Magic Kingdom Mixed Ages

A family with kids spanning different ages, typically one or more under 44 inches who can't ride everything and one or more above who wants the big stuff. Usually 3 to 6 people total. You're balancing thrill seekers, height restrictions, nap schedules, and the fact that everyone wants different things.

The core tension: You can't move as a single unit all day. Someone always has to wait, sit out, or compromise. The goal isn't to make everyone happy at once. It's to rotate who's getting their moment.

Getting to Magic Kingdom

Your morning strategy depends entirely on where you're sleeping. Transportation to Magic Kingdom is more complex than any other Disney park because you cannot drive or be dropped off directly at the park entrance. Every guest must take secondary transportation to reach the gates, whether that's monorail, ferry, boat, bus, or walking.

If You're Staying Off Property

Your disadvantage: No Early Entry. You enter with the general public. Your transportation is also more complex because you're driving to the Transportation and Ticket Center, parking, and taking secondary transport to the park.

Driving to Magic Kingdom and the TTC

You will drive to the Transportation and Ticket Center, known as the TTC, park your car, and then take either the monorail or ferry to Magic Kingdom.

For GPS, search Magic Kingdom Parking or Transportation and Ticket Center Walt Disney World. You'll approach via World Drive and see toll plaza signs directing you.

Check current parking pricing on the Disney website or app. Rates change periodically. Preferred Parking costs more but puts you closer to the TTC. Annual Passholders get free standard parking. Disney Resort guests also park free.

You pay at the toll plaza before entering the lot. All booths accept cash, credit cards, and can scan your MagicBand to verify if you qualify for free parking.

The TTC Parking Lot

The parking lot contains approximately 12,000 spaces spread across 125 acres. It is divided into two main sections: Heroes (Blue) and Villains (Red). Each section has six named lots.

Heroes Side (Blue Tram Station): Aladdin is Preferred Parking with no tram service, closest to TTC on the Heroes side with a short walk. Mulan, Peter Pan, Rapunzel, and Simba are all standard parking with tram service. Woody is standard with tram service and is typically the farthest from TTC on the Heroes side.

Villains Side (Red Tram Station): Jafar is Preferred Parking with no tram service, closest to TTC on the Villains side with a short walk. Cruella, Hook, Scar, and Ursula are all standard parking with tram service. Zurg is disability only with no tram service, reserved for guests with disabled placards or plates, and is a short walk to TTC.

You do not choose your lot. Cast Members direct traffic into the next available rows. Early arrivals get parked closer to TTC in the front rows of Mulan, Cruella, or Preferred lots if you paid for it. Mid-morning arrivals get parked progressively farther in Peter Pan, Hook, Simba, or Scar. Late arrivals end up in the back in Rapunzel, Woody, or Ursula.

For disability parking, tell the Cast Member at the toll plaza if you have a disabled placard or plate. You'll be directed to Zurg, which is closest to the TTC with no tram required.

Each lot has numbered rows. Row numbers are unique across the entire lot so there's no duplicate numbers between lots. You need to remember three things: your side (Heroes or Villains), your lot name (the character), and your row number (three digits).

Take a photo of the row sign when you park. You will not remember Scar 247 at 11 p.m. The My Disney Experience app has a Car Locator feature you can use as backup.

Tram vs Walking to the TTC

Once parked, you need to reach the TTC building where monorails and ferries depart.

If you parked in Aladdin, Jafar, or Zurg, walk. There's no tram service to these lots. If you parked in the first 10 to 15 rows of any standard lot, walk. It's faster than waiting for the tram, which makes multiple stops. If you're in rows 15 to 30 in the middle of the lot, assess the tram line. Short line means take the tram. If there are 50 or more people waiting, walk. If you're in rows 30 and beyond at the back of the lot, take the tram. It's a long walk in the Florida heat so save your energy. If you're arriving at rope drop and the tram line is 50 or more people, walk. At peak morning you'll watch two trams load while still waiting and walking beats that. When leaving at park close, take the tram if it's running because your feet are destroyed. But trams sometimes stop before the lot clears so be prepared to walk. If you have a stroller or wheelchair, take the tram. Accessible vehicles are available and it saves significant effort.

