21 Things to do in Magic Kingdom that aren't rides

Magic Kingdom may be known for its rides, but there is SO much more to do around the park. Between shows, characters, food, live entertainment, hidden details, and a few experiences you might walk right past if you don't know they're there, you could easily spend a huge chunk of your day without getting on a traditional ride at all.

For this guide, we're using the term "not rides" a little loosely. I've included shows, walk-through attractions, and a few other experiences, but we're skipping the traditional hop-in-a-ride-vehicle-and-go attractions. Here are 21 of my favorite things to do in Magic Kingdom that aren't rides!

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1. Meet a Character or Princess

Magic Kingdom is one of the best parks in Walt Disney World for meeting characters. You can head under the sea to meet Ariel in her Grotto, stop by Town Square Theater to see Mickey, or visit Princess Fairytale Hall to meet several Disney Princesses.

Character locations and appearances do occasionally change, so check the My Disney Experience app during your visit to see who's meeting that day and current wait times.

2. Watch a Parade or Cavalcade

If you've never stopped to watch a Magic Kingdom parade, make time for at least one! The Festival of Fantasy Parade brings floats, characters, dancers, and plenty of Disney music right through the park.

You'll also find smaller entertainment offerings throughout the day, such as the Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade and, when offered, Max and the Powerline Party Pack (millennials unite!). These are great because you get a little dose of Disney magic without committing a huge portion of your day.

3. Catch Some Live Entertainment

Keep an eye (and an ear) out as you're walking around Magic Kingdom because there is live entertainment tucked all over the park. Some of my favorites are the Dapper Dans barbershop quartet and the pianist outside Casey's Corner.

You may also catch the Main Street Philharmonic performing around the park. Showtimes vary, so check the day's entertainment schedule if there's someone you particularly want to see.

4. Watch the Flag Retreat Ceremony

Each evening, the American flag in Town Square is lowered during Magic Kingdom's Flag Retreat Ceremony. The ceremony includes "The Star-Spangled Banner" and often honors a veteran who is visiting the park that day.

It's one of those quieter Magic Kingdom traditions that's very easy to miss if you're rushing from attraction to attraction.

5. See Happily Ever After

Even if you don't ride a single thing, I think everyone should see Happily Ever After at least once. The nighttime spectacular combines fireworks, music, projections across Cinderella Castle, and lighting effects throughout the hub and Main Street.

And if you're like me, there may also be happy tears. No shame. It's Disney World.

6. Try Some Classic Magic Kingdom Snacks

pepperoni spring roll and sauce adventureland spring roll cart

You can't spend a day at Magic Kingdom without stopping for at least one snack! There are plenty of classics to choose from, including Dole Whip, Mickey-shaped pretzels, buttery popcorn, and the cheeseburger spring rolls near Adventureland.

I also think snacking is one of the best excuses to slow down for a bit. Grab something, find somewhere interesting to sit, and enjoy the atmosphere instead of immediately running to the next attraction.

Find my full review of the Adventureland Spring Roll Cart here!

7. Eat at a Themed Restaurant

Magic Kingdom has several restaurants where the setting is just as much a part of the experience as the food. You can dine inside the Beast's castle at Be Our Guest, step into a pirate pub at The Beak and Barrel, or head into the jungle at Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen.

If you're spending a full day in the park, a sit-down meal is also a glorious opportunity for some air conditioning and a break from walking.

Find my full review of The Beak & Barrel here.

8. Have a Character Meal

If standing in character lines isn't your thing, let the characters come to you! Magic Kingdom has several character dining experiences, including The Crystal Palace with Winnie the Pooh and friends and Cinderella's Royal Table inside Cinderella Castle.

They're definitely more expensive than your average park meal, but you're combining food with several character interactions, which can make them especially worthwhile for families with little ones.

Find the full Crystal Palace menu here.

9. Explore the Shops

Main Street, U.S.A. is the obvious destination for shopping, but don't stop there. Each land has its own shops with merchandise that fits the surrounding theme, and browsing them is a fun way to see things you won't necessarily find in the giant stores near the entrance.

It's also another excellent activity when Florida decides to unleash either a thunderstorm or the surface temperature of the sun.

10. Explore the Theming & Look for Hidden Details

This is something I've loved doing since I was very small. When you aren't racing toward the next ride, Magic Kingdom has a ridiculous amount of detail to look at, from tiny scenes tucked into corners to the names painted across the windows on Main Street.

Keep an eye out for Hidden Mickeys, too! Once you start deliberately looking at the architecture, props, signs, landscaping, and little storytelling details around each land, you'll realize how much of the park you normally walk straight past.

