Quite a bit, well, actually a lot, has changed at the Magic Kingdom in 2021. Since the Magic Kingdom’s reopening, many of our planning tips and tricks are no longer valid. We have completely refreshed our Top Magic Kingdom Hacks with all the latest information in 2021. There are still many tips, tricks, and hacks that will get you ahead of the Magic Kingdom crowd. If you follow this advice, you will have a fantastic time at the “World’s Most Magical Place.”
Remember not everything is the same at the Magic Kingdom
Yes, things are different at the Magic Kingdom in 2021. It is possible things will change, but at the moment the following services are suspended:-
- FastPass
- Single Rider Lines(there wasn’t any in the Magic Kingdom)
- Extra Magic Hours(this isn’t returning)
- Disney Dining Plan
- Character meet and greets
- Playgrounds
- Fireworks and parades
- The majority of tours and special experiences
Also, there are a number of changes throughout the park to keep you safe:
- All Guests ages two and up, and Cast Members, are required to wear face coverings.
- Temperature screening will occur. Any guest recording 100.4 F or above will not be allowed entry.
- Physical distancing and limited contact will be in place throughout the resort.
Book a Disney Park Pass
Forget FastPass+; the key booking now you must obtain as soon as you get your ticket is your Disney Park Pass. To access a park, you will need to prebook a reservation online through the new Disney Park Pass System. To access the Magic Kingdom, guests will have to present both their park reservation and a valid park ticket. Remember, to dine in any theme park restaurant, you must also have a Disney Park Pass.
Don’t forget a face covering
Who would have anticipated in 2021, face masks would be essential to enter Walt Disney World? You must have a face mask before you enter the Magic Kingdom. Remember, if you remove your mask, you might be evicted from the park.
Keep checking My Disney Experience
It seems almost inevitable that changes will happen throughout 2021, assuming the pandemic comes under control. Make sure you don’t miss out if suddenly FastPass or Fireworks restart. Keep checking My Disney Experience for all the latest information, including park hours.
Don’t attempt to do it all in 1 day.
The Magic Kingdom is a massive theme park with lots of attractions. At the moment, not everything is open, but there still is a lot to do. Attempting it all in 1 day will probably lead to failure, tiredness & grumpy kids. If your vacation only allows for 1 day at the Magic Kingdom, make a list of your must-do attractions.
Remember Walt Disney World is 50 in 2021!
2021 was expected to be a year of celebration at Walt Disney World. The resort is celebrating its 50th anniversary and had announced a host of new attractions over the next few years. Due to the resort closure and gradual reopening, the celebrations are likely to be more limited than anticipated.
The festivities will start on October 1st and will run for 18 months. Disney is calling the 50th birthday celebrations “The World’s Most Magical Celebration.” There hasn’t been much information yet on what we can expect at the Magic Kingdom, but expect surprises. Even during a pandemic, Disney will want to mark the occasion. Make sure you keep checking My Disney Experience for the latest news.
Check the latest information on Park Hopping
When Walt Disney World reopened, Park Hopping was suspended. However, Park Hopping will be available in 2021, but it will be slightly different. For those readers unfamiliar with Park Hopping, Park Hopper tickets allow guests to visit more than 1 park at Walt Disney World each day.
Guests will still need to make a Disney Park Pass Reservation for their first park each day, and they must enter this park before trying to enter another. Guests will then be able to enter a second park during Park Hopper Hours. Park Hopping Hours are subject to change, but initially, they will be between 2 pm to close at all parks. Park Hopping will be subject to park capacity, and Disney advises you to check My Disney Experience for the latest information.
Only pack essential in your park bag
What are the things you must take into the park? Remember, you will be carrying your bag all day.
Make a list of what you need, e.g., camera, autograph book, poncho. Pack your bag the night before and check it before you leave in the morning. We have created an updated guide to what we think you should include in your Walt Disney World park bag.
Make sure the kids are tall enough to ride?
Before planning, attractions make sure everyone who wants to is big enough to ride. Disney enforces height limits rigidly. If the kids are not big enough to ride, make sure they know in advance. The following attractions at the Magic Kingdom have height restrictions:
- Tomorrowland Speedway 32″ of 54″ to drive
- The Barnstormer 35″
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train 38″
- Big Thunder Mountain 40″
- Splash Mountain 40″
- Space Mountain 44″
- Plus if it ever reopens again Stitch’s Great Escape is 40″
However, if the kids are too small it does not mean older children and adults can’t ride. Visit our Guide to Rider Switch for more information.
Have access to the park Wi-Fi.
Online access is essential when visiting Walt Disney World. Don’t even consider entering the Magic Kingdoom in 2021 without access to Wi-Fi. We recently reviewed our top Walt Disney World Tip and named it number 1 for 2021.
Having access to WiFi allows you to access My Disney Experience. My Disney Experience is a free online guide to Walt Disney World that allows guests to plan their vacation. Through this free service, you can:
- Keep track of your plans & reservations, including those of your family & friends.
- Make FastPass+, Dining & Ticket Reservations
- Order in advance your food at Quick Service Locations
- Access maps, wait times, showtimes, park hours, and much more essential information via the app.
- Grab a spot in the virtual queue for Rise of the Resistance.
Walt Disney World encourages all guests to have downloaded the latest version of My Disney Experience on their mobile device before entering parks. Also, they recommend having location services, and notifications enabled.
Get to the Magic Kindom early & stay late
Without FastPass lines are long at the Magic Kingdom.
Get there for the park opening. Lines will be quieter the first few hours each day. Even with reduced hours, the last hour is usually quieter.
Be prepared for every type of weather
Sunscreen, hat & waterproof all might be needed on any day at the Magic Kingdom. Have a plan for what to do if the
Read our guide to Orlando Weather for more tips & tricks.
Plan Meal and Drink Breaks
The heat in Orlando, especially in summer, can be very hard going. Dehydration and sunstroke are easy to acquire but easy to prevent. Carry water and drink regularly. There are plenty of free water points at all parks.
Don’t skip meal breaks, a 40-minute break in an air-conditioned restaurant can reinvigorate the whole family.
Book dining reservations in advance & use mobile ordering
During the reopening period of Walt Disney World, not all restaurants will be open, and some will subject to reduced capacity. A new 60-day Advanced Dining Reservation window applies. Make sure you make your reservations as soon as possible as they book-up fast. There are no guarantees you will get a reservation on the day.
I used to think Mobile Ordering was pointless, but I was wrong! In fact, it is perhaps the greatest time-saver at Walt Disney World, order your food in advance at quick-service restaurants. Ordering is simple through the My Disney Experience app. Disney is encouraging all guests to use this during the reopening period.
Consider skipping some attractions
If time is limited you may need to skip the odd attraction. Even during the reopening period, you can’t expect to do everything in one day. We have created a list of 5 attractions we would consider skipping at the Magic Kingdom.
Don’t miss your must-do attractions
Decide before you visit the Magic Kingdom what attractions you must-do. Plan your trip to ensure you don’t miss those must-do attractions.
Here are the 5 attractions I would never miss at The Magic Kingdom.
Check park opening times.
Park opening times vary daily throughout the year. Currently, the opening times of the Magic Kingdom are very flexible! Check My Disney Experience for the latest information.
Do you have any Top Magic Kingdom Hacks? Why not leave a comment below?
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To learn more about Walt Disney World visit our 2021 Guide to Walt Disney World.
This Guide is part of our “Road to 2021 at Walt Disney World” series. Check out the rest of the guides for the latest information.
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