Here’s Your Perfect Summer Itinerary at Magic Kingdom
Okay, we’ve given you tips on how to approach every other theme park at Walt Disney World.
Now, let’s address the big one. Here’s your perfect summer itinerary at Magic Kingdom.
About Magic Kingdom
Cinderella Castle
The first thing you should know is that Magic Kingdom is undergoing transformational change.
This fact WILL impact your visit in several ways. It’ll even divide the advice about to give into two segments.
Photo: Disney
If you’re visiting on or before July 6th, you should prioritize two attractions. They are Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat.
Disney will pave over the Rivers of America later this year, with those attractions closing permanently soon after the July 4th holiday.
So, it’s literally now or never to experience these iconic parts of Magic Kingdom. Afterward, you should expect construction walls throughout this area.
In addition, Magic Kingdom recently switched two of its newest attractions to a standby queue.
Before then, the only way to access this was via a digital queue. Obviously, this change has impacted crowd behavior.
I say this because the attractions in question are Tron Lightcycle / Run and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure…and yeah, they are VERY popular.
TRON Lightcycle / Run
Thus, you’ll notice more people hanging out in these areas than you would have just six months ago.
In short, Magic Kingdom is a work in progress right now, and while you’ll still have the time of your life, a visit will be different this summer.
Clockwise or Counterclockwise
Main Street, U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom
At the start of your visit, you can take any number of approaches, but I want to simplify it in case you don’t go to Disney often.
Your natural instinct will be to head to the castle and take all kinds of pictures. I absolutely will NOT talk you out of that approach.
Main Street, U.S.A.
Honestly, the way that Magic Kingdom is designed, you pretty much have to do that anyway.
You’ll enter the park on Main Street, U.S.A., and you should explore the area to your heart’s desire. It’s so wholesome and pure.
Main Street Station at Magic Kingdom
Once you’ve done all you want to do on Main Street, you should either go left or right.
Obviously, straight is an option as well, but I’ll try to reduce all potential backtracking with this itinerary. Excessive walking can add vacation stress.
Personally, I’d suggest that you go right, which will take you to Tomorrowland. You can start with one of several attractions.
Tron Lightcycle / Run is the obvious choice, and it’ll take about an hour. If you arrive at Rope Drop, you can shave this at half, though.
The other attractions to target here are Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, and the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover.
Space Ranger Spin will close for a major overhaul in August. So, it’s in the same boat as Tom Sawyer Island in that this version won’t be here much longer.
Photo: Disney
This brings us to a harsh truth about Magic Kingdom. You will NOT get to do everything you want in a single day here.
So, you must make a few choices about must-do attractions versus “if I have time…” options.
For me, Space Mountain goes in the latter category. I know that’s blasphemous to say out loud.
Disney also just rebuilt Astro Orbiter if you’re interested.
To Fantasyland!
Credit: Disney
Part of the reason why I feel this is that Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (SDMT) is objectively a better ride.
In combination with Tron, there are two superior coasters, both of which will require hour-long waits.
Credit: Disney
Since Space Mountain typically takes 45 minutes or more, you’re spending a lot of your day standing in line for the same kind of attraction.
Absolutely do that if it makes you happy. I simply want you to understand the opportunity cost. You must cross some other attractions off your list.
Anyway, SWMT is a must, and I’d encourage you to try a happy little ride named The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh while you’re here.
Parents traveling with small children should also check out Storybook Circus, which includes Dumbo the Flying Elephant and the Barnstormer.
Photo: Disney
Everyone else should gravitate toward other attractions to maximize your time.
It’s a Small World and Peter Pan’s Flight are likely ones you’ve done countless times. So, it’s your call whether to do them again today.
While you’re in this area, I would suggest that you eat at Pinocchio’s Village Haus, though.
In my experience, this restaurant has proven to be an excellent compromise choice for lunch since most people like pizza and chicken tenders.
Whether you choose to eat or not impacts my advice for Mad Tea Party. It’s a timeless classic with a short line.
However, you should never ever NEVER do this one on a full stomach. An empty stomach isn’t much better, either.
Photo: Disney
While you’re in the area, I would also recommend Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid, a straightforward but charming dark ride.
Finally, if you have the time, Mickey’s PhilharMagic is a real crowd pleaser.
Westward Ho!
Now, we’ve entered the “classics” portion of your visit, save for one* glaring exception.
As you circle around Fantasyland and exit south, you’ll come across my wife’s favorite ride. You should always take time for Haunted Mansion.
She’d kill me if I didn’t say that. This path works well for planning the rest of your visit, though.
Follow the path, and you’ll reach Frontierland, home to a pair of recently redesigned attractions.
Country Bear Musical Jamboree
I don’t consider Country Bear Musical Jamboree new per se, inasmuch as a new show with the same vibe.
If you haven’t watched it yet, I can assure you that this one is MUCH better. Once it’s done, head straight to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
The Splash Mountain replacement redefines genteel, and it’s one of my current faves.
Alas, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad won’t return until next year. So, you’re done here, and the next destination is Adventureland.
Photo: Disney
Depending on the time, you should consider dinner at Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen while you’re here.
The international flavors on this menu really pop and will cause you to forget you’re at a theme park.
Pirates of the Caribbean
While you’re in this area, the primary targets are the iconic rides, Jungle Cruise and Pirates of the Caribbean.
You can ride The Magic Carpets of Aladdin as well if that interests you, but I consider it low priority.
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
At this point, you’ve hit the highlight of Magic Kingdom, save for (potentially) one new thing arriving on July 20th.
If you’re at the park around then, you’ll want to experience the new nighttime parade at Magic Kingdom.
Photo: Disney World
Then, you can close the night with a showing of Happily Ever After. It’ll be magical.
Other Thoughts about Magic Kingdom
Galactic Blast – Cool Kid Summer
I haven’t mentioned Cool Kid Summer yet, but you should know that Magic Kingdom will host multiple dance parties and various character greetings.
If any of these options will make your family happy, do them! The reality is that Magic Kingdom park visits are open-ended.
Since you cannot possibly do everything you want, this knowledge strangely reduces the pressure, liberating you to just have fun.
I’ll add the caveat that while Lightning Lane Multi Pass costs the most at Magic Kingdom, it also provides the most value.
Disney
If you’re willing to splurge on this product, you’ll get to do exponentially more during your visit.
There is always something good available via Lightning Lane, providing more immediacy to your trip.
What do you think about this perfect summer itinerary at Magic Kingdom? Let us know in the comments!
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Feature Photo: Disney
