Tips for Visiting Magic Kingdom in Orlando

Have you ever wondered what the happiest place on Earth is? For many, it is undoubtedly Magic Kingdom, the iconic theme park within the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. If you want to make the most of your visit to this enchanting destination, here’s a comprehensive guide packed with invaluable advice for an unforgettable experience.

* Article written by our friends Fernando and Paloma, who enjoyed an epic trip in Florida 🙂

How to get to Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom is located within the Walt Disney Resort complex, southwest of Orlando, right in the heart of Florida. Its convenient access by road and proximity to Orlando International Airport make it easy to reach. Here are all the possible ways to get there:

✓ By car

Driving is one of the most common options. You can access the park via Interstate 4, taking the exit for 65 or 67. Once you arrive, parking is available for a fee of $25, which allows you to park for the entire day.

The parking lot is enormous, divided into two sections named after Disney characters (heroes and villains), and friendly staff will guide you to your spot. To help you locate your vehicle among thousands of others after your visit, the park's app features a Parking Reminder option where you can note your car's location.

* Extra tip: Take a few photos of your parking spot number and nearby landmarks (like lampposts or trees), which will help you orient yourself later. And yes, we got lost on our first day and spent nearly half an hour finding our car!

* Super extra tip: There’s an alternate route to avoid heavy traffic on Interstate 4, especially during peak hours. Consider using Buena Vista Drive or World Drive for a scenic detour that may save you time.

✓ By bus

If you’re staying at a Disney hotel, you can take advantage of the free transportation options, including buses, monorails, and boats. Some hotels outside the resort also offer this service. For example, the hotel we stayed at provided complimentary buses to all the parks.

✓ By organized tour from Miami

For those staying in Miami who want to keep things simple, there are one-day organized tours to Walt Disney World that include transportation from your Miami hotel and entrance tickets, depending on the package you choose. Keep in mind that transfers can be lengthy, but it’s a good option if you’re short on time. More information and bookings.

There are also 2, 3, and 4-day packages from Miami, which include transportation and accommodations in Orlando, giving you free time to explore and visit the parks. More information and bookings.

✓ Transportation within the park

Once you’ve gone through security, you’ll need to take either the boat across the Seven Seas Lagoon or the monorail to reach the entrance. Be prepared for a lengthy journey from the parking lot to the entrance; for instance, it took us about 45 minutes. Arriving early is advisable, even before the park opens.

Let’s face it: this is the most visited park in Orlando and one of the most popular theme parks in the U.S. Expect large crowds year-round. Whenever possible, avoid visiting during peak seasons (spring break, summer months, Halloween, and Christmas). We went in early October, and the park was already decorated for Halloween.

Another factor to consider is the weather: Florida has a tropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. The best months to visit are from February to April or September to November. Keep an eye on the American school calendar and national holidays. Summer months can be particularly hot and humid, with the possibility of tropical storms.

Lastly, be aware that the hurricane season runs from June to November. While the risk is low, it’s still something to keep in mind.

How to buy tickets for Magic Kingdom

Now that you’re convinced to visit Magic Kingdom, what’s next? First and foremost, it’s essential to check availability on the official Disney website, as the park may not be open on certain dates or may already be at capacity.

Tickets are typically available for a minimum of two days, and depending on how many days you decide to visit, you’ll be given a range of dates during which they will be valid — these do not need to be consecutive. For example, if you purchase tickets for four days starting October 1, they will be valid until October 7.

When selecting your date, you’ll see various options, starting from the most economical single-park ticket per day to the more expensive Park Hopper option that allows you to switch parks on the same day, including admission to water parks.

⭐ You can grab your Park Hopper ticket for 1 to 10 days online here to jump from park to park whenever you like!

All parks have a transportation system that connects them in just a few minutes, and if you choose to drive, you won’t have to pay for parking again.

Important: After purchasing your tickets, it’s advisable to select the days you intend to visit each park, similar to checking in for a flight. It’s best to do this early for availability, although there are options to modify your plans later.

Disney World App

The essential tool for your visit to Magic Kingdom is the Disney World app, available for both iOS and Android. While it’s in English, it’s intuitive and easy to use, so download it now! Don’t worry about internet data; the park offers free Wi-Fi that works quite well. If you’re interested, check out this guide for having internet while in the U.S.

