Category — i. Itineraries for Walt Disney World

EPCOT DAY 2 AND MAGIC KINGDOM DAY 1: TUESDAY AGENDA

Today you have the early morning off, and then in the late morning continue your visit to Epcot.

In the late afternoon, you switch to the Magic Kingdom, using your Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party tickets to enter as early as 4p (your tickets will say 7p, but Disney has let party-goers enter at 4p for years).

You should have FastPass+ for Frozen Ever After, Spaceship Earth and MISSION: Space.

You should have lunch scheduled with the princesses at Akershus at noon.

(Note: this is from the 2016 Basic December Itinerary. The itinerary works only for the three weeks after Thanksgiving. See this for other itineraries.)

MORNING

• Sleep in and eat breakfast in your room
• Arrive at Epcot by 11.45a

AT EPCOT

At Epcot today your goal is to see a few rides in World Showcase and the east side of Future World, plus a Holiday Storyteller or two if you’d like.

• Enter the park, grab a times guide, and check for Holiday Storytellers on the east side of World Showcase you might want to see early this afternoon.
• Have lunch at Akershus
• Ride Frozen Ever After using FastPass+
• See a storyteller or two
• Ride MISSION: Space using FastPass+ (those with the least tiny bit of motion sickness should ride the “Green” side)
• Ride Ellen’s Energy Adventure
• Ride Spaceship Earth using FastPass+
• Exit the park, and take the monorail to the Magic Kingdom

AT THE MAGIC KINGDOM

In the earlier part of today’s Magic Kingdom visit, you’ll be seeing some lower-wait attractions. When the party starts, you’ll be seeing rides in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland until the fireworks, then watch the special Christmas fireworks and the second showing of the special Christmas parade. Exact times are not out yet, so this agenda may be modified a bit in early November.

• Arrive at Magic Kingdom, go to the special event turnstiles and get your party bracelet. Get both a regular Times Guide and a party map. Check the regular Times Guide for the Muppets show
• Head back into Frontierland and get a raft to Tom Sawyer Island. Play and explore.
• Take a raft back, walk to Liberty Square and ride the Liberty Belle Steamboat
• See the Hall of Presidents (which will have a show on just a few minutes after the Liberty Belle unloads)
• Fit in dinner at a counter service (Columbia Harbor House is nearby and recommended) and the Muppets show (if the show is inconvenient, or you spent a lot of time on Tom Sawyer Island, put the Muppets off until later in the week.)
• A little before 7p, head to Tomorrowland.

AT MICKEY’S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY

• See the Carousel of Progress
• See Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• See Space Mountain
• See Astro Orbiter
• Walk to Fantasyland
• See Enchanted Tales with Belle
• Ride Winnie the Pooh
• Make your way to a spot between the Castle and the entrance to Main Street by half an hour before the fireworks begin
• See Celebrate the Magic and the fireworks
• Stay in the same spot and watch the Christmas Parade
• Head to Adventureland and see the Jungle Cruise
• If you still have the energy, see any special shows that have another performance, or re-ride one of your favorites from this evening
• Head back to your hotel

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

Tomorrow you have the morning off, then complete your visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

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HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS DAY 2: WEDNESDAY AGENDA

Today you have the morning off. You will then return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios by noon to complete the visit you began Monday.  You have no reserved dining today.

You should have FastPass+ for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, and Voyage of the Little Mermaid.

(Note: this is from the 2016 Basic December Itinerary. The itinerary works only for the three weeks after Thanksgiving. See this for other itineraries.)

MORNING AND EARLY AFTERNOON

• Sleep in and have breakfast in your room
• Arrive at Hollywood Studios by noon

AT THE PARK

• Check the Times Guide to plan when to see Beauty and the Beast (preferably the last show of the day) and to double check the times of the evening shows.
• See Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream
• See Voyage of the Little Mermaid (FP+)
• Have lunch
• See Disney Jr Live on Stage
• Fit Beauty and the Beast in among your FastPass+ for Tower of Terror and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
• Have dinner
• Get in line for Fantasmic about 30-45 minutes before the show, or, if you want to see the new Christmas show Jingle Bell Jingle BAM instead, pick a spot in the center stage area in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theater instead
• See Fantasmic or the Jingle Bell Jingle BAM show
• If the park is open after Fantasmic, most lines will be short–if you wish, this will be a good time for re-rides. Try for more FastPass+, or simply check standby lines
• Head back to your hotel

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

Tomorrow you have the early morning off and then continue your visit to the Magic Kingdom.

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EPCOT DAY 3: FRIDAY AGENDA

Today you have the early morning off, and then complete your visit to Epcot.

