Category — i. Itineraries for Walt Disney World

(Note: this is from the Disney World Genie+ with Tron Itinerary.)

DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS DAY 2: SECOND SATURDAY AGENDA

(For the general approach to Hollywood Studios, see the beginning of Hollywood Studios Day 1.)

You complete your visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios today. Your day is shaped into two parts, with an early morning visit to see some key rides, a break for napping or swimming back at the hotel, then a return to the Studios to knock off some Genie+ and any ILL rides that have later returns, plus any shows you have missed.

Do the logistics tasks in the early morning, and head to the Studios for Early Entry.

Depending on when the park opens, you may have to do the 7a chores while on your way to the park. Almost everyone present at Early Entry will be targeting Rise of the Resistance—you will have seen it on Day 1 via ILL, so will be targeting Slinky Dog Dash and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway instead. After that, you will complete the other rides in Toy Story Land and see other rides nearby in this section of the park.

Your morning will end with a show or two, depending on what is available early— Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular Show, with its first show commonly at 10.45a, and For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration, with its first time commonly at 9.30 or 10.30a, would each be good choices. Seeing both (Indy at 10.45, Frozen at 11.30) will make your afternoon/evening return simpler, but will require both luck and some fast walking, so is unlikely.

LOGISTICS

Before 7a, buy Genie+.

At 7a, if you wish to see it again, or if the ride broke on Day 1, book a time via Individual Lightning Lane for Rise of the Resistance. If you are lucky, take a morning booking; otherwise take a late afternoon booking. You may have little in the way of choices…

On Genie+, check the return times for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and, if you missed either on Day 1 or want to re-ride, Tower of Terror and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster (the Coaster will be closed for refurb from February 20 to the “summer” of 2023). Most who are not Star Wars fans would prioritize one of the Sunset Boulevard attractions, but major Star Wars fans simply must do the Millennium Falcon ride, and it becomes the highest priority for them.

Two hours after official general public park open—that is at 10.30a for an 8.30a park open most days–come back to Genie+. Most days you will be able to book at least one other high priority ride (Millennium, Tower, or Rock ‘n’ Roller) for later afternoon or early evening.

Today, Early Entry is fundamental to your strategy.

AT THE PARK

Arrive at the tapstiles at Disney’s Hollywood Studios no later than 45 minutes before Early Entry begins (for example, if the general public opening is 8.30a, this will mean a 7.15a arrival for an 8a Early Entry).

When you are let in for Early Entry, immediately head to Slinky Dog Dash in Toy Story Land and ride it.

Then walk back to Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway and ride it.

Then backtrack and see the other attractions in Toy Story Land—Toy Story Mania, and if it looks fun, Alien Swirling Saucers.

One of two entrances to Galaxy’s Edge is by Alien Swirling Saucers. Walk through Galaxy’s Edge and at its other exit turn right and see Muppet Vision 3D.

Next see Star Tours.

If the timing is right, see the 10.45a showing of the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular Show, and then—if you can move quickly enough, and have some luck—the 11.30 showing of For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration.

The schedules for each are at the links:

• Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular Show
• First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration

If you have managed to see these last two attractions, and if you have no later Genie+ or ILL bookings, then see Walt Disney Presents, and your day is done.

Otherwise, take a break and return to the park later in the day to see the shows, Walt Disney Presents, and any Genie+ or ILL you have booked. Later in the day, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular Show typically has its latest shows at 3.15p and 4.30p, and the Frozen Sing-Along Celebration is on the half hour, with its last show at 6.30 or 7.30p.

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

You will have an early start as you complete your visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

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(Note: this is from the Disney World Genie+ with Tron Itinerary.)

DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM DAY 2: SECOND SUNDAY AGENDA

(For the general approach to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, see the beginning of Animal Kingdom Day 1.)

You complete your visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom today. You don’t need Individual Lightning Lane today unless you want to re-ride Flight of Passage, but will be using both Genie+ and Early Entry. Your goal today is to complete your tour of Pandora, and see Africa.

