Category — i. Itineraries for Walt Disney World

(Note: this is from the Disney World Multi Pass Itinerary with Test Track and Disney Starlight.)

DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM DAY 1: TUESDAY AGENDA

Your visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom begins today.

You will see the park’s Oasis, Discovery Island, Dinoland USA, and Asia sections, interrupted by a trek to Pandora to see Flight of Passage. You will complete your visit another day.

After a relaxed morning, be at the tapstiles by 11.30a.

You will use both Lightning Lane Single Pass and Multi Pass today.

You should have prebooked

• A Lightning Lane Single Pass visit to Flight of Passage for 5p, and also
• Lightning Lane Multi Passes for DINOSAUR at 1p, Kali River Rapids at 3p, and Expedition Everest at 4p. (Note: there are no Multi Pass tiers at Animal Kingdom.)

You have no scheduled dining today.

AT THE PARK

Arrive at the tapstiles at Disney’s Animal Kingdom by 11.30a.

Enjoy the displays in the Oasis as you walk to Discovery Island.

The Discovery Island 3D film It’s Tough to Be a Bug has closed, and will be replaced in “Winter 2025” by a new show, “Zootopia: Better Zoogether.” If the new show is open during your visit, see it now.

Explore the trails around the Tree of Life.

Have lunch. Flame Tree Barbecue is convenient.

Head to Dinoland USA and see DINOSAUR using Multi Pass. There’s much construction in this area as Disney readies a major expansion for later this decade, but DINOSAUR, the crown jewel of the area, will be open (at least) through 2025.

Check the schedules for Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond and Feathered Friends in Flight, and compare to your Lightning Lane Multi Pass schedule. Most days the following will work for you, but adjust as necessary:

See the Finding Nemo Show.

Ride Kali River Rapids using Multi Pass.

See the Feathered Friends show.

See the Maharajah Express Jungle Trail.

Ride Expedition Everest using Multi Pass.

Check for additional Multi Pass for re-rides.

Make your way across the park to Pandora, and use your Lightning Lane Single Pass to see Flight of Passage.

Explore Pandora. If you are ready for dinner, Satuli Canteen in Pandora is a wonderful choice.

By this time, lines may have dropped substantially. If the park is still open, before heading back to your hotel, in particular check the waits for Na’vi River Journey–riding it now will simplify your second day at Animal Kingdom.

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

You will sleep in, and then spend the first of three days at Magic Kingdom.

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(Note: this is from the Disney World Multi Pass Itinerary with Test Track and Disney Starlight.)

EPCOT DAY 2: MONDAY AGENDA

Today you will complete visiting Epcot.

You will take advantage of both Early Entry and Lightning Lane Multi Pass today.

You should have booked Lighting Lane Multi Pass Tier 1 for Test Track at 9.45a, and additional Multi Pass for The Seas with Nemo and Friends at 11a, and Living with the Land at noon.

You should have dinner booked with the princesses at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in Norway around 6.30p, and after will see the Epcot evening show Luminous.

If Extended Evening Hours are scheduled tonight and you are eligible, you may wish to stay for those as well.

AT THE PARK

Be at the park’s tapstiles by 30 minutes before the beginning of Early Entry.

When Early Entry begins, head to Norway and see Frozen Ever After.

In next door China, see the film Reflections of China. You can explore now the China pavilion (and Mexico in the next step), or save them for the World Showcase time in the afternoon.

Head back to Mexico, and see the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros.

See Test Track using your Lightning Lane Multi Pass

Then see Mission: Space. Note Mission SPACE has two options, Orange and Green.  Orange is by far more fun, but if you have even a hint of motion sickness it will assault you–such folks should do Green instead,

Then make your way to The Seas Pavilion, on your way seeing Journey of Water Inspired by Moana.

See the aquarium itself and Turtle Talk with Crush and The Seas with Nemo and Friends using your Multi Pass time to decide the order you see these.

Then head to the Land Pavilion and see Awesome Planet and Living with the Land, ordered based on your Living with the Land Multi Pass timing.

