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Complete Guide to Magic Kingdom at Disney World

HomeDisney World ParksMagic Kingdom

Published: October 24, 2018 Updated: September 22, 2021

Complete Guide to Magic Kingdom at Disney World

HomeDisney World ParksMagic Kingdom
Complete Guide to Magic Kingdom at Disney World

Magic Kingdom is probably the park most people think of when they hear the phrase “I’m going to Disney World.” It’s the park where you can dine inside of Cinderella Castle, take a ride on Dumbo, and rocket through the universe on Space Mountain.

Expectations for the overall experience are probably highest here and it’s the busiest park, so it is important you head into your visit at Magic Kingdom being as prepared as possible.

Check out these resources to help you maximize your time (and money) during your trip…

How many days should I visit Magic Kingdom?

For most trips there simply aren’t enough days to see and do everything at Disney World, so deciding how to divide your time is an important step in planning your stay.

The table below has suggestions for the number of days you should plan to spend at each park, but depending on your family’s tastes and interests you may want to adjust how you allocate your time.

Suggested number of days in each park

wdt_ID TRIP LENGTH (DAYS) MK EP HS AK WATER PARK OTHER THINGS
1 3 1 1 1 HS or 1 AK 0
2 4 1 1 1 1 0
3 5 2 1 1 1 0
4 6 2 1 1 1 1
5 7 2 2 1 1 1
6 8 2 2 1 1 1 1
7 9 2 2 1 1 1 2
8 10 2 2 1 1 1 3

Magic Kingdom map

Magic Kingdom is home to 6 distinct areas or “lands”:

  • Main Street U.S.A.
  • Adventureland
  • Frontierland
  • Liberty Square
  • Fantasyland
  • Tomorrowland

Want a map you can download? Get Magic Kingdom maps before your trip.

Parking at Magic Kingdom

Parking at Magic Kingdom is a little bit different than parking at the other 3 main parks.

When driving to Magic Kingdom, guests park about a mile away at the Transportation and Ticket Center. From there, guests have the option of taking either the ferry or monorail over to the front gates of Magic Kingdom. Because of this extra step, you should plan to budget at least 30 extra minutes for your travel time if you plan to drive.

Like the other 3 parks, the parking lots at the Transportation and Ticket Center are staffed with an abundance of Cast Members that will help direct you to your spot. If you park too far away from the front gate to walk, there will be handy trams to shuttle you back and forth from the end of your row to near the front gates.

How much does parking at Magic Kingdom cost?

  • Free for Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests
  • Offsite guests $25/day
  • Passholders – Free with Passholder card and photo ID
  • Preferred Parking – $45-50/day

Want more tips on driving? Check out our post on using a car at Disney World.

What should I bring with me to Magic Kingdom?

Since Disney allows you to keep your bag with you on every attraction, many people find it handy to carry a bag or backpack with them into the parks.

What you pack in your backpack will vary on your age and who you are traveling with but to help you decide what you might want to bring we have an entire post dedicated to Disney World park bags.

Here are some other common questions on what to bring with you:

Can I bring food with me?

Yes! You can bring your own food items with you. The only restrictions are no glass containers (baby food is an exception) and no alcohol. Also, for the safety of the animals, no straws are allowed at Animal Kingdom.

Can I bring a cooler?

Yes, small coolers are allowed; however, the total size can’t exceed 24″ by 15″ by 18″. We recommend bringing a cooler small enough to fit into a locker or in the bottom of a stroller (note: as of 5/1/19, loose ice and dry ice are not allowed in the parks, so you will need to use an ice pack or something similar if you plan to bring cooled items).

Are wagons allowed?

Items that can be pulled behind you are not allowed at Disney World, and that includes wagons.

Can I bring my selfie stick?

Sorry, but no. Selfie sticks are banned at all Disney World parks, including Magic Kingdom.

Can I bring my tripod so I can take pictures?

Tripods (and monopods) that are small enough to fit in a backpack are allowed.

I heard the lines are long. Can I bring a folding chair with me to sit in while I wait?

Folding chairs are not allowed, and we’d never want you standing in a line long enough that you’d need one! Make sure you read the touring plan information below so that you avoid standing in long lines.

Additional helpful resources

Did we leave anything out? Let us know your questions in the comments below.

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