Seven Night Walt Disney World Autumn-Winter-Spring Itinerary, Sunday Arrival
OVERVIEW
This itinerary is a variant of the standard Autumn-Winter-Spring itinerary, but one day shorter, and with a Sunday arrival. See this for another seven night variant, but with a Saturday arrival.
Click the image to open it; when open, keep clicking to enlarge it more.
It’s a day shorter from eliminating half of a day off, and the last day visit to the Gospel Brunch in Downtown Disney. (See How Long to Stay for more on why eight nights is better than seven.)
It can be used any week that the standard Autumn-Winter-Spring itinerary fully works. See this page for weeks that itinerary can be used. If there’s words like “but see this for changes,” use the comment form below to ask how to adapt it.
LINKS FOR THIS ITINERARY
Summary
To-Do List
First Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Second Sunday
ITINERARY LINKS
- For itinerary design goals and the basic December Itinerary, see this
- For shorter and longer itineraries targeted at the same December week, see this
- For itineraries covering all the other parts of the year, see this
- To design your own itinerary, see this
- For rides that might be skipped, see this
- For a comprehensive guide to rides and attractions, see this
 |
25 comments
Question on extra magic hours. We have three young kids (5, 2, 1). On a recent trip in March in a peak crowd week, we went to all the parks on days with AM EMHs as we are always up early and our kids tend to fizzle out by 4pmis. It proved to be a mistake and with even heavier crowds to fight on these days. We will be returning in a far less busy weeks in late april and/or early november and i had origionally planed to avoid all parks with EMH except maybe AK AM, but now i’m thinking if its not that busy anyway, maybe we should again take advantage of the AM EMHs. What do you think, still avoid EMH? Thanks.
Hi Mike, great question.
I have learned over the years of return visits to avoid am EMHs unless I am thinking of leaving the AM EMH park by noon or so. The crowds by then, compared to non-EMH days, are too much. I then either take the rest of the day off or hop to another park…
If you can’t or wont spend the money on hoppers, then I would for sure avoid am EMHs. During non-busy times the issue is 9as you note) less super-crowding and more one of facing crowds that you would otherwise not have to face.
Does this help?
I have read this site quite a bit and thankful to have found it. My husband and I have not been in 13 years and kids have never been. One almost too young and too short. Currently 47″ and 6 but will be 2 months from 7 by travel dates and hopefully 48″ w shoes and a pony tail. Other will be 10. Bad news-We will arrive 11/21 late night. We expect Th, Fri, Sat, and Sun crowds to be horrific but I am coming for a conference on Th-Sat 8:00-12:15 pm each day, pays for mileage there and back(700 miles) and my food- which I can share, for 4 days. Also gives us Grand Floridian rate of 255$/ night for 11/21, 11/22, 11/23, 11/24. So, we can’t pass it up. My questions are– we should probably keep our focus to a minimum thru Sat. I am thinking we get a 7-8 day park hopper pass (we want to spend last 2-3 days at Universal). That would be worth the 6.88-7.86$ extra a day to maybe go to a park when I get done all 3 days and just browse around, and probably go to La Nouba one night and maybe doing a couple of the character dinners, firework shows, DTD, etc. I also wondered about adding the water park fun for another 6.88-7.86/ day and on the 3 mornings I am in class my hubby could take the girls to the water parks– will only one or both be open? and will they open early enough to make it worth it? We could ax the water fun stuff but I don’t want him taking them to the special stuff w/o me and I can sacrifice water parks.
Next, from 11/25-11/28 will be the 4 days we REALLY do WDW . This is where I get lost…. Do we focus on one park a day or hop since we paid for the passes to hop. We’ll have seen some of the sites already during our first 3 days of browsing so we’ll probably be doing the rides during the better crowds on these 4 days– I am at a complete loss as to what we need to be sure to see at each of the parks during this time an which of the dinners and shows are the best, and how they fit this sched. I do want it to feel like a vacation too.
My last question is after conference over and we have ro start paying our own room 11/25 do we move to a value resort– since we get to experience the deluxe resort early, I am wondering if a Value resort would be more fun for girls. And less expensive. Sometimes they extend conference rates at these meetings for the duration of the stay. I do not know if they will, but even so, this is still considerably more for a room that we will likely only be sleeping in. I also looked on VRBO and found one condo for 100$/ night that has free shuttle to the parks….. Is that really worth the gamble that the shuttle won’t run when you need it to and how many benefits do we lose by not staying at WDW?? (also gotta decide to stay or move again for universal– how far is it?)
