When all you have time for is a Magic Kingdom 1-day itinerary, you have to make the most of it. And once the sun goes down, your Disney World date night can begin (yay!). 😍

Walt Disney World is magical morning, noon and night, but there’s something extra sweet and romantic when the lights around the park twinkle against a deep blue sky.

Plus, as the park empties of most guests who have been there since rope drop and people gather to watch the fireworks show, even the more popular attractions are easy to get on without long lines.

We’ve put together one of the Magic Kingdom’s most romantic evenings possible. Follow our curated Disney World planning to a T or make it your own.

You may also like:

• Magic Kingdom Itinerary for a Disney Date in Frontierland and Adventureland
• The Ultimate Main Street Disney World Guide for Adults
• Where Is the Disney Magic Kingdom Starbucks? (And Other Park Locations)

1. Take a Drive on the Tomorrowland Speedway

Kick off your Disney World date night at the Tomorrowland Speedway. The cars comfortably seat two adults, and you and your main squeeze can cruise on the track as you take in the views.

This ride is fun during the daytime, of course, but at night, it offers a different kind of spectacle, one much more suited to sneaking kisses and snuggling close. We also love that you get your own car, so you don’t have to share a ride vehicle with other guests.

Want to stay a little longer? If there’s not much of a wait, the cast member may let you take another spin without getting out of the car.

2. Make Your Way to It’s a Small World

At the end of the day, It’s a Small World is usually a walk-on. And unless you’re one of those Disney fans who can’t stand the song, it’s one of the most whimsical rides in Walt Disney World, not to mention a true nod to Walt himself.

We’ve even been on the road completely alone, and if that’s not the most romantic Magic Kingdom experience ever, I don’t know what is.

3. Go Shopping on Main Street

It wouldn’t be a Disney World date night without a bit of shopping, would it?

Main Street, U.S.A. is home to one of the largest Walt Disney World souvenir shops on property: the Emporium. But if you’re looking for something a little more adult and a little less cartoon-y to take home as a souvenir, you want Crystal Arts or Uptown Jewelers.

Crystal Arts is a non-Disney-owned store, but they still offer some discounts, like money off if you use your Disney Rewards Visa card. It’s also one of the few places in WDW that gives D23 members a discount.

Bonus: Items here tend to cost less than in other Disney shops. We especially love the Christmas ornaments and engraved glasses.

Uptown Jewelers is a bonafide Disney shop, but this one is specifically geared toward adults. This is where you’ll find fine jewelry, including Citizen watches and Pandora charms, and they also have high-end clothing and accessories from brands like Coach, Dooney and Bourke, and Loungefly.

4. Have a Disney World Date Night Dinner at The Plaza Restaurant

We didn’t love The Plaza Restaurant the first time we went, but on a recent trip, we gave it another try thanks to this video and rave review from Paging Mr. Morrow. Everything we had was great, and the elegant, turn-of-the-century setting is full of charm.

You can always try your luck with a walk-up reservation at a Disney restaurant, but your safest bet is to reserve ahead of time — like, weeks in advance if you can. Or, sometimes you’ll luck out and get a same-day reservation as people change their plans at the last minute. Here’s how to make Disney dining reservations using the app.

5. Pick Up a Dessert to Have Back at the Resort

The Plaza Restaurant has delicious desserts — “artisanal” milkshakes, ice cream sundaes, cakes… 😋

But if you’re not ready to indulge your sweet tooth, walk toward the Walt Disney World Railroad and stop at the Main Street Confectionery for candy or a baked treat. We also love the make-your-own popcorn in the back. You select your popcorn flavor, chocolate syrup and candy mix-ins. So. Good.

FAQ About a Magic Kingdom Day in the Disney Parks

Planning a Walt Disney World vacation and wondering how much time you need for visiting Magic Kingdom? Or are you trying to figure out how to have a Disney World date night and still do everything you want to at Magic Kingdom? Here’s our advice.

Can you do all of Magic Kingdom in 1 day?

No, you can’t do all of Magic Kingdom in 1 day.

Even if stay from opening to park closing, buy Genie Plus to access Lightning Lanes, purchase an Individual Lightning Lane for a ride like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and get a spot on the Virtual Queue for a ride like TRON Lightcycle / Run, you still won’t be able to see and do everything at the Magic Kingdom in one day.

That’s not all bad news, though! Part of the fun of a Walt Disney World vacation is leaving some to-dos for the next time. Mike and I purposely skip plenty each trip because it makes those experiences more special when we finally get to them.

💡 However, if you don’t travel to Disney World often and you have no clue if or when you’ll be back, you’ll want to plan more than one day for visiting Magic Kingdom. You can accomplish a lot in three days if you have the time for it, and while you still may not see and do everything MK offers, you’ll get in quite a bit.

Lightning Lanes, Individual Lightning Lanes and the Virtual Queue will help you make the most of your time, too, leaving leftover time for a mini Disney World date night before the park closes.

Which ride should I do first at Magic Kingdom?

There’s no right answer to this because every Disney couple has their own preferences. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your Magic Kingdom itinerary or Disney World date night, though:

• If you don’t want to be glued to your phone: Stroll around and hop on whatever short line you come to first. In Magic Kingdom, that may be Carousel of Progress, Mad Tea Party or Enchanted Tiki Room.
• If you need to get on the most popular rides: Use Genie Plus to book a Lightning Lane for the ride you have your heart set on. Popular rides with typically long lines at Disney World include Peter Pan’s Flight, Jungle Cruise and The Haunted Mansion. (Note that your ride time may be for later in the day, but at least it’s guaranteed.)
• If there’s a ride with sentimental value: Sometimes, even a 90-minute wait isn’t long enough to deter us superfans. In that case, prioritize the ride that means the most to you so you don’t miss it.

Which Disney park is best for 1 day?

The Disney park that’s best for one day depends on the type of experience you want to have:

• If you want the most Disney-like experience possible: Spend your time at Magic Kingdom. Between Cinderella Castle, Main Street and all of the well-known rides, this is the most classic of the Disney theme parks.
• If you’re not into rides and/or you want to drink: Epcot is the best park for Disney couples who don’t care about rides because the World Showcase is an eating, drinking and shopping mecca. Or, if you do care about rides, you may be able to get on all of them between Lighting Lanes, the Virtual Queue and several others having low wait times.
• If you like thrill rides (and Star Wars): Hollywood Studios has the most thrill rides and exciting, fast-paced rides of any of the Disney parks, plus it’s the only way you can visit the Star Wars-themed Galaxy’s Edge. By staying from open to close and smartly using Genie Plus, you can see most everything here in a day.

🦁 Now, what about Animal Kingdom? We love this Disney World park, but it’s usually the last priority for us. We don’t care too much about the rides other than Expedition Everest, and we steer clear of most of the animal experiences (ask Lindsay about her fear of elephants if you ever see her).

If you have a day to spare, head to Animal Kingdom and either use Genie Plus to get on everything or worry less about the rides and simply enjoy the surroundings — it’s an absolutely gorgeous park, and so cleverly designed.

Wrapping Up Your Magic Kingdom 1-Day Itinerary!

There’s no better way to cap off a single day at Magic Kingdom than with a Disney World date night. Between the rides with low wait times, shopping for pretty gifts, and a simple meal, this is a low-key evening that every couple can experience.

Think you’ll need a way to beat the Disney blues once you return from your Walt Disney World vacation? We hear you.

These Disney parks-inspired products will bring the magic home until you return.

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