We’ve spent the last several weeks taking you through the How to Plan Series, guiding you through making the 6 Key Decisions for your Disney trip. In the last blog in the series we discussed planning ahead for a flexible Disney trip and this blog is a culmination of just that. In this blog we’re dishing up 10 Non-Ride Activities to do in Magic Kingdom.
The Backstory
This blog came to fruition recently after a client traveling to Disney World has their flight delayed. While it didn’t completely derail their trip they did reach out to see if they could move their Magic Kingdom Park Reservations out a day knowing they’d be tired from their delayed travels.
Unfortunately, with it being Spring Break, there were no other Magic Kingdom reservations available for the entire week. Currently, Disney World requires guests to hold a Park Reservation to enter a park. Reservation availability can be viewed prior to purchasing tickets on the Disney website. Any given day can become unavailable so it’s important to secure yours ahead of time in the My Disney Experience App. For more information on Park Reservations click here, then head to our YouTube channel for a tutorial on how to set up your MDE app and subscribe while you’re there!
While my clients flew across the country, I detailed a plan for them that would let them sleep in and still have a magical day in Magic Kingdom.
Setting Intentions for a Disney Trip
One of the foundational tools for the Foolish Mortal Planning Co. planning process is Intentions.
Is part of the Three Pillar process we use to help clients plan an intentional Disney trip, empowering them to make decisions.
An Intention is a thing intended; an aim or a plan. It’s quite simply, a thing you want to achieve. Intentions are a want or desire we wish to act on or plan for. When we set an intention, we set plans with specific actions to achieve that desire.
When you set an intention, you create the groundwork for the plan ahead, whether it be for the day or a trip to Disney World. Often used interchangeably, Intentions and Goals are different in end use.
Goals are specific achievements, often measured and timely. Goals are often long term commitments.
Intentions are things we live each day. Classified as wants, needs or desires, intentions are short term commitments.
Goals are external achievements, completing a race for example, whereas Intentions are internal achievements, fulfilling an emotional want or need. I share how to set intentions for a Disney trip in Blog #3: Setting Intentions
10 Activities to do in Magic Kingdom
After setting intentions, you’ll have a clear roadmap on what you want to accomplish throughout your trip. Understanding their needs, I was able to prepare a list of 10 Non-Ride Activities to do in Magic Kingdom. Below is what I shared with them:
1. Start with pictures in front of the castle! You’ll see photopass photographers waiting for you. To get access to these photos you can add Memory Maker to your MDE account within the app. You also get access to ride photos.
2. Enjoy a snack or quick service meal on Main Street! The Main Street Bakery is fun to visit and get treats or at the end of main street there’s Casey’s Corner for a yummy quick service meal.
3. Meet Mickey at Town Square as you enter the park. Meet Mickey in his dressing room as he gets ready for the 50th Celebration. This meet & greet is available as an Individual Lightning Lane selection with Disney Genie+ purchase.
4. Watch the Festival of Fantasy Parade – 12pm or 3pm down Main Street or Mickey’s Friendship Calvacade – 10:45 AM, 12:40 PM, 1:50 PM down Main Street or Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire show in front of the castle 1:05 PM, 2:15 PM, 4:30 PM
5. Get a haircut or Pixie Dust at Harmony Barber Shop! Their first haircut package is an unforgettable memory.
6. Rides with typically low or no waits:
It’s a Small World
Tea Cups
Dumbo – there are two so if there is a wait it moves quick
Tiki Room
Swiss Family Treehouse
Prince Charming’s Carousel
Monster’s Inc Laugh Floor
Carousel of Progress
People Mover
7. Choose not to watch a parade or show and you might experience lower waits on popular rides or Ride the Walt Disney World Railroad around the park! (Currently Unavailable)
8. Watch the fireworks from behind the castle in Dumbo’s Circus, you can ride the Barnstormer or even Dumbo while you watch the fireworks and you’re already in the park to hit a ride after they end.
9. Enjoy downtime on the lawns in front of the castle, taking in the views or do some shopping down Main Street. The Emporium has lots of unique, park only merchandise.
10. Ride the Liberty Square River Boat, The Liberty Belle, around Tom Sawyer’s Island. This half mile ride takes approximately 17 minutes. Rest your feet and take in the sights.
For an easily printable version of this list click here.
For more on setting intentions read Blog #3: Setting Intentions
If you missed the previous blogs in this series, tap How to Plan Series to get started!
Still deciding when to go? Grab the free When to Go to Disney World Guide which takes you through 3 Simple Steps to choose your best time to go.
You can also get a free Travel Quote from me!
“Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy”
Walt Disney
