Almost every second person in this world has grown up listening to stories of Disney and how it sets the standards for all theme parks in the world. The Disney World is another name for the Walt Disney World Resort. This entertainment and theme park is one of the largest all over the world. Starting from theme parks, the Walt Disney World owns the water parks, hotels, transport, and other attractions such as ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and Disney Springs. Find out how to enjoy the hours at Magic Kingdom according to the ticket you purchase.
The Disney Resort opened in the year 1971 and was operated by the Walt Disney World Country. The area of the resort covers close to 25,000 acres of land.
In this article, you will find the details of Magic Kingdom to be recurring as we will focus on the entertainment and hours at Magic Kingdom specifically.
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What are the Different Theme Parks in Disney World?
The supplementary part of Disney World is Disneyland Park which opened doors to enthusiasts and adventure lovers in 1955. Walt Disney then designed another complex in the 1960s that led to “The Florida Project.” The Florida Project was supposed to be an added yet distinct experience to the already existing Disneyland. The original plans by Walt Disney supported the addition of the EPCOT, which is the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. Walt Disney passed away in the initial days of the first stage of planning. Eventually, his brother took up the responsibility of building the Disney World complex.
The first theme park that opened in the official Disney World in 1971 was the Magic Kingdom. After this followed EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The suggestion for the change of name from Disney World to Walt Disney World was so that people remembered the name of Walt Disney. Magic Kingdom is the first and the most popular unit of Disney World. It is the theme park situated in the Walt Disney World Resort in the Bay Lake Area. Inspired by the fairy tale, the Magic Kingdom has the Cinderella Castle. Magic World is the most visited theme park in all of America consecutively for the past nineteen years.
Epcot is the theme park that opened to celebrate technological advancements and the culture in general. Two separate sections go by the name Future World and World Showcase. The Epcot was designed to look like a utopian city showcasing new ideas and recent technologies. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a one-of-a-kind theme park developed to operate both as a production studio and a show business branch. In the later years, Disney’s Hollywood Studios became more adapted for Hollywood stories. They brought in immersive stories from Hollywood.
The Disney Animal Kingdom is a theme park revolving around the natural environment and animal conservation.
Magic Kingdom Park at Disney World
As we mentioned earlier, Magic Kingdom in Disney World is the largest theme park under the Walt Disney World banner. The Magic Kingdom has been developed by the Parks, Experiences, and Products division of the Walt Disney Company. The attractions within the theme park are based on fairy tales and cartoons by Disney. Situated in Anaheim, California, the Magic Kingdom is based on the Cinderella Castle that Disney can see in the 1950 film. There is a wheel along with a hub right in front of the castle. There is a railroad that runs along the perimeter of the park and through the six lands. The total run length of the railroad is 2.4 km.
The hours at Magic Kingdom are from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm on all days. This gives sufficient time to all visitors to check-in, have a walk around the park, and try out a few rides and head back home safely. The Magic Kingdom is divided into six separate lands of six separate themes. They are:
- Main Street, USA
- Adventureland
- Frontierland
- Liberty Square
- Tomorrowland
- Fantasyland
The Walt Disney Railroad makes a stop at the Frontierland, Fantasyland, and the Main Street, USA.
Hours at Magic Kingdom – Timings and Days
The Magic Kingdom is the main attraction of Disney World, open all seven days of the week from 8 am till 9 pm the night. For the benefit and fun of the crowd, Disney World has started Extra Magic Hours, which are extended hours at Disney World. Only the people who qualify as Disney World Resort hotel guests and check-in at the Disney World Resort can make use of the Extra Magic Hours. There are a few non-Disney hotel guests who can make use of this opportunity as well. The Extra Magic Hours scheme is where one can enter the park an hour early or stay in for two hours late than the usual hours at Magic Kingdom.
The Extra Hours at Magic Kingdom is an excellent way VIPs can use their time at Magic Kingdom. The best time to arrive at the Disney World Magic Kingdom is 30 minutes prior to the park opening time for usual visitors. This ensures that the check-in process at the ticket counter is smooth. During the peak months, the 30 minutes become 60 minutes as greater crowds are waiting to enter the park.
The ideal time to explore the entire park at Magic Kingdom is two days. The number of things on the to-do list cannot be fit within a day. There needs to be pre-planning and most certainly should one stay the night in the resort if they wish to see everything available at the Magic Kingdom. The hours at Magic Kingdom are flexible enough to let people stay within the park for an entire day.
