There are few things in life better than a day at Magic Kingdom, Marlene, and I'd be glad to help you make the most of your visit! Welcome to planDisney, where strategizing the perfect theme park day is in our DNA. I have a six year old daughter and a three year old son, so I'll share what we'd do on a day at Magic Kingdom. I've also got some tips that will help you customize an itinerary based on your family's interests. Let's go for a walk right down the middle of Main Street, U.S.A.!
Based on some of the other questions you've asked us lately, it seems like you have a good handle on Lightning Lanes and the kinds of attractions you want to experience. Since it is your first visit to Magic Kingdom, I recommend striking a balance between the newest offerings and classic Disney attractions. For my family, the day begins at Early Entry and we make a beeline for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Once we're done there we try to do some other attractions in Fantasyland like Peter Pan's Flight or "it's a small world." One experience that I highly recommend is Enchanted Tales with Belle. 8 is the perfect age to take on one of the roles in the story, and I got to be a knight when I visited!
From there you could grab lunch at Columbia Harbor House and make your way through Liberty Square. I like to pop into Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe for the sights, sounds, and smells of the holiday, then visit the ghoulish residents of the Haunted Mansion. From there, you could check out the attractions in Frontierland and Adventureland, like Tiana's Bayou Adventure, the recently refurbished Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and Pirates of the Caribbean. If you need a snack, I definitely recommend grabbing a pineapple Dole Whip from Aloha Isle and enjoying it in the air conditioned confines of Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room.
After that refreshing rest, make your way over to Tomorrowland where you can try out the new blasters at Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin or have an out of this world experience on Space Mountain. Once you've checked off your must-do attractions, take some time to just enjoy the park environs! Taking photos with my family in front of Cinderella Castle as the turn of the century music plays is pure happiness in my book.
In addition to all of these activities, there are character meet & greets, shows, parades, and additional attractions to experience! You are certain to have a magical day since there is so much to do and see, but you absolutely must end your day with fireworks. I like to stand near The Plaza Restaurant to take in a showing of Happily Ever After, but really any spot in the park is a good one.
Here are some final quick tips:
- make sure to pick up a complimentary "1st Visit" button from City Hall
- use the My Disney Experience app for tickets, a map, ordering food, or to summon the Genie to plan your itinerary
Please visit us again for more tips and suggestions! May this trip be the first of many enchanted visits to Disney World.
Stay magical,
Scott