I've been visiting Disney World since I was a kid, and these disappointing photos show what a day at Magic Kingdom can really be like

Amanda KrauseOct 28, 2022, 03:47 IST

The fireworks at Disney's Magic Kingdom look spectacular ... if you can get close enough to see them.Orlando Sentinel/Getty Images, Amanda Krause/Insider

I think Disney World's Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, is a must-visit vacation spot.
But there are still aspects of visiting that can be disappointing to some fans.

Magic Kingdom is the heart of Disney World in Orlando, Florida — but it's not always magical to visit.

Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in April 2022.AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

I've been visiting regularly since I was two years old and have experienced the park at its best and worst.

Author Amanda Krause's recent trip to Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World was in August 2021.Amanda Krause/Insider

Alongside princesses, rides, and delicious food, a typical day may also include long lines, overpriced merchandise, and giant crowds.

Amanda Krause ordered a swirl of Dole Whip, which was hollow on the inside.Amanda Krause/Insider

Though I've found most parkgoers are lovely, it can feel hectic when crowds gather around Cinderella Castle to wait for the park to open and take photos.

Parkgoers wait around Cinderella Castle before Magic Kingdom opens in August 2021.Amanda Krause/Insider

Once the ropes are dropped, many fans race to popular rides like the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Peter Pan's Flight, which can feel a little stressful.

Disney World visitors can be seen rushing to their favorite rides in the morning in August 2021.Amanda Krause/Insider

But even those who get there early have to spend time in line. I rushed to the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train during my last visit and still spent 20 minutes waiting.

People in line for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train minutes after Magic Kingdom's opening in 2021.Amanda Krause/Insider

Most rides, like Peter Pan's Flight, have fun, interactive decor to keep parkgoers entertained while they wait. But the hallways still felt dark and cramped to me.

Peter Pan's Flight had small, cramped queues in August 2021.Amanda Krause/Insider

And depending on which ride you go on, you might have to sit with other parkgoers. Of course, this can be for the best — sometimes you meet great people.

Parkgoers rode the Jungle Cruise at Magic Kingdom in August 2021.Amanda Krause/Insider

Some parkgoers may be disappointed when they find sections of Magic Kingdom under construction during their visit, like when I tried to visit Fantasyland in 2021.

Landmarks like the Beast's castle are covered in scaffolding during construction in August 2021.Amanda Krause/Insider

Others might be bummed when they realize that you can't actually visit each part of the theme park. Most of Ariel's castle in Fantasyland, for example, is just for show.

Ariel's castle in Fantasyland isn't open to the public.Amanda Krause/Insider

Others might be bummed when they realize that you can't actually visit each part of the theme park. Most of Ariel's castle in Fantasyland, for example, is just for show.

When it's time to eat, you might be disappointed again. Restaurants at Magic Kingdom tend to be crowded at all hours of the day.

Both seated dining and quick-service restaurants were crowded in August 2021.Amanda Krause/Insider

And you might not always get what you bargained for. I loved every bite of Dole Whip when I tried it in 2021, but I didn't expect the dessert's giant swirls to be hollow inside.

You don't get as much Dole Whip as you might think, as I experienced in August 2021.Amanda Krause/Insider

And you might not always get what you bargained for. I loved every bite of Dole Whip when I tried it in 2021, but I didn't expect the dessert's giant swirls to be hollow inside.

You can see many of your favorite characters, like Mickey Mouse and friends, up close in Magic Kingdom at parades, meet-and-greets, and more.

Characters on a parade float at Magic Kingdom in August 2021.Amanda Krause/Insider

But you can't always hug your favorite characters. Sometimes, you have to greet them from a distance.

The Country Bear Jamboree's Liver Lips greeted parkgoers from a balcony in August 2021.Amanda Krause/Insider

As I walked around the park in 2021, I skipped a few rides because the listed wait times were long. I was bummed when I realized the signs weren't always accurate, and I could have ridden more rides.

A wait-time sign at the entrance to the Haunted Mansion at Magic Kingdom in August 2021.Amanda Krause/Insider

As I walked around the park in 2021, I skipped a few rides because the listed wait times were long. I was bummed when I realized the signs weren't always accurate, and I could have ridden more rides.

If you're on a ride that gets stuck, you might be there for a while. When I rode the People Mover, I found myself stuck in a dark, noisy room for almost 30 minutes and left with a headache.

A view from the People Mover when it was temporarily stuck in August 2021.Amanda Krause/Insider

If you're on a ride that gets stuck, you might be there for a while. When I rode the People Mover, I found myself stuck in a dark, noisy room for almost 30 minutes and left with a headache.

Even classic attractions like Prince Charming's Royal Carrousel can be disappointing.

The whimsical Prince Charming Regal Carrousel is located near Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom.Amanda Krause/Insider

Its popularity with kids means that there will probably be a ton of strollers in your way as you approach it for a photo.

You couldn't get too close to this carousel thanks to an abundance of strollers in August 2021.Amanda Krause/Insider

Need to get away from the crowds? You won't find much reprieve in Magic Kingdom's shops.

Shops on Main Street, USA, at Disney World Magic Kingdom in August 2021.Amanda Krause/Insider

And they can add an extra layer of frustration, as expensive items often don't have prices on them. I had to bring these Minnie Ears to a cash register to learn they cost $30.

A Minnie Mouse headband with no price tag at Magic Kingdom in August 2021.Amanda Krause/Insider

And they can add an extra layer of frustration, as expensive items often don't have prices on them. I had to bring these Minnie Ears to a cash register to learn they cost $30.

