Picture this: you’re visiting Magic Kingdom in Disney World and you’re trying to get through big crowds just to make it in time for your advance dining reservation or next Lightning Lane Multi Pass selection.

Magic Kingdom

You could just take your chances and carefully make your way around all those people and take the long way around. OR…you can take a shortcut. Wait…you might ask, are there actually shortcuts IN Magic Kingdom? Well, the answer is YES! And we’re going to share some of our favorite Magic Kingdom shortcuts — with maps — because we want you to be able to navigate Magic Kingdom like a pro.

Okay, the first shortcut is one that pretty much everyone learns the first time they visit Disney World, but just in case, we’ll mention it. To bypass busy crowds on Main Street, U.S.A. (especially during parades and fireworks), you can just cut through the Emporium. You’ll then continue through all the shops right until you get to Casey’s Corner. This is also a great way to exit the park because it will take you to the very front of Main Street, U.S.A.

There’s just one big danger of doing this: you might get distracted by all the merchandise (hey, it happens to us, too). So if you walk out with a few extra shopping bags…

Through The Emporium!

Okay, let’s say you’re trying to get to Tomorrowland quickly from Main Street, U.S.A. You do NOT have to walk all the way down Main Street to the hub in front of Cinderella Castle. Instead, take a right at Plaza Restaurant and keep walking until you walk through Tomorrowland Terrace. You’ll find a pathway that takes you through this restaurant that’s only open for Happily Ever After fireworks dessert parties and just past the purple wall, putting you right at the front of Tomorrowland.

Through Tomorrowland Terrace

Want to get between Tomorrowland and Storybook Circus quickly? You can enter either by The Barnstormer or by Tron Lightcycle / Run and walk easily between the two areas. Bonus? This area is usually pretty chill and quiet, so if you’re looking to get away from people for a bit, it’s perfect. It’s also the BEST way to get to Tomorrowland from the Fantasyland Train Station.

From Tomorrowland to Storybook Circus

Another really great shortcut is taking the small bridge at the front of Adventureland (near where you’ll find the Spring Roll Cart) to Liberty Square — it will take you to the back of Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe. This is one to keep in mind when you need to avoid parade crowds plus you’ll end up at a quiet area WITH SEATING in Liberty Square.

From Adventureland Liberty Square!

We’ve even got TWO shortcuts that can get you from Frontierland to Adventureland (and back again). One path is next to Aloha Isle and Frontier Trading Post. You’ll find the second between The Diamond Horseshoe and Skipper Canteen. The second pathway has a bathroom, too, just in case you need to go.

From Adventureland to Frontierland

Okay, our final shortcut is one that might not be around much longer, given that the area will soon be busy with construction thanks to the new Cars expansion coming to Frontierland. However, there’s a raised sidewalk on the bank of the Rivers of America (which will be going away soon) that can take you around a large portion of Frontierland, especially if you njeed to get away parade crowds. This one is also scenic, and we’ll miss that view when it goes away.

Along Rivers of America

With these maps, you, too, can make your way around Magic Kingdom quickly and efficiently. We’ll continue to share our best Disney tips and tricks with you, so stay tuned to DFB for more.

The Best Ways To MAXIMIZE YOUR TIME in Magic Kingdom

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WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.

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Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!

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Do you have any favorite shortcuts in Magic Kingdom? Share with us in the comments!