Category — i. Itineraries for Walt Disney World

This To-Do List is for the FastPass+ Higher Crowd Itinerary, Seven Night Variant. For To-Do-Lists for other itineraries, see this.

A. MORE THAN 180 DAYS BEFORE YOUR PLANNED ARRIVAL DATE

(Note that a good travel agent, such as Destinations in Florida, can do almost all of this for you, for free. If you use Destinations in Florida as you travel agent through a link for this site–like this one–then they share a bit of the pixie dust they get from Disney with me.)

1. Confirm your budget, planned dates, intended hotel, kids’ development and heights, and your transportation choice and its availability for your planned dates.

2. Make your plane reservations, if flying. Make any other needed transportation arrangements.

3. Create your My Disney Experience account here and add your family members to it

4. Set up your hotel and tickets. Call 407-939-7675 (preferred, because this allows you to tell the reservationist which building at your resort you wish to be in), or click here to use Disney’s online system.  (Note: if your dates are later than what the online system permits, see this.)

• If you are following my itinerary, you want the hotel you’ve picked for seven nights, eight day, no hopper, no “water parks and more” tickets, the Dining Plan, and Disney’s Magical Express if you are flying
• Itineraries other than mine will have different requirements here

B. 181 DAYS BEFORE YOUR ARRIVAL DATE

Decide whether on your first night you’ll be dining at Akershus or the San Angel Inn. Akershus is a princess meal–you’ll have another princess meal at Cinderella’s Royal Table on Thursday.  If you really like princesses, do Akershus; otherwise, San Angel Inn is the better choice.

Login to your MyDisneyExperience.com account, click the “Things to Do” tab at top right, under Dining hit “Make Reservations,” and practice trying to reserve restaurants (hint: use the search box at the upper right).

This may well drive you crazy, but the site works better than it used to…and is likely the only way you can get your Cindy reservations done! (as the site opens up a new reservable day at 6a, whereas the phone reservation line opens at 7a).

Collect your restaurant reservations together. You will want to do them online in order of hardest to reserve first. This is how they are listed below.

C. EXACTLY 6am EST, EXACTLY 180 DAYS BEFORE YOUR ARRIVAL DATE

(For an 180 day calendar, see this).

Be on the restaurant website by at least 5:50am EST, and have your Cindy reservation all set up on the page. Keep refreshing, as you will be let in as soon as Disney’s system decides it is 6a.

Make as many of the following as you have patience for (try to get through at least Chef Mickey’s), in the exact order listed:

• Cinderella’s Royal Table Lunch (dining plan, two credits): Thursday at 11a or later if you can; earlier than 11 only if your sole option…
• Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue (dining plan, two credits): Tuesday 6.15p show. The later time will keep you up later than you need to be, OK if all you can get. Avoid the earlier time–it’ll cut into your park time too much
• Chef Mickey’s (dining plan, one credit) Tuesday 11a.  Later is OK, but not a whole lot earlier–no earlier than 10.30a
• Crystal Palace (dining plan): Second Saturday 6p if you can; earlier OK, but not later
• Akershus Banquet or San Angel Inn (dining plan): First Sunday 7p.  No later, but earlier is OK.

For those you don’t make online, make them by calling call (407) WDW-DINE (939-3463)

