Disney Park Hopping: Animal Kingdom Morning & Magic Kingdom
Disney’s Animal Kingdom by Day, Magic Kingdom by Night: A Perfect Friday at Disney World
If you’re wondering whether you can fit Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom into one Disney day, the answer is yes—with the right pacing and a little planning. In this post, we’re sharing our full two-park Disney day: what we rode, where we ate, and how we kept things manageable for a neurodivergent family. Whether you’re using a Park Hopper or just curious about a flexible Disney park hopping strategy, here’s how our Friday went from safari rides to fireworks. We had already visited Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood Studios on previous days.
Morning Safari and Thrills at Animal Kingdom
We started bright and early at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, with one must-do: Kilimanjaro Safaris. It’s a favorite in our family and an ideal way to kick off the day—especially with little ones or older guests. Early morning is also a great time to see the most animals, who may hide during the mid day heat.
Splitting Up for Maximum Fun
After the safari, we divided and conquered:
- My son and I: Calm, nature-filled morning with the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail and Maharajah Jungle Trek—a great pick for animal lovers.
- My daughter and Auntie: All about the thrills. They hit:
- Kali River Rapids
- Expedition Everest
- Avatar Flight of Passage
We reunited for a quick lunch at Yak & Yeti Local Foods Café. The food was fast and gave us a nice break in the shade.
Midday Reset at TownePlace Suites Flamingo Crossings
By 3:00 PM, we were back at our hotel—TownePlace Suites Orlando at FLAMINGO CROSSINGS—for a well-earned recharge. The pool was perfect for cooling off, and the suites gave us space to rest, snack, and reset for the evening.
Evening Magic at Magic Kingdom
We rolled into Magic Kingdom just in time for the fireworks—literally. At 9:10 PM, we watched the show from the monorail, which gave my noise-sensitive son the full visual experience without the loud booms. As we arrived, the fireworks show was still going on, so my husband and son chilled at a quiet shop on Main Street to ride out the final bursts.
In the mean time the girls got creative at Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe, personalizing Mickey Ears.
(Pro Tip: Buy your Mickey Ears on Main Street first. Then customize them here—they’ll give you a pick-up time!)
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See How We Do It →Magic Kingdom After-Hours Ride Wins
We got lucky that Magic Kingdom was open till 11 pm during our visit (be sure to check hours as they vary). With the crowds thinning post-fireworks, the line for rides got much shorter. In just an hour and a half, we knocked out:
- Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
- It’s a Small World
We ended the night with Photopass castle shots and that unforgettable late-night park serenity. There is something magical about Disney at night and Magic Kingdom doesn’t disappoint. I highly suggest exploring Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom at night. For our complete trip recap, see our Our Family Disney World Vacation Review.
This park hopping day was made possible through our Incredi-Pass strategy. Learn Cut Disney World Costs in Half with the Incredi-Pass and see our Planning Walt Disney World with the Incredi-Pass comprehensive guide.
A Perfect Farewell Day
Animal Kingdom by day, Magic Kingdom by night—the balance was just right. We packed in adventure, made room for rest, and created magic that didn’t feel rushed.
About Points to Magic
Our team at Points to Magic is led by Danielle, a CPA with 19 years of financial expertise. We specialize in helping families save thousands on Disney vacations using credit card points and cashback strategies. Every recommendation is personally tested through our own family trips.
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