Category — i. Itineraries for Walt Disney World

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

Below is my updated Multi Pass based Disney World itinerary for first time visitors who may never return, updated in February 2026.

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

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 below for all of these.

For how and why this itinerary is different than my last one, see the bottom of the page, after the daily 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 DISNEY WORLD BLUEY-AWARE MULTI PASS ITINERARY

The To-Do List for this itinerary is here.

DAILY AGENDAS FOR THE DISNEY WORLD BLUEY-AWARE MULTI PASS ITINERARY

Detailed daily agendas are in the links:

• Saturday: Epcot Day 1
• Sunday: Disney’s Hollywood Studios Day 1
• Monday: Epcot Day 2
• Tuesday: Animal Kingdom Day 1
• Wednesday: Magic Kingdom Day 1
• Thursday: Magic Kingdom Day 2
• Friday: Off Day (other than dinner)
• Saturday: Hollywood Studios Day 2
• Sunday: Animal Kingdom Day 2

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

WHY THE ITINERARY CHANGES?

For several reasons, I’ve almost completely revised my recommended itinerary—only the Epcot days are largely unchanged. The new itinerary, for reasons that will become clear, is called the Disney World Bluey-Aware Multi Pass Itinerary.

It is not compatible with my former itinerary, Multi Pass Itinerary with Test Track and Disney Starlight—you need to pick one or the other.

This need to pick between them is most poignant for those who have already made their dining reservations. If you already have Crystal Palace Wednesday evening and Che f Mickey’s Thursday morning, then you need to stick with the “Test Track and Disney Starlight” itinerary.  Those who have not, or not yet, booked dining can switch to the new itinerary immediately.

DISNEY WORLD ITINERARY CHANGES: BLUEY ET AL

The principal motivation for changes in my itinerary was to reflect changes in rides—closing and openings. We’ve lost DINOSAUR, and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is closed for a re-theme to the Muppets.

Meanwhile, refurbed and new things will be opening over the next few months…

Big Thunder Mountain at Magic Kingdom will be coming out of refurb soon, and I expect the updated version to be a smash hit, one that will need to be carefully managed to avoid long lines. Thus, I’ve added some time to the beginning of one of the Magic Kingdom days, and moved Tiana’s Bayou Adventure from another day to the same day part, to cut back on walking.

Rafiki’s Planet Watch at Animal Kingdom is being rethemed to Conservation Station and will include appearances by the almost unbelievably popular Bluey and Bingo. Rafiki had been an afterthought in my prior itineraries, but given the wide appeal—including to those much older than toddlers—of Bluey, I’ve put a couple of morning hours for it (once it opens) into an Animal Kingdom day.

Similarly, a swatch of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, formerly holding the near- moribund Star Wars Launch Bay, is being rethemed to a Walt Disney Studios area.  Like Conservation Station at Animal Kingdom, the bullseye of this section is preschoolers and younger elementary school students, but also like at Animal Kingdom, I except many of the offerings here to be very, very broadly popular. So, I’ve put a couple of hours for Walt Disney Studios into the afternoon of a Hollywood Studios day. Part of this time will go to Rock ‘n’ Roller once it emerges from its re-theming.

DISNEY WORLD ITINERARY CHANGES: FIXING DINING

My recent Magic Kingdom itineraries have had a reserved dinner at Crystal Palace on parade/fireworks nights.

This has always been awkward, as the varying times of the parade and fireworks across the year have sometimes meant too little scheduled evening ride time.

I’ve fixed this by swapping two reserved meals, with brunch at Chef Mickeys now on parade/fireworks nights, and Crystal Palace dinner on nights where that is the last thing the itinerary contains. This creates more efficiency in the itineraries both days.

DISNEY WORLD ITINERARY CHANGES: CREATING AN OFF DAY

The  various Magic Kingdom changes—adding morning time for Big Thunder, creating evening time by changing the day of Crystal Palace, and creating late afternoon time by moving Tiana’s Bayou Adventure to the Big Thunder morning slot—have let me create an off day, when you are (other than dinner) free from the tyranny of schedules.

