Walt Disney World With Kids (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [55]
On Extra Magic Hour mornings, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland open first. Older kids should head straight for Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear while younger kids should start with Dumbo, Peter Pan’s Flight, and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. When the new Little Mermaid attraction opens, head there first.
Helpful Hint
On days that are anticipated to draw large crowds, you can travel the length of Main Street before the Magic Kingdom officially opens. On less crowded days, people are usually held in the town square just in front of the railroad. Either way, several characters will be on hand to give the kids something to do while you’re waiting for the ropes to drop.
On regular mornings the whole park opens at once. If your kids are up for it, head for Splash Mountain when the ropes drop, then on to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Both may have long lines even by 9:15—if there’s more than a 20-minute wait, get a Fastpass. Again, when the Little Mermaid attraction opens, head there first.
If there’s a gap in the ages of your children and the 9-year-old is ready for a coaster but the 5-year-old isn’t, split up during this crucial first hour, when popular attractions have relatively short waits. Mom can take one child, Dad the other, and you can meet back up in an hour.
Want to ride lots of big-deal rides? Get your first Fastpass early, but only after you take advantage of the usually uncrowded first hour to ride your first-choice attraction.
Attractions in the Magic Kingdom
Offering Fastpasses
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Peter Pan’s Flight
Space Mountain
Splash Mountain
Jungle Cruise (seasonally)
The Little Mermaid
List of Quick-Guide Tables | View a Larger Image
Main Street
Main Street is where the stage is set. With its pristine sidewalks, Victorian shops, flower stalls, and antique cars, strolling down Main Street is like walking through an idealized circa-1890 American town. It also provides a transition from the unglamorous parking lots and buses to the charms of the park, and people visibly relax as they move closer toward Cinderella Castle. Usually by the time they arrive, they’re thoroughly Disney-fied.
The Magic Kingdom Don’t-Miss List
IF YOUR KIDS ARE 8 OR OLDER
Any Fantasyland rides that catch their fancy
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Haunted Mansion
Mickey’s PhilharMagic
The parades
Pirates of the Caribbean
Space Mountain
Splash Mountain
IF YOUR KIDS ARE UNDER 8
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Country Bear Jamboree
Dumbo
it’s a small world
Mad Tea Party
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Mickey’s PhilharMagic
The parades
Peter Pan’s Flight
Pirates of the Caribbean
Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain, if they’re bold enough and if they pass the height requirement
Story Time With Belle
Main Street Touring Tips
Although you might spend a few minutes mingling with characters as you enter, don’t take too much time in the shops of Main Street. One mom who made the mistake of shopping too early said, “We bought souvenirs on the way into the park, and I spent the whole day dragging things around. I looked like a Disney bag lady!” Instead, focus on getting to the major rides.
A tip board posted near the end of Main Street provides information about the approximate wait times of the major attractions, plus showtimes and character meeting places. Consult it whenever you’re unsure about what to do next.
On Main Street, you may be waylaid by a Disney photographer wanting to snap a family shot with the castle in the background. Let him. He’ll then hand you a PhotoPass, which looks like a credit card. You can have more shots added to it throughout the week, even photos taken with characters