When returning to your car, the TTC tram loading splits into two areas. Heroes trams board on the right with Blue signs. Villains trams board on the left with Red signs. Exit when the tram announces your lot name, then walk to your row number.

Monorail vs Ferry from TTC to Magic Kingdom

At the TTC, you choose between the monorail which holds about 300 guests or the ferry boat which holds about 600 guests. Both are free. Both drop you at the same place at Magic Kingdom's front entrance.

Travel time is nearly identical. Choose based on line length at the moment you arrive. If the monorail line is short, take the monorail. If the monorail line is wrapped around the station, take the ferry. If the ferry is currently loading or about to depart, board the ferry immediately. If you have a stroller and the monorail line is long, the ferry has easier boarding and more space. If it's raining, the monorail is covered the entire way. When leaving after fireworks, take the ferry. The monorail line after fireworks is typically much longer than the ferry.

At rope drop, both lines have backups. As you approach the TTC, visually assess both lines. If the monorail line is snaking outside the station, go directly to the ferry. If both look equal, take the monorail for marginally faster transit time. Pick one and commit. Switching lines costs more time than either option.

After fireworks, the monorail becomes a disaster. Thousands funneling into one station. The line can exceed 30 minutes just to board. The ferry line is almost always shorter at night. Yes the ride is slower but you get back to TTC faster because you skip the massive queue. Power move: leave 10 minutes before fireworks end. You catch most of the show while walking to the exit and beat the crush entirely.

Planning Your Arrival from Off Property

Check park hours first at disneyworld.disney.go.com/calendars and find Magic Kingdom's opening time for your specific date.

Your goal is to be at the park gates before official opening.

Work backward from park opening. You'll need time for driving, parking, tram or walking to TTC, monorail or ferry to Magic Kingdom, and security. Give yourself buffer time on your first morning until you know your own pace. Earlier arrivals park closer to the TTC and later arrivals park farther back.

The general sequence: Leave your hotel factoring in drive time. Arrive at the TTC toll plaza and pay for parking. Park and walk or take the tram to the TTC station. Board the monorail or ferry, whichever line is shorter. Arrive at Magic Kingdom and go through security. Be at the park gates before opening.

The Uber and Lyft Alternative

You can skip the TTC entirely by taking a rideshare. Uber and Lyft cannot drop you at Magic Kingdom directly. They drop you at a nearby Disney resort. The best option is to get dropped at the Contemporary Resort. From there it's a short walk to Magic Kingdom via a paved path along the water.

This makes sense if you're a party of 2 to 4 and the cost is acceptable because it's faster than the full TTC route. It also works if you're running late and need to recover time since it eliminates parking, tram, and monorail or ferry. It's great when leaving after fireworks if you want to skip the ferry and monorail crush by walking to the Contemporary and taking an Uber from there. It works well if you don't have a rental car since it simplifies everything. If you have 6 or more people and need an Uber XL, do the math because parking may be cheaper. If you already have a rental car you need for other days, it's probably not worth it since you've already paid for the car.

Check current rideshare pricing as it varies by distance and surge. The main benefit is simpler logistics with no parking, no tram, and no monorail or ferry decision.

Where to Go First (Off Property, No Early Entry)

You've lost the Early Entry race. Resort guests have been riding Seven Dwarfs Mine Train for 30 minutes. The standby line is already long. Skip Seven Dwarfs for now. You'll catch it via Lightning Lane or during evening hours.

Go directly to Adventureland or Frontierland. Most rope drop crowds sprint to Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. You're counter-programming. Start with Pirates of the Caribbean which typically has shorter waits early. Then Jungle Cruise to get it done before the wait explodes. Then Haunted Mansion for the whole family with air conditioning. This gets three major rides done before heat and crowds peak.

