• ✨ Join the Magic!

    Become part of the Magical Guides community! Share your Disney tips, ask questions, and connect with other fans.

    🌟 Register Now

3 Things I Wish I Knew Before Leaving Magic Kingdom

Charlie

Administrator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 13, 2024
Messages
8,604
Reaction score
36
There’s SO much to do in Disney World with SO little time to do so, which means you could be missing out on key things!


Partners Statue at Cinderella Castle


Magic Kingdom has the most attractions of any park, which also means the most wait times! And there’s so much more to the park than attractions, so what should you put on your priority list during your trip to Magic Kingdom? Here are three things I wish I had known before leaving Magic Kingdom!



Planning guide for the ultimate Disney vacation

You Can Get in Line for Rides One Minute BEFORE the Park Closes


There are A LOT of attractions at Magic Kingdom, so it’s hard to get them all done in one day, especially because there are a number of popular attractions at this park like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, TRON Lightcycle / Run, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and Haunted Mansion. At the end of the night, their wait times can be lower, but it often looks like there’s not enough time to ride them without getting cut off in line before the park closes.


TRON Lightcycle / Run


But here’s a hack you need to know — you can get in line up to ONE MINUTE before the park closes and still be able to ride! And the wait might actually be lower than posted because guests won’t be going through the Lightning Lane anymore. So, this is a great time to ride those e-ticket attractions since it will most likely be the shortest wait of the whole day.

Shopping on Main Street, U.S.A. Closes After the Park​


One of the best ways to get the most out of your day at Magic Kingdom is to save your shopping until AFTER the park is officially closed for the night! Why? Because Magic Kingdom’s biggest store stays open an hour after park closing!


Emporium in Disney World


The Emporium and other select shops on Main Street, U.S.A. tend to stay open later than the park itself! So instead of using your valuable time to do your shopping during your park day, you can save it for the end. The Emporium is the largest store in Magic Kingdom, so it’s home to almost every souvenir you can think of — apparel, pins, bags, stuffed animals, keychains, and more!

The Best Way to Deal with Fireworks & Parade Crowds at Night​


One of the hardest things to navigate at Magic Kingdom is the crowds, especially when you’re trying to exit the park after the nighttime shows. Luckily, we have some tips that can help ease the stress of fighting these crowds.


Crowds After the Fireworks!


Our first tip is to just wait it out. Admire the scenery and sounds. Do some shopping. Take some pictures. Grab a snack. Do anything other than leave! This will give it time to let other people clear out and ease your stress.


So beautiful!


And we understand you might just want to get out of there, which is why our next tip is to watch the nighttime shows by the exit, and this benefits you for TWO reasons! There are projections cast on both the castle and the buildings down Main Street, U.S.A., during the Happily Ever After Fireworks show, so if you watch toward the exit, you’ll be able to see them compared to the people who can’t if they’re closer to the castle.


Projections on Main Street, U.S.A.


Plus, you should watch the Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away Nighttime Parade near the exit because that’s where the parade starts! Not only will you be able to beat the crowds by watching near the exit, but you also won’t have to wait for it to get to you if you’re watching in other lands.


Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away


It’s a win-win!


So, the next time you visit Magic Kingdom, be sure to remember these tricks, so you can be a pro! And stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog, so you don’t miss any Disney news and updates!



Join the Magical Guides Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!​

WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.


https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Magical Guides-Guide-Covers-Fan-11-11-24-2.png​

Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!​

GET YOUR GUIDE NOW


Did we miss something you think people should know before leaving Magic Kingdom? Let us know in the comments!
 
Back
Top