Hello Gretchen! I love that you want to maximize your time in Magic Kingdom Park! Even with the early closure for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, you and your friends are going to have a long time to have a great time!
As a first tip, if you happen to be staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, you can enter the park 30 minutes prior to opening time using the
Early Theme Park Entry benefit! For that day, you could enter the park as early as 7:30! This would get you a little bit of a jump on your Disney Day!
Whether using the Early Theme Park Entry benefit or entering at the posted opening time, you should begin your day with a plan! I recommend entering the park and heading toward Adventureland! Enjoy attractions such as Jungle Cruise and Pirates of the Caribbean! Then make your way to the Haunted Mansion in Liberty Square. Make sure your entire party is with you after this attraction! The spirits are always looking to add another happy haunt to their spooky abode.
Let’s continue your day in Fantasyland! Here you’ll find favorites such as “it’s a small world,” Peter Pan’s Flight, Mickey’s PhilharMagic, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid! This is probably a good place to stop for lunch. I recommend
Pinocchio Village Haus for a good quick service lunch!
Then make your way to Tomorrowland! Here you’ll find the fan-favorite Space Mountain! If time allows, take a spin on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin and the Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover!
Gretchen, I recommend starting your day by trying to secure a
virtual queue reservation for TRON Lightcycle / Run! You can use your My Disney Experience app to grab a spot in the virtual queue at 7:00 AM. You don’t need to be inside Magic Kingdom Park to get a virtual queue spot! If you don’t get a virtual queue spot at 7:00 AM, you can try again at 1:00 PM but you do have to be inside Magic Kingdom Park at that time to be eligible to secure a queue spot!
Also, keep in mind that you can remain in line for an attraction even if 6:00 PM arrives. As long as you're in line, you can complete the attraction! I hope this plan is helpful as you prepare for a great Disney Day at Magic Kingdom Park!
Happy Planning!
Jonathan