So how does a family with limited time make sure they see the best of the Magic Kingdom? For starters, customize your itinerary to the ages of your children. And do everything you can to avoid the crowds. Fewer people equals shorter lines equals more rides equals maximum fun. But avoiding the crowds takes planning.
Now, I didn't come up with the following theories while sitting at home on my couch. With more than two dozen Walt Disney World visits under my belt, I've developed most of my touring tips by making every possible mistake. I've also interviewed hundreds of kids, in lines and as they were leaving rides, about their favorite attractions. But in order to road test these ideas even further, I recently went to Orlando with my kids--Leigh, 13, and Jordan, nine--and with my cousin Kabee, whose daughters, Rachel and Lea, are five and two. Between us we covered every age category and experience level from Disney veteran to Disney tenderfoot, and had a terrific time. It helps if you remember these four things:
ARRIVE EARLY: Ride major attractions early in the morning, take a break in the afternoon when crowds and temperatures peak, and return to the park in the evening.
PICK THE RIGHT DAY: If you're staying in a Walt Disney resort, visit the Magic Kingdom on one of the designated "extra magic hour admissions," when resort guests are allowed into the park a full 90 minutes ahead of day guests. Information on which park is featured on what morning is included in your hotel check-in package. Early entry provides your best chance to ride classics like Space Mountain and Dumbo with minimal waits. If you're visiting during the off-season, be sure to go on a night when the light parade SpectroMagic is running; during summers and holidays, SpectroMagic runs more frequently. (Daily parade and show times are listed on the theme-park map given out when you purchase tickets.)
CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIME OF YEAR: If possible, go "off-season"--during the early spring or fall, avoiding summer and holidays. Although no part of the Magic Kingdom can ever truly be described as uncrowded, you may encounter half as many people in February or October as you might in July or August.
RIDE THE RIGHT STUFF: Unlike at Epcot, Animal Kingdom or Disney-MGM Studios, where many attractions can be enjoyed by the whole family, having a great day at the Magic Kingdom depends on choosing attractions that are age-appropriate for your kids. Read on for tips on meeting the characters.
Younger kids thrill at seeing the characters and collecting autographs. During our character dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern, five-year-old Rachel was so anxious to hug Chip that she fell off her chair.
Locations and times for character appearances are listed in a brochure that you can pick up at Guest Relations or City Hall as you enter the park. If you can, show up a few minutes before the characters are scheduled to arrive. Here's our advice on how to make the most of your character meet-and-greets:
• Get an autograph book. This could be the best five dollars you'll ever spend. It gives the kids a reason to approach the characters if shyness sets in, and serves as a great souvenir.
• For families with kids under seven, a character meal is well worth the expense. The Magic Kingdom hosts character meals at Cinderella's Royal Table (Cinderella and other "princess" characters), the Crystal Palace (Winnie and friends) and Liberty Tree Tavern (Mickey and the gang in Revolutionary War era garb). The characters come to your table and there is time for autographs and photos. .
• The characters are quite sensitive and will wait for a timid child to approach them, so don't push your kids forward too quickly in your enthusiasm for the perfect photo.
• Look for characters throughout the park in appropriate locations (i.e., the Lion King and Aladdin gangs are in Adventureland). They can be found across from Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, and Alice is often near the Mad Tea Party. Tweedledum actually rode in the cups with us!
• For maximum character density, it's hard to beat Toontown. Meet Mickey in the tent behind his house, and a batch of other characters in the Toontown Hall of Fame tent. Lines are shortest in the first hour after the park opens and the last hour before closing.