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Virtual Queue & Lightning Lanes

Virtual Queue

Two attractions are available:

  • TRON Lightcycle / Run

  • Tiana's Bayou Adventure

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Virtual queues open twice daily and you may only request a virtual queue once a day. You must have valid admission to enter Magic Kingdom:

  • 7 A.M. (May enter the virtual queue without being in the park)

  • 1 P.M. (MUST be in the park to enter the virtual queue)

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Lightning Lanes - Multi Pass

Genie Plus retired as of July 23, 2024.  

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Lightning Lanes can be purchased through the My Disney Experience App, so you can go through the line more quickly than the standby line.  Prices vary depending on the theme park and time of year.  If you are park hopping, you can buy the multi pass for the first park you will be visiting.  Walt Disney World Resort guests can book 3 lightning lanes 7 days in advance for the duration of your visit, and all other off site guests can book 3 lightning lanes 3 days ahead.  

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One Tier 1 Lightning Lane can be booked ahead of time:

  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

  • Jungle Cruise

  • Peter Pan's Flight

  • Space Mountain

  • Tiana's Bayou Adventure

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Two Tier 2 Lightning Lanes can be booked ahead of time:

  • The Barnstormer

  • Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin

  • Dumbo the Flying Elephant

  • Haunted Mansion

  • "it's a small world"

  • Mad Tea Party

  • The Magic Carpets of Aladdin

  • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

  • Mickey's PhilarMagic

  • Monster's Inc. Laugh Floor

  • Pirates of the Caribbean

  • Tomorrowland Speedway

  • Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid

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STEP 1: Once you use your first Lightning Lane, you can book your next Lightning Lane in any park in either Tier 1 or Tier 2.

STEP 2: Repeat. Repeat. Etc.

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Single Pass Lightning Lanes

There are some lightning lanes that you can purchase individually. Multi Pass and Single Pass Lightning Lanes are two separate purchases.  You can purchase one without the other.  You can only buy up to two Individual Lightning Lanes per day and only one per ride.

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Seven Dwarfs Mine Train AND TRON Lightcycle / Run Single Pass Lightning Lanes can be purchased at Magic Kingdom.

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All Walt Disney World Resort guests as well as guests staying at Shades of Green and Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels can purchase Single Pass Lightning Lanes 7 days ahead of check-in starting at 7 A.M. EST.  Single Pass Lightning Lanes can be planned for the duration of your stay (up to 14 days). 

 

All other guests can book their Single Pass Lightning Lanes 3 days ahead of their visit starting at 7 A.M. EST.​

Typical Park Hours

Magic Kingdom typically has the longest park hours out of all four theme parks.

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Magic Kingdom will either open at 8:00 a.m. or 9:00 a.m.  Depending on the time of year and the crowd levels, the park will close at 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, or even as late as 12:00 a.m. during the busy seasons.

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Early Entry time starts at either 7:30 a.m. or 8:30 a.m.  The gates will open to Main Street, U.S.A. about 45 minutes prior to early entry time (6:45 a.m. or 7:45 a.m.)

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On nights when there is Extended Evening Hours, the park will be open 9:00-11:00 p.m., 10:00 p.m. -12:00 a.m., or 11:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m. for guests staying at a deluxe or DVC resort.

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From August to December, many evenings will have a Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party or Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.  On these nights, the park closes at 6:00 p.m. and there will be no fireworks for regular day guests.  

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Disney lists park hours as early as 70 days ahead on the My Disney Experience App. HOWEVER, the finalized the park hours are updated two full weeks ahead.  When planning, finalize your itinerary 1-2 weeks before your trip with the updated park schedule.

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Example:  The day you visit Magic Kingdom, the posted hours are 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

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Transportation starts: 6:30/7:00 a.m.

Main Gates open: 7:45 a.m.

Early Entry: 8:30 a.m.

Park Opens: 9:00 a.m.

Park Closes: 11:00 p.m.

Main Street Quick Service Closes: 11:30 p.m.

Main Street Shops Close: 12:00 a.m.

How To Get To Magic Kingdom

Transportation options vary depending on where you're staying:

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Walt Disney World Resorts

Monorail is the most iconic transportation option at Disney World, but there are only three resorts that have monorail stations:

1. Contemporary Resort and Bay Lake Tower

2. Grand Floridian Resort & Villas

3. Polynesian Village Resort & Villas & Bungalows

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Water taxis run to Magic Kingdom from resorts along Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake:

1. Fort Wilderness

2. Grand Floridian Resort & Villas

3. Polynesian Village Resort & Villas & Bungalows

4. Wilderness Lodge and Copper Creek Villas & Cabins and Boulder Ridge Villas

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Buses transport guests from the rest of the on-site resorts:

  • All-Star Resorts

  • Animal Kingdom Lodge & Villas

  • Art of Animation Resort

  • Beach Club Resort & Villas

  • Boardwalk Inn & Villas

  • Old Key West Resort

  • Pop Century Resort

  • Port Orleans French Quarter Resort

  • Port Orleans Riverside Resort

  • Riviera Resort

  • Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa

  • Yacht Club Resort

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*The Disney World website states that all transportation options start operating 45 minutes prior to theme park opening.  However, there are many reports of transportation much earlier (up to 90 minutes before early entry).  If your goal is to go to early entry, make sure you leave your hotel room 60-90 minutes before early entry time!

