A Practically Perfect Disney Day

Often I am asked how to spend a single day at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.  While that is a super tough question as every person and family is different, a day at the Magic Kingdom is usually my answer.  For this post, I’ll consider a day to be a period of 24 hours, starting at 10pm.  This also happens to be my plan for the first day of our super epic Disney Trip planned for next fall.

One of the most magical places at Disney World, is the view of the Magic Kingdom from California Grill or Top of the World Lounge.  A very special time of day at both these locations is typically 9 or 10pm when the Wishes Nighttime Spectacular happens at Magic Kingdom.  The feeling of being “on top of the world” while the fireworks light up the Kingdom is not to be missed.

    So my perfect day begins with watching Wishes from Top of the World Lounge.  Then back through the Contemporary Resort and catch the monorail to The Grand Floridian Resort and Spa to stay the night.  After a short and sweet sleep at the Villas at the Grand Floridian, bounce out of bed early!  Extra Magic Hours for Disney World Resort guests mean that you can get into the Magic Kingdom as early as 8am on select days!  The Grand Floridian is only one Monorail stop away from the Magic Kingdom, so it’s super easy to get there before rope drop.  The Magic Kingdom is absolutely beautiful in the early morning.  With practically no one else in the park yet, it’s a great opportunity to take pictures with family in front of Cinderella’s Castle.

After taking as many pictures as possible, time for breakfast!  Eating at The Crystal Palace in the morning is always wonderful:  Disney breakfast food is incredible.  All the Mickey Waffles you can eat, with visits to your table from our favorite friends from the Hundred Acre Wood.  Pooh, Piglet, and Tigger are always fun for the kids and those who are still kids at heart!   After breakfast is over, time to get started on all the attractions and rides the Magic Kingdom has to offer!  I love going clockwise at the Magic Kingdom for attractions.  So the order is Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, Fantasyland, and then Tomorrowland.  Depending on how quickly we conquer each land, a stop for lunch at either Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café for a burger or Be Our Guest Restaurant for Croque Monsieur and frites.  After Tomorrowland, make a quick stop back in Adventureland for the all-important Dole Whip.

A leisurely walk up Main Street, USA with my dole whip will give Michael all the time he needs to hunt for pins at the extensive shops along the way.   One of the reasons I love to stay on property is the ability to conveniently take a break in the heat of the day!  Staying close by can keep you from dragging by the end of the day, park days can be very long especially for kids.  Just some time in air conditioning or a dip in the pool can be very rejuvenating.   Also taking time to enjoy the magnificent resort you are staying at is very important!

Head back to the monorail to arrive at the Magic Kingdom close to sunset.  Dinner at the Plaza Restaurant is a good start to staking out the perfect place near the Rose Garden for prime Wishes viewing.  Our magical 24 hours will come to a close the same way we started… singing along to Wishes while standing in awe of the huge fireworks illuminating the magnificent Magic Kingdom.