Disney’s Magic Kingdom: Complete Guide and Overview

The heart of Walt Disney World Resort is Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Thousands upon thousands of guests cross the Seven Seas Lagoon to step into this fantastical park. Here, guests can enjoy the five lands which will take them to the past, the future, and their favorite fairytales. The Magic Kingdom welcomed guests for the first time on October 1, 1971. Since then, it has seen countless adventures and many a family has made memories that will stick with them forever in this bright, colorful kingdom. 

Despite the whimsical nature of this park, it is probably the place that will require the most pre-planning before you embark on your Disney vacation. The very first thing to remember? The massive scale of this park. This is where planners who like detailed itineraries may falter. It is nearly impossible to account for how long it will take to do pretty much anything at the Magic Kingdom. This is not a statement meant to scare you, but rather acts as a way to prepare you for the ultimate truth to planning a vacation here: if you cannot be flexible and adapt to the unique circumstances of the day, you will likely end up frustrated and dissatisfied with your time. 

That being said, let’s start with a run-through of what you are up against when going to the Magic Kingdom. 

Skip to: Entrance | Security | Rentals |Guest Relations

Entrance to Disney’s Magic Kingdom

Parking at Disney’s Magic Kingdom

Parking passes (which are good all day and for all four parks) are available for purchase at the entrance to the Magic Kingdom parking lot. The pricing is as follows:

• Standard parking (car or motorcycle) – $25 per day
• Preferred parking (car or motorcycle) – $45 to $50 per day
• Oversized vehicle parking (shuttle, limo, camper trailer, RV, bus, or tractor-trailer) – $30 per day

Resort guests, Cast Members, and select Annual Passholders receive complimentary standard parking with proper identification. These groups all have the option to upgrade to preferred parking by paying the difference in cost between standard and preferred parking. 

Parking trams have returned to the Magic Kingdom! Announcements for the return of this service to the other parks are expected throughout 2022.

• Pro-Tip: It is worth considering before purchasing preferred parking that tram service has restarted in Magic Kingdom, and therefore will reduce the amount of walking required from the standard parking lot. 
• Strollers/wheelchairs are allowed on the tram as long as they can be folded and fit neatly within the seats. You should have the stroller folded and prepped for boarding prior to the arrival of the tram. 
• Listen closely! The spieling Cast Member on the back of the tram will be giving you tons of information about the park, including hours, rules, and spectaculars. 

Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Magic Kingdom has 5 electric vehicle charging spaces, please speak to a cast member for assistance. ChargePoint stations are first come first serve. 

• 5 spaces: 1 space at the front of the Medical Parking Lot and 4 spaces at the front of the Zurg Parking Lot
• Pricing: $0.35 per kilowatt hour, with a minimum service amount of $1.50
  • To use this service, you will need a credit card or a pre-ordered ChargePoint card—available at chargepoint.com.

Parking for Guests with Disabilities

A valid disability parking permit is required and standard parking rates apply. Please speak to a Cast Member for assistance. 

Transportation and Ticket Center

Your next step to the Magic Kingdom is through the Transportation and Ticket Center, often called the TTC. This is the transportation hub from the Magic Kingdom parking lot to the Magic Kingdom park (and EPCOT!). 

Security at Disney’s Magic Kingdom

The security process at the Walt Disney World Resort has changed since re-opening from the Covid-19 Pandemic closure. Where every bag needed to be individually checked in the past, there is now a process where you simply walk through a metal detector and are only required to do a physical bag check if the sensor is tripped. 

• NOTE: Strollers/wheechairs/ECVs are not allowed through the metal detectors. These will go through a separate line where they will be physically inspected along with any bags stored within.
• Pro-Tip: If you are aware of any kind of metal object in your bag – umbrellas, tins, cell phone – take the object out and hold it in front of you as you walk through the metal detector. This will allow the security guards to see that all metal has been removed from your bag and might save you a physical bag check. 
• Some items at Walt Disney World are not necessarily banned, but their use is not permitted in the parks. Common examples include vapes and selfie sticks. 
  • Smoking and vaping are not allowed within the parks (designated smoking areas can be found just outside the front entrance of all theme parks), but you are allowed to have a vape so long as you are not found smoking it in the park. 
  • Selfie sticks must be in their fully closed position at all times. Any selfie sticks in their full extension will be confiscated by security. Extending a selfie stick on an attraction will result in the ride being stopped and the confiscation of your selfie stick following the attraction. 

