Category — i. Itineraries for Walt Disney World

Note: This itinerary is just an example!  I will be revising it (if needed) after Disney World publishes its actual schedule for December 2016, likely in late May.

This Walt Disney World itinerary is designed for the three weeks following Thanksgiving.

If you aren’t going one of those weeks, see Other Itineraries for alternatives the rest of the year, which are published about six months ahead.

You can enlarge the basic itinerary by clicking it. For a PDF, click here.

As with the other itineraries on this site, there is also a detailed page for each day of your vacation, with specific instructions for that day. Find them here:

Moreover, a detailed To-Do List covers all the steps you need to undertake–including reserving dining and booking FastPass+.

ITINERARY DESIGN GOALS

The basic itinerary was designed to meet several goals: to ensure that you

1. See the best that Walt Disney World has to offer
2. See the parks in the order that works best for kids (essentially Epcot first, as it is potentially the most disappointing, and the Magic Kingdom last, as it is likely to be the best loved)
3. Avoid unnecessary waiting, by using FastPass+ and other tactics…
4. Have as much time off, and as few early mornings, as practical
5. Avoid unnecessary spending–for example, the basic itinerary does not require you to buy the “Park Hopper” option, saving you more than $200

If you can’t do the Basic Itinerary, see Other Itineraries for alternatives for both the December week and the rest of the year.

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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 Kilimanjaro Safaris, Festival of the Lion King, and a third ride of your choice. Your goal today is to see Africa–the first two FastPass+, Pangani Forest, and, if you have time, Rafiki’s Planet Watch.

(Note: this is from the FastPass+ Basic December Itinerary. The itinerary works only for the three weeks following Thanksgiving. For itineraries for other dates, see this.)

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.  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, and if you loved it on your earlier visit, head to and re-ride Expedition Everest. Otherwise go to Africa and ride Kilimanjaro Safaris
• See the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail, and while wandering, if you just saw Kilimanjaro, decide if you want to do Kilimanjaro again. If not, change your FastPass+ for it to something else from Thursday you’d like to see again
• Use your FastPass+ for Festival of the Lion King, Kilimanjaro, and/or anything else you have scheduled
• 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
• Sadly return home

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MAGIC KINGDOM DAY 3: SECOND SATURDAY AGENDA

Today you will complete your visit to the Magic Kingdom, with options for your FastPass+, fun character meals, and the nighttime shows in the evening.

You should have seen all the major rides in the Magic Kingdom by now, so your FastPass+ are for re-rides. The other fixed points in your schedule are lunch with Pooh and Tigger dinner at the Crystal Palace, dinner with Mickey and the gang at Chef Mickey’s in the nearby Contemporary Resort, and the evening fireworks (see Times Guide for schedule, likely 10p)

(Note: this is from the FastPass+ Basic December Itinerary. The itinerary works only for the three weeks following Thanksgiving. For itineraries for other dates, see this.)

FIRST THINGS

Be at the park by 15 minutes before your Crystal Palace reservation.

AT THE PARK

• Have lunch at the Crystal Palace
• See your first FastPass+ ride
• See the 3p Festival of Fantasy Parade
• See your second FastPass+ ride
• See your third FastPass+ ride
• Walk or take the resort monorail to the Contemporary Resort
• Have dinner at Chef Mickey’s
• Via the resort monorail stop at the Polynesian, then the Grand Floridian, to see their Christmas decorations
• Continue on the resort monorail to the Magic Kingdom. Find the Wilderness Lodge boat at the front, and take it to the Lodge.  See its Christmas decorations. Return by boat to the Magic Kingdom
• See  Celebrate the Magic and Wishes
• Head back to your hotel

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

Tomorrow you finish the Animal Kingdom, and then return home.

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MAGIC KINGDOM DAY 2: FRIDAY AGENDA

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

You should have FastPass+ for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Enchanted Tales with Belle, and Peter Pan. As soon as you have finished your FastPass+ for the Mine Train, try to get a fourth FastPass+ for the Haunted Mansion. The other fixed point in your schedule is your reservation at Cinderella’s Royal Table.

(Note: this is from the FastPass+ Basic December Itinerary. The itinerary works only for the three weeks following Thanksgiving. For itineraries for other dates, see this.)

FIRST THINGS

Be at the park by 15 minutes before your Cinderella reservation.

AT THE PARK

• Dine at Cinderella’s Royal Table in the castle.
• See Peter Pan (FP+)
• See it’s a small world,  the Carrousel, and Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid around your FastPass+ for Enchanted Tales with Belle
• See the Mad Tea Party
• See for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (FP+). As soon as you are off the Mine Train, go to a kiosk to try to book a fourth FastPass+ for the Haunted Mansion
• See Dumbo
• See the Barnstormer if it looks like fun and lines aren’t too long
• Take the WDW Railroad from the Fantasyland Station to the Frontierland Station. Walk from there to Liberty Square
• See the Hall of Presidents
• See the Haunted Mansion (perhaps with FastPass+)
• See Liberty Belle Riverboat
• Re-book your FastPass+ for Saturday late afternoon to re-ride your three favorites from the Magic Kingdom so far, beginning at 2p

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

Tomorrow you finish your visit to the Magic Kingdom!

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EPCOT DAY 2: THURSDAY AGENDA

Today you will complete Epcot.

Assuming you saw Soarin, Spaceship Earth, Living with the Land, Turtle Talk with Crush, and some of World Showcase on Saturday, you can arrive late today–around 11a.

If you missed some of these, you need to arrive before park open, and starting with Soarin right at open see them, then shift to the material that begins at 11a.

For today you should have FastPass+ for Test Track, Mission: Space, and a third ride. You have several other scheduled events–dinner as the Candlelight Processional Package at San Angel Inn at around 5.45, the Candlelight Processional itself at 8.15p, and Illuminations at 9.30p

(Note: this is from the FastPass+ Basic December Itinerary. The itinerary works only for the three weeks following Thanksgiving. For itineraries for other dates, see this.)

FIRST THINGS

Be at the park by 11a.

AT THE PARK: MORNING

• Have lunch
• See Mission: Space (FP+)
• See Ellen’s Energy Adventure
• See Test Track (FP+)
• Go into Innoventions East and check out The Sum of All Thrills.  If it looks like fun, ride it. See more of Innoventions East and West if you wish
• See the Seas with Nemo and Friends
• See Circle of Life
• See Journey Into Imagination with Figment
• See Captain EO
• Continue the visit to World Showcase you began on Saturday
• Have dinner at San Angel Inn
• Visit more of World Showcase
• See the Candlelight Processional in front of the American Adventure
• Make your way to the special seating area for Illuminations that’s part of your Candlelight Processional Package, seeing more of World Showcase on the way, hitting if needed the bathrooms before you enter the Illuminations area–as you want to beat the crowds heading out, and you want nothing to slow you down!
• 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

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

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

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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 FastPass+ Basic December Itinerary. The itinerary works only for the three weeks following Thanksgiving. For itineraries for other dates, see this.)

MORNING AND EARLY AFTERNOON

• Sleep in and have an early lunch at the hotel
• 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)
• See  Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream
• See Voyage of the Little Mermaid (FP+)
• See Disney Jr Live on Stage
• See the Magic of Disney Imagination
• 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
• See Fantasmic
• Most lines will be short after Fantasmic–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 when you are ready

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

Tomorrow you will complete your visit to Epcot.

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