While Disney World is implementing limited capacity, enhanced cleaning, temperature checks, and mask requirements to help to keep guests safe. Many guests also want to limit indoor experiences while also having some much needed Disney fun. I organized a list of all of the outdoor attractions with outdoor queues, and outdoor dining options in Disney World’s six lands to help you plan a safer visit to Magic Kingdom by limiting extended time indoors during COVID.
Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom’s outdoor attractions and dining summary:
- Each of Magic Kingdom’s six lands have outdoor attractions and dining options.
- Although Disney is implementing several new safety measures, including enhanced cleaning, temperature checks, social distancing, and mask requirements, limiting indoor experiences and dining during COVID-19 can add an additional level of safety.
- Magic Kingdom has 16 outdoor attractions with outdoor queues and more than 20 outdoor dining options from coffee, popcorn, and snacks, to full quick service dining menus available to mobile order with outdoor seating. Join our newsletter to download the complete list.
Main Street U.S.A. Outdoor Attractions and Dining
Main Street U.S.A. attractions and activities:
When you enter Magic Kingdom’s Main Street, U.S.A., you pass under the Walt Disney World Railroad. Although the upper train station area is currently closed, I recommend you take time to appreciate the Disney train history on display in the various pictures and exhibits in the lower station. Learning about Walt Disney’s lifelong passion for trains adds a new level of appreciation for the attraction and the Disney theme parks. Once the railroad reopens in late 2021 after TRON construction is complete, the train should make stops again in Frontierland and Fantasyland. Cavalcade characters currently greet guests from a safe distance at the upper train station railing. Cavalcades are short parades that are just long enough for characters and guests to exchange a wave and snap a selfie without drawing a crowd. There is no set schedule for the cavalcades, but they run almost every hour and the the themes rotate. The following characters routinely appear in the cavalcades: Disney Princesses, Mickey and friends, as well as Pooh and friends. Also seen (and heard) from the upper railroad station is the classic barbershop quartet, The Dapper Dans. The popular singing and tapping group perform several 20-min shows daily.
Main Street U.S.A. dining:
Almost all of the dining options on Main Street U.S.A. are indoors or potentially require a lot of time waiting indoors (yes, the Main Street Bakery can have seriously long lines). So, the only outdoor food option on Main Street U.S.A. that I currently recommend is the popcorn cart near Town Hall.
Adventureland Outdoor Attractions and Dining
Adventureland outdoor attractions:
Adventureland’s outdoor attractions with outdoor queues include: Jungle Cruise, a 10-minute river boat ride full of wit and adventure; the Dumbo-like Magic Carpets of Aladdin; and the Swiss Family Treehouse, an outdoor attraction that allows you to climb a treehouse much like the one featured in the 1960 Swiss Family Robinson movie.
Adventureland outdoor dining:
The highlight for many in Adventureland are the snack options at Sunshine Tree Terrace or Aloha Isle for an pineapple or citrus treat. Also located in Adventureland is a cart that sells popular pizza, Philly cheesesteak, and hamburger egg rolls. There are no posted times or consistent schedule for the egg roll snack cart, but I do recommend giving one a try if you are lucky enough to find cart serving guests during your visit.
Frontierland Outdoor Attractions and Dining
Frontierland outdoor attraction:
Like Mainstreet U.S.A., Frontierland has only one true outdoor attraction: Tom Sawyer Island. The small, tree-lined island accessible by a log raft has outdoor activities themed to Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.” The little island offers guests an opportunity to step back in time to early American history. In addition to a fort and other walk through experiences, guests can get away from the crowds, find a seat in the shade, and enjoy people watching on Tom Sawyer Island. Tom Sawyer Island reopened to guests in February 2021 after a long refurbishment.
Frontierland outdoor dining:
Frontierland currently has two dining options: snacks at Westward Ho and lunch or dinner at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe. Westward Ho is a small snack stand that sells corn dog nuggets, Mickey pretzels, and the beloved Disney churro, in addition to drinks and frozen treats. Pecos Bill’s, as most people call it, has a broader menu of lunch and dinner options with a Mexican flare. I suggest that you mobile order your food ahead at Pecos Bill’s. The mobile order app notifies you when your order is ready to pick up inside. The pick up lines are socially distanced with limited capacity. After you pick up your mobile order, snag an outside table. If you are lucky, you may also get to see a cavalcade go by during your meal since many cavalcades start in Frontierland next to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Liberty Square Outdoor Attractions and Dining
Liberty Square outdoor attraction:
Most guests visit Liberty Square for to climb aboard a Doom Buggy at the classic dark ride Haunted Mansion. Although that’s one of our favorite Disney attractions too, the Liberty Square Riverboat is the only outdoor attraction in Liberty Square with an outdoor queue to make our list. Visiting Disney World during COVID-19 is the perfect time to rediscover attractions that are less popular or were previously overlooked. The Liberty Belle river boat takes you on a relaxing 17-minute, half-mile ride along the Rivers of America around Tom Sawyer’s Island. You are immersed in sights from the American frontier as you listen to a narration in the voice of Mark Twain recalling his adventures on the mighty Mississippi.