Ideally this off day would be Thursday, but I have six or seven good reasons for why the flow of parks from Saturday through Thursday is the way that it is, and moreover, having the off day be Friday lets families choose to make it a park day in case crowds or life events meant that they have missed key attractions at a park earlier in their trip, particularly at Magic Kingdom, which otherwise is completed Thursday.

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(Note: this is from the Disney World Bluey-Aware 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, and Soarin’ Around the World, 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 6p, and also
• Lightning Lane Multi Pass Tier 1 for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at 7p, and also a Multi Pass for Soarin’ Around the World at 8p

You will see the rest of the park–including Epcot’s evening show, Luminous–on Epcot Day 2.

AT THE PARK

Arrive at Epcot as soon as you can, and no later than 6p. If you arrive earlier, see Spaceship Earth.

Then use your 6p Lightning Lane Single Pass to ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

Have dinner at nearby Connections.

Head to France and see Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure using your 7p Lightning Lane Multi Pass.

Explore the pavilions France, UK and Canada as much as you have time for–you’ll have more time for them on Day 2. Save the films in France and Canada for Day 2.

Then be at Soarin Around the World no later than 8:45p, and ride it using your 8p Lightning Lane Multi Pass.

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 Bluey-Aware 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 11.30a.

For Multi Passes, book

• Lightning Lane Multi Pass for Tower of Terror at 9a, and for the For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration 1.30p 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 Tower of Terror.

See ~10a The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure show

See the ~11.10a Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After show

Use your 11.30a Lightning Lane Single Pass to see Rise of the Resistance

Have lunch

See the 1.30 show of For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration

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 Bluey-Aware Multi Pass Itinerary.)

EPCOT DAY 2: MONDAY AGENDA

Today you will complete visiting Epcot.

You will take advantage of both Early Entry and Lightning Lane Multi Pass today.

You should have booked Lighting Lane Multi Pass Tier 1 for Test Track at 9.45a, and additional Multi Pass for The Seas with Nemo and Friends at 11a, and Living with the Land at noon.

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.

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 World Showcase time in the afternoon.

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

See Test Track using your Lightning Lane Multi Pass

Then see Mission: Space. Note Mission SPACE has two options, Orange and Green.  Orange is by far more fun, but if you have even a hint of motion sickness it will assault you–such folks should do Green instead,

Then make your way to The Seas Pavilion, and on your way ride Spaceship Earth if you did not see it your first evening at Epcot, and then seeing Journey of Water Inspired by Moana.

See the aquarium itself and Turtle Talk with Crush and The Seas with Nemo and Friends using your Multi Pass time to decide the order you see these.

Then head to the Land Pavilion and see Awesome Planet and Living with the Land, ordered based on your Living with the Land Multi Pass timing.

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

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.

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 Bluey-Aware 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 3p, and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at 5.45p
• A Lightning Lane Tier 1 Multi Pass for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at 9.30a, and Lightning Lane Multi Passes for Pirates of the Caribbean at 1p, and the Haunted Mansion at 2.15p

You should have late breakfast/early lunch reserved at the Chef Mickey’s at around 11a.

If Big Thunder Mountain has re-opened from its refurbishment by the time of your trip, you will sort of use Early Entry. While it won’t be an Early Entry ride, you can take advantage of your Early Entry privileges to be in the park and to be in line to enter the Frontierland  side of the park before everyone else.

If Big Thunder Mountain has not yet re-opened, be at the Magic Kingdom tapstiles by 9.30a.

Other than your interlude at the nearby Contemporary resort for Chef Mickey’s, you will be at Magic Kingdom all day today, ending with the evening parade Disney Starlight and the fireworks show Happily Ever After.

Note that your day–especially mid-late afternoon–is pretty packed. While workable for most, ff circumstances either with your family or in the park lead you to miss some rides, you may be able to fit them in tomorrow, and for sure can fit them in on your off day–although that will cost you another ticket day.

