#1 Disney Travel Tip

Empty Magic Kingdom

Here is a nice view inside the Magic Kingdom when it is empty. How did I take this photo? I was in the front of the line waiting for the Magic Kingdom to open. Actually, we were back about 30 people, but I snuck up to grab the photo to show you what en empty Magic Kingdom looks like and to encourage you to arrive early the parks.

My #1 bit of advice to Disney Travelers Arrive at the parks early. Now, arriving at the parks early sounds nice, but it really starts with discipline even the night before. You will be tempted to stay out late and up late doing all kinds of activities. But, then, in the morning, you will sleep in, lazily eat breakfast, and then find your way to the bus to take you to the parks. You're on vacation right..no need to rush. Well, by the time you arrive, probably 11:30am..My family and I will have ridden almost every major attraction at least once and will be wrapping up our entire visit to the park. We've left magic kingdom at 12noon before, walking against the tides of people just arriving. The lines have started to build at the attractions and we are heading back to the resorts where....magically everyone has finally just left.  We then swim in empty pools in the heat of the day, relax, take a nap, eat inexpensive food in our rooms etc.

Its really true. In the first few hours of a park opening, you can do most of the major attractions one or two times. There is some initial rush at the very opening, but it is minimal compared to later in the day.

Time in car when leaving to 9:00am park opening

When to leave home
You probably need to plan on leaving your hotel room 1 hour before the park opens. Here is a photo of the time as we got in our van to go from Saratoga Springs to the Magic Kingdom. No, the park does not open at 8:00am..it opens at 9:00am.








More Photos

Tea Cups early in the morning

Speedway early in the morning

A good place to stand to watch opening show while remaining close to the entrance (which is to the left under those red banners).  Also, be careful not to stand too far to the right of here..that tree can block your view of the show.

View from same spot as above photo but facing the turnstyles. Notice that we have gone through the turnstyles but are waiting to enter the park. At around 9:00am, the area where we are standing can be so filled that they stop letting people enter through the turnstyles until the park officially opens and we move out of the way.  It is about 8:45am when this photo is taken..I'd aim for arriving at this point at 20 till.