Category — i. Itineraries for Walt Disney World

UPDATED ITINERARY WITH MULTI PASS AND SINGLE PASS LIGHTNING LANES AT WALT DISNEY WORLD

Below is my updated Multi Pass based Disney World itinerary for first time visitors who may never return, released in late May 2025. It replaces my Multi Pass with Tiana itinerary.

This itinerary optimizes Early Entry, Lightning Lane Single Pass, Lighting Lane Multi Pass, and Park Close strategies to minimize waits and create an overall relaxing Walt Disney World experience.

The dining in this itinerary is slightly changed compared to my last Tiana itinerary:

• The First Sunday Fantasmic dinner package is deleted, as the scheduling is too tight when Fantasmic shows early during late fall/winter/early months
• The Monday Akershus time is moved from 6 to 6.30p to make the afternoon more efficient
• The Wednesday Crystal Palace time is moved from 6p to 5p, to not conflict with what I expect to be the new Evening Parade schedule during late fall/winter/early months

For those who have already booked dining for May, June or July based on the Tiana itinerary times, the first two changes don’t matter, and you can use your Tiana itinerary reservations.

The Wednesday change for May, June and July almost certainly doesn’t matter either. My guess is that the parade will launch around July 6, and that it will have its first (perhaps only) showing in the summer at 9p.  If this is so, then the old Crystal Palace time will work fine for those who have already booked it.

Beyond this, there are multiple changes related to ride openings and closings, and also a year’s worth of experience with Lightning Lanes. Overall, the itinerary is both simpler and cheaper…

My itineraries use all the tools available to guests to shorten waits, and thus will only work for those staying in a Disney-owned or other hotel eligible for both Early Entry and for seven days in advance booking of LLSP and LLMP attractions.  That narrows the list to all of the Disney-owned value, moderate, deluxe, and DVC properties, and in addition Shades of Green, the Swan, Swan Reserve, and Dolphin. (For more on these hotels, see this.)

Included are a detailed To-Do List with everything you need to do–especially reservations–when, and detailed daily agendas that cover what to do and see, in order, in each of the parks. See the links.

For a larger version, click here.

This itinerary won’t work all weeks, and some weeks that it mostly works it may benefit from some little adjustments. Check your week here.

TO-DO LIST FOR THE UPDATED DISNEY WORLD MULTI PASS ITINERARY

The To-Do List for this itinerary is here.

DAILY AGENDAS FOR THE UPDATED DISNEY WORLD MULTI PASS ITINERARY

Detailed daily agendas are in the links:

• Saturday
• Sunday
• Monday
• Tuesday
• Wednesday
• Thursday
• Friday
• Saturday
• Sunday

This itinerary is dedicated to my friend and co-author Josh Humphrey, who died at the age of 36 on March 10th, 2022.

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(Note: this is from the Disney World Updated Multi Pass Itinerary.)

EPCOT DAY 1: FIRST SATURDAY AGENDA

Your plan today is to see Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Soarin’ Around the World, and also a few other Epcot attractions, and to fit in among these what you can of other parts of Epcot’s World Showcase. You will complete your Epcot visit on another day.

You need to have pre-booked

• A Lightning Lane Single Pass visit to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind for 5.30p, and also
• Lightning Lane Multi Pass Tier 1 for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at 7.30p, and also for The Seas with Nemo and Friends at 4.30p and Spaceship Earth at 6.30p.

You will also enter the line for Soarin’ Around the World just before park close and see it.

You will see the rest of the park–including Epcot’s evening show, Luminous–on Day 2. Note that if your arrival today is late you can skip The Seas with Nemo and Friends and see it on Day 2.

AT THE PARK

Arrive at Epcot as soon as you can, ideally at 5p, and no later than 6p.

Go through the turnstiles and use your 4.30p Lightning Lane Multi Pass to ride The Seas with Nemo and Friends.

Then use your 5.30p Lightning Lane Single Pass to ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

Ride Spaceship Earth, and have dinner at nearby Connections.

Head to France and see Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure using your 7.30p Lightning Lane Multi Pass.

Head back to Soarin Around the World in the Land Pavilion.  You need to be in line at the ride just before park close.  If you have time (and you likely will), on your way to Soarin explore the pavilions France, UK and Canada, saving the films in France and Canada for Day 2.

Then be at Soarin Around the World no later than 8:45p, and ride it.

You are almost done for the day, but on your way out of the park, be sure to watch the lights on Spaceship Earth.

Return to your hotel.

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

You will spending the first of two days at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Your day will start early.

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(Note: this is from the Disney World Updated Multi Pass Itinerary.)

DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS DAY 1: FIRST SUNDAY AGENDA

Today you will begin your visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Your plan today is to see most of the attractions in the Sunset Boulevard area, including Fantasmic, and in addition across the park see Rise of the Resistance via Lightning Lane Single Pass. You will complete your visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on another day.