I believe we would be crazy not to do a dining plan but do not know which one yet.
I really appreciate what you have done here and if it weren’t for this site, I think we really would have messed this trip up. I am sincerely gracious for all your hard work!!!!!
Hi Mary Beth! Could you reconfirm for me your departure date and time? I’m gonna suggest a slighly different approach to the 25th and later, but need your full availability to give you the best advice…
Hey,
I love your website, but have a few questions about making the above itinerary Mon-Mon. I have to work every other weekend so Sat-Sat does not work for me. Any suggestions? We are looking at Sept 17-24th trip..
Thanks!
Hi Jessica, and thanks! Start here: http://yourfirstvisit.net/required-september-2012-itinerary-and-to-do-list-changes/ because the 7 night doesn’t quite work for your week.
Next, tell me how old your kids are, as it will effect what I suggest you do to cut a day out and move things around…
Hi again Dave,
Kids are 9 and 5. Thanks so much for your help!
OK Jessica. Turns out the 7 night Sunday start works pretty well for you, with these changes:
1. Switch Friday and Wednesday
2. Start with Monday as written–that is, go to HS that evening after you arrive.
3. Do what’s written as the evening of the first Sunday on the evening of the second Sunday (which will be your first Sunday) Do that Second Sunday morning as written
4. On your second Monday, do what’s written as the first Monday morning
Phewww thats alot of switching! But thank you very very much, will much recommend this website!
Thanks Jessica, and have a great trip!
Hello-
Your site is amazing! I’m wondering if you could help me with our trip planning for March. We will arrive on a Tuesday and leave the following the Tuesday. Our kids will be 4 and 2 at the time of our trip. I’m having a hard time piecing together a trip that makes sense for our family. We will be staying in the Finding Nemo suites and will have a meal plan while there. Any help would be greatly apprectiated!
Thanks a bunch.
Hi Megan, my itineraries are for much older kids, so I can’t be much direct help. For kids that age, there’s very little at Epcot, and not much more at Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios, so you could focus just on MK.
See the image on this page for some help: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/03/09/the-comprehensive-guide-to-walt-disney-world-rides-and-attractions/
Hi Dave,
Great website! We are traveling to WDW for the first time as a family in March, arriving 3/10 @ 7p, and departing 3/17 @ 9a. We have 6-day park hoppers and will be doing a split stay between BC and WL. 3 nights at BC first and ending our trip with 4 nights at WL. Any suggestions for itineraries? Our kids are 9 (girl) and 7 (boy). We will be in CL @ both resorts and have the dining plan (1TS-1-QS-1-S). We want to see the most of the parks and still be able to have some downtime. Suggestions are appreciated!
Liza the itinerary on this page is a pretty good fit for you…is there something about it you don’t like?
Dear Dave,
We are coming to Florida on Dec 27th, staying at Nick Studios for 3 days, then I rented a vacation home until Dec 5th. I would really like to visit Disney and Universal. There will be 10 in our party. 7 kids ages 1, 8, 13, 15, 15, 16, and 18. What parks should we visit? And any ideas on where to spend New Years Eve? There is so much to do, and so little time. Trying to jam it all in. Any advice would be appreciated. Also any ideas on a itinerary for a group this large. Also, if I purchase tickets to the Parks in advance, can I upgrade them to fast passes at the parks for an additional fee? Thank you.
I forgot to submit my contact information. I posted 12/18/12 3:05pm.
Ummm…that is the single busiest and most crowded time of the year…although it will get a little better after the 2nd…I don’t really have any good thoughts on what to do when, as the crowds will be in your way everywhere after about 11a.
For some general thoughts on how to make the best of it, see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2012/12/04/coping-disney-world-holiday-crowds/
You can also use this for Disney to prioritize how you begin your days: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/03/09/the-comprehensive-guide-to-walt-disney-world-rides-and-attractions/ Also check out touringplans.com
Disney’s FASTPASSES come free with your ticket, so there’s nothing extra you have to do for them. At Universal you buy them separately, and if any are left (they sell a limited number) you can buy them at the park…but only if there are some left…I’m not sure how SeaWorld works this…
Follow yourfirstvisit.net on Facebook!