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

Your first steps depend on whether or not Big Thunder Mountain has re-opened:

If Big Thunder Mountain has re-opened, arrive at the Magic Kingdom tapstiles by a few minutes before Early Entry. Head for the hub, and ask a cast member there where to wait for Big Thunder. When that part of the park opens, head to Big Thunder Mountain, ride it, and then use your Multi Pass to ride Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

If If Big Thunder Mountain has not re-opened, arrive at the tapstiles by 9.30a, make your way deep into Frontierland, and use your Multi Pass to ride Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

Regardless of Big Thunder, your next step is to head to the Magic Kingdom exit, and then either walk or take the Resort Monorail to Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and enjoy a late breakfast/early lunch there at Chef Mickey’s.

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

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

Head to Liberty Square and see Hall of the Presidents.

See the Haunted Mansion using your 2.15p Lightning Lane Multi Pass

Head deep into Tomorrowland and use your 3p Lightning Lane Single Pass to see TRON: Lightcycle / Run.

See Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor.

Ride the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover.

See Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress

Head back into Fantasyland deep into Storybook Circus and board and ride the Walt Disney World Railroad. Take it to Main Street station, but stay on the train and return on it  to the Fantasyland stop.

Use your 5.45p Lightning Lane Single Pass to see Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

Fit in dinner among the Fantasyland rides Mickey’s Philharmagic, the Prince Charming Regal Carrousel, and Mad Tea Party.

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 the new evening parade Disney Starlight–Dream the Night Away, best seen from Frontierland.

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).

The parade is scheduled for about hour before the fireworks, and on nights when it shows twice, about an hour after as well. On nights with two runs of the parade, it is generally much simpler and less crowded to see the second one, if you can stay up that long.

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 other rides.

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

Tomorrow has you back at Magic Kingdom, starting with Early Entry.

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(Note: this is from the Disney World Bluey-Aware Multi Pass Itinerary.)

MAGIC KINGDOM DAY 2: THURSDAY AGENDA

You complete your visit to Magic Kingdom today–although you have the option of spending more time in the park tomorrow if you wish.

You will take advantage of Early Entry, and also need to have prebooked

• Lightning Lane Multi Pass Tier 1 for Jungle Cruise at 1p, and
• Lightning Lane Multi Pass Tier 2 for the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh at 4p and it’s a small world at 5p

You should have dining booked for the Crystal Palace at 6p.

AT THE PARK

Be at the tapstiles by thirty minutes before Early Entry begins.

Enter the park, make your way to Peter Pan’s Flight in Fantasyland, and ride.

Make your way swiftly into Tomorrowland, go to Space Mountain, and ride it.

If it has re-opened from its refurb, see Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Next see Astro Orbiter.

Head to Storybook Circus deep in Fantasyland and ride Dumbo, then Barnstormer.

Head back into Fantasyland and see Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid.

See Enchanted Tales with Belle.

Have lunch.

Head to Adventureland and ride Jungle Cruise with your 1p Multi Pass.

Plan what’s next around the timing of the afternoon parade Festival of Fantasy.  Most days January through July it’s at 3p, and most days September through December it’s 2p. August is the transitional month. Double check, planning to line up on a sidewalk in Frontierland no later than 15 minutes before the hour it’s to start to see it, fitting the following rides before and after lining up for and seeing the parade (the order listed will work most of the time for the 3p showing):

See the Swiss Family Treehouse.

See the Enchanted Tiki Room.

Ride the Magic Carpets of Aladdin.

Head over to Frontierland, find a spot for, and see the afternoon parade Festival of Fantasy

See the Country Bear Musical Jamboree.

See the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh using your 4p Lightning Lane Multi Pass.

See the Tomorrowland Speedway.

See it’s a small world using your 5p Lightning Lane Multi Pass

Have dinner at the Crystal Palace with your 6p reservation.

If the park remains open, catch up on any rides you’ve missed. If after dinner the park has closed to regular guests (common late in the year) you have the option of returning to Magic Kingdom tomorrow, which is otherwise your off day.

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

You are off tomorrow except for the dinner show Hoop Dee Doo Revue at Fort Wilderness Resort.

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