The shopping in Magic Kingdom is pretty unmatched.

©Disney

Well, okay, Disney Springs is the ultimate shopping location in Disney World, BUT The Emporium on Main Street U.S.A. is just so iconic! While we don’t recommend shopping at the beginning of your day, so you don’t have to carry your bags around for the rest of your hours in the park, we didn’t really think there was a bad time to shop. That all changed when one of our reporters ran face-first into the reason you should NEVER go shopping after this in Magic Kingdom.

Each day in Magic Kingdom, you’ll find one or two showings of the Festival of Fantasy Parade. The parade attracts TONS of viewers each day, because it truly is iconic and such a special moment in the day.

After the parade finished around 3:30PM, our reporter turned in The Emporium to check out merchandise and ran into a WALL OF PEOPLE. When the parade ended, everyone had turned into the store to go shopping, making it immensely crowded.

Festival of Fantasy

As our reporter continued further down the shops, toward the direction of the castle, the crowds didn’t let up, and eventually she just decided to come back a little later. Sure enough, about half an hour later, the crowds had died down.

Crowds at the Emporium

So what should you do if you’re on Main Street U.S.A. right after the parade ends? Well, you could hop in line to meet Mickey Mouse at Town Square Theater before the rest of the crowds get there, or you could mobile order a snack from the Main Street Confectionery or Casey’s Corner to enjoy, then go shopping afterwards!

Crowds

If you’re closer to the castle, we suggest turning tail and BOOKING IT (without running!) to head to a nearby attraction that usually has a high wait such as Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, Peter Pan’s Flight, or Space Mountain to try to beat some of the parade crowds there!

Peter Pan’s Flight

Now, the people who chose not to watch the parade will have been taking advantage of the slightly lower wait times and will be in front of you, but at least you’ll have beaten the MOB that’s about to follow you.

Haunted Mansion

So if you shouldn’t go shopping after the parade, when SHOULD you go? We strongly recommend waiting until the end of your park day to go shopping, even if it’s after the fireworks! In fact, the shops will stay open a little later after park close, so shopping is a great way to let the heaviest crowds get on the ferry, Monorail, and buses. Plus, then you don’t have to be carrying around your merchandise bags all day, or worrying about stopping back at your hotel in the middle of the day.

Main Street U.S.A.

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What’s your favorite time to shop in Magic Kingdom? Tell us in the comments!