Category — i. Itineraries for Walt Disney World

This To-Do List is for the FastPass+ Lower-Crowd Itinerary, 7 Night Saturday Arrival 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 your 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 7 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 Wednesday 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): Saturday 6p if you can; earlier OK, but not later
• Akershus Banquet or San Angel Inn (dining plan): Wednesday 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 as early as right after midnight and set up the following FastPass+

• First Saturday evening at Magic Kingdom: Winnie the Pooh at 4.30-5.30p, Main Street Electrical Parade, and Wishes
• Sunday at Animal Kingdom: Kilimanjaro Safaris 11.30a-12.30p, Kali River Rapids 4-5p, and Rivers of Light (if open by your date–if not open, have your third FastPass+ be for the the next available Festival of the Lion King after your Kilimanjaro FastPass+)
• Monday at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Tier One: Toy Story Midway Mania. Tier Two: Star Tours and Frozen Sing-Along. Set Toy Story Midway Mania for 1-2p, Star Tours for noon-1p, and the Frozen Sing Along for 11a-noon.
• Tuesday at the Magic Kingdom: Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear, and Jungle Cruise. Set Space Mountain for 12-1p, Buzz Lightyear for 1-2p, and Jungle Cruise for 3.30-4.30p
• Wednesday afternoon and evening at Epcot: Tier One: Frozen Ever After if open for your dates; otherwise IllumiNations. Tier Two: Spaceship Earth and a third. Do Frozen Ever After for 5.30 to 6.30p, and Spaceship Earth for 2.-3p
• 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.
• Second Saturday Morning at the Magic Kingdom: Splash Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Big Thunder Mountain. Set Big Thunder for 9.30-10.30, Pirates for 10.30-11.30, and Splash for 11.30-12.30.

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 the Magic Kingdom 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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MAGIC KINGDOM DAY 1: FIRST SATURDAY AGENDA

Today you will begin your visit to the Magic Kingdom, focusing on the evening shows.

Your key FastPass+ for tonight are for Wishes and the Main Street Electrical Parade.

You may not get to use other FastPass+ today, depending on your arrival time, how late the park is open, and what time the evening shows happen.  Check the Magic Kingdom calendar here. Disney requires you to get three FastPass+ regardless, so select from among Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train for your third FastPass+.

Each of these is worth multiple rides!  The other fixed point in your schedule is dinner at the Crystal Palace.

(Note: this is from the FastPass+ Lower-Crowd Itinerary, 7 Night Saturday Arrival Variant. It does not work all weeks–use the comment form to check in on yours!)

FIRST THINGS

Check in, get settled if your room is ready, and be at the Magic Kingdom 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 the Magic Kingdom 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 the Magic Kingdom as soon as you can

AT THE PARK

• Be at the park in time for dinner at the Crystal Palace
• If you arrive early, use your FastPass+
• Find the FastPass+ viewing area in front of the Main Street Railroad Station for Main Street Electrical Parade and watch it
• After the parade, move  to nearer the Castle and use your FastPass+ for Wishes to see both Wishes and Celebrate the Magic
• If you are up for it, continue in the park–but tomorrow is one of your longest days of this vacation…
• Head back 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

Tomorrow you visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

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ANIMAL KINGDOM: SUNDAY AGENDA

Today you visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom. You have no scheduled meals.

(Note: this is from the FastPass+ Lower-Crowd Itinerary, 7 Night Saturday Arrival Variant. It does not work all weeks–use the comment form to check in on yours!)

You should have FastPass+ for Kilimanjaro Safaris, Kali River Rapids, and Rivers of Light if it is open by your trip.  Otherwise, have your third FastPass+ be Festival of the Lion King.

FIRST THINGS

• Pack spare clothes, as you will get soaked on Kali River Rapids
• Be at the park by 45 minutes before open

AT THE PARK

• Enter the park, grab a times guide, and compare the times of Festival of the Lion King, Flights of Wonder and Finding Nemo The Musical to your FastPass + schedule, figuring out when to see these. Target the first Nemo
• Head to Expedition Everest and ride
• Head to DinoLand and see DINOSAUR
• If they look like fun, see Primeval Whirl and Triceratops Spin
• Working around the show times for Fights of Wonder and Finding Nemo, see these shows and  Maharajah Jungle Trail and It’s Tough to Be a Bug
• Eat lunch at Flame Tree Barbecue or head to Africa and eat at Harambe Market
• See Kilimanjaro Safaris (FP+) and Festival of the Lion King (FP+ if Rivers of Light is not open), with Pangani Forest Exploration Trail in between
• Rafiki’s Planet Watch is a minor adventure accessed by the Wildlife Express Train. If interested, and you have time (including the train allow 45 minutes), see it before your Kali FastPass+
• See Kali River Rapids (FP+)
• See the sunset version of Kilimanjaro Safaris
• See Tree of Life Awakenings
• See Rivers of Light (FP+) if open by your trip

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

Tomorrow you see Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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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.