Transportation Options

You have a few options regarding your transportation from the TTC to the Magic Kingdom:

• Monorail: Skybound transportation to the Magic Kingdom. The TTC includes entry to the Resort Monorail and the Express Monorail to the Magic Kingdom. Monorails begin service 30 minutes prior to the earliest park opening and operate for an hour post the latest park closing. 
  • The Resort Monorail makes stops the the Polynesian Village Resort and the Grand Floridian Resort before stopping in the Magic Kingdom station. From the Magic Kingdom, it stops at the Contemporary Resort before returning to the TTC. 
    • Due to its multitude of stops, it is not faster to take this monorail to the Magic Kingdom, even if the line is shorter.
  • The Express Monorail to the Magic Kingdom, just as it’s name suggests, is a direct line to the Magic Kingdom monorail station. This is often the longest line you’ll see at the TTC.
  • The TTC station also has a monorail for direct transportation to EPCOT. 
• Ferry Boat: Take a large boat across the Seven Seas Lagoon to the Magic Kingdom.
  • The Ferry Boat is the fastest mode of transportation to the Magic Kingdom (and back) when the line for the monorail is backed up. It has a much larger capacity than the monorail.
  • The ferry boat now has a ramp from the top level of the boat to land, meaning you’ll no longer have to wait for the lower level to clear out before disembarking. If you are travelling without wheelchairs or strollers, consider going to the top level for your journey. 
• Bus to Magic Kingdom: Take a bus from the TTC to the Magic Kingdom
  • NOTE: Usually, this service is only offered during the busiest days at the Magic Kingdom
  • If this service is running, it is likely the fastest method to the park, especially since very people realize it is an option. When this is offered, you often find there is little or no line

When you make it to the entrance to the Magic Kingdom, Cast Members will be guiding you to the quickest lines for entry. Every member in your party who is old enough to have a ticket should be prepared to scan and complete a fingerprint scan.

• NOTE: The “fingerprint scan” DOES NOT ACTUALLY TAKE BIOMETRIC DATA. It assigns your fingerprint image to a number, then that number to your park ticket. You are recognized by this number, not the fingerprint itself.

Rentals at Disney’s Magic Kingdom

Just inside the front entrance to the right is where you can go to rent wheelchairs/ECVs and lockers for the Magic Kingdom. The rates are as follows:

• Wheelchair: 
  • Daily: $12
  • Length of Stay (multi-day): $10 per day
    • The daily rentals are transferable through all on-property locations. You only need to pay once per day. 
    • If you purchase a Length-of-Stay rental, it is only transferable between the theme parks. This service can be temporarily suspended during peak seasons. 
    • Wheelchairs cannot be reserved and are issued on a first-come-first-served basis
• ECV:
  • Daily: $50 
    • A refundable $20 deposit is also required for ECV rentals. 
    • There are not Length-of-Stay rentals for ECVs
    • The daily rentals are transferable through all on-property locations. You only need to pay once per day. 
    • Wheelchairs cannot be reserved and are issued on a first-come-first-served basis
      • Please note that you are welcome to bring your personal assistive devices including wheelchairs and ECVs to the theme parks. 

• Lockers
  • Small (12” x 10” x 17”): $10 per day
  • Large (15.5” x 13” x 17”): $12 per day
  • Jumbo (17” x 22” x 26”): $15 per day

• Strollers: Located just inside the right breezeway into the park, on the left hand side.
  • Single stroller (recommended for children 50 lbs. or less.) 
    • Daily: $15
    • Multi-Day (Length of Stay): $13
  • Double stroller (recommended for children 100 lbs. or less.)
    • Daily: $31
    • Multi-Day (Length of Stay): $27
      • Rentals are transferable for the theme parks with a receipt showing purchase

City Hall 

City Hall is the central location of all Guest Relations for the Magic Kingdom. This is located to the far left, just past the entry breezeways. Guest Relations can assist in many ways during your visit to the Magic Kingdom.

• Setting up/troubleshooting DAS 
• Setting up/troubleshooting Disney Genie+
• Lost and Found
• Cast compliments for exemplary service

Just about any issues you have throughout your day can be solved through a visit to Guest Relations, either at City Hall or at one of the satellite Guest Experience Team locations. 

Guest Relations at Disney’s Magic Kingdom

Guest Relations is found just outside the entrance to the far right near the bus loop. If you are aware of any issues that may prevent smooth entry into the park, you should pre-emptively head over to Guest Relations. There are generally GR Cast Members just outside the line who can either resolve your issue right then and there or let you know if you’ll need to join the line. 

• If you do not realize there is an issue with your ticket before attempting to enter the park and getting a “blue” Mickey, there are GR Cast Members who are walking the area and will be ready to assist at the gate.

Smoking Areas

The smoking area is to the far right of the entrance, near the bus loop. Remember that there are no smoking areas inside the park, so if a member of your party would like to smoke, they can do so before entry. If they want to smoke throughout the day, they will be allowed to exit and re-enter the park from the front entry.

First Aid and Baby Care

Magic Kingdom First Aid and Baby Care can be found near the restrooms between Casey’s Corner and the Crystal Palace Restaurant. 

All four of the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks have a “Baby Care” center. These are quiet spaces great for calming upset or over-stimulated children. These are also great for mothers who would prefer nursing in private (please note that nursing is in fact allowed anywhere at Walt Disney World). 

• Pro-Tip: These centers do NOT have an age limit. It is a great option for those traveling with anyone who may be sensitive to large crowds, noise, and smells.
• Pro-Tip: forget or run out of supplies for your baby? Baby Care has a small selection of basics, like diapers, wipes, sunscreen, etc., available for purchase.