On the Friday before Memorial Day, my boyfriend and I made the spontaneous decision to spend a day at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. So Sunday morning, my boyfriend and I hopped in the car at 6 a.m. and began the two and a half hour drive.
It was a magical day and I was certainly the happiest girl at the happiest place on Earth. I had less than two days to plan the most wonderful day, and there are a few things I'm glad I knew and some that I wish I knew before.
Here are some tips to help you have the perfect day at Disney's Magic Kingdom.
1. Bring a portable charger.
You're going to need this. If you love to take pictures and videos of the park as I do, a portable charger is key. A regular charger won't do, there aren't any available outlets. I HIGHLY recommend bringing a fully charged portable charger.
2. Comfort over style.
Yes, I know, you want to look cute for your future Instagram posts. Me, too. Just don't forget to make sure your cute outfit is also comfortable because you are going to be walking around and going up and down on rides in it for HOURS.
3. Prepare for the weather.
It's Florida — you never know what'll happen with the weather. You're going to have to prepare for it to be 60 degrees and rainy, or 100 degrees and blistering sun. Bring layers and make sure your clothes and shoes are waterproof, just in case.
4. Have your photoshoots early.
If you love to have your photo taken in front of the castle or with a bouquet of balloons like me, make sure that you have your photoshoots done before you are soaked from Splash Mountain, rain, or sweat. You'll be a lot happier if you get the perfect photo earlier rather than having a not-so-perfect photo later.
5. Pack snacks with you.
The food at Magic Kingdom isn't terrible, but it's certainly not for everyone. And if you get hungry often, bring food with you. It's CRAZY expensive, even a bottle of water can be $5. You can bring in as many snacks as you can fit in your bag, so go for it. Also, no gum is sold in the park so make sure to pack your own!
6. Don't forget to bring a reasonably sized bag.
This is crucial. As you're on your fourth mile around the park, you're not going to want to have to tote around your keys, wallet, phone, souvenirs, etc. in your pockets. Having a bag that is both comfortable and the right size is perfect. I found a cute little leather backpack from Target that was both fashionable and useful. It was small, but it surprisingly fit everything I needed and more.
7. Bring and wear sunscreen.
There is very limited shade at the park, even in the rides. You're going to find yourself standing directly under the sun for the majority of your time at Magic Kingdom, so make sure you are well-covered in sunscreen and that you bring some with you to reapply.
8. Make sure to use FastPass+ or plan to wait awhile.
The waits for every attraction are atrocious. Luckily, with the purchase of your tickets, you can reserve times for certain rides up to thirty days in advance. When you're at Magic Kingdom, you'll be able to know exactly which time to go to some of your favorite rides and avoid the one to two-hour waits. I would recommend doing them prior to the day of, as you will have more time options and more rides will be available!
9. Plan your arrival accordingly.
I went on a Sunday and the park opened at 9 a.m. We arrived at the main transportation entrance around 8:35 a.m., but with parking, ticketing, and riding the monorail to the park, we didn't get to the park's main entrance until 9:35 a.m. I had planned to be there right at 9 a.m. and I clearly miscalculated. Make sure you plan for parking and such to take around an hour!
10. Prepare to spend money - and lots of it.
It's no surprise that anything at Disney World is expensive. The tickets can be over $150 each, a meal for one can be over $30, and a simple pin souvenir can be $20. It's going to be a very pricey day, but it'll all be worth it in the end. Just remember, a trip to Disney isn't anything relatively similar to a trip to the Dollar Store.
11. Get the Disney World app.
The app clearly shows wait times, locations and distances to each attraction, location of characters, food and restaurants, gift shops and stores. You can keep track of your tickets and schedule a FastPass+, as well as order food online. It's a lifesaver when at the park!
12. Remember, your day at Magic Kingdom will be whatever you make of it.
I intended to have the day perfectly planned out. I even made a spreadsheet the day before with the order, location, average wait time, and duration of each ride planned out. But, when we arrived, I knew the spreadsheet was not needed. It's a lot more fun to be spontaneous and enjoy the moments while you're in them. If it's cold and rainy, or hot and scorching, don't let it get you down. If you're adequately prepared, it can still be a great day! Make the best of your time at the happiest place on Earth and hold on to those lifelong memories.