(Note: this is from the FastPass+ Lower-Crowd Itinerary, 7 Night Saturday Arrival Variant. It does not work all weeks–use the comment form to check in on yours!)

FIRST THINGS

Arrive at the Studios by 45 minutes before open.

AT THE PARK

• At park open, grab a times guide, head to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, and ride it
• Then see Tower of Terror
• Take a look at your Times Guide.  The challenge today is to see the fixed-schedule shows Indiana Jones, Beauty and the Beast, and Fantasmic in the middle of all the other rides and FastPass+.  If the schedule works, aim for Indiana Jones at 11 or noon and Beauty and the Beast around 5.30.  Fantasmic is what it is; if there’s two shows, the later one will be less crowded, but yields a day about 90 minutes longer…
• See Voyage of the Little Mermaid
• See the Great Movie Ride
• See Indiana Jones
• See Muppet Vision 3D
• See the Frozen Sing-Along (FP+)
• See Star Tours (FP+)
• Have lunch
• See Toy Story Mania (FP+)
• See Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream
• If time permits, see Disney Jr Live on Stage
• See Beauty and the Beast
• Be at Fantasmic 30-45 minutes before showtime. Fit dinner in before or after, depending on the Fantasmic schedule

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

Tomorrow you will continue your visit to the Magic Kingdom.

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EPCOT DAY 1: WEDNESDAY AGENDA

Take the morning off, then head to Epcot.  Seeing a lot today will give you more flexibility on your second visit Friday.  Your aim is to see a few rides, half of World Showcase, and IllumiNations, all worked in around dinner.

FIRST THINGS

(Note: this is from the FastPass+ Lower-Crowd Itinerary, 7 Night Saturday Arrival Variant. It does not work all weeks–use the comment form to check in on yours!)

Be at Epcot by 2p if you can, and not much later than 4p

AT THE PARK

• Your plan today is to see some rides, see parts of World Showcase that are most fun in the evening, and see Epcot’s park-closing spectacular Illuminations. You should also have FastPass+ for Frozen Ever After, Spaceship Earth and a third ride, and dinner reservations for either Akershus or San Angel Inn at around 7p.
• 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.
• Check out Innoventions
• Head to World Showcase, and while keeping an eye out for your Frozen Ever After FastPass+ and you 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
• See Frozen Ever After in Norway (FastPass+)
• 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
• Start making your way to the Illuminations FastPass+ area right where Future World and World Showcase intersect. Hit the bathrooms if needed on the way, as you don’t want to so pause after IllumiNations
• Find a spot near the IllumiNations FastPass+ area and watch it.
• 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

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

Tomorrow you continue your visit to the Magic Kingdom.

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MAGIC KINGDOM DAY 2: TUESDAY AGENDA

Today you have the early morning off, have brunch at Chef Mickey’s at the Contemporary Resort near the Magic Kingdom, and then continue your visit to the Magic Kingdom, seeing Tomorrowland and then touring some lower-wait attractions in Adventureland and Frontierland. You will then end your day at Fort Wilderness’s Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue.

You should have FastPass+ for Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear, and the Jungle Cruise. The other fixed points in your schedule are Chef Mickey’s and Hoop-Dee-Doo.

Today may be a little over-crowded, but anything you miss you can pick up on Thursday or Saturday.

(Note: this is from the FastPass+ Lower-Crowd Itinerary, 7 Night Saturday Arrival Variant. It does not work all weeks–use the comment form to check in on yours!)

FIRST THINGS

Be at the Contemporary Resort in time for your meal at Chef Mickey’s. For most, this will mean a bus to the Magic Kingdom, then walking or taking the resort monorail to the Contemporary. Check at your resort front desk for the best route.

AT THE PARK

• After your meal, walk or take the monorail to the Magic Kingdom
• See Space Mountain (FP+)
• Fit around your Buzz Lightyear FastPass+ lower wait rides in Tomorrowland–the Carousel of Progress, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, Stitch’s Great Escape, and the Tomorrowland PeopleMover.
• Around the time of the 3p afternoon parade, check waits at Astro Orbiter and the Tomorrowland Speedway.  If the lines look OK, and the rides seem fun, see them
• Go to Adventureland and fit the Swiss Family Treehouse and the Enchanted Tiki Room around your FastPass+ for the Jungle Cruise
• Once off the Jungle Cruise, if you skipped Astro Orbiter and the Tomorrowland Speedway because of waits, try now for a fourth FastPass+
• Find the passage into Frontierland and see the Country Bears
• If you have time, find the rafts near Big Thunder Mountain and see Tom Sawyer Island
• Around 5p, then head for the main entrance and look for the boat docks right in front
• Take the boat to Fort Wilderness (not the Wilderness Lodge), and follow the crowds to the Hoop Dee Doo area, and check in for the 6.15p show.
• See Hoop-Dee-Doo!
• Ask outside for the best way to get back to your hotel.  Most likely you will return by boat to the Magic Kingdom, and catch a bus or monorail there.  But special buses may be running…

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

Tomorrow you have the morning off, then begin your visit to Epcot.

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