Cinderella Castle lit up at night.

Magic Kingdom Touring Plan

Part 2

Afternoon and Evening

Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in the afternoon and evening can be dominated by the inevitable heat and long lines.  Walt Disney said, “the magic is in the details.”  Much of the “magic” at Magic Kingdom comes to life at this time, though.  Parades, shows, and fireworks add to the must see activities.  If you have followed Part 1 of our Magic Kingdom Touring Plan and scheduled your fast passes wisely, then you should have a great time.  Magic Kingdom Touring Plan Part 2 picks up where Part 1 left off.

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Tips

• Afternoon and evening are the best time to have fast passes scheduled as this the park will be much busier than in the morning.
• Make sure to check the schedule for parades, shows in front of Cinderella Castle, and fireworks.  You really do not want to miss these.
• If you are touring Magic Kingdom in two days, then go back to your resort in the afternoon for a siesta and some pool time to cool off.
• If you only have one day to enjoy Magic Kingdom, then push on.
• Check out our posts Places to Rest at Magic Kingdom and Rides with Short Waits.
• For dinner at a table service restaurant, you will need to have made reservations ahead of time.  Be Our Guest in New Fantasyland takes you into Beast’s Castle.  It has amazing atmosphere.  We love Tony’s, too, because the food is good, it is not too expensive, and we love “The Lady and the Tramp” theming.
• At the very end of the evening, you can sometimes slip onto one of the most popular e-ticket rides (Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Peter Pan’s Flight, or Space Mountain) with minimal wait.

The Enchanted Forest in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom

Afternoon

• Again, if you are staying 2 days, make sure to catch the parades and afternoon shows on one of the days, but rest and recuperate for the evening back at your hotel.  Skip forward to the evening plan.
• Move on from Liberty Square to Fantasyland
• If you rode Aladdin’s Magic Carpet in the morning, then skip Dumbo’s Flying Circus unless you have plenty of time.
• If you do not have young kids, then it is okay to skip Goofy’s Barnstorm.
• Hopefully during extra magic hours, you rode Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train and Peter Pan’s Flight which have the absolute worst lines in Fantasyland.
• Stop in Gaston’s Tavern for a LeFou’s Brew.  It is, in our opinion, one of the three best treats in Magic Kingdom.
• If you forgot to ride the Walt Disney Rail Road, then this is a great time.  Catch a train for a loop near Dumbo’s Big Top.

Tomorrowland at night.

Night

• There is no question about it; Tomorrowland is best at night.
• Unless you have plenty of time, skip Stitch’s Great Escape.  If you have time, then subject yourself to it and complain about how bad it is with the rest of us.
• Also skip Astro Orbiter.  The line moves painfully slow.
• If you are rushed for time, then you can also bypass the Tomorrowland Speedway.  It is a classic, but not worth a long wait in my opinion.
• Tomorrowland has some attractions that I consider hidden gems:  Tomorrowland Transit Authority and Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor.
• For a quick service evening meal, Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe is a great choice.  You might consider walking back to Liberty Square to Columbia Harbor House, too.
• If you have two days and have made reservations, then it is off to a wonderful table service dinner.
• Dance with Frozone and Mr. and Mrs. Incredible as music blares from a DJ at The Incredibles Dance Party each evening.
• The third of our favorite Magic Kingdom treats is the cheese filled pretzel at the Lunching Pad.  We always get one of these.
• Make sure to look around and take in all the details.  You will love Tomorowland at night.
• Enjoy the Magic Kingdom’s wonderful fire works show Happily Ever After and Celebrate the Magic! castle projection shows.  Check your schedule for times.
• Before the end of the evening, make your way near the front of the park to the Main Street Theater for a meet and greet with a talking Mickey Mouse.

Magic Kingdom after closing

The Kiss Goodnight

• Magic Kingdom does not “close” at closing time.  The shops along Main Street USA stay open for at least a half hour after closing.  This is a perfect time to shop for that last minute souvenir.
• Check out our post, Staying in Magic Kingdom after Closing for details.