Have lunch–given where you are, Sunshine Seasons in the Land Pavilion is a good choice.

See the attractions in the Imagination Pavilion–Disney-Pixar Shorts, and Journey Into Imagination with Figment.

Then see the rest of World Showcase, starting in Canada and progressing counter-clockwise

• Each pavilion will have some or all of shopping, special exhibits, a ride or show (e.g. a film in Canada, a Beauty and the Beast sing-along in France, The American Adventure in the American Pavilion), and other special features.
• Check My Disney Experience and the pavilion itself, to see what each pavilion has.
• For scheduled events, 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.

Be at Norway by a little before 6.30p to check in for your 6.30p princess dinner at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall.

After dinner, head to France and see Impressions de France–a film that shows at the beginning and the end of the day in the same space that at other times shows the Beauty and the Beast sing-along.

Pick a spot for the evening show Luminous by 8.30p. From where you are, the stretch along the lagoon between the American Adventure Pavilion and the Japan Pavilion is likely best. Avoid spots where islands block your view of Spaceship Earth across the lagoon.

Watch Luminous, then head back to your hotel, unless you are eligible for Extended Evening Hours and they are offered tonight.

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

Tomorrow you get to sleep in, and then begin your visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

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(Note: this is from the Disney World Multi Pass Itinerary with Test Track and Disney Starlight.)

DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS DAY 1: FIRST SUNDAY AGENDA

Today you will begin your visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Your plan today is to see most of the attractions in the Sunset Boulevard area, including Fantasmic, and in addition across the park see Rise of the Resistance via Lightning Lane Single Pass. You will complete your visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on another day.

You will take advantage of Early Entry, and also need to have prebooked both Lightning Lane Single Pass and Lightning Lane Multi Pass.

You need a Lightning Lane Single Pass visit to Rise of the Resistance for 1p.

For Multi Passes, book

• Lightning Lane Multi Pass Tier 1 for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at 9a, and Tier 2 LLMP for Tower of Terror at 10.30a and for For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration 12.30p show

You will have an afternoon break, then return to the park for the evening spectacular Fantasmic.

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 9a, this will mean a 7.45a arrival for an 8.30a Early Entry).

When you are let in for Early Entry, immediately head to Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway and ride it.

Make your way across the park and use your 9a Lightning Lane Multi Pass to ride Rick ‘n’ Roller Coaster.

Get in line for the 10a showing of the new attraction Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After and see it.

Use your 10.30a Lightning Lane Multi Pass for Tower of Terror.

See the new attraction The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure.

Have an early lunch.

See the 12.30 show of For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration

Use your 1p Lightning Lane Single Pass to see Rise of the Resistance.

You are now off for the rest of the afternoon, needing to return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in time to see Fantasmic.  Depending on the time of year, the first (or only) Fantasmic showtime can be from 7p til 9.30p, with some nights having a second show, commonly 90 minutes later. You want to arrive at the entrance to Fantasmic by 45 minutes before the first showtime.

Depending on the timing of the show, you may want to arrive even earlier to have some time to explore before Fantasmic. You also may want to stay after Fantasmic on nights when the park stays open after the first show.  Toy Story Land and Galaxy’s Edge are good places to wander and linger after dark, and you can also try for additional Multi Passes.

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

You will have an early start for your final visit to Epcot.

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(Note: this is from the Disney World Multi Pass Itinerary with Test Track and Disney Starlight.)

EPCOT DAY 1: FIRST SATURDAY AGENDA

Your plan today is to see Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Soarin’ Around the World, and to fit in among these what you can of other parts of Epcot’s World Showcase. You will complete your Epcot visit on another day.

You need to have pre-booked

• A Lightning Lane Single Pass visit to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind for 6p, and also
• Lightning Lane Multi Pass Tier 1 for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at 7p, and also a Multi Pass for Soarin’ Around the World at 8p

You will see the rest of the park–including Epcot’s evening show, Luminous–on Day 2. 

