When you think of Disney World, we bet the first thing that comes to mind is Magic Kingdom.

Magic Kingdom WAS the first park in Disney World, after all, and it remains the most iconic. You can’t think of Disney World without Cinderella Castle, after all. Magic Kingdom is also home to a lot of classic attractions, so if you’re visiting Disney World for the first time, Magic Kingdom is probably the park you have the highest expectations for. BEFORE you go to Magic Kingdom, though, we want to make sure you keep those expectations in check.

So let’s just tell you what we wish we had known before we visited Magic Kingdom for the first time.

You can’t park at Magic Kingdom

If you’re driving to Disney World, you might be surprised when you drive through the big Magic Kingdom gate and then get routed to a parking lot that is NOT at Magic Kingdom. This is the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC), and it’s there because Walt didn’t want the real world (aka, a parking lot) to encroach upon the world of fantasy  you step into when you go to Magic Kingdom.

Walt wanted folks to approach Magic Kingdom by ferry boat or Monorail, so that when you get that glimpse of the land, it’s an untarnished one. So the TTC was built to be the place where mundane real world things existed, like parking lots. If you want to arrive directly at Magic Kingdom, you’ll have to do so via Disney transportation like the Monorail, the ferryboat, or buses.

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Know the difference between the Monorail routes

Once you’re at the Transportation and Ticket Center, you’ll need to know the difference between the Resort and Express Monorail trains. One of those Monorails, the Express, goes directly to Magic Kingdom, while the Resort Monorail makes stops at all the resorts AND Magic Kingdom.

In other words, if you want to get to Magic Kingdom quickly, you’ll want to hop on the Express Monorail.

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How bad the fireworks crowds are

The fireworks are the HIGHLIGHT and epic finale of any Magic Kingdom day, but y’all, they are CROWDED. First, you’re going to find almost EVERYONE in the park standing and around Main Street, U.S.A. to see the fireworks. Good luck finding a viewing spot if you don’t do so early (and you might even want to consider a fireworks dessert party just to get a guaranteed good view).

Another thing you won’t be prepared for is trying to leave the parks after the fireworks. EVERYONE is headed the same way (and a lot of them are also heading towards the Monorail), so leaving the parks right after the fireworks becomes a real test of patience. Our best tip? Either leave a little before the fireworks end or you can hang around in the shops or grab a snack at Main Street Confectionery while the big herd of people moves down Main Street towards the exit.

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Holidays are also crowded

Sure, it’s magical being in Disney World during holidays like the 4th of July (when there are special fireworks), Thanksgiving, and Christmas. But the problem with that line of thinking is that EVERYONE else is thinking the same thing, meaning holiday crowds are generally NO JOKE in Magic Kingdom.

Honestly, if you can rearrange your travel plans, avoid Disney World on holidays. If you MUST visit on a holiday, visit a different park while everyone is in Magic Kingdom.

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You can’t do everything in one day

Of all the parks in Disney World, Magic Kingdom has the most attractions. Not only that, but you’ve also got tons of entertainment happening at any given time in the park PLUS characters to meet. If you want to do EVERYTHING in Magic Kingdom, you’re going to need way more than just one day.

However, most of us only ever have one day in Magic Kingdom, so the important thing to do is prioritize those rides you must do and those things you must see first.

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You can’t just grab a table at a restaurant

We’ve seen it time and again: someone walks into Magic Kingdom and tries to grab a table at a restaurant at lunch and are told that no tables are available. That’s because most of Magic Kingdom’s table service restaurants have reservations that fill up FAST, as in 60 days ahead of time. If you haven’t planned your table service meals in Magic Kingdom, you might just be out of luck and stuck eating from carts and quick service spots.

HOWEVER, you could get lucky if there’s availability with the Mobile Walk-Up Waitlist, but that’s no guarantee. If you really want to eat somewhere, book that dining reservation as soon as you can (that’s 60 days in advance from the first day of your trip).

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How much you’ll cry during fireworks

Okay, this is for those of us who get emotional at Disney, although we’ve seen a lot of folks lose it and cry in Magic Kingdom. So we’ll just warn you now, the fireworks at Magic Kingdom are SPECIAL and they are meant to reach into your heart and make you feel so much joy, you just can’t take it, and it leaves you sobbing like a baby.

We’re just preparing you for the waterworks. Bring tissue, and don’t be afraid to cry it out…because everyone else is crying, too.

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Overall, we recommend doing your research before you visit Magic Kingdom, so you can make your visit as magical as possible. We’ll keep sharing our best tips and tricks, but you can also get our guides to help you plan the best Disney World vacation EVER.

Stay tuned to DFB for more.

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What’s something you wish you knew before you visited Magic Kingdom? Let us know in the comments!