food to go
As you might imagine, some of the most popular fast food places in Magic Kingdom — like Casey’s Corner or Sleepy Hollow — have limited seating, and it’s almost ALWAYS full! Rather than stressing out trying to stalk that family in the corner that *might* be packing up to leave soon, get your food and head over to Tomorrowland Terrace.
This open-air restaurant is, well, not open. It’s used in the evenings for fireworks dessert parties and sometimes for private events, but most of the time, you won’t find any food being served here … and therefore, all this seating will be practically empty.
Bonus Cheat! Walking through Tomorrowland Terrace is also a great shortcut when walking between Main Street, U.S.A. and Tomorrowland!
Visit a resort for a mid-day break
If you’re in need of lunch and a respite from the crowds, head back out of Magic Kingdom and get on the Resort Monorail. Visiting one of the resorts for lunch can be a great way to get a break from the crowds. You’ll also find spaces in air-conditioned lobbies or benches outdoors to get some rest without tens of thousands of your new friends in the parks.
All the resorts have a quick-service (fast food) restaurant. We especially recommend the pulled pork nachos at Capt. Cook’s at the Polynesian Village Resort, and the mac and cheese at Gasparilla Island Grill at the Grand Floridian.
Don’t leave after the fireworks. We repeat. Don’t leave after the fireworks.
We are exhausted at the end of a Magic Kingdom day, and all we want to do is get back to our hotel, hit the showers, and crawl into bed. BUT, that does not mean we head out of the parks after that last firework explodes over the castle. NOPE. We’re urging you. DO NOT DO IT.
Yes, your feet hurt. Yes, you’ve done enough people-ing for the day. But heading out of the park to wait in line for a bus, the Monorail, or a ferryboat is NOT the move. EVERYONE is doing it. And that means you’ll be standing on those aching feet body to body with those people you need a break from. That can be maddening. The better alternative is to STAY in the park. Let the crowds flock toward the exits. Grab an ice cream, or some corn dog nuggs. Find a bench or a table. And, chill. Just wait 45 minutes or an hour. Your trip back to your hotel or out to your car will be so much better.
There you have it! I hope these “cheats” help you during your next Magic Kingdom trip. Keep following AllEars for more Disney World tips!
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Do you have any Magic Kingdom “cheats” to share? Tell us in the comments!
Love the cheat you gave me I will try it out when I come next time
When you are participating in the Table Service Dining Plan, don’t use a table service credit on the first day upon arrival. That way you can use 2 credits later to dine at a Fine/Signature Restaurant. On that arrival day, use a counter service credit. On your day of departure you might not have time to use that counter service credit anyway.