Our First Day at Disney’s Magic Kingdom: Rides, Dining & Fireworks
Tuesday marked our first official day inside the Walt Disney World resort theme parks, and we wasted no time making the most of it. We arrived for our day at Disney’s Magic Kingdom around 9:00 AM, ready to dive headfirst into the magic. With a great plan and lots of excitement, we packed in a lot before lunch, taking in the sights of the iconic Main Street and Magic Kingdom castle along the way.
Magic Kingdom Morning and Must-Do Rides
While I’m not much of a ride person, Auntie and Dad are — so the kids had perfect ride buddies to experience all the thrills. An extra special experience was it was Auntie’s first visit to Disney. The kids were super excited to share in her magical first time visiting Disney World. Our morning lineup included a mix of popular attractions and family favorites:
- Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor: Truly underrated and hilarious. Perfect for getting everyone laughing early in the day.
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin: A hit with the kids, as always. Competitive, fun, and air-conditioned. A fun Magic Kingdom ride if you love a little friendly competition.
- Carousel of Progress: A nostalgic must-do every Disney trip. It’s a piece of Disney history that’s both charming and relaxing.
- Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover: The perfect “take-a-breather” ride with a sneak peek around Tomorrowland. We love the PeopleMover for a quiet ride above the crowds.
- Space Mountain: For the roller coaster thrill seekers in our group, Space Mountain never disappoints.
By 12:30 PM, we were ready for a break and some lunch, and we had the perfect spot lined up.
Lunch at Crystal Palace: Air Conditioning + Pooh Characters
We had a Crystal Palace reservation for lunch, and it was a fantastic choice. Crystal Palace is a character buffet featuring Winnie the Pooh and friends. Between the air conditioning, the great food, and the character meet-and-greets, it was a great time all around.
- The Food: The buffet offered plenty of variety — good food that everyone could find something to enjoy, from salads to kid-friendly favorites. And yes, there was a carving station for the adults who wanted something hearty.
- The Character Experience: If you have a Winnie the Pooh fan in your family, Crystal Palace is a must-do. Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and Eeyore made their rounds, giving the kids (and adults!) plenty of time for hugs, autographs, and pictures. The interactions felt relaxed and not rushed, which made the experience even better.
After a fun-filled morning and a relaxing lunch, we felt recharged and ready to head into the afternoon with full hearts (and full stomachs!).
Afternoon Break and Evening Fun at Magic Kingdom
After lunch, the Florida heat was intense, so we headed back to the hotel, TownePlace Suites Orlando at FLAMINGO CROSSINGS Town Center/Western Entrance for a break. Taking a mid-day break is a game changer in the Florida heat — it gave us a chance to cool off, rest, and recharge for round two.
In the evening, we returned to Magic Kingdom refreshed and ready for more fun. Here’s what we hit:
- Haunted Mansion: A spooky classic that’s perfect after dark.
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train: Worth the wait! A smooth, family-friendly coaster that’s become a must-ride and one of the most popular Magic Kingdom rides.
- Pirates of the Caribbean: Always a crowd-pleaser and a great way to cool off indoors.
- Tiana’s Bayou Adventure: One of the new attractions at Magic Kingdom and instantly a family favorite. The theming is beautiful and the ride was pure fun from start to finish. It became our kids’s new favorite ride along with Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
Everyone agreed the best rides of the day were Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
Dinner and Magic Kingdom Fireworks
Dinner was at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café, giving us a chance to grab an easy meal and a great place to rest before the highlight of the evening — the Magic Kingdom fireworks. Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe is a quick service restaurant serving some classic American food with mobile order as an option.
My son is noise sensitive, so he was a little apprehensive about the fireworks show. Him and I hung out in Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe during the fireworks to dull out the sound, while the rest of our group found a spot to enjoy the Magic Kingdom fireworks.
Although I personally skipped it this time, I’ve watch the fireworks many times. Watching the fireworks light up the night sky with the beautiful backdrop of the Magic Kingdom castle is truly unforgettable. On our day at Magic Kingdom, the park was open until 11, which allowed everyone to repeat their favorite rides after the fireworks. Everyone agreed on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
After the fireworks and the crowd dissipates is also a great time to catch some great pictures around Cinderella’s castle. Be sure to read up on our first day at ‘Ohana and 1900 Park Fare as well as our summary of our entire trip.
Want more real Disney itineraries? Explore My Disney Points Adventures for ride reviews, dining picks, and park strategies.
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I’m a CPA, mom of two, and the creator of Points to Magic. I help people use points to save thousands of dollars on Disney vacations.