If You're Staying at a Disney Resort Hotel

Early Entry, 30 minutes in the park before the general public. This is the single most valuable part of your summer day. Do not waste it.

The night before: Confirm your park reservation in My Disney Experience. Charge every device. Lay out clothes, sunscreen, and your day bag. Check your resort's transportation schedule or plan your route. Set an alarm that gives you enough buffer.

Morning of: Skip sit-down breakfast. Eat granola bars, fruit, whatever your kids tolerate while moving. Early Entry is too valuable to spend in a restaurant.

Resort Transportation to Magic Kingdom

How you get to Magic Kingdom depends on your resort. Unlike the other parks, there is no Skyliner service to Magic Kingdom. The Skyliner only connects to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. So if you're at a Skyliner resort, you're taking the bus to Magic Kingdom.

Resorts You Can Walk From

Contemporary Resort and Bay Lake Tower have a paved flat path along the water. This is the most convenient location for Magic Kingdom. Walking is always faster than the monorail from here because the monorail travels away from Magic Kingdom first through Polynesian, Grand Floridian, and TTC before looping back. Always walk, even with small children, even with a stroller.

Grand Floridian Resort and Spa has a walking path to Magic Kingdom. You can also take the monorail, which is one stop to Magic Kingdom, or a boat across Seven Seas Lagoon. The resort is large so if your room is in one of the outer buildings, factor in internal walking time.

Polynesian Village Resort has a walking path to Magic Kingdom. You can also take the monorail, which is one stop, or a boat. The monorail station is near the Great Ceremonial House. End of night option: if the Magic Kingdom monorail line is very long after fireworks, you can walk to the Contemporary and take the resort monorail loop back or just walk from there.

Resorts with Boat Service

Wilderness Lodge, Boulder Ridge Villas, and Copper Creek Villas take the boat as the best option. It runs periodically, drops you right at Magic Kingdom, and is pleasant and consistent. Bus service also exists as backup. Arrive at the boat dock early. If the line is long and a bus is sitting at the stop ready to depart, take the bus. Otherwise take the boat. Boat resorts require more lead time than walking distance resorts so check the boat schedule and give yourself buffer for the ride plus security.

Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground is huge at over 700 acres. Your best option depends on where you're staying within the resort. If you're in the cabins or near the Settlement and Marina area, walk to the boat dock and take the boat. If you're in campsites in the Loops, take the internal bus to the Settlement, then either the boat or bus to Magic Kingdom. Don't underestimate internal transit time within Fort Wilderness. Give yourself plenty of buffer on your first morning until you learn the rhythm.

Bus Resorts

All remaining Disney resorts take the bus to Magic Kingdom. This includes BoardWalk Inn, Beach Club, Yacht Club, Saratoga Springs, Old Key West, Port Orleans French Quarter, Port Orleans Riverside, Animal Kingdom Lodge (both Jambo House and Kidani Village), Pop Century, Art of Animation, All-Star Movies, All-Star Music, All-Star Sports, Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs and Gran Destino Tower, and Riviera Resort.

A few notes on specific resorts. The Animal Kingdom Lodge resorts and the All-Star resorts are among the farthest from Magic Kingdom and have the longest bus rides. Plan for extra lead time. Caribbean Beach, Saratoga Springs, Old Key West, Coronado Springs, and Port Orleans Riverside are all spread out with multiple bus stops. Know which stop is closest to your building. Port Orleans French Quarter is compact so you're never far from the bus stop.

Swan, Swan Reserve, and Dolphin are Marriott properties on Disney land. Their buses drop you at the Transportation and Ticket Center, not directly at Magic Kingdom. From the TTC you transfer to the monorail or ferry to reach the park. You do get Early Entry at these resorts but you do not get Extended Evening Hours, the additional late night perk for deluxe Disney resorts.