11. Take a Ride on a Main Street Vehicle

Main Street vehicles are technically transportation, so we're declaring them fair game for this list. Depending on what's operating during your visit, you may spot one of the park's vintage-style vehicles making its way along Main Street.

They're a charming little way to experience the area, and they're one of those old-school Magic Kingdom touches that make Main Street feel like more than simply the pathway to Cinderella Castle.

12. Play A Pirate's Adventure: Treasures of the Seven Seas

This is one that I think a lot of guests completely overlook. A Pirate's Adventure: Treasures of the Seven Seas is an interactive experience around Adventureland where you'll follow clues and search for treasure while triggering effects throughout the land.

It's especially fun if you have kids who want something interactive to do without standing in another ride queue, and it's a great excuse to explore Adventureland more closely.

13. See One of the Classic Sit-Down Attractions

There are quite a few Magic Kingdom attractions where you get to simply sit down in the air conditioning and be entertained, and that deserves its own category.

Depending on what sounds good, try Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room for singing birds and tropical nostalgia, Country Bear Musical Jamboree for musical bears, Mickey's PhilharMagic for a 3D Disney musical adventure, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor for interactive comedy, The Hall of Presidents for American history, or Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress for a little piece of classic Disney history.

They're also fantastic options when your feet have officially filed a complaint.

14. Walk Through the Swiss Family Treehouse

Instead of getting into a ride vehicle, Swiss Family Treehouse lets you explore at your own pace. You'll climb through the family's elaborate treehouse and see living spaces, inventions, and little details inspired by Swiss Family Robinson.

There are quite a few stairs involved, so maybe don't choose this as your "my legs need a break" activity. But the higher portions also give you some interesting views across Adventureland.

15. Experience Enchanted Tales With Belle

Enchanted Tales With Belle is part character experience, part interactive show. Guests enter Maurice's cottage and eventually make their way into the Beast's castle, where members of the group can participate in retelling the story of Beauty and the Beast alongside Belle.

This one is especially cute with children because they can actually become part of the story rather than simply waiting in line for a quick character photo.

16. Collect Pressed Pennies

I've been collecting pressed pennies since I was small and now have hundreds of them! Machines can be found throughout Magic Kingdom with different character and attraction designs, making this a relatively inexpensive souvenir hunt you can continue throughout your trip.

You don't have to collect hundreds like some of us apparently decided to do, but they're small, easy to bring home, and fun to look for while exploring the different lands.

17. Stop for PhotoPass Photos

Don't walk straight past all of those PhotoPass photographers! You'll find them at some of the most recognizable spots around Magic Kingdom, particularly along Main Street and in front of Cinderella Castle.

Some locations also offer Magic Shots that add Disney characters or effects to your photos. Even if you're usually the person taking all of the vacation pictures, this is an easy way to make sure you actually appear in a few of them.

18. Visit Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

For little ones who dream of becoming a Disney Princess or knight, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique turns the makeover itself into an experience. Fairy Godmother's Apprentices help transform kids with hair, makeup, costumes, and accessories depending on the package selected.

This one requires some planning and can get expensive, but for the right kid it can easily become one of the biggest memories of the trip.

19. Get a Haircut at Harmony Barber Shop

Yes, you can actually get a haircut inside Magic Kingdom! Harmony Barber Shop is located on Main Street, U.S.A. and offers haircuts for both children and adults in an old-fashioned barbershop setting.

It's especially known for baby's first haircut packages, but you don't need to be a tiny human getting your first trim to make an appointment. It's such an unusual little Disney experience that I think it's worth knowing about even if you've walked past the shop a hundred times.

20. Take a Behind-the-Scenes Tour

If you've visited Magic Kingdom several times and want to see the park from a completely different perspective, consider booking a tour. Disney's Keys to the Kingdom Tour is one of the best-known options and takes guests behind the scenes while explaining some of the history, operations, and secrets of the park.

This is definitely more of an experience for serious Disney fans-and some tours have age restrictions-but it's a fun way to spend part of the day without riding attractions.

21. Attend a Special Ticketed Event

Finally, Magic Kingdom hosts several special ticketed events throughout the year that completely change the atmosphere of the park. Depending on when you're visiting, these can include Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, and select Disney After Hours events.

These require a separate ticket from regular park admission, but usually include special entertainment, characters, snacks, overlays, or other event-exclusive experiences. The Halloween and Christmas parties in particular are worth considering if you love seasonal decorations and seeing Magic Kingdom looking completely different from an ordinary park day.

What is your favorite non-ride activity in Magic Kingdom?

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