A great big beautiful welcome to you, Stephanie! Thanks for stopping by planDisney as you prepare for your
first Walt Disney World Resort adventure. I'll be honored to help plan your day at
Magic Kingdom Park, so pull down that lap bar and hang on!
You've chosen the most iconic park to spend your day, so you really can't go wrong with any itinerary. My very first tip is to remember that you don't have to do it all. When my family first visited the theme parks, we had a must-do list that took us all day and a gazillion steps to accomplish. Oh, it was fun, but we were so exhausted that we weren't sure we'd go back!
I recommend following the 3-2-1 rule. As a family, select the top 3 attractions you'd like to ride, choose 2 entertainment experiences like parades or fireworks, and 1 dining location to enjoy. You should be able to accomplish that list, and then anything else is like icing on Sleeping Beauty's cake.
One way to get in as many rides as you can is to purchase
Lightning Lane passes for Magic Kingdom. You'll
purchase and select return times for 3 rides in advance, which helps you plan your day a little more easily.
As for entertainment, it sounds like
Happily Ever After is your top choice. The
park calendar lists a 10 PM showtime during your visit, but I recommend arriving at least an hour early to claim a spot near Cinderella Castle. Grab a snack and enjoy some people-watching while you wait!
Dining is probably my favorite Disney activity...just ask my husband! Since your visit is coming up soon, you might consider quick-service meals.
Columbia Harbour House has a delicious Lobster Roll and several options for kiddos. And for a sweet treat, the Warm Cinnamon Roll at
Gaston's Tavern is big enough to share.
Stephanie, I think the key to a successful Disney Day is to make memories with your family. Take lots of photos and soak in that pixie dust. Once you've experienced the magic, I bet you'll be back! My family tries something new every visit, so it's fun to save things for next time.
Stop by
planDisney again sometime. Now that you've found us, we're pals for life!
Magic awaits,
Elaine