Be Our Guest Restaurant

Full 1 Day Magic Kingdom Touring Plan

Quick Reference

• Fast Passes for afternoon or evening:  Haunted Mansion, Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and Space Mountain.
• First Hour:  Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Peter Pan’s Flight, Splash Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain.
• Clockwise through Adventureland.
• Get a Dole Whip for a snack.
• Explore Frontierland.
• Go to Liberty Square.  
• Have lunch at Columbia Harbor House or Sleepy Hallow
• Check your schedule and find a spot for the Festival of Fantasy of Parade and Move It! Shake It! Dance It & Play It! Street Party.
• Move on to Fantasyland.  It is big!  A large part of the day will be spent here.
• Try LeFou’s Brew at Gaston’s Tavern in New Fantasyland.
• Have a quick service dinner at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe or walk back to Columbia Harbor House.
• After Dark:  enjoy Tomorrowland when it truly shines.
• Watch the Happily Ever After fireworks show.
• Snack on a Cream Cheese filled pretzel at the Lunching Pad.
• Enjoy the Celebrate the Magic! nighttime projection show on Cinderella Castle.
• Go to Main Street Theater for a meet-and-greet with a talking Mickey Mouse!
• Shop for souvenirs on Main Street USA after park closing.
• Receive the Kiss Goodnight as you leave!
  

  Roly’s favorite, the Lefou’s Brew.

Full 2 Day Magic Kingdom Touring Plan

Quick Reference

Day 1

• Fast Passes for evening:  Haunted Mansion, Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and Space Mountain.
• First Hour:  Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Peter Pan’s Flight, Splash Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain.
• Clockwise through Adventureland.
• Get a Dole Whip for a snack.
• Explore Frontierland.
• Go to Liberty Square.  
• Have lunch at Columbia Harbor House or Sleepy Hallow
• Check your schedule and find a spot for the Festival of Fantasy of Parade and/or Move It! Shake It! Dance It & Play It! Street Party.
• Return to your room during the heat of the day for a siesta and/or pool time.
• If you have made reservations, dine at Tony’s or at Be Our Guest.  If not, then Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe or Columbia Harbor House.
• Spend the evening exploring Fantasyland.
• Watch the Happily Ever After fireworks show.
• Try LeFou’s Brew at Gaston’s Tavern in New Fantasyland.
• The area around Gaston’s Tavern in New Fantasyland is beautiful at night and is a great shot for photos.
• Enjoy the Celebrate the Magic! nighttime projection show on Cinderella Castle.
• Go to Main Street Theater for a meet-and-greet with a talking Mickey Mouse!
• Shop for souvenirs on Main Street USA after park closing.
• Receive the Kiss Goodnight as you leave!

Day 2

• Fast Passes to your favorites.
• First Hour:  return to you favorites from day 1.  Or, consider making reservations for a character breakfast at Cinderella’s Royal Table.
• Morning:  Main Street USA in the morning has wonderful atmosphere.  Listen to the Dapper Dans.  Ride a horse drawn carriage and a double decker bus.  Meet the Mayor and Citizens of Main Street.
• Get your blood pumping with the Let the Magic Begin show at Cinderella Castle at 08:55.
• Revisit your favorite attractions.
• Meet your favorite characters.  Check the time guide.  Gaston is always entertaining at 10 and 4:30.
• Consider a character lunch at Crystal Palace.
• Return to your resort another afternoon siesta and/or pool time.
• Have a quick service dinner at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe or walk back to Columbia Harbor House if you have not made reservations for Be Our Guest or Tony’s.
• After Dark:  enjoy Tomorrowland when it truly shines.
• Watch the Happily Ever After fireworks show.
• Snack on a Cream Cheese filled pretzel at the Lunching Pad.
• Enjoy the Celebrate the Magic! nighttime projection show on Cinderella Castle.
• Go to Main Street Theater for a meet-and-greet with a talking Mickey Mouse!
• Shop for souvenirs on Main Street USA after park closing.
• Receive the Kiss Goodnight as you leave!

Disney World Cinderella Castle shining during the evening fireworks