Bus resorts require more lead time than monorail or walking distance resorts. Factor in both the bus wait and the ride. Check the digital screens at your bus stop for next bus timing. Resorts with longer bus rides like the All-Stars and Animal Kingdom Lodge need more lead time than closer resorts.

Strollers on a crowded bus: The best spot is just in front of the middle sliding doors where one adult stays with the stroller while the other sits with the kids. Sometimes you can't get that spot and just have to make do. Fold the stroller if possible, but on a packed morning bus you may be standing with it awkwardly wedged wherever it fits.

When to Uber Even from a Disney Resort

Sometimes free bus transportation isn't worth the wait. If you've waited a long time and no bus has arrived, Uber to the Contemporary and walk to Magic Kingdom. This saves your Early Entry window. If you're at an All-Star resort and running late, Uber eliminates the bus wait even if the ride itself is still long. If the bus line after fireworks is very long, walk to the Contemporary from Magic Kingdom and Uber from there. If you have a sleeping child and can't face a crowded bus, it's worth it for sanity. Check current rideshare pricing. If you're park hopping and need to get somewhere fast, Uber between parks is often faster than Disney bus connections.

You cannot Uber directly to or from Magic Kingdom. Your best option is to walk to the Contemporary, which is a short walk from the Magic Kingdom entrance, and Uber from there. The other option is to take the monorail or ferry to the TTC and Uber from the TTC rideshare area, but that's slower.

Where to Go First (On Property, Early Entry)

Your priority depends on your oldest child's height and interests.

Tiana's Bayou Adventure and TRON Lightcycle Run do not open during Early Entry. They open at official park opening time only. Do not waste Early Entry waiting in line for rides that aren't running yet.

If your you can ride Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at 38 inches minimum, go there first during Early Entry. If you can ride Space Mountain at 44 inches minimum, go there first. If neither yet, go to Peter Pan's Flight.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train has the longest wait in the park almost every day. A 10 minute Early Entry wait becomes a 90 minute standby wait by 10 a.m. Get it done now.

For the little one who can't ride, this is your first Rider Switch of the day. Your whole group enters the line together. At the merge point before loading, tell a Cast Member you need Rider Switch. Adult A rides with the older kids. Adult B waits in a designated area with the younger kids. When Adult A exits, Adult B rides immediately without waiting in line again. Adult A stays with the little one. Rider Switch is not optional for mixed age families. Learn it before you arrive. You'll use it 4 to 6 times per day.

After your first ride and still during Early Entry, if time remains before general public entry, hit Peter Pan's Flight or The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. These rides have low capacity and brutal waits by midday.

Morning Strategy

9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. is the productive window. Crowds are building but haven't peaked. Heat is uncomfortable but not brutal. Your kids still have energy.

Goals for this window: Complete 3 to 4 attractions. Use at least one Rider Switch. Place your mobile lunch order around 10:30 a.m. for 11:30 to noon pickup.

Ride Priority for Mixed Ages

Pirates of the Caribbean has no height requirement with moderate waits. The whole family rides together. It's dark, cool, and long.

Jungle Cruise has no height requirement but waits build fast. Get it done before noon or skip until evening.

Haunted Mansion has no height requirement with moderate waits. Whole family. Good air conditioning in the stretching room and ride.

Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin has no height requirement with moderate waits. Whole family. Interactive. Kids love it. This ride is undergoing a major overhaul so check Disney's site for current status.

It's a small world has no height requirement with moderate waits. 15 minutes of air conditioning. Whole family. Classic.

Tiana's Bayou Adventure requires 40 inches and has high waits. Opens at official park opening, not Early Entry. Use Rider Switch if needed.

The Barnstormer requires 35 inches and is Fantasyland's starter coaster. Perfect for kids who aren't tall enough for the bigger coasters but want something thrilling. It's short at about 1 minute but gives them a real coaster experience.

