Walt Disney World Great Itineraries
Walt Disney World can be overwhelming. Take a breath, relax, and consider one of these approaches.
If You Have One Day
If you have only one day to experience the essence of Disney, there’s only one way to do it: visit the Magic Kingdom. Walt Disney’s genius is on full display in this park adapted from his original at California’s Disneyland, and you’ll feel the pixie dust as soon as you step through the turnstiles.
Main Street, U.S.A. is a step into the past with horse-drawn streetcars rolling past, a barbershop quartet, and turn-of-the-20th-century buildings.
Ahead, the draw is Cinderella Castle, the focal point of the park. On your left Adventureland features two must-sees: the Jungle Cruise and its wisecracking skippers and Pirates of the Caribbean, an entertaining boat ride that inspired the movie franchise.
Continue your clockwise walk and enter Frontierland where the standouts are the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, a roller coaster mine train; Splash Mountain, a water flume ride through scenes from Song of the South; and the Country Bear Jamboree, the classic attraction featuring a band of hillbilly bears. Liberty Square adjoins Frontierland with two more Disney classics: spooky Haunted Mansion and the inspiring Hall of Presidents.
A new and improved Fantasyland is next, highlighted by the Beast’s Castle, Princess Fairytale Hall, and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train along with it's a small world, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, the Under the Sea–Voyage of the Little Mermaid, and Prince Charming Regal Carousel.
Tomorrowland offers a retro-futuristic look in favorites like the Speedway, Buzz Lightyear's Space Station Spin, Astro Orbiters, and Space Mountain. Your round-trip complete, be sure to include time to watch a parade or circle the park via an authentic steam train.
If You Have Four Days
If you have the good fortune to spend four days at Disney, you have to see each of its four theme parks. After visiting the Magic Kingdom on Day 1, you can slow down the pace at EPCOT—but be prepared for a lot of walking. The park is divided into two sections: Future World and the World Showcase, with the former—at the entrance to the park—opening an hour earlier than its neighbor. Although it lacks the magic of the Magic Kingdom, Future World can be entertaining with high-tech demonstrations in the Innoventions areas and the virtual hang-gliding adventure at Soarin’.
But what most EPCOT visitors talk about is exploring the World Showcase. If travel abroad is out of your budget, you can test drive visits to exotic locations. At nearly every international pavilion—Canada, Great Britain, France, Morocco, Japan, United States, Italy, Germany, China, Norway, Mexico—there is usually entertainment (a movie, live show, street theater), a restaurant, art gallery, and a variety of gift shops. That evening, stick around for the grand finale. IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth is an over-the-top fireworks and laser show that wraps up the day with a dazzling finish.
On Day 3, plan a day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Inspired by the movies (both Disney and otherwise), the park ushers you in past a few classic Tinseltown landmarks before sending you off to a galaxy far far away (or a small world in Andy's backyard). Must-sees here include the Muppet*Vision 3D, Star Tours: The Adventure Continues, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!, and the mind-blowing Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Opened in 2019, Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge includes Millenium Falcon: Smuggler's Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. After dark, thousands of park guests flood into Hollywood to watch the final show of the evening, Fantasmic!, a celebration of classic Disney films and characters accompanied by music, water effects, and fireworks.
Day 4 brings you to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, one of the most interesting parks you’ll find. Two continents—and a new world—create the park. Just off the Oasis (the junglelike area just past the turnstiles), is Pandora–The World of Avatar, which opened in 2017 and turned the two-dimensional film blockbuster into a three-dimensional world with upside-down trees and a chance to fly on the back of a mountain banshee. In the center of the park, the Tree of Life conceals the don’t miss 4-D film It’s Tough to Be a Bug!, a comedy that shows how insects affect our lives and includes sensations that’ll make you shiver—and laugh.
Farther inside the park, you'll enter Africa, where the Kilimanjaro Safari is extremely popular, since it offers a chance to see hippos, lions, giraffes, baboons, and more. But get here early because the wildlife is more active in the morning before the day gets too hot. Asia is filled with photo ops—and one incredible coaster. Expedition Everest takes you high into the Himalayas in search of the fabled yeti, and, at the very peak of the mountain, a surprise twist finds the entire coaster racing backward through the hills. Nearby, the Kali River Rapids offers similar thrills but via a whitewater raft ride. Look for shows, animal encounters, street performers, and the retro amusement park thrills of DinoLand U.S.A., and you’ll easily pack in a full day.
If You Have Seven Days
If you can spend a full week at Walt Disney World, you’ll enjoy a vacation that few have had the privilege to experience.
Follow the Day 4 suggestions (above), then take the fifth to recharge and relax. Although that might seem like a waste of a vacation day, after four straight days of theme-park hiking, you'll appreciate the chance to stretch out by the pool or perhaps head out for some souvenir shopping. That evening, head to Disney Springs, take in a movie, go bowling at Splitsville, watch a live concert at the House of Blues, or catch the new in 2020 Cirque du Soleil show, Drawn from Life.
Wherever you place your "free day," you’re now up to Day 6—and this is a good time to pay a return visit to your favorite theme park, especially if you purchased a multiple-day "all-parks" pass. Since you have a full day to explore, consider splitting up your time between two parks—perhaps Animal Kingdom for an early morning safari and EPCOT or the Magic Kingdom to see that evening’s fireworks display.
On Day 7, start to wind things down. Theme parks are still an option, but it’s also a good time to review the list of souvenirs you need to take home. That evening, make a reservation for dinner at the California Grill atop the Contemporary Resort (which is also a wonderful vantage point to watch fireworks over the Magic Kingdom), or go all out and dine at Victoria & Albert’s at the Grand Floridian—one of the rare AAA Five Diamond restaurants in Florida.
What a week! Thanks, Walt!