LOGISTICS

Before 7a, buy Genie+.

At 7a, book Kilimanjaro Safaris via Genie+. Your return time should be around 9a.

AT THE PARK

• Be at the tapstiles by a few minutes before Early Entry begins.
• Enter the park, make your way to Navi River Journey, and ride.
• Go to Africa.
• If the park opens to the general public at 8a, see Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail, then use your Genie+ on Kilimanjaro (Gorilla Falls typically opens at 8.30a on days the park opens at 8a).
• If the park opens to the general public at 9a, use your Genie+ on Kilimanjaro, then see Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail.
• As soon as you tap in to the second point at Kilimanjaro, book Genie+ for Festival of the Lion King. Shows typically begin on the hour with the first at 10a and the last in the late afternoon. See this for the schedule.
• Next, if your Genie+ booking for Festival of the Lion King is not for the next show, then check the line for the next show, and enter it if it looks reasonable.
• Consider fitting in a visit to Rafiki’s Animal Watch via the Wildlife Express Train (the only way to access this very minor attraction). Between waiting for and riding the train in each direction and spending half an hour at the Planet Watch, this could take more than an hour. If you have to choose between the Festival of the Lion King and Rafiki, most find Rafiki’s Animal Watch very skippable.

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DISNEY WORLD NEXT WEEK: FEBRUARY 11 TO FEBRUARY 19, 2023

The material below details next week’s Disney World operating hours, parades, early entry, extended evening hours, and fireworks.

OPERATING HOURS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 2/11 – 2/19/23

Magic Kingdom will be open from 9a-11p 2/11 and 2/12, 8a-10p 2/13,  9a-11p 2/14 and 2/15, 8a-10p 2/16, and 9a-11p 2/17 through 2/19

Epcot will be open from 9a-9p every day

Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be open from 8.30a-9p every day

Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be open from 8a-8p 2/11, 8a-7p 2/12, 9a-7p 2/13 through 2/15, 8a-7p 2/16, and 8a-8p 2/17 through 2/19

EARLY ENTRY AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 2/11 – 2/19/23

• Magic Kingdom: every morning
• Epcot: every morning
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios: every morning
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom: every morning

EXTENDED EVENING HOURS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 2/11 – 2/19/23

• Epcot: 2/13
• Magic Kingdom: 2/15

PARADES AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 2/11 – 2/19/23

Magic Kingdom’s afternoon parade will show at noon and 3p every day

FIREWORKS AND EVENING SHOWS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 2/11 – 2/19/23

• At Magic Kingdom, the evening fireworks Disney Enchantment show is scheduled at 8.15p every night
• At Epcot, the Epcot evening show Harmonious is scheduled at 9p every night
• At Disney’s Hollywood Studios,
  • A minor evening show, Wonderful World of Animation, is scheduled at 9p every night
  • An even more minor evening show, Disney Movie Magic, shows at 8.40p every night
  • The evening spectacular Fantasmic shows at 8 and 9.30p every night

SHOW SCHEDULES FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD 2/11 – 2/19/23

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

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DISNEY WORLD NEXT WEEK: FEBRUARY 4 TO FEBRUARY 12, 2023

The material below details next week’s Disney World operating hours, parades, early entry, extended evening hours, and fireworks.

OPERATING HOURS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 2/4 – 2/12/23

Magic Kingdom will be open from 9a-11p 2/4 through 2/7, 8a-10p 2/8, and 9a-11p 2/9 to 2/12

Epcot will be open from 9a-9p every day

Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be open from 8.30a-9p every day

Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be open from 8a-8p 2/4,  8a-7p 2/5, 9a-7p 2/6 through 2/9, 8a-7p 2/10, 8a-8p 2/11, and 8a-7p 2/12

EARLY ENTRY AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 2/4 – 2/12/23

• Magic Kingdom: every morning
• Epcot: every morning
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios: every morning
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom: every morning