What to Avoid in the Morning

Avoid meet and greets with long outdoor lines. Save characters for after the midday break. Avoid Tomorrowland Speedway. It has an outdoor queue, no shade, and the ride is loud and hot. Skip it entirely in summer or hit it during the final hour before close. Avoid any ride with 60 or more minutes posted wait unless it's a must-do and you're using Lightning Lane.

Current Closures as of Early 2026

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is closed and undergoing major refurbishment. Expected to reopen Spring 2026 with enhancements.

Tom Sawyer Island is permanently closed. It closed July 2025 and is being converted to Piston Peak, a Cars Land area.

Rivers of America and Liberty Square Riverboat are permanently closed. They closed July 2025 and the area is being transformed for a new expansion.

Walt Disney World Railroad is running in modified shuttle mode between Main Street and Fantasyland only. The Frontierland station has been closed for years due to construction.

Afternoon Survival 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

This is where summer days fall apart for most families. Heat peaks. Crowds peak. Kids hit a wall. Storms roll in.

Your job: Stay cool, stay fed, stay flexible. You're not crushing ride counts. You're keeping everyone functional for the evening payoff.

Option A The Midday Hotel Break

Best for families with kids under 6, anyone staying on site, and groups where someone needs a nap or pool time.

Eat early lunch with an 11:00 to 11:30 mobile order pickup. Exit the park by noon or 12:30. Return to the hotel for pool, nap, or air conditioned quiet. Come back to the park between 4:00 and 5:00 p.m.

Why this works: You skip the worst heat from 1 to 3 p.m. You skip the afternoon storm window from 3 to 5 p.m. Kids reset and the evening becomes a second day.

Why families resist it: They feel like they paid for a full day. You did. A broken crying child at 2 p.m. means you paid for a miserable day. The midday break often lets you stay later when the park is at its best.

Option B Ride It Out Inside the Park

Best for off property families where the commute kills too much time, or older kids who can push through.

From 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. eat lunch. Use mobile order. Do not wait in standby food lines in summer.

Indoor lunch spots for mixed ages: Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn in Frontierland has a big indoor space, toppings bar, and is picky eater friendly. Columbia Harbour House in Liberty Square has two floors, is quieter upstairs, and has decent variety. Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe in Tomorrowland has huge capacity, burgers and chicken, and Sonny Eclipse entertains the kids.

From 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. focus on air conditioning and shows. This is strategy, not failure. Trade outdoor rides for indoor experiences while the sun tries to kill you.

Indoor attractions for mixed ages: Carousel of Progress is 20 minutes of AC. Older kids might be bored but your legs will thank you. Mickey's PhilharMagic is 12 minutes, 3D, and air conditioned for all ages. Haunted Mansion if you haven't done it, with an indoor queue and ride. Hall of Presidents is 25 minutes sitting in the dark and the toddler might nap. Country Bear Jamboree is goofy, charming, and air conditioned. Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor is interactive, funny, and cool. Enchanted Tiki Room is a 15 minute show that's air conditioned, rarely has a wait, and is a good reset for little ones. It's a small world is a 15 minute ride that's fully air conditioned for the whole family. Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover is a 10 minute ride with breeze and air conditioned sections. It rarely has more than a 15 minute wait and is perfect for tired legs.

DVC Member Lounge: Disney Vacation Club members can access The Belongings Lounge located above the Main Street Confectionery. It offers air conditioned seating, phone charging stations, and a quiet escape from the chaos. Check in at the door with your DVC membership. It's not huge but on a brutal summer afternoon it's a lifesaver if you qualify.

Character meets if your young one needs them: Town Square Theater for Mickey has an indoor queue. Princess Fairytale Hall is fully indoors. Check wait times and schedule return time if available.

From 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. is storm watch. Most summer days the sky turns gray between 3 and 5 p.m. A storm dumps rain for 20 to 45 minutes then clears.

When you see it coming, move indoors before it hits. Don't wait for the first drops. Use storm time for an indoor snack, show, or character meet. Wear your poncho if caught outside.