You should have FastPass+ for Soarin’, Living with the Land, and Turtle Talk with Crush.

You should have dinner scheduled as the Candlelight Processional Dinner Package at 5.45p, and after will be seeing the 8.15p Candlelight Processional and the park-closing fireworks show IllumiNations.

(Note: this is from the 2016 Basic December Itinerary. The itinerary works only for the three weeks after Thanksgiving. See this for other itineraries.)

MORNING

• Sleep in and eat breakfast in your room
• Arrive at Epcot by 11a

AT EPCOT

At Epcot today your goal is to complete seeing the west sides of Future World and World Showcase and to see the evening Christmas shows, plus a Holiday Storyteller or two if you’d like.

• Enter the park, grab a times guide, and check for Holiday Storytellers on the west side of World Showcase you might want to see late this afternoon.
• Go the Land Pavilion and see Soarin’ using FastPass+
• Have lunch just outside the Soarin exit at Sunshine Seasons
• See Living with the Land with FastPass+
• Walk to the Imagination Pavilion and see the Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival and Journey into Imagination with Figment (if time before your Turtle Talk with Crush FastPass+ is short, skip Journey into Imagination)
• Go to the Seas Pavilion and see The Seas with Nemo and Friends, Turtle Talk with Crush (FastPass+) and explore the exhibits
• Head to World Showcase and explore the west side starting with Canada. As on your earlier visit, use your Times Guide to track special shows or storytellers you want to see among the pavilions
• Head to Mexico for your 5.45 dinner at San Angel Inn, inside the pyramid
• After dinner, head towards the outdoor amphitheater in America where the Candlelight Processional will be shown. You want to be in line by 7.45 for the 8.15 show (the earlier, the closer the seats) so you may have time to explore or revisit a bit on the way to America
• See the 8.15p Candlelight Processional
• Pick your IllumiNations spot–walk towards the main entrance, and seek a spot near the south end of the lagoon with Spaceship Earth at your back. This will let you beat most of the crowds to the bus stops/monorail after IllumiNations. Hit the bathrooms before you pick your spot, as you don’t want anything slowing you down after it
• See IllumiNations
• Head back to your hotel

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

Tomorrow you have the morning off, then complete your visit to the Magic Kingdom.

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MAGIC KINGDOM DAY 3: SECOND SATURDAY AGENDA

Today you have the morning off, and then in the early afternoon continue your visit the Magic Kingdom.

You should have FastPass+ for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Peter Pan’s Flight, and the Haunted Mansion

You should have dinner scheduled at Chef Mickey’s at the nearby Contemporary Resort at 6p.

(Note: this is from the 2016 Basic December Itinerary. The itinerary works only for the three weeks after Thanksgiving. See this for other itineraries.)

MORNING

• Sleep in and eat breakfast in your room
• Either eat lunch in your hotel or arrive at the park earlier than 12:45p to dine there
• Arrive at Magic Kingdom by 12:45p

AT THE MAGIC KINGDOM

At Magic Kingdom today your goal is to complete seeing Liberty Square and Fantasyland while fitting in your meal at Chef Mickey’s, viewing the Christmas decoration at a few nearby hotels, and if you wish seeing the evening entertainment.

• Enter the park, grab a Times Guide, and if you plan to see them, confirm the time of Wishes and if there is one–there probably will not be–the evening parade
• Go to Fantasyland and see Seven Dwarfs Mine Train with FastPass+
• Head into Storybook Circus at the back of Fantasyland and ride Dumbo, and if it looks like fun, Barnstormer
• Come back on the other side of the Mine Train and ride Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
• Head towards the Castle and see Mickey’s Philharmagic
• Ride it’s a small world
• See Peter Pan’s Flight with FastPass+
• Take the path between Peter Pan and it’s a small world to Liberty Square and see Haunted Mansion (FastPass+)
• Look for a fourth FastPass+ on your phone if you’d like to return to a ride
• See the Christmas decorations at the Grand Floridian and Wilderness Lodge framed around your 6p dinner at Chef Mickey’s at the Contemporary Resort. The simplest way to do this, if you can start by 4.30, is to
  1. Take the resort monorail around the Seven Seas Lagoon, get off at the Grand Floridian, and check it out, starting with its lobby
  2. Re-board the resort monorail, and take it to the Contemporary.  Get off and dine at Chef Mickey’s there
  3. Take the boat from the Contemporary (in the back, beyond the pools) to the Wilderness Lodge, get off and check it out, focusing on the lobby
  4. From the Wilderness Lodge boat dock, take the Magic Kingdom boat back to the park
• What you do next is up to you. Use your fourth FastPass+ if you booked one; revisit favorite rides; stay for the fireworks show Wishes (similar, but not identical, to the fireworks you saw earlier this week); watch the evening parade if there is one (the former Main Street Electrical Parade stopped in October, and as I write this no replacement is known to be imminent); and/or
• Head back to your hotel

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

Tomorrow you complete your visit to the Animal Kingdom.

