We made a quick trip down to St. Pete earlier this year. Disney wasn’t on the itinerary.
While planning the trip, I got on the My Disney Experience app and started tracking wait times, flirting with grabbing an extra day to get a quick Walt Disney fix.
I wanted just enough to hit some popular attractions and hold us over until next time.
Ultimately, I couldn’t work it out. But anytime we get close to Orlando, I will see what we can do.
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Is Magic Kingdom worth it for one day?
In the past, I’ve gone to the Magic Kingdom for just half a day, so absolutely, it’s worth it for a single day. At least, I think it is financially.
But it also depends. Would I drive 10 hours to Orlando for one day in the park? Maybe not. However, we’ve done a single park day while on our way to someplace else before and it was great.
So, I think it’s worth it for a single day.
How much time do you need in Magic Kingdom?
I think two days is ideal. There is a lot for guests to pack into a single day.
My ideal Disney vacation itinerary is at least five park days. I like to have two for the Magic Kingdom and one each for the other three parks. When doing six or seven days, I usually add a second Hollywood Studios day.
I have done three Magic Kingdom days and one each in EPCOT and Animal Kingdom, but that was prior to the major popular ride additions to those two parks.
I think Magic Kingdom remains the original and best of the Walt Disney World Resorts.
Read Also: 15 Best Magic Kingdom Snacks: What You Should Try, Ranked
What should you not miss in Magic Kingdom?
There are a lot of things to do in the Magic Kingdom. For organizational purposes, we’re gonna break it down by section of the park. I’ll rank the top “can’t miss” experiences and identify something you can skip.
Editor’s Note: We’ve also made a printable version of this list available here.
Tomorrowland
1. PeopleMover
Rating: Must do
There’s not a lot to this ride. It takes you up and around the park.
But it’s relaxing, has great views and offers a good chance to rest and soak up some ambiance. Also, it usually has short wait times.
2. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Rating: Must do
This omnimover dark ride allows you to hit various targets as you go. It’s a simple, fun ride.
3. Space Mountain
Rating: Must do
Space Mountain is among the most iconic roller coasters in the world. It’s also a good candidate for the Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane.
But for full disclosure, this is not my favorite ride. I skip it now. But if you’ve never ridden it, you should do it at least once.
4. TRON Lightcycle Run
Rating: Must do
This coaster is worth the Individual Lightning Lane. It’s also available via a Virtual Queue. You will need one or the other to ride it at the time of this writing, and be sure to book your spot as early as possible.
The semi-enclosed launch steel motorbike roller coaster is one of the best thrill rides in the park.
Read Also: TRON Magic Kingdom: What I Wish I Knew Before I Rode [2023]
5. Monsters, Inc Laugh Floor
Rating: Skippable
This isn’t a bad show. If you have a couple of days in the park, it can be worth your time. Otherwise, you’ve got too many other important things to do.
6. Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
Rating: Skippable
This experience might be a classic for some. But I’d rather ride the PeopleMover again, instead.
Fantasyland
7. Mad Tea Party
Rating: Must do
This ride has short wait times. It’s a basic flat ride, but an iconic Disney classic with short wait times.
8. Peter Pan’s Flight
Rating: Must do
This is another one of the real Disney classics.
Usually, the wait times are awful. It’s a great candidate for Lightning Lane, but you will miss the interactive queue. It’s nice, but not worth the extra hour of waiting.
9. Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Rating: Must do
On this slow ride, you get to visit the Hundred Acre Wood with Pooh and friends.
10. Journey of the Little Mermaid and Ariel’s Grotto
Rating: Must do
This is a great ride to hit in the morning with very low wait times and an efficient queue. Afterward, walk over to the Grotto to meet the princess herself.
This is not a candidate for Lightning Lane, so use your precious lanes someplace else.
11. It’s a Small World
Rating: Must do
The iconic ride of rides. For some, it’s a grating earworm and I get it. But like Space Mountain, this MUST be done at least once.
12. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Rating: Skippable
This may be controversial.
There was a lot of hope for this ride when it was announced, and there are parts to like.
But the combination of lengthy wait times and an uncomfortable ride vehicle move this to the skippable pile for me. If you must, try to get the Lightning Lane.
13. Mickey’s Philharmagic
Rating: Skippable
Are you amazed by 3D technology? If not, skip it. It is a nice place to get some air conditioning and a comfortable seat if you need a rest.
Storybook Circus
This area is technically part of Fantasyland, but the Storybook Circus deserves its own entry.
14. Pete’s Silly Sideshow
Rating: Must do
This is a great place to meet Disney icons Donald, Daisy, Goofy and Minnie.
15. Goofy Barnstormer
Rating: Must do
Barnstormer is a surprisingly entertaining kids’ coaster.
16. Dumbo Flying Elephant
Rating: Must do
This refurbished classic has an excellent ride queue with a play area to help keep kids entertained.