EXTENDED EVENING HOURS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 2/4 – 2/12/23

• Epcot: 2/6
• Magic Kingdom: 2/7

PARADES AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 2/4 – 2/12/23

Magic Kingdom’s afternoon parade will show at noon and 3p every day

FIREWORKS AND EVENING SHOWS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 2/4 – 2/12/23

• At Magic Kingdom, the evening fireworks Disney Enchantment show is scheduled at 8.15p every night
• At Epcot, the Epcot evening show Harmonious is scheduled at 9p every night
• At Disney’s Hollywood Studios,
  • A minor evening show, Wonderful World of Animation, is scheduled at 9p every night
  • An even more minor evening show, Disney Movie Magic, shows at 8.40p every night
  • The evening spectacular Fantasmic shows at 8 and 9.30p 2/4 through 2/6, 8p 2/7 through 2/10, and 8 and 9.30p 2/11 and 2/12

SHOW SCHEDULES FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD 2/4 – 2/12/23

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

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NEW DISNEY WORLD ITINERARY COMING

Update: This itinerary is now published.

I’ve almost completed a revised itinerary for arrival dates beginning April 1, 2023 that incorporates both the opening of TRON Lightcycle Run at Magic Kingdom and also re-inserts recommended reserved dining into the To-Do list and daily plans.

In terms of which days in which parks, it is largely identical with the current itinerary, so the To-Do list for that itinerary is still mostly valid, but it has the following changes

First, Thursday becomes an additional Magic Kingdom day, not an off day, so you have to buy a nine day rather than an eight day ticket, and also add a park reservation for Magic Kingdom on Thursday.

Second, you need to reserve as soon as you are within the 60 day window of your resort check in the following dining:

• Sunday at ~6p: 50’s Prime Time Café as Fantasmic Dining Package
• Monday at ~6p: Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
• Wednesday at ~6p: Crystal Palace
• Thursday at ~noon: late breakfast at Chef Mickey’s
• Friday at 6.15p: The 6.15p showing of Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue

I hope to have all the details out by next week, but the above are the time-sensitive changes.

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DISNEY WORLD NEXT WEEK: JANUARY 28 TO FEBRUARY 5, 2023

The material below details next week’s Disney World operating hours, parades, early entry, extended evening hours, and fireworks.

OPERATING HOURS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 1/28 – 2/5/23

Magic Kingdom will be open from 9a-11p 1/28 through 1/30, 8a-4.30p 1/31, 9a-11p 2/1, 8a-10p 2/2, and 9a-11p 2/3 to 2/5

Epcot will be open from 9a-9p every day

Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be open from 8.30a-9p every day

Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be open from 8a-7p 1/28 and 1/29, 9a-7p 1/30 through 2/2, and 8a-7p 2/3 through 2/5

EARLY ENTRY AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 1/28 – 2/5/23

• Magic Kingdom: every morning
• Epcot: every morning
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios: every morning
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom: every morning

EXTENDED EVENING HOURS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 1/28 – 2/5/23

• Epcot: 1/30
• Magic Kingdom: 2/1

PARADES AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 1/28 – 2/5/23

Magic Kingdom’s afternoon parade will show at noon and 3p every day

FIREWORKS AND EVENING SHOWS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 1/28 – 2/5/23

• At Magic Kingdom, the evening fireworks Disney Enchantment show is scheduled at 8.15p every night except for 1/31
• At Epcot, the Epcot evening show Harmonious is scheduled at 9p every night
• At Disney’s Hollywood Studios,
  • A minor evening show, Wonderful World of Animation, is scheduled at 9p every night
  • An even more minor evening show, Disney Movie Magic, shows at 8.40p every night
  • The evening spectacular Fantasmic shows at 8 and 9.30p 1/28 through 1/31, 8p 2/1 through 2/3, and 8 and 9.30p 2/4 and 2/5

SHOW SCHEDULES FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD 1/28 – 2/5/23

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

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