D. 60 DAYS BEFORE YOUR ARRIVAL DATE

1. Go to your MyDisneyExperience account at 7a and set up the following FastPass+

• First Sunday afternoon and evening at Epcot: Tier One: Frozen Ever After; Tier Two: Spaceship Earth and a third ride. The Tier One FastPass+ is your priority. Set the Tier Two times for when your travel plans permit you to be in the park. If one or both Tier Twos is impossible to set at a good time because of your travel schedule, then book just one or two FastPass+.
• Monday at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Tier One: Toy Story Midway Mania; Tier Two: Star Tours and the Frozen Sing-Along. Set Toy Story for 2.30-3.30p, Frozen for the 4.30p show, and Star Tours for 1.30-2.30p
• Tuesday at the Magic Kingdom: Space Mountain, Tomorrowland Speedway, and Jungle Cruise. Set Space Mountain for 9-10a, the Speedway for 10-11a, and Jungle Cruise for 3-4p.
• Wednesday at the Animal Kingdom: Expedition Everest, DINOSAUR, and Rivers of Light (if open by your dates; do Kali River Rapids at 3-4p otherwise). Set DINOSAUR for 1-2p, Expedition Everest for 2-3p, and Rivers of Light for when it is available.
• Thursday at the Magic Kingdom: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Enchanted Tales with Belle, and the Haunted Mansion. Target Seven Dwarfs for 1-2p, Belle for 2-3p, and the Haunted Mansion for 3.30-4.30p. (At park open, head to Peter Pan.)
• Friday at Epcot: Tier One: Test Track. Tier Two: Turtle Talk with Crush and a third of your choice. Set Test Track for 10.30a-11.30a, Turtle Talk with Crush for 12.30p to 1.30p, and the third for right after.
• Saturday at the Magic Kingdom: Pirates of the Caribbean, Big Thunder Mountain, and a third. Set Big Thunder for 9-10a, Pirates for 10-11a, and Wishes for when it is available
• Second Sunday at the Animal Kingdom: Festival of the Lion King, Kali River Rapids if you have Rivers of Light instead for First Sunday, and a third. Book the first available show for Festival of the Lion King, and book Kali (if you have it) during the last hour you plan to be in the park. At park open, head to Kilimanjaro Safaris.

2. Do online check in, requesting as you do special location points

3. Customize your MagicBands

E. NOTES ON PACKING ETC. BEFORE YOU LEAVE

1. Bring your MagicBands in your carry-ons

2. If you use Disney’s Magical Express, you do not need to collect your bags at the Orlando airport unless you arrive late in the evening/at night or are an international traveler. Disney will get them for you and, eventually, deliver them directly to your room. Your bags may arrive hours after you do; so, depending on the weather forecasts, have a carry-on with an appropriate change of clothes for Orlando weather on Saturday, as you will almost certainly go to Epcot on Saturday before your checked bags arrive.

3. Follow the instructions in the Magical Express packet you will receive in the mail regarding both tagging your bags pre-departure, and where to go at the Orlando airport to find your transport to your resort.

4. Bring a copy of your room reservation, confirmation numbers and any tickets for special events you may have received in the mail.

5. Pack breakfast utensils, as they are not always available in the gift shop: bowls, spoons, napkins

6. When you arrive at the hotel, look for the special “On-line Check-in” line, and get into it.

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(Note: this is from the FastPass+ Higher Crowd Itinerary, Seven Night Variant.)

EPCOT DAY 1: FIRST SUNDAY AGENDA

Check in, get settled if your room is ready, and be at Epcot as soon as you can.

FIRST THINGS

• Arrive at your hotel, following the instructions in your Disney’s Magical Express packet if you are using it to get from Orlando International to your Disney Resort. Check in
• Unless you are arriving late, your room will likely not be ready, but you can leave your bags. First change into clothes more appropriate for the weather–which your To-Do List reminded you to pack in your carry-ons. You can ask to be called or texted later to find out your exact room
• If your room is ready, and if you have time–you want to be at Epcot as soon as you can–get food and supplies (bowls, napkins, scotch) for your breakfast in the morning, which you will be eating out of your room. Also get (from the counter service restaurant)  “Refillable Mugs,” which you will be able to re-use at your resort for free drinks over your entire stay
• Head to Epcot as soon as you can