Liberty Square outdoor dining:
If a ride on the Liberty Belle worked up an appetite, Liberty Square has two outdoor dining options: Sleepy Hollow and the Liberty Square Market. You cannot currently mobile order at these locations, but you do order and pick up your food in an outdoor queue and outdoor seating is nearby.
Fantasyland Outdoor Attractions and Dining
Fantasyland outdoor attractions:
Fantasyland has the most outdoor attractions of all of Magic Kingdom’s six lands. There is no better place to begin a tour of outdoor attractions in Fantasyland than with the iconic Cinderella Castle. Take time to walk through the 189-foot castle and admire it’s handcrafted tile mosaics depicting the story of Cinderella and take a few fun photos in its serene surroundings. Behind Cinderella Castle is Prince Charming Regal Carousel, an ornate outdoor carousel built in 1917 with 90 wood-carved horses makes you feel like you are on a royal outing. If you need a more thrilling ride, try taking a flight with Goofy in a stunt airplane on The Barnstormer. The short, junior roller coaster depicts Goofy’s misadventures in a stunt airplane that always lands safely. Next to the Barnstormer is Dumbo the Flying Elephant. I added this attraction to this list because during COVID-19, the indoor play area queue remains closed to guests. You walk through the queue tent momentarily until you to get to the outside queue. The last outdoor attraction in Fantasyland on my list is Mad Tea Party (well known as the Tea Cups). For me, no Disney World trip is complete without a spin in one of the oversized pastel teacups twirling around the towering tea pot.
Fantasyland outdoor dining:
Fantasyland also has several outdoor dining options too. Pinocchio Village Haus serves a variety of Italian favorites (and usually some special treats too). Just like Pecos Bill’s, mobile order ahead, pick up your order inside, and then you can choose from several outdoor tables. Cast Members limit the capacity inside the restaurant and the lines are socially distant. If you just want a snack, head over to The Friar’s Nook for tachos, hot dogs, slushies, and drinks or Storybook Treats for some frozen treats. Both locations have nearby outdoor seating too.
Tomorrowland Outdoor Attractions and Dining
Tomorrowland Outdoor Attractions:
Tomorrowland Speedway is one of three outdoor attractions in Fantasyland. At Tomorrowland Speedway, choose a gas-powered hot rod and steer your way around a miniature race track. For a more relaxing and less noisy outdoor attraction, board the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover. The PeopleMover is an elevated tram that takes you on a 10-minute narrated tour of Tomorrowland. The ability to relax, see unique views of the park, and get a behind the scenes look at a few attractions makes the Peoplemover a crowd pleaser. The final Tomorrowland outdoor attraction, Astro Orbiter, is also one of the most thrilling outdoor attractions. Astro Orbiter has an outdoor queue for a brief elevator ride up to board a two-passenger spacecraft that spins high above Tomorrowland. Appreciate the amazing views as you spin above the park in your private spacecraft. Don’t miss the perfect opportunity for a few fun selfies too while you have such a unique vantage point.
Tomorrowland’s outdoor dining:
Tomorrowland has multiple dining options for guests, including sweet treats at Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies. A full lunch and dinner menu of American favorites are offered at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe’ and The Lunching Pad, as well as seafood options in Magic Kingdom at Tomorrowland Terrace (from the temporarily closed Columbia Harbour House). Mobile order ahead at these three quick service locations, pick up, and enjoy your meal at the nearby outdoor tables. A popcorn cart and a Joffrey’s coffee stand round out Tomorrowland’s outdoor dining options. Two additional snack carts are located in the hub area as you exit Tomorrowland across the bridge toward Cinderella Castle.
Disney World is different, but still magical
The Disney World vacation experience has changed since reopening, but it is still magical. I encourage you to be open to experiencing Disney World in a new way. A recent report shows that the majority of Americans are in desperate need of vacation. Planning a vacation and anticipating your upcoming trip can also significantly lift your mood. I often hear guests say that they feel safer at Disney World than their local grocery store and there are no COVID outbreaks associated with the theme parks. If you have questions about what it is like to visit Disney World during COVID-19, contact me for local, expert answers. Also, join our newsletter below to get travel updates and receive a downloadable copy of our complete list of Magic Kingdom outdoor attractions and dining options.