How to Approach Magic Kingdom in 2025
Walt Disney World is changing as we speak.
Every theme park will add new attractions and experiences starting as soon as this summer.
Photo:visitorlando.com
So, we’re taking a look at how the behind-the-scenes factors impact your upcoming park visits.
We’ve previously discussed Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT. Now, we get to the biggie.
Photo: Disneyplanning.com
Here’s how to approach Magic Kingdom in 2025.
About Magic Kingdom’s Changes
Cinderella Castle
Disney just received the necessary approval for its two major expansions at Magic Kingdom.
The smaller one entails the creation of an entirely new section of Frontierland.
Lightning McQueen
This Cars area won’t recreate Radiator Springs at Disney California Adventure but rather be its own thing.
Specifically, Disney will honor the Frontierland theme by building an outdoor off-road extravaganza.
To accomplish this goal, Imagineers will fill in part or maybe even all of Rivers of America.
That fact points a spotlight on one aspect of your 2025 Magic Kingdom visit.
Photo: Disney
You should prioritize riding the Liberty Square Riverboat and visiting Tom Sawyer Island during your next visit.
There’s a very real chance neither one of them will be there when you return.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad closed sign
The flip side is that you cannot ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in 2025.
Disney has already closed this attraction for the year as it preps Villains Land in the background.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
The new themed land will anchor the so-called What Lies Big Thunder expansion.
Imagineers are currently reclaiming some of that land and placing new track for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Tom Sawyer Island
Therefore, you should cross that one off your list and replace it with Tom Sawyer Island and/or Liberty Square Riverboat.
What’s New and Different
(Olga Thompson, Photographer)
In case you missed the news, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure has dropped its virtual queue.
As of February 25th, guests can ride the attraction by entering the standby queue. That’s a significant change.
Until recently, guests only had two options for Disney’s newest attraction.
They could pay for Lightning Lane Multi Pass, or they could reserve a virtual queue.
Photo: Disney
So, everyone is lucky for the rest of 2025, as you’re guaranteed to ride it as long as you’re willing to stand in line.
I haven’t tracked wait times yet since the change just occurred, but Splash Mountain hovered in the 60-minute range.
Photo: Tron Lightcycle/Run
I’d expect a 33-50 percent increase for the newer attraction, although its massive throughput may negate that.
Meanwhile, Tron Lightcycle / Run also employs a standby queue now.
Photo: Disney World
Recently, the average wait time for this roller coaster hovers in the 100-120-minute range.
I’ll add that we just exited the slow season, and the throughput on this attraction isn’t especially high.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Opens in Disneyland
So, the wait time could creep up a bit during busy periods like Spring Break, Easter and mid-summer.
Still, let’s be honest that no Magic Kingdom visit would feel complete without experiencing either of these rides.
Similarly, I warmly recommend the new and improved Country Bear Musical Jamboree.
The feel-good modern version of this attraction substitutes comedy songs of the 1950s and 1960s with western takes on Disney classics.
That one simple change has breathed new life into one of Magic Kingdom’s opening-day attractions.
The Must-Dos
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Magic Kingdom
Look, I don’t need to tell most of you what to do at Magic Kingdom. You probably learned that as a child.
The classics are a must, and they’re surprisingly not that bad with regard to wait times.
Floating Candelabra
You can probably ride Haunted Mansion, It’s a Small World, Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Space Mountain in about four hours.
That’ll give you more than enough time to explore the rest of the park for other favorites.
Cinderella Castle
My one note is that you should approach Magic Kingdom modularly.
Disney designed this park with a hub (Cinderella Castle) and spokes (the adjoining themed lands).
You should plan to explore the park clockwise or counter-clockwise, which is easy to do.
Many guests start at Adventureland, but I’m not crazy about that approach as I want to savor Main Street, U.S.A.
Astro Orbiter
So, what I do instead is stroll down Main Street and then veer toward Tomorrowland.
From there, I take a counter-clockwise approach by heading west toward Fantasyland, and so forth.
PeopleMover
You should do whatever works the best and makes the most sense for you. I’m just trying to save you some steps.
At this point, the park’s other must-dos are newer fare like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and the recently updated Mickey’s PhilharMagic.
Mickey’s PhilharMagic
I’d also encourage you to try Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin and Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid.
These rides serve a secondary purpose in that they’re indoors.
Photo: Disney
During spring and summer, you should aim to be inside at least half the time to avoid sunburn and heat exhaustion.
Dining at the Park
Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom
While Magic Kingdom will never be confused with EPCOT when it comes to restaurants, it’s still VERY good.
Disney has populated the park with a lovely combination of Quick Service and Table Service restaurants.
SNICKERS Popcorn Mix-Up – Kernel Kitchen
Plus, you’ll find countless kiosks along the way to keep you filled up with popcorn and Mickey Mouse Ice Cream Bars.
Don’t forget that Aloha Isle serves Dole Whips as well, which makes it one of the park’s underrated hot spots.
Key Lime Pie DOLE Whip
In terms of Quick Service, my potentially minority opinion is that most of the places are basically the same.
Typically, you’ll find me at Casey’s Corner, but that’s because I’m a diehard baseball fan.
For friends, I generally recommend Columbia Harbour House, Pinocchio’s Village Haus (for the location), and Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café.
Shameless tourists like me will also enjoy Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café, but the food is *ahem* mediocre.
Photo: junglecruise.fandom.com || Skipper Canteen
In terms of Table Service options, my list begins and ends with Be Our Guest Restaurant and Jungle Skipper Canteen Restaurant.
Other friends at this site swear by Liberty Tree Tavern, and the thrill of eating at Cinderella’s Royal Table will never go away.
Jungle Skipper Canteen – Interior
While I’m not a fan, some enjoy The Crystal Palace and Tony’s Town Square as well.
Finally, as long as you don’t mind the aggravation of strollers coming at you from all angles, Plaza Inn provides an exquisite backdrop.
Some tables overlook Cinderella Castle, while others include a view of Main Street U.S.A. You can’t go wrong with either option.
Everything Else at Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom
The most important thing to remember about a Magic Kingdom visit this year is to have a good time.
I’m not trying to be basic with that advice, but it’s true.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Oftentimes, tourists allow construction to frustrate them. Similarly, a closed ride like Big Thunder Mountain is annoying.
Well, that’s just life. Disney is constantly changing and evolving, and that’s particularly true right now…and for the next few years.
So, embrace the change and remember not to miss the forest for the trees.
Magic Kingdom provides one of the most vibrant vacation experiences in the world.
You’ll never lack for options here, and I say that as someone who has visited at least 100 times.
You should take in the shows, watch the parades, and stay for the fireworks each night.
In short, you should enjoy the park, especially some of the views from Rivers of America.
One day soon, that area will be landlocked, and you’ll be telling your grandkids that you remember when it was a river instead.
This year marks a changing of the guard at Magic Kingdom. It’s a transitional year, and you should savor every second.
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Feature Photo: Disney