The app provides access to a wealth of interactive information and various utilities, including:

• Checking park hours and real-time wait times for rides
• Scheduling your day and organizing your visit to ensure you don’t miss anything
• Ordering food from restaurants
• Storing your photos
• Viewing tips and recommendations
• Reserving shows
• Consulting transportation services
• Storing your parking location if you arrived by car

A new feature that’s particularly interesting for optimizing your time is the “Virtual Queues.” These queues open twice daily at 7 AM and 1 PM, so be ready to sign up as soon as they do, as spots fill up quickly! If you’re lucky (like we were), you’ll be assigned a time window to approach the ride. You will still have to queue, but for much less time than usual. Currently, this feature is only available for the new Guardians of the Galaxy attraction at EPCOT, but we expect it to expand to others.

If you’re traveling around Orlando and plan to visit the city’s most interesting attractions, consider getting the Go-City Pass, a global pass that can save you money on entrance fees. It offers two options: the Go City Orlando Explorer Pass, where you can choose 2, 3, 4, or 5 attractions; and the Go City: Orlando All-Inclusive Pass, which includes all attractions, allowing you to decide on the number of days of validity.

What to bring when visiting the park

This is the million-dollar question. We often get a bit anxious about what to wear and what items to bring to ensure we don’t overpack or forget something essential.

As we mentioned, Florida has a tropical climate, with high humidity and generally warm temperatures. We recommend wearing summer clothing, such as t-shirts and shorts, and comfortable shoes since you’ll be doing a lot of walking. A lightweight rain jacket can also be handy in case of sudden downpours.

* Great little tip: We watched various YouTube videos of the park filmed during different seasons, which helped us see what people were wearing. It was incredibly useful!

You can save some money by bringing your own food and drinks into the park. Don’t forget a mobile charger or power bank to keep your devices charged for using the park app.

Consider getting IATI travel insurance with a 5% discount here. No matter your destination, it’s wise to protect yourself and avoid unpleasant surprises.

Must-see attractions in Magic Kingdom

Now, let’s dive into the fun part: the attractions! First, you need to know that the park is divided into six magical themed areas. Here’s a breakdown of each area and its most important attractions:

1. Main Street

Upon entering, you’ll find this street inspired by a 19th-century American town. On both sides, you’ll pass numerous shops, cafes, a fire station, and the famous town hall.

While there are no rides in this area, at the end, you can admire the iconic statue of Walt Disney alongside his faithful companion Mickey Mouse, with the castle in the background… Picture-perfect!

2. Tomorrowland

To the right of the castle lies this futuristic vision of Walt Disney. Here, you’ll find two of the park’s best attractions: SPACE MOUNTAIN, a legendary indoor roller coaster that launches you into outer space, and the TOMORROWLAND SPEEDWAY, where you can enjoy driving a car on a classic American-style circuit (one of my favorite attractions).

* In April 2023, the new attraction TRON LIGHTCYCLE POWER RUN is scheduled to open, a semi-outdoor roller coaster where you ride a futuristic motorcycle that promises to be one of the park’s highlights.

3. Fantasyland

Behind the castle, we enter Fantasyland, perhaps the most Disney-esque area of the park. Here, you’ll find most of the attractions aimed at the little ones, but not exclusively…

Some of the most iconic Disney attractions are located here, including IT’S A SMALL WORLD, UNDER THE SEA, PETER PAN’S FLIGHT, SEVEN DWARFS MINE TRAIN, and MAD TEA PARTY, inspired by the Mad Hatter's tea party from Alice in Wonderland.

4. Liberty Square

This area recreates the U.S. during the colonial era, highlighted by the Hall of Presidents, a small show that tells the history of the U.S. through its presidents. Nearby, you’ll find the HAUNTED MANSION, a spooky ride through a haunted house filled with eerie music, ghosts, and other spectral beings.

5. Frontierland

Separated from Liberty Square by a river that you can cross on a Mississippi-style steamboat, this area features star attractions like BIG THUNDER MOUNTAIN RAILROAD, a thrilling outdoor roller coaster. You can also enjoy SPLASH MOUNTAIN, where you can cool off on a hot day.

Additionally, you can visit TOM SAWYER ISLAND, a natural reserve where you can spot some wildlife and take a relaxing stroll after all the excitement.

6. Adventureland

Finally, we arrive at the land of adventures, where you can board PIRATE’S ADVENTURE - TREASURES OF SEVEN SEAS, a fun ride based on the escapades of the famous pirate Jack Sparrow.

And we’ll conclude with JUNGLE CRUISE, a relaxing boat ride where your captain will take you through the jungle, sharing amusing stories along the way.

Extra: Fireworks

To wrap up your incredible day at Magic Kingdom, there’s no better way than to attend the fireworks show that takes place just before the park closes. They also organize other nighttime performances, including lighting displays and parades featuring Disney characters along Main Street. Don’t miss it!