You will take advantage of Early Entry, and also need to have prebooked both Lightning Lane Single Pass and Lightning Lane Multi Pass.

You need a Lightning Lane Single Pass visit to Rise of the Resistance for 1p.

For Multi Passes, I may revise the following recommendations once I know better how a couple of rides that are opening in late May 2025 fit into both Multi Pass and crowd patterns.  But for now, book

• Lightning Lane Multi Pass Tier 1 for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at 9a, and Tier 2 LLMP for Tower of Terror at 10.30a and for For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration 12.30p show

You will have an afternoon break, then return to the park for the evening spectacular Fantasmic.

AT THE PARK

Arrive at the tapstiles at Disney’s Hollywood Studios no later than 45 minutes before Early Entry begins (for example, if the general public opening is 9a, this will mean a 7.45a arrival for an 8.30a Early Entry).

When you are let in for Early Entry, immediately head to Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway and ride it.

Make your way across the park and use your 9a Lightning Lane Multi Pass to ride Rick ‘n’ Roller Coaster.

Get in line for the 10a showing of the new attraction Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After (opens May 27, 2025) and see it.

Use your 10.30a Lightning Lane Multi Pass for Tower of Terror.

See the new attraction (opens May 27, 2025) The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure.

Have an early lunch.

See the 12.30 show of For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration

Use your 1p Lightning Lane Single Pass to see Rise of the Resistance.

You are now off for the rest of the afternoon, needing to return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in time to see Fantasmic.  Depending on the time of year, the first (or only) Fantasmic showtime can be from 7p til 9.30p, with some nights having a second show, commonly 90 minutes later. You want to arrive at the entrance to Fantasmic by 45 minutes before the first showtime.

Depending on the timing of the show, you may want to arrive even earlier to have some time to explore before Fantasmic. You also may want to stay after Fantasmic on nights when the park stays open after the first show.  Toy Story Land and Galaxy’s Edge are good places to wander and linger after dark, and you can also try for additional Multi Passes.

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

You will have an early start for your final visit to Epcot.

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(Note: this is from the Disney World Updated Multi Pass Itinerary.)

EPCOT DAY 2: MONDAY AGENDA

Today you will complete visiting Epcot.

You will take advantage of Early Entry, but do not need to use any Lightning Lanes today. (This will change after Test Track re-opens in “late summer” 2025.)

You should have dinner booked with the princesses at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in Norway around 6.30p, and after will see the Epcot evening show Luminous.

If Extended Evening Hours are scheduled tonight and you are eligible, you may wish to stay for those as well.

You may have an afternoon break, depending on how much you want to explore World Showcase.

AT THE PARK

Be at the park’s tapstiles by 30 minutes before the beginning of Early Entry.

When Early Entry begins, head to Norway and see Frozen Ever After.

In next door China, see the film Reflections of China. You can explore now the China pavilion (and Mexico in the next step), or save them for the optional World Showcase time in the afternoon.

Head back to Mexico, and see the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros.

Then see Mission: Space.

Then make your way to The Seas Pavilion, on your way seeing Journey of Water Inspired by Moana.

See the aquarium itself and Turtle Talk with Crush. See The Seas with Nemo and Friends if you missed it on Day 1.

Then see Living with the Land in the Land Pavilion, and optionally, Awesome Planet.

Have lunch–given where you are, Sunshine Seasons in the Land Pavilion is a good choice, as is the Connections Eatery.

See the attractions in the Imagination Pavilion–Disney-Pixar Shorts, and Journey Into Imagination with Figment.

Then see the rest of World Showcase, starting in Canada and progressing counter-clockwise

• Each pavilion will have some or all of shopping, special exhibits, a ride or show (e.g. a film in Canada, a Beauty and the Beast sing-along in France, The American Adventure in the American Pavilion), and other special features.
• Check My Disney Experience and the pavilion itself, to see what each pavilion has.
• For scheduled events, sequence what you do when among items that are not scheduled (shops, exhibits, and rides), and bounce back and forth between nearby pavilions, so that you don’t have to wait long for the scheduled item.

If you are wearing down and have little interest in this part of Epcot (it is glorious, but may be dull for your kids) you can see just the three shows (the Canada film, the France sing-along, the American Adventure show) and then back to your hotel for a nap.

Either way, be at Norway by a little before 6.30p to check in for your 6.30p princess dinner at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall.

After dinner, head to France and see Impressions de France–a film that shows at the beginning and the end of the day in the same space that at other times shows the Beauty and the Beast sing-along.

Pick a spot for the evening show Luminous by 8.30p. From where you are, the stretch along the lagoon between the American Adventure Pavilion and the Japan Pavilion is likely best. Avoid spots where islands block your view of Spaceship Earth across the lagoon.

Watch Luminous, then head back to your hotel, unless you are eligible for Extended Evening Hours and they are offered tonight.

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

Tomorrow you get to sleep in, and then begin your visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

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(Note: this is from the Disney World Updated Multi Pass Itinerary.)