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ANIMAL KINGDOM DAY 2: SECOND SUNDAY AGENDA

Today you spend the morning completing your visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and then depart for home. You have no scheduled meals.

You should have FastPass+ for Festival of the Lion King, Expedition Everest, and DINOSAUR. Your goal today is to see what you did not see First Sunday, including the daylight version of Kilimanjaro Safaris, and if you have time and interest, to see Rafiki’s Planet Watch.

(Note: this is from the 2016 Basic December Itinerary. The itinerary works only for the three weeks after Thanksgiving. See this for other itineraries.)

MORNING

• Check out and note your instructions for Disney’s Magical Express if you are using it.  If you aren’t, for many domestic airlines you’ll be able to check bags and print boarding passes near the front desk or just outside.  This is a tip-based service.  You can also store your bags at the bell stand
• Arrive at Animal Kingdom by 45 minutes before open

AT THE PARK

• Enter the park, go to Africa and see the daylight version of Kilimanjaro Safaris
• If you have time now, see the Gorilla Falls Trail—if not, see it after Festival of the Lion King
• Use your FastPass+ for Festival of the Lion King
• Walk to Asia and use your FastPass+ for Expedition Everest. If you like, ride it again—from the single rider line if standby is too long
• Ride Primeval Whirl and/or Triceratops spin if they look like fun
• Use your FastPass+ for DINOSAUR
• Rafiki’s Planet Watch is a minor adventure accessed by the Wildlife Express Train back in Africa. If interested, and you have time (including the train allow at least 45 minutes), see it
• Sadly return home

MATERIAL IN THIS DISNEY WORLD ITINERARY

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DISNEY WORLD NEXT WEEK: OCTOBER 15 TO OCTOBER 23, 2016

The material below details next week’s Disney World operating hours, Extra Magic Hours, parades, and fireworks.

For more on October 2016 at Disney World, see this.

OPERATING HOURS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 10/15-10/23/2016

The Magic Kingdom will be open from 8a-12MN 10/15, 8a-7p 10/16 , 8a-12MN 10/17, 9a-7p 10/18, 9a-11p 10/19, 9a-7p 10/20, 8a-7p 10/21, 8a-12MN 10/22, and 8a-7p 10/23

Epcot will be open from 9a-10p 10/15, 9a-9p 10/16 through 10/20, 9a-10p 10/21 and 10/22, and 9a-9p 10/23

Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be open 9a-8p 10/15, 9a-7p 10/16, 9a-8p 10/17, 9a-7p 10/18, 9a-8p 10/19, 9a-7p 10/20, 9a-8p 10/21 and 10/22, and 9a-7p 10/23

Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be open 9a-8.30p every day

EXTRA MAGIC HOURS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 10/15-10/23/2016

Saturday 10/15 Morning:  Animal Kingdom  Evening: none

Sunday 10/16 Morning:  Hollywood Studios  Evening: none

Monday 10/17 Morning: Animal Kingdom  Evening: none

Tuesday 10/18 Morning: none Evening:  Epcot

Wednesday 10/19 Morning: none  Evening:  Magic Kingdom

Thursday 10/20 Morning: Epcot Evening: none

Friday 10/21 Morning:  Magic Kingdom Evening: Hollywood Studios

Saturday 10/22 Morning: Animal Kingdom  Evening: none

Sunday 10/23  Morning: Hollywood Studios Evening: none

PARADES AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 10/15-10/23/2016

The Magic Kingdom: Afternoon Festival of Fantasy Parade: 3p every day

FIREWORKS AND EVENING SHOWS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 10/15-10/23/2016

Wishes at the Magic Kingdom: 10p 10/15, 10/17, 10/19 and 10/22

IllumiNations at Epcot: 10p 10/15; 9p 10/16 through 10/20; 10p 10/21 and 10/22; 9p 10/23

Fantasmic at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 7.30p every night

Star Wars Show and Fireworks at Disney’s Hollywood Studios:  8p 10/15, 10/17, 10/19, and 10/21 and 10/22

SHOW SCHEDULES FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD 10/15-10/23/2016

See Steve Soares’ site here. Click the park names at its top for show schedules.

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