After the storm, crowds often thin as some families leave. Wait times can drop 10 to 20 minutes across the board. Temperature drops slightly. This is your window to get back on outdoor rides.

Evening Payoff 5:00 p.m. to Close

If you survived the afternoon, you're about to be rewarded. Evening hours are the best part of the day. Temperature drops from brutal to merely hot. Some families with young kids leave. Wait times often decrease after 7:00 p.m. The park atmosphere shifts with lighting and music and it feels different.

Evening Goals

First, knock out must-do rides you missed. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train if you skipped it at rope drop. Space Mountain if the older kid is 44 inches or taller. Tiana's Bayou Adventure at 40 inches minimum. TRON Lightcycle Run at 48 inches minimum.

Second, let the little ones have a win. Dumbo, the Carousel, and Little Mermaid often have shorter waits now. Magic Carpets of Aladdin is the Dumbo alternative in Adventureland and usually has a shorter line. A second character meet if they're asking.

Third, secure a fireworks spot if staying. The evening fireworks show runs most summer nights. Check My Disney Experience for the current show name and schedule. Main Street offers the best view and easiest exit for mixed ages. Stake out a spot 30 to 45 minutes early for a good view. The Hub in front of the castle is iconic but harder to exit quickly.

Fourth, make the dinner decision. Eating before fireworks around 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. is less rushed but you lose ride time. Eating after fireworks means restaurants are slammed but you rode more. Snacking through it with Dole Whip and popcorn keeps you moving. For mixed ages, eating before fireworks usually works better. Hungry kids plus fireworks crowd equals meltdown risk.

Wait Time Patterns by Time of Day

During Early Entry you'll have the shortest waits of the day. This is your best window for headliners. The first hour after general opening has waits building but still manageable. Late morning through mid-afternoon is peak waits when headliners can have very long lines. The 3 to 5 p.m. storm window is variable and can drop significantly if rain clears crowds. Evening after 6 p.m. sees waits typically decrease as families with young kids leave. The final hours before close are often the second best window after Early Entry.

Check the My Disney Experience app for real-time wait times throughout the day.

Headliners with the longest waits: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Space Mountain, Tiana's Bayou Adventure, TRON Lightcycle Run, Peter Pan's Flight.

Secondary rides with moderate waits: Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, Buzz Lightyear, Little Mermaid, it's a small world.

Lightning Lane Priorities for Mixed Ages

If buying Lightning Lane Multi Pass, first priority is Seven Dwarfs Mine Train because it has the longest wait and is your save if you missed Early Entry. Second priority is Peter Pan's Flight for its low capacity, consistently long waits, and the whole family rides. Third priority is Tiana's Bayou Adventure because it's popular, doesn't open during Early Entry, and has an outdoor queue. Fourth priority is Jungle Cruise to skip the brutal outdoor queue in summer heat. Fifth priority is Space Mountain if the older kid is 44 inches or taller and wants it.

For Lightning Lane Single Pass where you pay extra per ride, TRON Lightcycle Run requires 48 inches minimum. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is also available. Check the app for current pricing on both.

Lightning Lane pricing varies by date. Check the My Disney Experience app for current prices.

Book your first Lightning Lane as early as the app allows, which is 7 a.m. for resort guests. Refresh throughout the day because times open up.

Complete Ride Reference Height Requirements

The Barnstormer requires 35 inches and is a starter coaster for little ones. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train requires 38 inches and is a family coaster with the longest waits. Tiana's Bayou Adventure requires 40 inches and is a log flume where you will get wet. Space Mountain requires 44 inches and is an indoor coaster in the dark. TRON Lightcycle Run requires 48 inches and is a high speed coaster where you lean forward. Tomorrowland Speedway requires 32 inches to ride and 54 inches to drive alone. It's loud, hot, and has an outdoor queue.

