Tour Guide Tuesday: Enjoy Magic Kingdom without waiting in lines

in Theme Parks, Walt Disney World

crowds

Credit: Inside the Magic

Big Crowds at the Magic Kingdom
Big Crowds at the Magic Kingdom

There have been recent studies done that show that the average guest only sees between 5 and 6 attractions in a full day at the Magic Kingdom. There are many reasons for this, but the biggest issue is simply the long lines for the most popular rides. However, there is so much to enjoy at this park without waiting, even during the busiest times of year.

Some of my tour guests return to the Magic Kingdom for a second day on their own, and I’m often asked what they can visit without ridiculous waiting. I also have friends and family who want to know what they can do without standing in long lines, beyond the three attractions they’ve reserved with FastPasses. Finally, some guests simply want to  have a fun day at the park, without the need to go on specific rides. Today, I’m going to point out the attractions at the Magic Kingdom that typically have wait times of 10 minutes or less throughout the day, regardless of the time of year. Now, this list is obviously not going to include the popular coasters, characters, etc. However, you might be surprised at how much you can do at this park, even when it is extremely busy.

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We will start right off at the park entrance and the Walt Disney World Railroad. This is an often overlooked attraction that really shouldn’t be missed. For my 8-year old son, it has always been one of his favorites. Although you may find longer waits at the Frontierland and Storybook Circus stations, you rarely have to wait long at the Main Street Station.

Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room

Heading over to Adventureland, the Swiss Family Treehouse would be my first stop. Since it is a “walk-thru” experience, the flow of traffic continues to move, even when there appears to be a line. If you head down the hill from the tree, you will run into Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room. This classic show holds several hundred guests, and most of the time you can get into the next performance.

Tom Sawyer Island
Tom Sawyer Island

Our next stop is Frontierland, where two of the four attractions fall onto the “low wait time” list. First, there is the Country Bear Jamboree. Although it may not be the most exciting of shows, there are some fun (yet hokey) moments, and this is certainly a classic opening-day attraction. The other fun stop in Frontierland is going to be Tom Sawyer Island, especially if you have young kids. The rafts to get over to the Island don’t typically have a long wait, and you could easily spend the better part of an hour exploring. During the really busy seasons, it is also a place where you can find a quiet spot to relax for a little while.

Liberty Square Riverboat
Liberty Square Riverboat
The Hall of Presidents
The Hall of Presidents

Liberty Square also has two attractions where you can expect low wait times. The Liberty Square Riverboat leaves every half hour, and you can board about ten minutes before each departure. The Hall of Presidents takes place in a very large theater that is rarely full. Again, there is a show approximately every half hour.

Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel

Now we head up to Fantasyland, which is definitely the most popular area of the park. There are more rides in this area than in any other land in the Magic Kingdom. Although you can enjoy many of them early in the day without long lines, there are only a few attractions where you can count on low waits regardless of the time of day. Prince Charming Regal Carrousel doesn’t usually have more than a 5 minute wait. Right next door is Mickey’s Philharmagic, which is one of the best 3-D shows on the planet. Like most shows, your wait time is typically determined by how much time is left in the previous performance. There is one other attraction in Fantasyland that bears mentioning. The Mad Tea Party is a ride that usually has a short wait, but it can get busy during the peak seasons.

PeopleMover
PeopleMover
Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress

Last, but not least, we have Tomorrowland. Again, there are two attractions that can be enjoyed here without enduring a long wait. . It is a great way to “take a break” while enjoying an elevated tour of this area. During the quieter seasons, they even let you stay on this ride for more than one trip, if you ask. The other attraction that allows for a very short wait is probably the most historically significant in all of Walt Disney World. I’m talking about Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress. This is the only attraction on property that Walt himself physically worked on. It is also a great spot to relax, while enjoying the show in a comfortable, air-conditioned theater. There are two honorable mentions in Tomorrowland that usually have short waits, but not necessarily during the busiest seasons. These are Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor and Stitch’s Great Escape.

Monster's Inc. Laugh Floor
Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor

So, the next time you visit the Magic Kingdom, I hope you’ll consider this list of attractions that you can visit without standing in long lines. Add a few shows, a parade, etc., and you can truly experience a full day here without the need for advanced planning or lengthy waits. Again, you will certainly want to visit the “big” attractions at some point, but this is a good way to enjoy a stress-free day at the most popular theme park on earth.

I hope you enjoy “Tour Guide Tuesday.” If you want additional tips while you’re in the parks, WDW Guided Tours is happy to help!

 

in Theme Parks, Walt Disney World

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