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Off Property Hotels & Rentals​

If you decided to stay off property, make sure to check to see if your hotel has a shuttle option to Magic Kingdom.  All hotels have different transportation schedules, so it is important to look for this information on the hotel website.  If you are taking a hotel shuttle, the bus will take you to the Ticket & Transportation Center.  Then, you have the choice to take the monorail or ferryboat to the Magic Kingdom entrance.  

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If you have a car, you will pay a fee to park at the Ticket & Transportation Center (unless you are a DVC or Annual Passholder and get free standard parking!).  Then you can take the monorail or ferryboat to the Magic Kingdom entrance.

Early Entry

Early Entry Attractions open 30 minutes before official park open. All Walt Disney World Resort guests have access to early entry benefits as well as the following hotels:

  • Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel

  • Walt Disney World Swan Hotel

  • Walt Disney World Swan Reserve

  • B Resort & Spa Lake Buena Vista

  • DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando

  • Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando Lake Buena Vista

  • Four Seasons Resort Orlando

  • Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace

  • Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista

  • Holiday Inn Orlando

  • Shades of Green on Walt Disney World Resort

  • Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek

  • Waldorf Astoria Orlando

  • Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista

  • Wyndham Lake Buena Vista

*Make sure to check shuttle times so you can make early entry time.

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Main Street will be open to ALL park guests 45 minutes prior to early entry start time.

 

The only sections of the park that are open during this time are Fantasyland and Tomorrowland.  There will be two separate entrances.  No Lightning Lanes will be available during this time.

Fantasyland
"it's a small world"
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Mad Tea Party
Mickey's PhilarMagic
Peter Pan's Flight
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
The Barnstormer
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid

Tomorrowland
Astro Orbiter
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Space Mountain
Tomorrowland Speedway
Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress

*The most popular attractions are Space Mountain, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and Peter Pan's Flight.

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Some dining and shopping will be open during this time.  All Park guests will have access to Main Street, U.S.A as well as anyone with a reservation during early entry time.

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Main Street, USA

*The Crystal Palace

Main Street Bakery

Curtain Call Collectibles

Emporium

Main Street Confectionary

Uptown Jewelers

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Fantasyland

Cheshire Cafe

*Cinderella's Royal Table

The Friar's Nook

*Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

Hundred Acre Goods

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Tomorrowland

Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin Photos

Star Traders

Tomorrowland Launch Depot

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*The Crystal Palace, Cinderella's Royal Table, and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique open at 8 a.m. whether there is early entry or not, so pay attention to park opening times.  Reservations are required for these experiences 60(+10) days ahead of time.

Official Park Opening

Once official park time starts to all guests, all sections of Magic Kingdom will be open.  There is a castle show "Let the Magic Begin" welcomes guests to Magic Kingdom about 5 minutes before the park opens.  This is the time where you can rope drop Adventureland and Frontierland.  The following rides are most popular:

  • Jungle Cruise

  • Pirates of the Caribbean

  • Haunted Mansion

  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

  • Tiana's Bayou Adventure - OPENING JUNE 28, 2024

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The other following attractions also open:

  • Frontierland Shootin' Arcade

  • The Hall of Presidents

  • Meet Mickey at Town Square Theater

  • Swiss Family Treehouse

  • TRON Lightcycle / Run

  • Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room

Characters

You can experience character meet & greets in a variety of experiences.  Most character meet & greets are scheduled at different times throughout the day, so it is important to check the My Disney Experience App or the Walt Disney World website to plan ahead of time.  The following characters are currently greeting guests in Magic Kingdom on a regular basis:

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  • Cinderella's Royal Table Character Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner: Cinderella and a variety of other princesses that may rotate (Ariel, Merida, Princess Aurora, Princess Jasmine) reservations are required 60(+10) days ahead

  • The Crystal Palace Character Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner: Pooh Bear, Tigger, Piglet, and Eeyore (reservations are required 60(+10) days ahead)

  • Be Our Guest Lunch and Dinner: The Beast walks through the main dining hall to wave at guests (no meet-and-greet available) reservations are required 60(+10) days ahead

  • Meet Mickey Mouse in Town Square Theater (open for most of the day)

  • Enchanted Tales with Belle (interactive storytelling experience)

  • Meet Ariel at her Grotto

  • Meet Characters from Aladdin in Adventureland

  • Meet Cinderella and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall

  • Meet Minnie, Daisy, Donald, and Goofy at Pete's Silly Sideshow

  • Meet Mirabel at Fairytale Garden

  • Meet Peter Pan in Adventureland

  • Meet Princess Tiana and a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall

