These days, it’s all about princesses. One of my daughters is always singing a song from a Disney princess movie. (Currently, “Let It Go” is replaced by Moana’s “How Far I’ll Go.”) Someone is always in a princess costume, wearing a princess shirt or shoes or only answering to Belle. So if you only have one day at Walt Disney World, head over to the Magic Kingdom. I’ll let my toddlers be your unofficial tour guides.
Make Dining Reservations at the Magic Kingdom 180 Days in Advance
Reservations open 180 days before your scheduled arrival. Trust me, many people are making reservations the minute the window opens for Be Our Guest and Cinderella’s Royal Table at the Magic Kingdom. You can make them online, on the app or by phone. Best way to make reservations? Call (407) 939-5277. There are often open tables that don’t appear online or by phone.
I highly recommend Be Our Guest. You’ll dine inside Beast’s enchanted ballroom or his room with the rose. This restaurant IS on the quick service meal plan. You can order in advance and your meal magically appears at your table. Be Our Guest, Tony’s Town Square, Liberty Street Tavern, Jungle Navigation and Cinderella’s Royal Table now all serve alcohol. But that CANNOT be pre-ordered.
Try to book an early breakfast before the park opens. You will be first in line and also have the opportunity to take a picture infront of the castle without hundreds of other Disney guest behind you.
Select Fastpasses (FP) in Advance
Fastpasses allow you to jump to the front of the line or wait in a VERY short line of most attractions and shows. You get to make three in advance. Once you use all three, you can select another, which you must use before selecting another. You can make your selections 30 days in advance if you simply have Disney park tickets, 60 days in advance if you are staying on property.
Our Fastpass picks for the Magic Kingdom: Enchanted Tales with Belle, Peter Pan’s Flight and Jungle Cruise
CATCHES: Everyone in your party who wants to get on a ride together must have a Fastpass for the same time. Traveling with a large party? Download the Disney app and an administrator (or two) can easily set up Fastpasses for the entire party. ALSO, you can only Fastpass for one park each day.
Arrive Early to Avoid a Long Line or Two
A perk to staying on Disney property is easy access to transportation and Magic Hours. Every day, one park has Magic Hours that opens the park early or closes it later for guests staying on property. Take advantage of that. Also, transportation starts running 45 minutes before the park opens. We typically leave our resort right as the park is opening and still manage to hope on a few rides before lines get long.
Go to Fantasyland
The Main Street stores looking tempting…. Perhaps even a quick meet and greet with Tinkerbell near the entrance. Keep walking. Stop and have a Disney photographer take your picture infront of the castle then continue straight into Fantasyland. This is often the one time of the day when lines are short or non-existent. Couldn’t get a Fastpass to see Cinderella, Tiana, Repunzel or Elena at Fairytale Hall, Enchanted Tales with Belle or Peter Pan’s Flight? Do it now.
Here’s what our picks for Fantasyland:
- Enchanted Tales with Belle: You enter into Belle’s cottage and are magically transported to the Beast’s castle. You are assigned parts to act out a story for Belle. At the end of the show, a Disney photographer is on hand to take pictures of your children with Belle. Great way to see a Disney princess. Everyone also leaves with a Belle bookmark. TIP: Fastpass this attraction unless you go there as soon as the park opens.
- Under the Sea- Journey of the Little Mermaid: Skip the Fastpass. The line moves very quickly. This is also a new attraction, so there are interactive displays set up along the way to help keep you entertained. Our longest wait for this ride was been 15 minutes.
- Flight of Peter Pan: This is a favorite. However, this ride is a little dark. The combination of the dark, pirates and being on a flying ship did make one of my daughters uneasy but she ended up loving it. TIP: Fastpass this ride. Unless you get a Fastpass, expect to wait 70+ minutes. This is one of the most popular rides in Fantasyland.
- Have a little more time or happen to find a short line? Meet princesses at Fairytale Hall and Ariel in her grotto by Under the Sea. WARNING ABOUT FAIRYTALE HALL: It is truly magical watching the princesses interact with the children. But the wait times are often longer, much longer than posted. The waiting line is tight, and there are no interactive displays or change of scenery to keep children entertained.
Other Toddler Approved Magic Kingdom Attractions
- Jungle Cruise: If you’ve ever been to Walt Disney World before, the ride hasn’t changed. A few of the jokes have. But the children love seeing the robotic animals on this boat ride. TIP: Fastpass it.
- Dumbo: This ride has expanded, and there is a play area to help bypass time. If lines are long, you will receive a pager. Your children can play. When it goes off, it’s your time to take flight. PERKS: Great way to get rid of some energy. There’s a restroom INSIDE this attraction. DOWNSIDE: Often no wait.
- Monster Laugh Floor: Shows often have little to no waits. This show is interactive and fun! Due to audience interaction, the jokes due vary a little show by show.
Dark, Scary Rides for Some Toddlers
My daughters will go on the Magic Kingdom rides below. They don’t have height restrictions. However, there is often a bit of hesitation due to the nature of the ride.
- Haunted Mansion
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh: It gets dark. Part of the ride takes you through a storm. There’s also a bizarre dream sequence with some psychaldelic elephants and a floating Pooh.
- Peter Pan’s Flight: You are airborne the entire ride. It’s a bit dark. There are also pirates and gunfire.
- Pirates of the Caribbean: This ride was updated following the movies to include Jack Sparrow. But it’s a dark boat ride that sends you through cannon fire and pirates looting and burning a town.
Catch the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade
Grab a spot for this parade featuring most of the Disney princesses and even the princes. No, there aren’t photo opportunities. But when lines for princesses were long and our time was short, this was a great option. Our girls were just excited to see the princesses and we’ve always been able to grab a spot just a few minutes before the start.
Nap in the Magic Kingdom
We always bring our own double stroller. When the girls get tired, we walk around or hop on the People Mover in Tomorrow Land until they fall asleep. This is either a great time to sit down and relax, ride some “grown up” rides or move on to another park. Want to ride? Take advantage of the Rider Swap program. One rides with height restrictions, one parent waits in line and tells a cast member that they’d like to do the rider swap. The cast member will give you a card to pass to the adult waiting with the children. This pass allows them to bypass the lines.
Other Magic Kingdom Tips
- Learn where the restrooms are located. Without fail, someone will need to go after you’ve been waiting in line for 20 minutes and are getting close to the end. It’s easier to get there and back in time for your turn if you know where you’re going.
- Pack snacks. A few snacks and a water bottle will help keep hunger at bay, children occupied during a wait and save a few dollars.
- Let your children dress up. Many cast members will great them by the character’s name. My girls love it! Adults are no longer allowed to go into parks in costumes. But children can. This can save you a pricey trip to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. If your child does wear a costume, bring back up clothes packed in a ziplock bag. The bag and those clothes are often life-savers.
- Bring your own sunscreen and a poncho. You’ll probably need both. Again, it will save you money. Also, ponchos often sell out once it starts pouring.
- Traveling with infants? You can get on rides with them. You’ll just need to take them out of slings/baby carriers and place them in your lap.
Want to see my top list of toddler friendly attractions at all of the Walt Disney World Parks? Check out this blog.
Have a magical time!
