Category — i. Itineraries for Walt Disney World

EPCOT DAY 1: FIRST SATURDAY AGENDA

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

FIRST THINGS

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

• 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 attractions as you can to free time on your second visit, see the parts of World Showcase that are most fun in the evening, and see the lovely Christmas decorations at the nearby Epcot resorts–while exiting the park before the end of Illuminations, the park-closing show that you will see tomorrow night. You should also have FastPass+ for Soarin’, Spaceship Earth and a third ride, and dinner reservations for Akershus at around 6.30p. Those arriving late may have to thin the below to just Soarin’, dinner, World Showcase, and the Epcot resorts
• Go through the turnstiles and pick up a park map and “Times Guide”–a schedule. Use your Spaceship Earth FastPass+ and then see Turtle Talk with Crush, Living with the Land and Soarin (FP+)
• Then sample Innoventions to get a sense of how much time you might want to devote to it  tomorrow.
• Head to World Showcase, and while keeping an eye out for your dinner reservation at around 6.30p, see the pavilions starting with Mexico and going clockwise.
  • Each pavilion will have some or all of Christmas displays and storytellers as part of Epcot’s Holidays Around the World celebration, 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 Akershus in Norway at 6.30p
• Continue touring World Showcase clockwise until about 8:30p
• Leave Epcot via the International Gateway exit between France and the UK and walk around Crescent Lake, visiting the lobbies and Christmas decorations at the Beach Club, Yacht Club, and BoardWalk Inn
• Be back in Epcot by 9.30p, and instead of staying for Illuminations–which will have started about now, and which you will see tomorrow–return to the exit by Spaceship Earth and head back to your hotel–thus beating the post-Illuminations crowds.

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 complete your visit to Epcot.

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This To-Do List is for the FastPass+ Five Night Basic December Itinerary.  For To-Do-Lists for other itineraries, see this.

Daily instructions are here:

• Monday
• Tuesday
• Wednesday
• Thursday
• Friday
• Saturday

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 five nights, six day tickets with the park hopper add-on, no “water parks and more” tickets, the Dining Plan, and Disney’s Magical Express
• Itineraries other than mine will have different requirements here

B. 181 DAYS BEFORE YOUR ARRIVAL DATE

1. 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).

2. Collect your planned 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).

1. 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.

2. Make as many of the following as you have patience for, in the exact order listed:

• Cinderella’s Royal Table Lunch (dining plan, two credits): Friday at 11a or later if you can; earlier than 11 only if your sole option…
• Chef Mickey’s (dining plan) Friday 7.30p.  Later is OK, but earlier will cut into your park time
• San Angel Inn as Candlelight Processional Dining Package (dining plan, two credits): Wednesday 5.45p. Can be earlier but not later.

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

3. Go to the site for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, and order tickets for your family for Tuesday

D. 60 DAYS BEFORE YOUR ARRIVAL DATE

1. Go to your MyDisneyExperience account as early as moments after midnight and set up the following FastPass+

• Monday at Epcot: Tier One: Soarin. Tier Two: Spaceship Earth and a third ride. Do Spaceship Earth for when you expect to be able to arrive at Epcot, then Soarin, then the third.
• Tuesday at the Magic Kingdom: Big Thunder Mountain 1-2p, Splash Mountain 2-3p, and Jungle Cruise 3-4p.
• Wednesday at Epcot: Tier One Test Track at 1-2p. Tier Twos Mission: Space (12-1p) and a third of your choice
• Thursday at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Tier One: Toy Story Midway Mania 1.30-2.30p. Tier Two: Voyage of the Little Mermaid (10-11a) and the Frozen Sing-Along (noon-1p). (At park open, head straight to Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster)
• Friday at the Magic Kingdom: Design in order around your Cinderella lunch time and the 3p parade, e.g. Peter Pan 12.30-1.30p, Enchanted Tales with Belle 1.30-2.30p, and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train 3.30-4.30p
• Saturday at the Animal Kingdom:  Festival of the Lion King 10a-11a, Finding Nemo first show, and Kali River Rapids after

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 Monday, as you will almost certainly go to Epcot on Monday 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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I have retired this itinerary for 2016, as I’ve not been able to design a five night version for 2016 that meets my standards. For a six night option, see this.

ANIMAL KINGDOM DAY 2:  SATURDAY 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, Finding Nemo, and Kali River Rapids.

(Note: this is from the FastPass+ Basic December Five Night Itinerary. This itinerary works only for the three weeks after 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
• Bring a change of clothes to the park as you will get soaked on Kali River Rapids!
• Arrive at Animal Kingdom by 45 minutes before open

AT THE PARK

• Enter the park, and go to Africa and ride Kilimanjaro Safaris
• See the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail
• Use your FastPass+ for Festival of the Lion King
• 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
• See Finding Nemo: the Musical in DinoLand (FP+)
• See Kali River Rapids (FP+)
• Sadly return home

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ANIMAL KINGDOM DAY 1 AND MAGIC KINGDOM DAY 2: FRIDAY AGENDA

Today you will begin at the Animal Kingdom, and then 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 points in your schedule are the 3p parade and your reservations at Cinderella’s Royal Table and Chef Mickey’s.

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

FIRST THINGS

Be at the Animal Kingdom by 45 minutes before it opens.

MORNING AT THE ANIMAL KINGDOM

• At park open, grab a times guide, head to Expedition Everest, and ride.
• Head into DinoLand, and ride Dinosaur
• Check the show schedule for Flights of Wonder, planning to see the first show
• If Triceratops Spin and Primeval Whirl look like fun, ride them
• Head back to Asia and see Pangani Forest, Flights of Wonder, and It’s Tough to be a Bug on nearby Discovery Island
• Head to the Magic Kingdom

AFTERNOON AND EVENING AT THE MAGIC KINGDOM

• 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 afternoon Festival of Fantasy Parade
• 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
• 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
• Head back to your hotel

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

Tomorrow you finish your visit to the Animal Kingdom and head home.

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HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS: THURSDAY AGENDA

Today you you visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

You should have FastPass+ for the Toy Story Midway Mania, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, and the Frozen Sing-Along. You have no scheduled dining today.

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

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
• See Tower of Terror
• Take a look at your Times Guide.  The challenge today is to see the fixed-schedule shows Indiana Jones, American Idol, Lights Motor Action, Beauty and the Beast, and Fantasmic in the middle of all the other rides and FastPass+.  If the schedule works, aim for Indiana Jones a little after 11, American Idol a little after 1, Lights Motor around 4.30, 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 Great Movie Ride
• See Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream
• See Voyage of the Little Mermaid (FP+)
• See Indiana Jones
• See Muppet Vision 3D
• See Star Tours
• See the Frozen Sing-ALong (FP+)
• Have lunch
• See Toy Story Mania (FP+)
• See Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream
• If time permits, see the Magic of Disney Imagination and Disney Jr Live on Stage
• See Lights Motor Action
• See Beauty and the Beast
• Be at Fantasmic 30-45 minutes before showtime. Fit dinner in before or after, depending on the Fantasmic schedule
• See the Osborne Lights in Streets of America

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

Tomorrow you will begin at the Animal Kingdom, and then go to and complete your visit to the Magic Kingdom.

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