  • Meet Winnie the Pooh and Tigger at Thotful Spot (near the ride)

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Dining

Character Dining

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Cinderella's Royal Table

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The Crystal Palace

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Be Our Guest

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Other Table Service

 

The Diamond Horseshoe

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Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen

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Liberty Tree Tavern

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The Plaza Restaurant

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Tony's Town Square Restaurant

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Quick Service Breakfast

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Quick Service Lunch

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Quick Service Dinner

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Snacks

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Entertainment

There's always exciting and magical experiences happening at Magic Kingdom.  From parades to castle shows to fireworks, there is something for everyone to experience throughout the day.

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The Dapper Dans

This barbershop quartet entertains guests up and down Main Street, U.S.A. during most of the morning and afternoon hours.  

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Disney Adventure Friends Calvacade

Sing and dance with some of your favorite Disney pals as they walk through Frontierland down to Main Street, U.S.A.

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Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade

Watch along the parade path in Frontierland and Main Street, U.S.A. for this longer entertainment of many Disney characters singing and dancing for you!

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Mickey's Magical Friendship Faire

This show performs on the stage in front of Cinderella's Castle several times throughout the day.

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Happily Ever After Fireworks

This nighttime spectacular occurs every night filled with music and light projections on the castle and along Main Street, U.S.A.

Park Close

When the park closes, all rides, shops, and dining will be closed (NO EXCEPTIONS!).  However, there are some quick dining places and shops open along Main Street, U.S.A. after official park close if you don't want to rush to the bus stop like everyone else!

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Dining options open until 30 minutes AFTER park closing:

  • Casey's Corner

  • Main Street Bakery

  • Plaza Ice Cream Parlor

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Shops open until 1 hour AFTER park closing:

  • Curtain Call Collectibles

  • Emporium Shop

  • Main Street Cinema

  • Main Street Confectionary

  • Uptown Jewelers

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According to the Walt Disney World website, transportation options will be available until 1 hour after park close.

Extended Evening Hours

Walt Disney World Resort guests who are staying at a deluxe resort or another qualifying resort have the opportunity to stay 2 hours after the park closes on select nights.  So far, Magic Kingdom tends to have Extended Evening Hours on Wednesdays from January through September.

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The following resorts qualify for Extended Evening Hours:

  • Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge & Villas at Jambo House & Kidani Village

  • Disney's Beach Club & Villas

  • Disney's Boardwalk Inn & Villas

  • Disney's Contemporary Resort & Bay Lake Tower

  • Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Villas at the Grand Floridian

  • Disney's Old Key West Resort

  • Disney's Polynesian Village Resort & Villas & Bungalows

  • Disney's Riviera Resort

  • Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort

  • Disney's Wilderness Lodge & Copper Creek Villas & Cabins & Boulder Ridge Villas

  • Disney's Yacht Club

  • The Cabins at Fort Wilderness - A Disney Vacation Club Resort

  • Walt Disney World Swan Resort

  • Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort

  • Walt Disney World Swan Reserve

  • Shades of Green on Walt Disney World Resort

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*Guests who rent Disney Vacation Club points also get this benefit.

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Guests will be able to ride certain attractions during this time.  No lightning lanes are available.  A virtual queue is available at 6 PM for TRON Lightcycle / Run.

  • "it's a small world"

  • Astro Orbiter

  • The Barnstormer

  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

  • Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin

  • Country Bear Jamboree

  • Dumbo the Flying Elephant

  • Haunted Mansion

  • Mad Tea Party

  • The Magic Carpets of Aladdin

  • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

  • Mickey's PhilarMagic

  • Monster's Inc. Laugh Floor

  • Peter Pan's Flight

  • Pirates of the Caribbean

  • Prince Charming Regal Carrousel

  • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

  • Space Mountain

  • Swiss Family Treehouse

  • Tomorrowland Speedway

  • Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid

  • Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room

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The following quick service dining is available:

  • Aloha Isle (closes 5 minutes before end of Extended Evening Hours)

  • Casey's Corner (closes 5 minutes before end of Extended Evening Hours)

  • Main Street Bakery 

  • Plaza Ice Cream Parlor (closes after 30 minutes after Extended Evening Hours START)

  • Sleep Hollow (closes one hour before end of Extended Evening Hours)

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The following shops are open:

  • Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin Photos

  • Curtain Call Collectibles

  • Emporium

  • Hundred Acre Goods

  • Main Street Cinema (closes 1 hour before end of Extended Evening Hours)

  • Main Street Confectionary

  • Plaza del Sol Caribe Bazaar

  • Star Traders

  • Uptown Jewelers

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Transportation will be available for guests at the end of Extended Evening Hours.

Special Ticketed Events at Magic Kingdom

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