MAGIC KINGDOM DAY 1: WEDNESDAY AGENDA

Your visit to Magic Kingdom begins today.

You should have prebooked

• Two Lightning Lane Single Passes: TRON Lightcycle / Run at 3.30p, and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at 4p
• A Lightning Lane Tier 1 Multi Pass for Jungle Cruise at noon, and Lightning Lane Multi Passes for Pirates of the Caribbean at 1p, and the Haunted Mansion at 3p

You should have dinner reserved at the Crystal Palace at around 5p.

Today you do not need to use Early Entry.

At the park you will see many of the attractions in Adventureland and Frontierland, with side trips to Fantasyland to see Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and to Tomorrowland to see TRON Lightcycle Run.

Your last scheduled events are the evening fireworks show, Happily Ever After, and, after it opens (rumored for early July 2025) the new evening parade, Disney Starlight–Dream the Night Away.

If you are eligible for Extended Evening Hours and they are on tonight, you may wish to stay for these as well.

AT THE PARK

Eat a late breakfast/early lunch in your hotel, and arrive at the tapstiles at Magic Kingdom by noon.

Head to Adventureland, and see the Jungle Cruise with your noon Lightning Lane Multi Pass.

Ride the Magic Carpets of Aladdin.

Ride Pirates of the Caribbean using your 1p Lightning Lane Multi Pass.

Walk through the Swiss Family Treehouse.

See the Enchanted Tiki Room.

Walk through the breezeway to Frontierland and see Country Bear Jamboree.

Head to Liberty Square, and see the Haunted Mansion using your 3p Lightning Lane Multi Pass.

Ride the Liberty Square Riverboat.

Head to Tomorrowland and use your 3.30p Lightning Lane Single Pass to see TRON: Lightcycle / Run.

Go to Fantasyland and use your 4p Lightning Lane Single Pass to see Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

Have dinner at Crystal Palace.

The next items on your agenda are the evening fireworks show Happily Ever After, best seen from the Main Street side of the Castle, no further away from the castle than halfway down Main Street, and, after it launches, the new evening parade Disney Starlight–Dream the Night Away.

The fireworks show is typically anytime between ~8p and ~10p (with the earlier times during shorter winter days, and the later during longer summer days and busy days).

Parade schedules have not yet been released, but the last time Magic Kingdom had an evening parade, on some nights it showed an hour before the fireworks, and on other nights both an hour before and an hour after.

Thus, check the schedule, as you may have extra time available to you before the fireworks and/or parade. If so, wander and explore the park, or re-ride, or see rides you have not yet seen.

If you are eligible for Extended Evening Hours, you may wish to stay for these as well. If you do, revisit your favorite rides from today, or the rides in other lands.

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

Tomorrow has you starting with a late breakfast at Chef Mickey’s, then returning to Magic Kingdom.

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(Note: this is from the Disney World Updated Multi Pass Itinerary.)

MAGIC KINGDOM DAY 2: THURSDAY AGENDA

Today you continue your visit to Magic Kingdom after a late breakfast/brunch at Chef Mickey’s.

Today you do not use either Early Entry or Lighting Lane

Your day begins near Magic Kingdom with a visit to the next door Contemporary Resort for a late breakfast at Chef Mickey’s in Disney’s Contemporary Resort. (Travel to Magic Kingdom, then go from there to the Contemporary.) After Chef Mickey’s, you will then pursue a mix of mostly lower-key experiences in Magic Kingdom.

A key attraction this afternoon will be the Festival of Fantasy Parade. Usually at 3p, sometimes it starts at 2p instead. You’ll need to double check the schedule and move things around so that you are free from 30 minutes before the hour (to find a spot) to 30 minutes after.

AT THE PARK

Arrive at Magic Kingdom. Either walk or take the Resort Monorail to Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and enjoy a late breakfast there.

Return to Magic Kingdom either by walking or the Resort Monorail.

Depending on the start time of the afternoon parade, either

• If the parade is at 2p, find a spot to watch the parade, then after the parade ride the Walt Disney World Railroad, taking it all the way around the park, or
• If the parade is at 3p, ride the Walt Disney World Railroad, taking it all the way around the park, then find a spot to watch the parade

Next, see Tom Sawyer Island, accessible by rafts near Country Bears. Tom Sawyer Island, soon to permanently close, is usually open in the middle of the day—e.g. from 11a to 4.30p. The island is an unstructured land to explore, not a defined attraction with a beginning, middle and end. Depending on how it piques the interest of your group, and how much you simply need to run around and be unstructured, it could reward a visit (including waits for the rafts back and forth) of 60 minutes to 90 minutes.

Go to Liberty Square and see the Hall of Presidents, if it has reopened by your visit.

Go into Fantasyland and see Prince Charming Regal Carrousel

In Tomorrowland, see Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress.

Ride the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover.

You are now done for the day! Have dinner at the park, or back at your hotel.

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

Tomorrow, you complete your visit to Magic Kingdom

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