Before Sunrise in Magic Kingdom
Last week, we set out for Magic Kingdom shortly before 6 a.m. for morning Extra Magic Hours. After breezing through bag check and the turnstiles, a small group of dedicated Walt Disney World guests waited in front of the floral Mickey to enter and beat the hordes of spring breakers that would later descend upon the park.
Rope drop occurred shortly before 7 a.m., allowing for the rare experience of seeing the Magic Kingdom all lit up in the morning. This pre-sunrise experience in Magic Kingdom happens a few times a year, primarily around Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Easter, and spring break.
It’s one of my absolute favorite times in Walt Disney World, not because you can do a ton of attractions as walk-ons (although you could do exactly that), but because it’s an uncommon opportunity to enjoy the best time of day at Magic Kingdom–as the park transitions from night to day–in a totally serene environment. In this post, I’ll share that experience with you via some photos I captured that morning…
I first fell in love with this pre-dawn Magic Kingdom experience several years ago while staying at Bay Lake Tower the week between Christmas and New Year’s. That year, the park offered 7 a.m. Extra Magic Hours every single morning of our trip, and had unannounced openings even earlier, at about 6:30 a.m.
Every morning, I was outside the train station by 6 a.m., I’d walk over from the Contemporary in the dark and wait for the day to begin. I’d run around, going wild doing attractions as walk-ons, grabbing a few photos here and there. In retrospect, I don’t remember a single ride I did, but the experience of taking certain photos is etched in my memory.
After a few hours, the holiday crowds would show up in full force, and we’d leave, heading back to Bay Lake Tower to crash for the afternoon before getting up just before sunset and repeating the whole process in reverse, staying out as late as possible for evening Extra Magic Hours. It was an odd sleep schedule, to say the least.
My recollections of those mornings are quite fond, but I’ve frequently wished I could do it all over again, focusing solely on the photos. Last week, I had exactly that opportunity, and took full advantage. While Sarah was riding around the Main Street vehicles and the PeopleMover, I was racing around like a madman photographing everything in sight.
If I were to offer a recap of my morning, it would effectively read like the play-by-play from a game of pinball. I started at the Train Station, went halfway up Main Street, back to the Train Station, all the way into the Central Plaza, and back down Main Street.
Then I headed over to Tomorrowland–but not to do attractions, to take photos of fake palm trees. Then it was back to the Central Plaza, through Cinderella Castle to Fantasyland and New Fantasyland, back to Tomorrowland…you get the idea.
Originally, I was going to title this post Kingdom Keepers: Magic Kingdom Before Sunrise.
However, I haven’t actually read any of those books, so I went to Wikipedia to make sure my assumptions about the books’ premises were correct…and it sounds like they’re actually about kids who are holographic hosts, doing battle with villains after hours?
Maybe it would’ve been a good reference, but I nevertheless dropped it. Instead, I went with the Before Sunrise reference, which is part of my favorite film trilogy of all time. The first film is a romantic drama dealing with human connections, everyday life, travel, and seizing opportunities.
Not that you cared.
With a totally clear sky, this sunrise wasn’t ideal from a photography perspective, but I did make sure to be near Cinderella Castle as it was “kissed” by the red glow of the first sunlight piercing the horizon.
This red hue doesn’t last long, so as soon as I captured shots to the side of and between Cinderella Castle, I raced back to New Fantasyland.
My options there were limited, as the sunlight hadn’t yet hit anything near ground level. I’m not sure spotlighting Beast’s Castle is the best idea, but I like this photo.
I probably should’ve headed to Frontierland instead, but I’m not sure I could’ve made it there in time.
Heading back towards the Central Plaza, I stopped for some photos of Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
It was still dark enough to accomplish this photo simply by bumping up my aperture and slowing my shutter speed just a bit, creating the motion blur to give the photo a sense of kinetic energy.
Once the sun was sufficiently over the horizon, it was time for one of my favorite things in photography: sunbursts.
There’s a lot of dead space in the above photo, but I still like it. Not only is the light on the ground pretty, but it underscores just how empty Magic Kingdom was at this hour.
More of the same back on my favorite walkway along the Rivers of America in Frontierland.
This path can get congested during the middle of the day, especially when it’s a parade bypass, but early in the morning or late at night, it’s a serene and charming way to enjoy the scenery along the Rivers of America.
A different approach here as I positioned the sun just out of the frame, blowing out the sky with a soft, ethereal glow.
It’s not my normal style, but I think it works. There are also three ducks in the frame, and that alone makes it a keeper.
Speaking of wildlife, there were two times this particular morning when I heard other guests audibly react to animals (once a squirrel, once a duck) scurrying down pathways in Magic Kingdom.
We regularly see guests taking photos of ducks, rabbits, squirrels, and even cats in the parks. We see this because we’re often doing the same. This just goes to show that no matter how much high-tech wizardry Walt Disney World introduces, sometimes life’s simple pleasures and moments of joy are what makes the place special.
More sunburst fun back at the Little Mermaid dark ride as the sun rises a bit higher.
