WDW - Enough for 2 adults at Magic Kingdom
My husband and I will be going to Disney for 2 days next month. It will be his first time there and I haven't been since I was a kid. We will be doing Hollywood Studios and Epcot on the first day and then Magic Kingdom on the second. I thought since Magic Kingdom seems like such a big park it would be best to do just that one but now am second guessing myself. Should we do animal kingdom in the morning and then magic kingdom at night or just stick to the one? We will not be doing any character meetings and plan to just snack for lunch. Besides rides I want to go to the Happily Ever After fireworks and will go in souvenir shops and wander around to see things.
Rides that interested me in Magic Kingdom:
Haunted Mansion
Tron Lightcycle
Pirates of the Caribbean
It's a Small World
Jungle Cruise
Space Mountain
Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
For a first-time Magic Kingdom experience, especially with your plan to focus on rides, wandering, and the fireworks, dedicating a full day to just Magic Kingdom is strongly recommended. The park is large, and even without character meetings or sit-down meals, seeing everything you want—including the iconic rides, detailed lands, and the Happily Ever After fireworks—can easily fill an entire day.
Trying to combine Animal Kingdom in the morning with Magic Kingdom in the evening is technically possible, but it has several drawbacks:
- You would need to leave Animal Kingdom early, likely skipping several attractions, to arrive at Magic Kingdom in time for evening rides and fireworks.
- Park hopping adds stress, especially with Disney transportation times between parks, and you may end up feeling rushed.
- Magic Kingdom’s evening atmosphere, lighting, and fireworks are best enjoyed without the fatigue of a prior park visit that same day.
Focusing solely on Magic Kingdom allows a more relaxed pace and the chance to fully enjoy both the rides and the immersive environment. Based on your list of rides:
- Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Jungle Cruise are in Adventureland/Liberty Square and can be done consecutively.
- Tron Lightcycle, Space Mountain, and Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover are in Tomorrowland; doing these in the afternoon or evening can help you avoid long waits.
- It's a Small World is near Fantasyland and easy to fit in during a casual walk-through or when transitioning between other attractions.
Suggested approach:
- Arrive early at park opening to hit popular rides with shorter waits, especially Tron Lightcycle and Space Mountain.
- Take mid-day for wandering, snacks, shopping, and lighter attractions.
- Save evening for additional rides, enjoying the atmosphere, and finding a good spot for Happily Ever After fireworks.
In summary, stick to a full day at Magic Kingdom. This will let you enjoy everything at a comfortable pace and make the most of your limited Disney time without feeling rushed or missing key experiences.
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