Apart from the usual hours at Magic Kingdom, Disney has not reopened the Extra Magic Hours since the pandemic began in 2020. There are rumors that they will be resuming the extra hours soon in 2021 or the near future. Otherwise, if one is keen to experience Magic Kingdom the way it is, it is best to visit the park during the week. The weekends tend to get crowded. One has to wade through a large number of people simply to look at the park properly. This is not ideal as people take more time just to navigate through. A national holiday would most likely turn more heads towards Magic Kingdom.
A great advantage that people can now avail of is the prebooking of tickets on their online website. This means that one does not have to queue up outside the ticket counter early in the morning just to be inside within the hours at Magic Kingdom. You can prebook not only your tickets, but you can also book a hotel room at the Disney Resorts.
What Can I See At the Magic Kingdom?
Magic Kingdom is the biggest attraction in Disney World, has an unending list of things one can do in the park. The things you can experience are not just activities but showcases as well. The classic attractions are a top hit. Apart from that, you are bound to bump into Mickey himself in the streets of Magic Kingdom. Let us take a look at the attractions in the Magic Kingdom so that you know how to spread out your bucket list through the hours at Magic Kingdom.
Classic Attractions
If you are on your way to Magic Kingdom, the chances are that the major attractions in the park are what got you hooked to the idea of it. Besides, who does not like to experience a little bit of magic combined with fun and games? Make a rough list of everything you would like to see at the park when you are there. One is bound to be spoilt for choices when they are inside Magic Kingdom.
The Pirates of the Caribbean is a great ride that picks up the story right from the movies and the books. Go watch the characters in animatronics and be thrilled by the songs and dialogues. A recent inclusion in the rides in Magic Kingdom includes the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. The Seven Dwarfs Train is based entirely on animatronics. This roller coaster is partially outdoors and partially indoors. This themed roller coaster has drawn thousands to the ride since its opening.
Splash Mountain is another ride in Magic Kingdom, based on the film by the same name. A carrier falls from the top of a mountain. The adventure quotient in this is strong, but one has to pre-book as the demand for the seats is high too. The Country Bear Jamboree is a stage show in the Magic Kingdom meant for both kids and adults. One can take a seat to look at bears dancing to songs. This makes for the perfect theatrical experience in Magic Kingdom.
The other major attractions in Magic Kingdom which can very easily be covered in the stipulated hours at Magic Kingdom include Jungle Cruise, Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Haunted Mansion, Astro Orbitor, Peter Pan’s Flight, and Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover. There are more on the list, so ensure your research in place when you visit the Magic Kingdom.
Characters to Find at Magic Kingdom
The Dapper Dans is a live barbershop quartet that performs in complete harmony. The quartet charms its audience by tap dancing and singing through the twenty minutes of the show. This act is meant for both adults and children. The men dress in coloured striped pants and straw hats to perform a cappella with songs featured in the Disney classics.
The Magic Kingdom Entertainment comes with different cavalcades, including:
- The Royal Princess Processional
- Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure
- Mickey and Friends Cavalcade
- A Goofy Cavalcade
- Magic Kingdom Cavalcade
These professionals offer a meet and greet with Disney characters. They may be in floats or be walking down the street, shaking hands and waving at the crowds. Look out for the parade route and take your spot beforehand to get a great view.
Apart from the events mentioned above, there are seasonal guided tours and events such as the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend, autumn celebrations, Disney Private VIP Tours, Disney Villains After Hours after hours at Magic Kingdom, Ferrytale Fireworks, and Holidays at Walt Disney World Resort.
Tips to Keep in Mind When You Book a Ticket at Magic Kingdom
In order to maximize the hours at Magic Kingdom, it is essential to keep a few tips handy. With all the right steps, one can make sure that they are making full use of the hours at Magic Kingdom.
- Pre-book your tickets online. Waiting outside the gates for long hours in the morning can take up a good part of the hours at Magic Kingdom, leaving you with less time to explore the park. Online bookings have started since the pandemic.
- Keeps a list ready, noting down all the attractions you wish to visit once you are inside the Magic Kingdom. This gives you more time to move from one place to another without having to scout all the options.
- Keep all the shows for the day’s end. This helps one relax their feet after a good part of the day, indulging in rides and walking. They can best utilize their time with rides at the first half of the day and then shows at the end. Shopping can wait for the end of the day.
- Get hold of a FASTPASS. Visitors can return to their show or ride within a short window. There are rules to keep in mind, so read the pass well.
- Keep the Disney World application downloaded and ready on your phone to navigate the park and locate the rides and characters within the area.
- Book your hotel beforehand and reach the park before the gates open. Carrying all the necessary items is also a must.
Final Thoughts
Disney World offers great timings for visitors so that they can enjoy the rides and the shows. Thus, check all the rules and regulations and be present beforehand to fully utilize the hours at Magic Kingdom.
