This post was actually a request, and has been in my long list of posts for a while, but I’m happy to finally be getting to it! So what do you do if you only have one day in Disney World? Which park? Well, I can’t tell you exactly what to do, but I can tell you what my ideal day looks like, and tips for making the most out of a single day in WDW.
First of all, go to Magic Kingdom. It’s the epitome of Walt Disney World, and it really isn’t a trip to Walt Disney World without seeing that beautiful castle. My first suggestion? Get there early! And by early, I mean before park opening! If you are only able to go for one day, chances are you are not going to be staying at a Disney Resort hotel. If you aren’t staying at a Disney Resort you can still book Fastpass+ in advance, 30 days before you visit to be exact. If this trip is a last minute thing and you didn’t book in advance, don’t worry! You can still take advantage of Fastpass+ by using the in park kiosks, which is important. Also, I suggest doing some research before you go. Get to know the attractions and shows, the things that you know you would want to do. This will help you prioritize when you get to the park, because there is no way you can do everything in one day.
This is where it gets hard. If you’ve never been to WDW before, you are probably not going to want to run around and ride everything, you are going to want to enjoy yourself! Because you are at Magic Kingdom at park opening, wait times are going to be very low. I would suggest riding all of the attraction that appeal to you “thrill wise” (that could be Space Mountain, Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad) and Seven Dwarf Mine Train if it looks like something you might enjoy. If you have booked your Fatpass+, you just have to show up to that ride during the times you booked, and head to the Fastpass+ line. If you did not book your trip in advance and therefore do not have any Fastpass+, find a Fastpass+ kiosk. Select 3 Fastpasses for the day, any attractions that appeal to you. Keep in mind the early afternoon is when parks are busiest, so you may want to have a Fastpass for this time, so you won’t be waiting in line forever. It’s hard to say exactly what to do in which order, but taking advantage of Fastpass+ is a must do.
If you are looking for an exact plan of what to follow, I suggest checking out the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World (click the picture below to check it out). They have plans that will tell you exactly which ride to do in which order to avoid high wait times. Being prepared is the most important piece of advice I can give you. It will help to avoid disappointment, and you can try to prioritize when you get into the park. Because it is very hard to write a plan that will appeal to everyone, I thought I would write what an ideal day in Magic Kingdom would include for me.
My ideal day at Magic Kingdom includes:
- Seeing the Welcome Show (which means being there before park opening)
- Seven Dwarf Mine Train
- Festival of Fantasy Parade
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Jungle Cruise
- Haunted Mansion
- Under the Sea: Journey of The Little Mermaid
- Splash Mountain
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Space Mountain
- Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover
- Carousel of Progress
- “It’s A Small World” (only if it has a short wait)
- Wishes!
My ideal day would include Extra Magic Hours at the end of the day, so I can hit some other attractions I enjoy but don’t want to wait in a really long line for (I’m looking at your Peter Pan’s Flight!). It would also include enjoying a Citrus Swirl, and eating at Be Our Guest Restaurant (if I could have anything I wanted), and would probably include lunch at Columbia Harbour House.
A day in the Magic Kingdom has to end with Wishes! You’ll appreciate staying until the end, I promise! Also, even if the park closes when Wishes starts, you can stay in the park. This is when I like to take pictures and just take in the ambience. It also makes waiting in line for transportation smaller! If you stay for 30 minutes after the park closes, keep an eye out for The Kiss Goodnight. It’s awesome.
Sidenote: If you have rented a car and driving, to visit the Magic Kingdom you have to park at the Ticket and Transportation Centre (TTC), and take either the Monorail or Boat to the entrance.
Well, as you can see, there is a lot to do at Magic Kingdom, so it’s hard to give you a formula equal a great day. If you are looking for ideas of attractions you might like, check out the Not to Miss series I posted over the last few months. I hope this post helps you if you are spending a single day in Disney, or even just a single day in Magic Kingdom!
What does your ideal day in Magic Kingdom look like? Let me know in the comments!
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Thank you so much for reading!
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