Thank you so much! I appreciate your help.
Any ideas of where to purchase the cheapest tickets? If you dont want to respond onsite, please email me.
Thanks
Hey Richelle, see this: http://www.mousesavers.com/sources-for-discounts-on-walt-disney-world-tickets/
First off I just want to say that this site is absolutely incredible! I have only been to Disney World once – 1996, and I was 11. My husband has never been and our two children have yet to go as well. I wish this site had been around in 1996 when my brother and I went with our grandparents. As a pre-teen I was still very much in Disney Princess phase and we spent almost no time in Magic Kingdom – didn’t even get to go to Cinderella’s Castle. I was heartbroken and honestly am still a little bitter about it, so it’s safe to say when we finally go to Disney World with our kids at least one full day will be devoted to MK!
All that said, we have decided not to go to WDW until our kids are 8 and 9. That won’t be until October 2017, and my daughter’s birthday falls on Columbus Day that year. (Yes, I am in fact an over planner!) I know that’s a long way from now but I am just so grateful to have come across your highly detailed site; it is exactly what I have been dreaming about in terms of which hotels to compare and what to do first upon arrival. I will be sure to keep up with this site and bombard you with endless questions the minute our trip is booked in about three of four years, ha! (We will be staying seven nights and plan to do Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween as well.)
For several months I have gone back and forth with staying at Polynesian – my favorite resort we visited while at WDW in 1996 – and Jambo House (who can resist the possibility of a giraffe at your balcony?!). Until I came across this site I had settled on the latter, but now concerning convenience I am again considering Polynesian. This will likely be the only time we visit WDW as a family and while the kids are still kids, so we want to have the best experience possible. Lots to think about and plenty of time to think – and thanks to you, a great guide to think upon!
Sincerest gratitude!
Oh I meant to add – we will be visiting from October 9, 2017 and checking out October 16, 2017. Columbus Day/daughter’s 9th birthday is our date of arrival. I don’t want to assume anything but if you have any info now I’d appreciate it. I read the part of your site that said the weekend preceding Columbus Day is the busiest and most expensive part of October so I’m hoping if we arrive on Columbus Day it should be less expensive.
Hi Ashley and thanks! I see you are planning ahead a bit
The whole week of Columbus Day is more crowded than other October options, but it’s still manageable. IF it’s your best choice, then we certainly have time to work around the higher crowds. And yes, prices will likely be at lower levels beginning the night of C-Day itself…
You can’t go wrong with nay of the Poly, Animal Kingdom Lodge, and Wilderness Lodge. The latter two have unmatched kid appeal, but small rooms and some convenience issues. The Poly does not have the same degree of kid appeal, but is still strong on that dimension, has much larger and more livable rooms, and is more convenient.
One bit of advice I often give to people torn between two great choices is to split their stay–to spend half the trip in one hotel, and the second half in another.
Hope this helps, keep the queries coming, and…
…Follow yourfirstvisit.net on Facebook!
Hi, my family will be visiting WDW in October this year. We will arrive in the AM part of Friday October 3. Where should we start on this itenerary? Our kids are small, 5, 3, and 2 so we only have bought 5 days of park passes but have considered just buying all the days and only going for a couple half days as we are anticipating they kids be quite exhausted each day and want to have some time for them to rest.
Brian, this itinerary (like all tos eon this site) is designed for kids 8 and older (see this for why: http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/how-oldtall-your-children-should-be/ ), and won’t work at all well for your group.
You could thin it down using this http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/03/09/the-comprehensive-guide-to-walt-disney-world-rides-and-attractions/ but honestly you’d be better off starting from scratch.
I’d suggest three mornings, one afternoon, and one evening at MK, and a morning each at Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom.
For some help on designing an itinerary for littler kids, see this http://touringplans.com/magic-kingdom/touring-plans?utm_campaign=referral&utm_medium=website&utm_source=yourfirstvisit&utm_content=r1&property_id=1 and this http://www.leaveittogenie.com/
Hope this helps at least a bit…
Follow yourfirstvisit.net on Facebook!
Leave a Comment | Ask a Question | Note a Problem