Hi Megan,
While there is a lot of walking while at Magic Kingdom, there are ways to limit your movement and make the most out of the day for someone with limited mobility. This is something that my family deals with on all of our vacations and I find it takes a bit of extra planning but you can all have a great time without wearing out your family member that needs more rest.
The first thing that I recommend is purchasing
Lightning Lane Passes to limit the time you spend standing in line. While standing may not seem like a lot, it can wear someone out quickly. The Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass are truly magical tools, especially for guests with limited mobility. These passes help ensure your Disney adventure is as seamless and enjoyable as possible, allowing you to skip the standby lines and experience more attractions. I’ve used this system on all my recent trips and found it incredibly user-friendly. It also simplifies planning around advanced dining reservations and afternoon breaks for rest, and it makes your day flow effortlessly.
When planning your Lightning Lane passes, make sure that they follow a
single path on the map instead of requiring a lot of trekking back and forth across the theme park. This will eliminate a lot of extra steps and make things much easier for your group. We like to head down Main Street and take a left before the castle to experience Adventureland first in the morning, make our way around to Frontierland after that, head through Fantasyland in the afternoon, and then end our evening in Tomorrowland. That way, you get closer to the exit as the day goes on in case your family member gets tired and needs to leave early. We also do this so that one of us can run to the front and
rent a wheelchair if required! Wheelchair rentals have been a lifesaver for us some days and allowed us to keep riding for a few more hours instead of heading back to our Disney Resort hotel.
Another great way to incorporate rest into your plan is with advanced dining reservations at a table-service restaurant. This gives all the members of your party a chance to sit down and recuperate. If you prefer quick-service restaurants, then
Mobile Food and Beverage Ordering will be your new best friend. This service in the
My Disney Experience app lets you sit down, order your food, and then head up to grab it when it is ready. We use this often at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe and Pinocchio Village Haus at Magic Kingdom for snack breaks throughout the day, so we have a nice place to rest our legs.
Last but not least, don't forget that you are there for a good time and don't have to do everything at Magic Kingdom. Make a list of your must-do items and prioritize enjoying them so you don't feel like you miss out if you need to leave early.
Happy Planning,
Jenna