Hello All- We are heading to Disney World for the first time and I had a couple of quick questions. We will be in the Magic Kingdon on 5/18. I understand that is an extra hours day. We are not staying on site and will be purchasing a one day ticket at the Disney Store. Will the extra hours apply to us? And if so how do I find out what the hours will be? I read the Unofficial Guide but am still a bit overwhelmed and confused. What time would you recommend getting to the park on 5/18?

Also, if you have any tips, info, or advice we would appreciate it. Are there things you wouldn't miss in the Magic Kingdon if you had one day there? Any food that is a must have?

I appreciate your responses already! Have a good one! :)

From what I understand the extra hours are only for people staying on property. At least that's what I read and that's why we are staying on property. As far as how they work it I'm not sure cause it's my first trip to WDW, but I've read that they might give out wrist bands or else you have to show your room key/card. I think it's mostly for rides though I don't think they will mind you eating or shopping after hours.

Anyway... hope this helps and hope I'm right. If not I'm sure somebody will help and correct me. There are many experience WDW people on here.

Aloha

The Magic Kingdom is open from 9am-10pm that day and there are evening EMH which means the park will be open until 1am for on-property guests.

I'd get there early( before 9) and ride as much as you can before the parks get too crowded.

You didn't say who you are going to be with (little kids, teens, adults only) but my families' must sees are: Buzz Lightyear, Philharmagic, Pooh, Peter Pan, Small World, All 3 Mountians (Space, Splasj, Big Thunder), dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern and the SPectromagic Parade (at night).

HTH.

Thanks for the info thus far. It will be just hubby and I on the trip. He has a convention and I am tagging along. :)

Any time you want to see park hours, go to disneyworld.com and click on calendar, in the top right hand section of the screen. It will go to a page that will let you see the details for all the parks months in advance. If you want to see even more details on your day, 5/18, pull up the May Magic Kingdom calendar, and click on the number 18. You'll get a schedule of special events, parades, all that good stuff.

Enjoy!

Im not surre if this was mentioned but EMH is only if you are staying on site.

Your first trip to WDW can be overwhelming. If I only had one day in the Magic Kingdom, my must sees would be Pirates of the Caribbean, Splash Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan, Small World, Philharmagic, Buzz Lightyear, Space Mountain, and the Carousel of Progress.
You will more than likely be able to see more than just these things, but I would not miss them. If I were to pick between the two parades, I would see Spectromagic (the night time parade).

Most importantly you want to allow yourself mentally to just enjoy being in the Magic Kingdom. Have a basic plan of attack, but be flexible and have fun.:D

Food you cannot miss:

Dole Whips!!

And entrance for the EMH works like this:

For the morning you have to show your room key card at the turnstiles. They won't let you in if you don't have a room key.

For the evening they will start setting up stations around the park for resort guests to get a wristband before the park closes. You go to the station, show your room key and get the wristband that will let you on the rides after the park closes to non-resort guests.

The evening ones are where you have a little leeway when it comes to eating and shopping. You'll probably be able to do that without a wristband, but you won't get on any rides.