And if you want to visit another Disney theme park in the middle of the day, you might want to avoid the Monorail. I've found that it gets crowded fast.

The monorail outside Magic Kingdom is frequently crowded, like it was in August 2021.Amanda Krause/Insider

In my opinion, the best way to avoid crowds can also be annoying for some. Florida's dark clouds and frequent rain tend to drive people away, and if you don't mind getting soaked, you can get on rides quicker.

It frequently storms in Florida, bringing rain and dark clouds to the theme park, like it did in August 2021.Amanda Krause/Insider

In my opinion, the best way to avoid crowds can also be annoying for some. Florida's dark clouds and frequent rain tend to drive people away, and if you don't mind getting soaked, you can get on rides quicker.

After the day comes to a close, you can experience one of Magic Kingdom's most iconic shows: the nightly fireworks.

Magic Kingdom's fireworks in September 2021.Orlando Sentinel/Getty Images

But if you want to see the show with a close view, you'll have to spend at least an hour of your day holding a good spot.

People held spots to watch the nightly fireworks at Magic Kingdom in August 2021.Amanda Krause/Insider

Once the fireworks start, expect to have thousands of people in front of you. I think the late-night crowds in 2021 were the worst I've experienced.

Crowds gathered to watch Magic Kingdom's fireworks in August 2021.Amanda Krause/Insider

And thousands more people may be behind you. I found myself worried about how I'd leave the park after my visit in 2021.

Crowds gathered to watch fireworks at Magic Kingdom in August 2021.Amanda Krause/Insider

After the firework show, those crowds followed me outside the park to resort shuttles and other transportation.

Magic Kingdom crowds left the theme park in August 2021.Amanda Krause/Insider

I love visiting Magic Kingdom. It encapsulates the heart of Disney World, and there's so much fun to experience, from iconic rides to delicious snacks.

Main Street, USA, at Disney World Magic Kingdom in August 2021.Amanda Krause/Insider

But, as I tell anyone who visits, I think it's good to keep expectations in check. Disney isn't actually magical, after all.

Heavy traffic is seen at the entrance to Walt Disney World in July 2020.Paul Hennessy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

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I've been visiting Disney World since I was a kid, and these disappointing photos show what a day at Magic Kingdom can really be like

Magic Kingdom is the heart of Disney World in Orlando, Florida — but it's not always magical to visit.

I've been visiting regularly since I was two years old and have experienced the park at its best and worst.

Alongside princesses, rides, and delicious food, a typical day may also include long lines, overpriced merchandise, and giant crowds.

Though I've found most parkgoers are lovely, it can feel hectic when crowds gather around Cinderella Castle to wait for the park to open and take photos.

Once the ropes are dropped, many fans race to popular rides like the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Peter Pan's Flight, which can feel a little stressful.

But even those who get there early have to spend time in line. I rushed to the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train during my last visit and still spent 20 minutes waiting.

Most rides, like Peter Pan's Flight, have fun, interactive decor to keep parkgoers entertained while they wait. But the hallways still felt dark and cramped to me.

And depending on which ride you go on, you might have to sit with other parkgoers. Of course, this can be for the best — sometimes you meet great people.

Some parkgoers may be disappointed when they find sections of Magic Kingdom under construction during their visit, like when I tried to visit Fantasyland in 2021.

Others might be bummed when they realize that you can't actually visit each part of the theme park. Most of Ariel's castle in Fantasyland, for example, is just for show.

When it's time to eat, you might be disappointed again. Restaurants at Magic Kingdom tend to be crowded at all hours of the day.

And you might not always get what you bargained for. I loved every bite of Dole Whip when I tried it in 2021, but I didn't expect the dessert's giant swirls to be hollow inside.

You can see many of your favorite characters, like Mickey Mouse and friends, up close in Magic Kingdom at parades, meet-and-greets, and more.

But you can't always hug your favorite characters. Sometimes, you have to greet them from a distance.

As I walked around the park in 2021, I skipped a few rides because the listed wait times were long. I was bummed when I realized the signs weren't always accurate, and I could have ridden more rides.

If you're on a ride that gets stuck, you might be there for a while. When I rode the People Mover, I found myself stuck in a dark, noisy room for almost 30 minutes and left with a headache.

Even classic attractions like Prince Charming's Royal Carrousel can be disappointing.

Its popularity with kids means that there will probably be a ton of strollers in your way as you approach it for a photo.

Need to get away from the crowds? You won't find much reprieve in Magic Kingdom's shops.

And they can add an extra layer of frustration, as expensive items often don't have prices on them. I had to bring these Minnie Ears to a cash register to learn they cost $30.

And if you want to visit another Disney theme park in the middle of the day, you might want to avoid the Monorail. I've found that it gets crowded fast.

In my opinion, the best way to avoid crowds can also be annoying for some. Florida's dark clouds and frequent rain tend to drive people away, and if you don't mind getting soaked, you can get on rides quicker.

After the day comes to a close, you can experience one of Magic Kingdom's most iconic shows: the nightly fireworks.

But if you want to see the show with a close view, you'll have to spend at least an hour of your day holding a good spot.

Once the fireworks start, expect to have thousands of people in front of you. I think the late-night crowds in 2021 were the worst I've experienced.

And thousands more people may be behind you. I found myself worried about how I'd leave the park after my visit in 2021.

After the firework show, those crowds followed me outside the park to resort shuttles and other transportation.

I love visiting Magic Kingdom. It encapsulates the heart of Disney World, and there's so much fun to experience, from iconic rides to delicious snacks.

But, as I tell anyone who visits, I think it's good to keep expectations in check. Disney isn't actually magical, after all.