AT THE PARK

• Your plan today is to see as many of Epcot’s lengthier attractions as you can to free time on your second visit, see parts of World Showcase that are most fun in the evening, see Frozen Ever After in Norway, and see Epcot’s park-closing spectacular IllumiNations.
• You should have FastPass+ for Spaceship Earth, Frozen Ever After, and a third ride, and dinner reservations for either Akershus or San Angel Inn at around 7p. Those arriving late may have to thin the below to just dinner, Frozen Ever After, World Showcase, and Illuminations
• Go through the turnstiles and pick up a park map and “Times Guide”–a schedule. Use your Spaceship Earth FastPass+ and then see Ellen’s Energy Adventure.
• Head to World Showcase, and while keeping an eye out for your dinner reservation at around 7p, see the pavilions starting with Mexico and going clockwise.
  • Each pavilion will have some or all of shopping, special exhibits, a ride, a movie, and other special events—such as acrobats in China.
  • Check your map, times guide, and the pavilion itself, to see what each pavilion has.
  • For scheduled events like the acrobats, etc., 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
• Have dinner at whichever you chose to reserve between San Angel Inn inside the Mexico pyramid or the Akershus Royal Banquet  Meal in Norway at 7p
• Continue touring World Showcase clockwise until about 8:30p, using your FastPass+ for Frozen Ever After
• Pick a spot for Illuminations as near its FastPass+ area on the Spaceship Earth side of the lagoon as you can find
• Watch Illuminations, and if you are parked, taking the monorail, or taking a bus back to your hotel, immediately at its end start walking briskly to the park exit (on the far side of Spaceship Earth) to beat the crowds.
• Return to your hotel

BACK AT THE HOTEL

Buy food, supplies (bowls, spoons, etc.) and refillable mugs for breakfast in your room at your hotel counter service or gift shop, if you did not have time, or a room assignment, earlier.

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

You will spend the full day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Check with your concierge on transport (likely buses) and what time you should be at the bus stop.

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(Note: this is from the FastPass+ Higher Crowd Itinerary, Seven Night Variant.)

HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS: MONDAY AGENDA

Today you visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

You should have FastPass+ for Toy Story Midway Mania, Star Tours, and the Frozen Sing-Along. You have no scheduled dining today.

FIRST THINGS

Arrive at the Studios by 45 minutes before open.

AT THE PARK

• At park open, grab a times guide to double-check show schedules, head to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, and ride it
• Then see Tower of Terror
• See the Great Movie Ride
• See Voyage of the Little Mermaid
• See the 11a Beauty and the Beast
• See the noon Indiana Jones
• Have lunch
• See Muppet Vision 3D
• See Star Tours (FP+)
• See Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream
• See Toy Story Midway Mania (FP+)
• See Disney Jr Live on Stage
• See the Frozen Sing-Along (FP+)
• Have dinner
• Decide between Fantasmic and the projection/fireworks show–Star Wars most of the year, Jingle Bell Jingle BAM from mid-November through December
• Be at your selected show 30-45 minutes before showtime.

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

Tomorrow you will begin your visit to the Magic Kingdom.

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(Note: this is from the FastPass+ Higher Crowd Itinerary, Seven Night Variant.)

ANIMAL KINGDOM DAY 1: WEDNESDAY AGENDA

Today you have the morning off and then begin your visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which you will complete Sunday morning. You have no scheduled meals today.

You should have FastPass+ for Rivers of Light (if open your dates), Expedition Everest, and Dinosaur.