I still vividly remember racing around back here when the area was still relatively new during the last 24-hour party. As chaotic as those were, I’d love to see them return. Maybe we’ll get a 50 hour kick-off for Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary?! Somehow I doubt it, but I can dream…
I love the pink, red, and yellow flowers planted around the Central Plaza at Magic Kingdom right now. The multi-color snapdragons I really like are already gone, but the park is still looking vibrant for spring.
I’ve plugged it once already recently, but anyone who wants to see Magic Kingdom at its horticultural peak should check out the Gardens of Walt Disney World. (You can read my full review of this book here.) That book showcases how resplendent Magic Kingdom used to look back in the late 1980s.
We end with a look at Sharing the Magic as early morning light starts to give the Main Street facades a warm glow. By this time, more guests were starting to trickle into the park, and were likewise stopping in their tracks to take photos of the beautiful morning.
By about 9 a.m., I had already logged around 15,000 steps, and should’ve been exhausted. Yet I felt rejuvenated. There is a certain feeling Magic Kingdom has as it wakes up for the day and comes alive, and experiencing that in relative serenity is truly…(I won’t use the obvious but cliched term here)…majestical.
We are very fortunate to visit Walt Disney World often, and while that might sound really great, the byproduct is that it can make the exceptional feel everyday. You start to take the parks for granted, which definitely should not be the case. Mornings like this are reinvigorating, restoring that magic (okay, I had to use it), and helping keep that passion going strong.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Have you ever spent an early morning in Magic Kingdom just wandering around, savoring the atmosphere? Ever had the chance to do super early Extra Magic Hours during peak season? Thoughts on any of these photos, or the sometimes-random, rambling text? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
We did the 7am rope drop a few days before Xmas and made the trip. Did 6 rides the first hour and took awesome shots of the castle in lights.
Beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing.
Early morning is my favorite part of the day no matter where I am. I can only imagine how extra special it was at WDW!! Awesome pictures!! Thanks!!!
Those photos are truly incredible. Thank you!
Honestly, I loved this article so much! It actually gave me the feels that I’ve associated with Disney for so long, and also long for every time we go. We try to go every year and don’t get me wrong WE (me especially) LOVE Disney! You do lose the “magic” sometimes. From Fast passes, to planning, ADR’s, crowds, remembering all the “tricks” , details , places we want to see, and the sheer exhaustion of trying to get it all in. Sometimes it feels more like work than those special times you remember so much. This made me remember EXACTLY why I love WDW so much. Your photos were amazing and I loved your use of light, and space! I absolutely loved seeing Magic Kingdom so empty. Being able to revel in its beauty, and able to stop and take it all in and “smell the roses” if you will. Perfect Thank You!
You’re so right about the little things! One of my daughter’s favorite Magic Kingdom memories is when she snuck up behind a squirrel and actually managed to touch his tail before he ran off.
The photos are beautiful! And I, for one, totally appreciate the Before Sunrise reference. I love those movies!
Love the space in many of the shots. It’s not “dead space” but “negative space” or wonderful empty space which is the magic of these early morning shots. I love them all but especially the train blur and all the ones showing empty streets. Well done, thanks for running around taking them. Much appreciated in still cold Toronto (-6c this April 2 morning)
AHHhHH. We leave in 2 days for the MK! we will definitely not be at the park in the morning early enough to take photos like this, and so I love looking at what you have captured. What a special experience! We are going to hit the magic kingdom after hours party on Thursday, and I am stoked to experience the park in this way.
Wow, just wow! Your photos are spot on!!!
I was a cast member on the College Program in 94- and walking in all the parks before the “madness” was my very favorite part. I was only 19 then, but it still is a wonderful memory. Oh- and that one time my friend and I had entered all three parks (at the time) by 8:30 AM. One ride each park. Tower and Terror had just opened!
Absolutely gorgeous pictures! We leave on the 13th and cannot wait!
Disney needs to actually work with the local Humane Society regarding the stray cats on property. We saw one outside the AKL last December. First time I had seen a stray cat on Disney property. But these poor animals should be caught and sent to a rescue Disney could work with. All the other animals you list are technically wildlife, but not a cat. Your photos were very beautiful. Thank you.
Check this out: https://www.cheatsheet.com/culture/cats-of-disneyland-and-other-wild-animals-you-might-see-at-the-happiest-place-on-earth.html/
Yes, we saw stray cats at Saratoga Springs in December of 2018 as well. When we asked about them with one of the cast members we got a strange stupid look. I think there is more to the story. Are they using them to control some other animals/pests? Back in 2015, we saw a fairly large, like the size of a small cat, RAT going in and out of the garbage cans in Epcot near Nemo’s ride where there are some grassy hills. GROSS!
What great pictures and informative links at the end!! Was that Daniel Ratcliffe riding in the car in the one photo? If not, it sure looks like him!
These are some truly stunning pictures. Majestical indeed! Thanks for transporting us to that morning with these.
I have been in Magic Kingdom several times before it opened with girl scouts participating in a youth education program. It is something to behold. Even the teenagers were in awe of the sight. P.S. Even though it is marked “young adults”, you should read Kingdom Keepers. I think you would enjoy it especially when they reference certain places in the park.
Wonderful post full of lovely photos. Thank you for doing all kinds of posts on you site. I enjoy the variety, and it is one of the main reasons I follow your blog.