Adventureland
17. Jungle Cruise
Rating: Must do
Jungle Cruise has a massively long wait and the cruise captains tell dad jokes.
This is a skip for me on most days, but if you’ve never ridden, you should.
18. Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
Rating: Must do
Animatronic birds telling dad jokes and singing? I’m in.
19. Pirates of the Caribbean
Rating: Must do
Adventure is out there. This ride is an absolute must. It’s stepping back into vacation history. Plus, it offers good air conditioning.
20. Dole Whip at Aloha Isle
Rating: Must do
It’s dessert heaven. Dole Whip is a moral imperative. The hamburger spring rolls in the cart at the entrance to Adventureland also earn an honorable mention.
21. Swiss Family Treehouse
Rating: Skippable
I grew up watching the Disney live-action classics like “Swiss Family Robinson” and have shared the movie with each of my kids as they’ve grown up.
But unless your family is familiar with the movie, I have no reason why you’d want to climb this treehouse to see vignettes of the film.
Still, it’s important to me personally so I hope Disney keeps it. But man, I can’t imagine it having much pull a decade or so from now.
22. Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Rating: Skippable
I like this ride. We ride it every trip, often multiple times. But it’s the same as Dumbo, or the TriceraTop Spin in Animal Kingdom or many other similar rides in theme parks across the country.
The queue is squeezed in and uncomfortable. Unless you have a favorable wait time, I say skip it.
Liberty SquareÂ
23. Lobster rolls from Columbia Harbor House
Rating: Must do
My wife and I wanted lobster rolls. The kids wanted pizza and nuggets. We got the lobster rolls to go and let the kids order from Pinocchio’s at Fantasyland.
While I sat outside waiting for them, holding the rolls, I had at least four people come up and ask where we’d got them. I was the most popular non-princess in Disney.
24. Liberty Tree Tavern
Rating: Must do
We spent years walking past this stately colonial-style inn serving traditional New England-inspired fare before we finally tried it. We immediately regretted not doing it sooner.
They offer roasted turkey, pot roast and over-roasted pork. It is all you care to eat, so maybe factor in the day’s heat and give yourself a little time to digest.
25. Haunted Mansion
Rating: Must do
This is not the scariest of rides, but it can freak out the youngsters.
I marvel at the achievements of the Imagineers who designed this ride – which is still great – without the technological wonders of today.
26. Liberty Square Riverboat
Rating: Skippable
Can I make a confession? My wife and kids have never been on the riverboat. I rode it as a kid.
We didn’t work it in on our first trip with our oldest. We just never got to it.
Every Disney vacation since we’ve said we MUST ride the riverboat this time and yet here we are. It inevitably gets skipped for us.
27. The Hall of Presidents
Rating: Skippable
This experience features awkward animatronics lecturing about patriotism.
I can live with it. But these days, you run the risk of someone in the crowd who wants to make a political statement. No, thank you.
Frontierland
28. Country Bear Jamboree
Rating: Must do
This experience has incredibly cheesy animatronic bears playing Southern stereotypes and old country music.
I considered putting this in the skip category, due to my complicated relationship with the attraction.
Read Also: 22 Best Magic Kingdom Rides for Toddlers, Ranked
29. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Rating: Must do
With Splash Mountain undergoing renovations to become Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, this train roller coaster is the top dog in Frontierland.
30. Tom Sawyer Island
Rating: Skippable
Visitors board a log raft and take a self-guided tour of the island inspired by stories from Mark Twain.
The kids have enjoyed playing around on the island when we’ve gone, but I just think there are better experiences out there.
Main Street
31. Festival of Fantasy Parade
Rating: Must do
Some of our most lasting Disney memories have been built watching our little ones have their minds blown by the A-list characters marching, dancing and waving just feet away.
Disney does parades exceptionally well.
32. Casey’s Corner
Rating: Must do
I’m a baseball guy. I memorized “Casey at the Bat” when I was in second grade, and I love good hot dogs. This is a Gullion family tradition that I want to share with all my friends.
33. Meet Mickey Mouse
Rating: Must do
A big part of planning your day at Disney is when you get to meet the mouse.
Maybe you’ve planned some character dining, but if not, get to the Town Square Theater. Keep an eye on wait times. Usually, you can catch some good opportunities throughout the day.
34. Fireworks at Cinderella’s Castle
Rating: Must do
Disney has built a must-see fireworks experience into the end of its park day. It’s touching, emotional and amazing. If we were ranking all the musts, this would be the top one.
35. City Hall, Chamber of Commerce and the Engine Company
Rating: Skippable
I don’t really want to go to those places when I’m home. I’m not sure why anyone would want to spend Disney time visiting City Hall.
36. Dine at the Cinderella Castle
Rating: Must do
Get dining reservations to meet the princesses inside the castle. It’s the best character dining experience in the Walt Disney World Resort.
What is a must-do for you at the Magic Kingdom? Let us know in the comments!