* Here’s a map of the park; click on it to enlarge:

Where and what to eat in Magic Kingdom

After all that walking, you’ll likely need to refuel, so take note of the places to eat in Magic Kingdom and some must-try items you shouldn’t leave without tasting.

As with many theme parks around the world, yes, food here can be a bit pricey (especially considering you’re in the U.S.), but there are options to suit every budget!

You can bring your own food and drinks into the park. Just be careful not to carry metal cutlery or similar utensils, as they will be confiscated during security checks. If you’d rather avoid extra expenses, this is a great solution!

For those looking to dine inside, there are three types of restaurants in the park: from budget-friendly snack stands to intermediate “order and pick up” options (which we used the most) and traditional “TABLE” service restaurants that are on the pricier side.

In all of them, you can order and pay through the app, saving you from waiting in line. Simply select your meal and the time slot you wish to pick it up, and pay directly through the app. Each meal typically cost us around $10-15 per person, including drinks.

Don’t forget to grab a Revolut card (with a €10 promo) to avoid fees when paying and withdrawing money abroad.

Wondering what to order? If there’s one dish you must try at Magic Kingdom, it’s the Turkey Leg. It’s literally a roasted turkey leg that’s absolutely delicious. But be careful! It’s not available at all restaurants; you’ll need to find it at stands in Adventureland, Liberty Square, Fantasyland, and Gaston’s Tavern. And to finish off, don’t miss the authentic whipped cream ice cream and the amazing Mickey-shaped waffle.

* Prices listed do not include TAX, which is an additional 6%.

Where to stay when visiting Magic Kingdom

There are mainly three zones or options for accommodations when visiting Magic Kingdom. We’ll organize them by budget, starting from the most exclusive and expensive to the most economical:

✓ Disney Hotels

If your budget allows, staying at a Disney hotel is an experience in itself (we did it in Disneyland Paris and can confirm). Besides being the closest, they offer free transportation to the parks and other exclusive benefits for Disney guests, along with numerous activities and shows, especially to entertain the little ones.

→ Prices start at around $200 per night (book here)

✓ Lake Buena Vista and I-Drive Area

We stayed in this area, at the Grande Villas Resort. We chose an apartment that was perfect for 2-4 people within a gated community with several pools, tennis courts, basketball, mini golf, a restaurant, pizzeria, bar, and shop, plus many daytime and nighttime activities. They offer free transportation to the parks and are well connected. It takes about 15 minutes to reach the park.

→ You can find accommodations ranging from $75-$100 per night (book here)

✓ Kissimmee

If you’re on a tight budget or prefer to save on accommodation (to spend on Turkey Legs instead), this small town south of Orlando has some of the most economical hotels and apartments for visiting the parks. They are a bit further away (about 25-30 minutes) but well connected. Additionally, the area offers a wide range of activities and dining options to suit every taste and budget.

→ Prices here are the most affordable, between $50-$75 per night (book here)

More tips for visiting Magic Kingdom Orlando

Before you head out, take a look at these final tips to make the most of your visit to Magic Kingdom Orlando:

• How many days do I need: We recommend spending at least two days to thoroughly explore and experience the park.
• Hours: Keep an eye on the schedule, as hours may vary depending on whether there are afternoon or evening shows. The park usually opens at 9 AM, so try to arrive early since it takes about 45 minutes to get from the parking lot to the main entrance.
• Disney Genie+: This option includes various extras with your ticket, such as early access to the park, creating an album of all your photos, and “Lightning Lane” for quick access to certain attractions. If your budget allows, go for it; the price depends on the days you have tickets, and you can check it on the website.
• Park Hopper: If you plan to visit two or more parks in one day, you’ll need to buy a ticket with this option. You can switch parks using the Disney transportation system, and if you drive, you won’t have to pay for parking again.
• Magic Band: This wristband links to your Disney account in the app and can be used to store your tickets (both regular and Genie+), pay in stores and restaurants, and save your photos. You can buy one at any park store starting at about $20 for the more basic versions.
• App, App, and more App: Download the Disney World app; you’ll need it for almost everything, from holding your tickets to ordering food at restaurants and checking real-time wait times for attractions. Don’t worry about internet access; there’s free Wi-Fi throughout the park, and it works quite well.
• Attractions: We recommend tackling the most popular attractions first thing in the morning as soon as the park opens or right before closing, to avoid long wait times, which can reach up to three hours!

Are you now clearer on what to see in Magic Kingdom and how to organize your visit? We hope these tips help you enjoy your Magic Kingdom experience to the fullest. If you have any questions, feel free to leave us a comment, and we’ll do our best to assist you promptly.

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