MORNING

• Sleep in and eat breakfast in your room
• Arrive at Animal Kingdom around noon

AT THE PARK

• Today your goal is to see Discovery Island, most of Asia, DinoLand, and Rivers of Light–you’ll be returning Sunday morning to see Africa and other areas you missed
• Enter the park, grab a times guide, and compare the times of Flights of Wonder and Finding Nemo: the Musical to your FastPass + schedule, figuring out when to see these
• Head to Discovery Island to see It’s Tough to Be a Bug
• Eat lunch at Flame Tree Barbecue
• Head to DinoLand and use your Dinosaur FastPass+.  The other rides here aren’t worth much of a wait except for Finding Nemo. Ride them if they look like fun and the lines are short
• Fit Finding Nemo in around your FastPass+ for Expedition Everest, seeing also the Maharajah Jungle Trail and the show Flights of Wonder (Nemo is close to Expedition Everest)
• (If you have FastPass+ for it instead of Rivers of Light, see Kilimanjaro Safaris)
• Have dinner at the counter service near Yak and Yeti
• If you have the time and energy, and there’s another show available, see Festival of the Lion King in Africa.  This will simplify your Sunday morning
• See the sunset version of  Kilimanjaro Safaris
• See Rivers of Light if open your dates
• If you have the time and energy, and lines are short, see Expedition Everest. You have FastPass+ for it Sunday morning, but it’s worth doing in the dark, too!
• After dark, perhaps on your way out, see the Tree of Life Awakenings
• Note that you have one available FastPass+ for Sunday morning.  When you have finished today, re-book a favorite for then

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

Tomorrow you continue your visit to the Magic Kingdom.

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(Note: this is from the FastPass+ Higher Crowd Itinerary, Seven Night Variant.)

MAGIC KINGDOM DAY 2: THURSDAY AGENDA

Today you will continue your visit to the Magic Kingdom. You’ll see Fantasyland and Liberty Square.

You should have FastPass+ for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Enchanted Tales with Belle, and the Haunted Mansion. Other fixed points in your schedule: you have lunch reservations at Cinderella’s Royal Table and want to see the afternoon parade at 3p.

FIRST THINGS

Be at the park by 45 minutes before open.

AT THE PARK

• Enter the turnstiles when the park opens and head to Peter Pan. Ride it
• See it’s a small world, the Carrousel if you wish, Mickey’s Philharmagic, and Winnie the Pooh while you are in the area
• Head into Storybook Circus and see Dumbo
• See the Barnstormer if it looks like fun and lines aren’t too long
• See the Mad Tea Party
• Fit together Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid, your FastPass+ for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Enchanted Tales with Belle, and your lunch at  Cinderella’s Royal Table
• See the 3p parade by grabbing a spot around 2.30 between the Castle and Liberty Square
• Fit the Hall of Presidents and Liberty Belle Riverboat around your FastPass+ for the Haunted Mansion.
• Have dinner at the park or in your hotel (counter service)

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

Tomorrow you finish your visit to Epcot

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(Note: this is from the FastPass+ Higher Crowd Itinerary, Seven Night Variant.)

EPCOT DAY 2: FRIDAY AGENDA

Today you will complete Epcot, and have the evening off.

Assuming you saw Spaceship Earth, Ellen’s Energy Adventure, Frozen Ever After (if open) and some of World Showcase on Sunday, you’ll have an easy day today.

If you missed some of these, the priorities from among them to fit in today are Spaceship Earth, Mission Space and World Showcase.

For today you should have FastPass+ for Test Track, Turtle Talk with Crush, and a third ride.

You have no reserved dining today.

FIRST THINGS

Be at the park by 45 minutes before open. 

AT THE PARK: MORNING

• Enter the  when the park opens and see Soarin
• See MISSION: Space
• Head to Test Track. Ride it using FastPass+.
• Head back to the other side of Future World and see the attractions in the Imagination Pavilion– Disney-Pixar shorts, and Journey Into Imagination with Figment
• Fit in The Seas with Nemo and Friends, Living with the Land, and Circle of Life around your FastPass+ for Turtle Talk with Crush. If lines are too long for Living with the Land, get a fourth FastPass+ for it later. Note that as you ride each FastPass+ ride you can move the next to an earlier time, if available.
• Have lunch while you are in this area of the park at Sunshine Seasons in the Land Pavilion on the lower level
• Next is the rest of World Showcase, starting in Canada and progressing counter-clockwise. Tour as you did Sunday night, checking out the shows as you wander
• If the kids are bored by World Showcase, check out Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure
• And you are almost done!  Check out Innoventions on your way out of the park

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

Tomorrow you complete your visit to the Magic Kingdom.

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