During our trip to Orlando in fall 2024, our family took an impromptu day at Disney’s Magic Kingdom with our 3 littles (5, 3, and 1). It was absolutely magical, but we definitely made a few errors. In the grand scheme, it wasn’t a huge deal, but when you are spending that much money and putting in that effort, it can be helpful to be better prepared.
Based on our lessons learned from a day at Magic Kingdom with littles, here’s a guide to help you make the most of your day:
1. Arrive Early
Arrive before the Magic Kingdom park opens so you can get a head start before it gets too crowded. This gives you a chance to hit popular attractions before the lines build up.
You’ll also want to make sure you have all the essentials packed: snacks, sunscreen, a change of clothes, and any special comfort items (blankets, stuffed animals, etc.).
Pre-purchase ears and costumes: I was glad that I had purchased their Mickey/Minnie ears prior to our visit to Disney because it was a fraction of the cost. I wish I had dressed my kids in their favorite costumes, because they have much more affordable options that what we saw at the stores at Disney + when else do they get to dress up?
2. Utilize My Disney Experience App to Prioritize Kid-Friendly Attractions
The Magic Kingdom is loaded with rides and shows that are perfect for little ones. You can use the My Disney Experience app to put in your criteria for the rides to explore. Make sure to download this in advance, and based on your preferences, book or map out the restaurants you want to eat at based on your children’s mealtimes and plan your ride/character priorities. For example, our priority was all the rides for little kids and meeting Pooh bear characters.
Here are some of the best options:
Little Kid Rides:
Dumbo the Flying Elephant: A classic, gentle ride that kids will love.
It’s a Small World: Slow-moving boat ride with colorful scenes and catchy music. Great for kids to relax and enjoy.
Peter Pan’s Flight: A sweet ride through the story of Peter Pan, suitable for all ages.
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh: Another great option for toddlers and preschoolers.
Mad Tea Party: Spinning tea cups might be fun for some, though it’s good to know it can get a bit dizzying!
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel: A simple carousel ride that’s perfect for young kids.
Character Meet and Greets:
Keep track of the character meet and greets based on the My Disney Epxeirience app. Meeting characters like Mickey, Minnie, and the princesses is a big part of the Magic Kingdom experience. Check the schedule for character appearances and try to fit in a meet-and-greet.
Take Advantage of Parades and Shows:
Festival of Fantasy Parade: If you’re looking for a break from walking around Magic Kingdom, watch one of the parades. The characters, floats, and music will captivate the little ones.
Mickey’s PhilharMagic: A fun 3D movie with music and Disney characters. This is a great indoor activity to cool off and relax.
3. Utilize Rider Switch
Magic Kingdom has a variety of rides, some tailored for younger kids, and some tailored for older. If you have older kids or adults who want to experience a ride that your little ones can’t (due to height requirements), take advantage of Disney’s Rider Switch program. One adult can wait with the younger child, and when the other returns from the ride, they can switch without waiting in line again.
My husband and I would sometimes divide and conquer instead, and take the kids on the individual rides or experiences they wanted. For example, if our 5-year-old wanted to do a ride that our 3-year-old didn’t, I would take the younger one for a snack or browse around some characters.
4. Use Disney Genie+
If you can budget it in, consider purchasing Disney Genie+ for quicker access to popular attractions. Genie+ lets you skip the regular standby lines on select rides, which can save time. However, some rides still have standby lines, so it’s essential to plan accordingly. After already purchasing (what I consider expensive tickets to enter the park), we did not invest in this pass. But I regret this. With little kids, waiting in the long lines can take a toll and it would probably have been worth the splurge to pay for the express pass so that we could maximise time and do more during our one day there!
5. Time Your Meals, Plan Breaks, and Stay Flexible.
Meals and snacks: Make sure to hydrate and have some snacks on hand. There are plenty of quick-service places for meals, but having some backup snacks in your bag can save you some hassle. I wish I had planned ahead, and brought them subs for their meals, along with their snacks that I usually carry around. They will get hungry throughout the day, and the lines at the snack places (and the high cost) are not appealing! Lunch or dinner at peak hours can be crowded, so try to eat during less busy times (like 11:00 AM or after 2:00 PM) to avoid long lines and waits.
App: You can also use the Mobile Ordering feature on the My Disney Experience app to save time.
Little ones get tired and overstimulated, so be sure to build in some downtime:
Resting areas: The Magic Kingdom has quiet spots (like near the entrance or in shaded areas) where you can sit and let the kids relax for a bit.
Stroller: Magic Kingdom if big! Bring a stroller if you’re not renting one at the park. This will be crucial for when they get tired of walking. Stroller parking is available near most attractions, but keep an eye on your stroller. However, don’t make our error. Because we took our stroller with us for our 1-year-old, we forgot to take the baby carrier. However, we forgot that when you line up for the rides, you have to stow away your stroller – which means you have to hold the baby the entirety of the line. My little chunkster starts to get heavy after a bit, and also fidgety, so a carrier would have been helpful!
Young kids can have unpredictable moods and energy levels. It’s important to be flexible. If the kids are getting overwhelmed, take a break. If they’re in the mood for a snack or a quiet moment, embrace it. You won’t be able to do everything, and that’s okay!
Sample Itinerary for 1 Day at Magic Kingdom:
Here is a sample itinerary for spending 1 day at Magic Kingdom with three littles.
8:00 AM: Arrive at the park, head straight to Fantasyland for rides like Dumbo and Winnie the Pooh.
9:30 AM: Visit Peter Pan’s Flight and It’s a Small World.
11:00 AM: Break for a snack, watch the Festival of Fantasy Parade or grab a seat for the Mickey’s PhilharMagic show.
12:30 PM: Lunch at one of the quick-service restaurants.
1:30 PM: Relax and take photos with characters.
2:30 PM: Head to Tomorrowland for rides like The PeopleMover or Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin.
3:30 PM: Take a break, hydrate, and find some shaded areas or sit down in one of the quieter spaces.
4:00 PM: If the kids still have energy, revisit any of their favorite rides, or see a second parade.
5:00 PM: Early dinner or snack before leaving, depending on the time.
By focusing on fun, shorter experiences and building in plenty of breaks, you can make sure the day feels magical for both you and the little ones. Have a great time! Need a place to stay during your visit in Orlando? Check out my review here on staying at the Evermore Resort, only a 15 minute drive to Magic Kingdom!
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