Magic Kingdom Touring Plan: Best Order for Every Ride

Magic Kingdom is the most iconic theme park in the world, but it can also be the most overwhelming. With over 25 attractions, countless shows, and millions of visitors each year, having a solid touring plan is essential for making the most of your day.

This guide will show you the optimal order to experience Magic Kingdom, helping you minimize wait times and maximize the magic.

Why You Need a Touring Plan

The difference between a good day and a great day at Magic Kingdom often comes down to strategy. On a typical busy day:

• Popular rides can have 60-120 minute waits
• Walking the park inefficiently can add 2+ miles to your day
• Peak times for certain attractions can double your wait

A well-designed touring plan helps you stay ahead of the crowds and experience more in less time. Whether you're planning your first Disney World trip or you're a seasoned visitor, having a strategy is essential.

Must-Do Rides at Magic Kingdom

Before we get into the order, let's establish which attractions should be your priorities:

Tier 1: The Headliners

1. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train - The most popular ride, routinely 90+ minute waits
2. Space Mountain - Classic coaster with consistent crowds
3. Splash Mountain - Iconic log flume (while it's still operating)
4. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad - Popular coaster with great theming

Tier 2: High Demand

5. Pirates of the Caribbean - Classic dark ride
6. Haunted Mansion - Must-do for first-timers
7. Jungle Cruise - Recently updated with new jokes
8. Peter Pan's Flight - Surprisingly long waits for a short ride

Tier 3: Lower Wait Times

9. It's a Small World - High capacity, rarely long waits
10. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh - Cute family ride
11. Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin - Interactive shooter
12. Tomorrowland Speedway - Fun for kids, skip if adults-only

The Optimal Touring Order

Here's your hour-by-hour strategy for a typical park day:

Early Morning (Park Open - 10 AM)

This is your golden window. Crowds are lowest and you can knock out the biggest headliners. Master the rope drop strategy to maximize this crucial time.

1. Arrive 45 minutes before park opening - Position yourself at the entrance
2. Head directly to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train - Your first priority
3. Walk to Space Mountain - While Tomorrowland is still quiet
4. Hit Big Thunder Mountain Railroad - Frontierland is usually next

By 10 AM, you should have completed 3 of the top 4 attractions with minimal waits.

Mid-Morning (10 AM - 12 PM)

Crowds are building but you're already ahead.

4. Pirates of the Caribbean - Walk to Adventureland
5. Jungle Cruise - While you're in the area
6. Haunted Mansion - Head to Liberty Square

Lunch Break (12 PM - 2 PM)

This is peak crowd time. Consider:

• Taking a break at your hotel
• Having a sit-down lunch (reservations help)
• Exploring shows and lower-wait attractions

Afternoon (2 PM - 5 PM)

Crowds remain high but start thinning around 4 PM.

7. Peter Pan's Flight - Still busy but more manageable
8. It's a Small World - Great for a cool break
9. Splash Mountain - Afternoon is ideal for water rides

Evening (5 PM - Close)

Crowds thin significantly as families with young children leave.

10. Re-ride favorites - Wait times drop 30-50%
11. Catch the fireworks - But ride during them for shortest waits
12. Night rides - Big Thunder and Space Mountain are magical at night

Time-Saving Tips for Magic Kingdom

Use Single Rider Lines

Not all attractions have them, but when available, single rider lines can save significant time:

• Space Mountain has an unofficial single rider option at times
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train does NOT have single rider

Strategic Show Timing

Use shows to your advantage:

• Festival of Fantasy Parade - Ride popular attractions during the parade
• Happily Ever After Fireworks - Great time for low wait times

Know Your Shortcuts

• Use the hub-and-spoke layout efficiently
• The path behind Cinderella Castle is often less crowded
• Avoid Main Street U.S.A. during parade times

How Park Autopilot Helps

Of course, if you don't want to memorize all this, you can use Park Autopilot to handle the decision-making for you. It watches wait times throughout the day and tells you what to ride next, adjusting in real-time based on current conditions.

Unlike static touring plans, Park Autopilot adapts to:

• Unexpected ride closures
• Changing crowd patterns
• Your party's preferences and energy levels

It's like having a theme park expert in your pocket.

Sample Magic Kingdom Itinerary

Here's what a perfect day might look like:

Time	Activity	Expected Wait
8:15 AM	Arrive at parking	-
8:45 AM	Enter park (rope drop)	-
9:00 AM	Seven Dwarfs Mine Train	15 min
9:30 AM	Space Mountain	20 min
10:15 AM	Big Thunder Mountain	25 min
11:00 AM	Pirates of the Caribbean	15 min
11:30 AM	Jungle Cruise	25 min
12:30 PM	Lunch at Pecos Bill	-
2:00 PM	Haunted Mansion	30 min
2:45 PM	Peter Pan's Flight	35 min
3:30 PM	It's a Small World	10 min
4:00 PM	Hotel break	-
6:00 PM	Return to park	-
6:30 PM	Splash Mountain	25 min
7:15 PM	Re-ride Seven Dwarfs	35 min
8:00 PM	Fireworks viewing	-
9:00 PM	Space Mountain (night ride)	20 min
9:30 PM	Exit park	-

Total rides: 10+ major attractions with average wait times under 25 minutes

FAQ

What if I have young children?

Adjust priorities to include:

• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant (has an indoor queue!)
• The Barnstormer (baby coaster)
• Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin

Should I get Genie+?

Genie+ can help, but it's not required if you follow this touring plan. Save your money and use smart strategy instead. Learn how to avoid lines at Disney World without paying extra. If you do get it, prioritize:

• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (if available as individual Lightning Lane)
• Space Mountain
• Jungle Cruise

What about park hopping?

If you have park hopper tickets, consider:

• Morning at Magic Kingdom (rope drop to lunch)
• Afternoon at EPCOT (2 PM onwards)

This lets you experience the best of both parks in one day.

Conclusion

The key to a successful Magic Kingdom day is prioritization and timing. Hit the headliners early, take a midday break, and return for evening magic.

Ready to put this into practice? Park Autopilot takes everything in this guide and automates it. Just open the app on your park day, and it'll tell you exactly where to go next based on current wait times. it works - give it a try on your next trip.

Happy touring!