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Why You Should Never Go to Disney’s Magic Kingdom on a Monday

Snow white looks surprised as she stands in front of cinderella's castle, which is illuminated with twilight skies and intricate architecture, in a fairytale setting.
Credit: Disney Dining

Magic Kingdom may be the most popular theme park of Walt Disney World Resort, but it’s one that should be generally avoided at the beginning of the week…

Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, is one of the most populated vacation destinations in the world.

With visitors traveling from all over the globe to experience Disney’s largest theme park campus, it’s good to know some ins and outs before you blindly take a hard-earned week off from your daily life and enjoy “The Most Magical Place on Earth.”

Cinderella Castle

Credit: Flickr/Brian McGowan

Related: Disney World Allowing Guests to Pay for Less Crowds

Disney World never stops – not for a little rain, not for big holidays, and certainly not for weekends. It takes a big storm or global event to get Mickey Mouse to close the gates!

With this in mind, it’s easy to assume that there is no real schedule for Disney World’s week.

You’d be wrong in assuming that, though, because even though Disney World makes a ton of its own rules, the majority of guests still follow a normal Monday through Friday schedule.

Mondays at Magic Kingdom

When it comes down to it, you’re probably going to want to avoid going to Magic Kingdom on Monday.

A bustling theme park with many visitors walking along a wide path. Colorful attractions, including futuristic structures and rides, are in the background, and people of all ages, including families, are enjoying their day in bright, sunny weather.

Credit: Christian Lambert, Unsplash

Related: Disney World Theme Park “Broken,” Overtaken By Crowds

The idea of Walt Disney World is pretty wrapped up in the essence of Magic Kingdom. When people say they’re going to Disney World, they have Magic Kingdom in mind. Some people don’t even realize there are another three parks to explore as well until they start looking into a real vacation!

That being said, the park will usually be the most crowded of the parks as opposed to EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom, but Monday is the absolute worst! Most people’s work weeks ended the Thursday or Friday before. They traveled over the weekend and, of course, want to start their Disney trip off with a bang at Magic Kingdom.

Individuals dressed as Wendy Darling and Peter Pan are joyfully interacting. Wendy is wearing a blue dress and has her hair styled up, while Peter is in a green outfit with a red feather in his cap. They stand near stone walls with an arched doorway in the background.

Credit: Disney

Magic Kingdom is notorious for being the first stop on most itineraries, so avoid that by going midweek!

Start with the less popular Animal Kingdom on Monday and enjoy the spacious greenery of nature. After that closes, spend the night at Magic Kingdom if you must!

But whatever you do, don’t attend Magic Kingdom’s Monday morning rope drop. You’re setting yourself up for a grumpy morning and inflated wait times as everyone rushes to be the first one on Space Mountain.

wilderness explorers at animal kingdom

Credit: Disney

Advice From an Expert

Think you’re stronger than the Monday Magic Kingdom surge?

Don’t take it from me – take it from a former Marine, former Disney VIP Guide, turned private theme park tour guide in Florida! Michael Hewell of the exclusive and successful Michael’s VIPs told Business Insider, “Never go to the Magic Kingdom on Monday. Most Americans get off work Friday, rest Saturday, fly Sunday, and that’s always their first park.”

A colorful sign reading "ADVENTURELAND" is displayed over a wooden archway. The entrance features tiki-inspired decorations with vibrant colors, flanked by lush green tropical plants and trees, all set against a bright blue sky with a few scattered clouds.

Credit: Disney

Hewell is known for his understanding of theme park visitor trends and for using the ins and outs of the Florida Disney Parks to get the most out of every experience. Check out his story HERE.

So, while you may still insist on putting Magic Kingdom at the top of your vacation schedule, consider the drawbacks! Overcrowding, long wait times, higher stress, and overall competition.

If you think you’re down to tame the beast that is Magic Kingdom Mondays, you’re a braver soul than I. And I wish you the best.

belle, cinderella castle, magic kingdom

Credit: Brian McGowan, Unsplash

Have you experienced the Magic Kingdom Monday surge? What’s your stance on when to visit? Tell us about it in the comments below!

About Lana Porter

Lana has never lost a Disney Trivia night. Maybe it’s the hundreds of times she’s been to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, her love for Disney’s ’90’s era hand-animated musicals, or the fact that she’s often likened to cartoon characters, but Disney and its magic have a special place in her heart. Her favorite Disney experiences include the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival, eating Mickey Bars on the PeopleMover, and crying during the Magic Kingdom fireworks show. One day she hopes to be chosen as the rebel spy on Star Tours. When Lana isn’t Park Hopping, she’s at home reading books of all topics, watching her favs on Disney+, or snuggling her two cats, which she swears are not named after Disney characters. She loves surprising people with her knowledge of the Marvel Cinematic Universe but admits she is still catching up with Star Wars. She is happy to combine her excitement for writing with her love for Disney-style storytelling and share what she can with the world!