AT THE PARK

Arrive at Epcot as soon as you can, and no later than 6p. If you arrive earlier, see Spaceship Earth if it is still open (it closes for refurb on August 25).

Then use your 6p Lightning Lane Single Pass to ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

Have dinner at nearby Connections.

Head to France and see Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure using your 7p Lightning Lane Multi Pass.

Explore the pavilions France, UK and Canada as much as you have time for–you’ll have more time for them on Day 2. Save the films in France and Canada for Day 2.

Then be at Soarin Around the World no later than 8:45p, and ride it using your 8p Lightning Lane Multi Pass.

You are almost done for the day, but on your way out of the park, be sure to watch the lights on Spaceship Earth.

Return to your hotel.

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

You will spending the first of two days at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Your day will start early.

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UPDATED ITINERARY WITH MULTI PASS AND SINGLE PASS LIGHTNING LANES AT WALT DISNEY WORLD WITH TEST TRACK AND DISNEY STARLIGHT

Below is my updated Multi Pass based Disney World itinerary for first time visitors who may never return, released in mid July 2025.

This itinerary optimizes Early Entry, Lightning Lane Single Pass, and Lighting Lane Multi Pass strategies to minimize waits and create an overall relaxing Walt Disney World experience.

The dining in this itinerary is the same as my last itinerary. However, with rides there are multiple changes related to ride openings and closings.

My itineraries use all the tools available to guests to shorten waits, and thus will only work for those staying in a Disney-owned or other hotel eligible for both Early Entry and for seven days in advance booking of LLSP and LLMP attractions.  That narrows the list to all of the Disney-owned value, moderate, deluxe, and DVC properties, and in addition Shades of Green, the Swan, Swan Reserve, and Dolphin. (For more on these hotels, see this.)

Included are a detailed To-Do List with everything you need to do–especially reservations–when, and detailed daily agendas that cover what to do and see, in order, in each of the parks. See the links below for all of these.

For a larger version, click here.

This itinerary won’t work all weeks, and some weeks that it mostly works it may benefit from some little adjustments. Check your week here.

TO-DO LIST FOR THE DISNEY WORLD MULTI PASS ITINERARY WITH TEST TRACK AND DISNEY STARLIGHT

The To-Do List for this itinerary is here.

DAILY AGENDAS FOR THE  DISNEY WORLD MULTI PASS ITINERARY WITH TEST TRACK AND DISNEY STARLIGHT

Detailed daily agendas are in the links:

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

This itinerary is dedicated to my friend and co-author Josh Humphrey, who died at the age of 36 on March 10th, 2022.

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DISNEY WORLD NEXT WEEK: JULY 12 to JULY 20, 2025

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 7/12/25 – 7/20/25

Magic Kingdom will be open 9a-10p 7/12 and 7/13, 9a-11p 7/14 through 7/16, 9a-10p 7/17, and 9a-11p 7/18 through 7/20

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

Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be open from 9a-9p 7/12 through 7/16, 9a-10p 7/17 and 7/18, and 9a-9p 7/19 and 7/20

Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be open from 8a-6p 7/12 and 7/13, 7.30a-6.30p 7/14, 8a-6p 7/15 through 7/18, 7.30a-6.30p 7/19, and 8a-6p 7/20

EARLY ENTRY AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 7/12/25 – 7/20/25

• 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 7/12/25 – 7/20/25

• Epcot: 7/14
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 7/16

PARADES AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 7/12/25 – 7/20/25

• Magic Kingdom’s afternoon parade will show at 3p every day.
• Magic Kingdom’s evening parade commences July 20 at 9 and 11p

FIREWORKS AND EVENING SHOWS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 7/12/25 – 7/20/25

• At Magic Kingdom, the evening fireworks show Happily Ever After shows at 10p every night
• At Epcot, the evening show Luminous shows at 9p every night
• At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the evening spectacular Fantasmic is scheduled at 9.30p 7/12 through 7/15, 9p 7/16, 9 and 10.30p 7/17 and 7/18, and 9p 7/19 and 7/20

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