No height requirement rides where the whole family rides together: Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, it's a small world, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Peter Pan's Flight, Under the Sea Journey of the Little Mermaid, Prince Charming Regal Carrousel, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Magic Carpets of Aladdin, Mad Tea Party, Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, Carousel of Progress, Mickey's PhilharMagic, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, Enchanted Tiki Room, Country Bear Jamboree, and Hall of Presidents.

When the Plan Breaks

My toddler is melting down before we've done anything. Stop trying to do things. Find shade, snack, distraction. The Baby Care Center next to Crystal Palace has quiet space, nursing rooms, and supplies. Sometimes the best move is a 30 minute reset before attempting anything.

A ride went down and we wasted our Lightning Lane. Check the app. Disney usually extends your window or gives a replacement selection. Ask a Cast Member if it's not automatic.

The storm won't stop. Rare but it happens. Indoor attractions get crowded. If severe with lightning, outdoor rides close. Do not leave in panic. Most storms pass within an hour. The post-storm window is often excellent.

My older kid is bored from baby rides. This is the Rider Switch tradeoff. Make sure the older kid knows they'll get their turn. Promise a specific ride like Space Mountain or TRON and deliver. Alternate one round for the little one, one for the big kid.

We're exhausted and it's only 2 p.m. Leave. Go back to the hotel. A bad afternoon doesn't ruin a good evening. Return after 5 p.m. for a completely different experience.

End of Night Transportation

Fireworks end. Thousands of people try to leave at once.

Off Property Parked at the TTC

The ferry to the TTC is your best bet. It typically has a shorter line than the monorail. The monorail line can be very long and is usually not worth it. You can also walk to the Contemporary and Uber home, skipping all transit lines. Check current rideshare pricing.

On Property by Resort Type

Monorail resorts: Contemporary guests walk back since it's walking distance with no lines. Polynesian and Grand Floridian guests can walk to the Contemporary and take the resort monorail loop, or wait for the direct monorail if the line is short.

Boat resorts: Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness take the boat back. Lines are usually manageable.

Bus resorts: Assess your bus line. Short line, wait. Long line, walk to the Contemporary and Uber to your resort. Often faster and less miserable.

The Leave Early Option

Leave before fireworks end. You catch most of the show while walking to the exit. You beat the crush. Much shorter wait for the ferry. Much shorter bus lines.

The Day at a Glance

Check park hours first at disneyworld.disney.go.com/calendars for your date. Early Entry begins 30 minutes before the official park opening time.

On Property with Early Entry

Morning: Wake up and have a quick breakfast. Head to transportation with enough buffer to reach the park before Early Entry. Go through security. Be at the park gates before Early Entry begins. During Early Entry ride Seven Dwarfs Mine Train or Peter Pan's Flight. Continue with 3 to 4 rides using Rider Switch as needed. Place a mobile lunch order mid-morning. Eat lunch indoors.

Midday: Hotel break or indoor shows and air conditioning.

Evening: Return to the park late afternoon. Dinner. Evening rides. Fireworks. Exit or final rides.

Off Property Driving to the TTC

Morning: Wake up and load the car. Leave the hotel factoring in drive time. Arrive at the TTC and park. Walk or tram to the TTC station. Board the monorail or ferry, whichever line is shorter. Arrive at Magic Kingdom and go through security. Be at the gates before park opens. Head to Adventureland and Frontierland first to skip the Fantasyland crowds. Place a mobile lunch order mid-morning. Eat lunch indoors.

Midday: Indoor shows, air conditioning, storm shelter.

Evening: Post-storm rides. Dinner. Evening rides, and consider Lightning Lane for Seven Dwarfs. Fireworks. Ferry to TTC, tram to car.

Final Notes

Mixed age families have the hardest job at Magic Kingdom in summer. You're managing competing needs, physical limitations, and emotional limits all at 95 degrees.

Families who have good days accept that not everyone gets everything every hour, use Rider Switch consistently, build in rest with a hotel break or long lunch, and save energy for the evening.

Families who have bad days try to get their money's worth by never stopping.