It’s really hard to do everything in Disney, and sometimes that tight schedule means you only have half a day in a park. It is possible to see and do everything that you want to do in a short amount of time – it just requires a little bit of extra planning. I’m sharing with you some of my best tips on how to do Magic Kingdom in half a day with kids!
Get there Super Early
Did you know that all of the parks at Disney World open about 30 minutes before its scheduled time? The exact amount of time varies, but this helps the park avoid congestion as people enter the park. Because of this, I recommend arriving at Magic Kingdom super early, about 45 minutes to an hour before the published opening time. This will give you plenty of time to park and get from the Transportation and Ticket Center to Magic Kingdom, and hopefully catch that early opening time too.
Pay for VIP Parking
If you’re staying off-site, I recommend paying for VIP parking, which will help you get even more of a head start. It certainly can be a premium charge (about $45 to $50 per day), but at a park like Magic Kingdom, it will help you save major time. The arrival experience at Magic Kingdom is usually the longest, and the preferred parking puts you just a few steps from the Transportation and Ticket Center.
Pack Snacks and Drinks
If you want to save a little extra time throughout the day, pack all of your snacks and drinks. Not only does this save you a ton of money, but it also saves time from having to locate, pay for, and pick up food. Bring along easy stuff like granola bars, pretzels, peanut butter and jelly, crackers, juice boxes – whatever your kids can eat on the go! You can even munch on things while you’re waiting in line, which is another timesaver.
Make a “Must Do” Ride List
Make a list of five rides that you MUST do, and make sure to get on those rides! Is your kid really into a specific movie or character? Make those particular rides a priority and do them first thing in the morning. This way the lines will be shorter and you’ll be less stressed knowing you accomplished what you really wanted to. If you have time for more rides after that, then it’s a bonus!
Rent a Stroller
The average person walks approximately 10 miles a day at Disney World! That’s a lot of walking, especially for kids. I recommend renting a stroller, which costs about $15-$30 a day, depending on if you need a single or double stroller. No more chasing the kids! You’ll be able to strap your kids in and zoom around the park way faster. This will also save you lots of time on lugging your personal stroller in and out of the car, or the dreaded stroller-on-the-bus situation. Just leave the stroller at the park and go when you’re ready!
It may sound impossible, but you can have an enjoyable day and do it all at Magic Kingdom in half a day with kids. It just requires a little bit of extra planning and an early start. Every minute is precious and these tips will help you save time here and there!