Category — i. Itineraries for Walt Disney World

EPCOT DAY 3 AND MAGIC KINGDOM DAY 1: TUESDAY AGENDA

Today you have the early morning off, and then in the late morning complete your visit to Epcot.

In the late afternoon, you switch to the Magic Kingdom, using your Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party tickets to enter as early as 4p (your tickets will say 7p, but Disney has let party-goers enter at 4p for years).

You should have FastPass+ for Frozen Ever After, Spaceship Earth and MISSION: Space.

You should have lunch scheduled with the princesses at Akershus at noon.

(Note: this is from the Nine Night Version of the 2016 Basic December Itinerary. The itinerary works only for the three weeks after Thanksgiving. See this for other itineraries.)

MORNING

• Sleep in and eat breakfast in your room
• Arrive at Epcot by 11.45a

AT EPCOT

At Epcot today your goal is to see a few rides in World Showcase and the east side of Future World, plus a Holiday Storyteller or two if you’d like.

• Enter the park, grab a times guide, and check for Holiday Storytellers on the east side of World Showcase you might want to see early this afternoon.
• Have lunch at Akershus
• Ride Frozen Ever After using FastPass+
• See a storyteller or two
• Ride MISSION: Space using FastPass+ (those with the least tiny bit of motion sickness should ride the “Green” side)
• Ride Ellen’s Energy Adventure
• Ride Spaceship Earth using FastPass+
• Exit the park, and take the monorail to the Magic Kingdom

AT THE MAGIC KINGDOM

In the earlier part of today’s Magic Kingdom visit, you’ll be seeing some lower-wait attractions. When the party starts, you’ll be seeing rides in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland until the fireworks, then watch the special Christmas fireworks and the second showing of the special Christmas parade. Exact times are not out yet, so this agenda may be modified a bit in early November.

• Arrive at Magic Kingdom, go to the special event turnstiles and get your party bracelet. Get both a regular Times Guide and a party map. Check the regular Times Guide for the Muppets show
• Head back into Frontierland and get a raft to Tom Sawyer Island. Play and explore.
• Take a raft back, walk to Liberty Square and ride the Liberty Belle Steamboat
• See the Hall of Presidents (which will have a show on just a few minutes after the Liberty Belle unloads)
• Fit in dinner at a counter service (Columbia Harbor House is nearby and recommended) and the Muppets show (if the show is inconvenient, or you spent a lot of time on Tom Sawyer Island, put the Muppets off until later in the week.)
• A little before 7p, head to Tomorrowland.

AT MICKEY’S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY

• See the Carousel of Progress
• See Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• See Space Mountain
• See Astro Orbiter
• Walk to Fantasyland
• See Enchanted Tales with Belle
• Ride Winnie the Pooh
• Make your way to a spot between the Castle and the entrance to Main Street by half an hour before the fireworks begin
• See Celebrate the Magic and the fireworks
• Stay in the same spot and watch the Christmas Parade
• Head to Adventureland and see the Jungle Cruise
• If you still have the energy, see any special shows that have another performance, or re-ride one of your favorites from this evening
• Head back to your hotel

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

Tomorrow you have the morning off, then complete your visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

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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 Nine Night Version of the 2016 Basic December Itinerary. The itinerary works only for the three weeks after Thanksgiving. See this for other itineraries.)

MORNING AND EARLY AFTERNOON

• Sleep in and have breakfast in your room
• 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) and to double check the times of the evening shows.
• See Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream
• See Voyage of the Little Mermaid (FP+)
• Have lunch
• See Disney Jr Live on Stage
• 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, or, if you want to see the new Christmas show Jingle Bell Jingle BAM instead, pick a spot in the center stage area in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theater instead
• See Fantasmic or the Jingle Bell Jingle BAM show
• If the park is open after Fantasmic, most lines will be short–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

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

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

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MAGIC KINGDOM DAY 2: THURSDAY AGENDA

Today you have the early morning off, and then in the late morning continue your visit the Magic Kingdom.

You should have FastPass+ for Pirates of the Caribbean, Splash Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain.

You should have breakfast or lunch scheduled with the princesses at Cinderella’s Royal Table.

(Note: this is from the Nine Night Version of the 2016 Basic December Itinerary. The itinerary works only for the three weeks after Thanksgiving. See this for other itineraries.)

MORNING

• Sleep in and eat breakfast in your room
• Arrive at Magic Kingdom in time for your Cinderella booking–or if it is later, by 11a

AT THE MAGIC KINGDOM

At Magic Kingdom today your goal is to complete seeing Adventureland and Frontierland while fitting in your meal at Cinderella’s Royal Table, and the afternoon parade.

The To-Do List did not give specific times for today’s FastPass+ (Pirates of the Caribbean, Splash Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain), because of the need to fit them around your dining reservation.

So you will need to adjust the sequence below based on your actual meal and FastPass+ times, and also interrupt it to be in position for the afternoon parade near Pecos Bill’s by 15 minutes before it starts–typically at 2.45p

• Enter the park, grab a times guide, and confirm the time of the afternoon parade (usually 3p)
• Have your meal at Cinderella’s Royal Table
• Go to Adventureland and ride Pirates of the Caribbean
• Walk through the Swiss Family Treehouse
• Do Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• See the Enchanted Tiki Room show
• Ride Splash Mountain (FastPass+)
• See the Country Bears
• Ride Big Thunder Mountain (FastPass+)
• Look for a fourth FastPass+ on your phone if you’d like to return to a ride from today or earlier this week.
• Fit into the above seeing the afternoon parade (find a spot near Pecos Bill’s by 15 minutes before it starts–3p starts are typical)
• Revisit rides from today or earlier this week
• Return to your hotel–to get to the exit, take the Walt Disney World Railroad from the station between Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain to the Main Street station for a bit of a treat and some time off your feet.

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

You will spend the first of two days at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. You get to sleep in–you want to arrive by 1p. Check with your concierge on transport (likely buses) and what time you should be at the bus stop. Pack spare dry clothes, as you will get wet on Kali River Rapids!

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ANIMAL KINGDOM DAY 1: FRIDAY AGENDA

Today you have the morning off and then begin your visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which you will complete Sunday afternoon. You have no scheduled meals today.

You should have FastPass+ for Kali River Rapids, Kilimanjaro Safaris, and Rivers of Light (I am hoping it will be open by your trip…)

(Note: this is from the Nine Night Version of the 2016 Basic December Itinerary. The itinerary works only for the three weeks after Thanksgiving. See this for other itineraries.)

MORNING

• Sleep in and eat breakfast in your room
• Bring spare clothes as you will get soaked on Kali River Rapids
• Arrive at Animal Kingdom by 1p

AT THE PARK

Today your goal is to see Discovery Island, most of Asia, Kilimanjaro Safaris after sunset, and Rivers of Light if it is open–you’ll be returning Sunday afternoon to see more of Africa, DinoLand, and other areas you missed.

Enter the park, grab a times guide, and compare the times of Flights of Wonder and Finding Nemo: the Musical to your FastPass + schedule, figuring out when to see these

• Head to Discovery Island to see It’s Tough to Be a Bug
• Ride Kali River Rapids using FastPass+
• Dry off, change clothes, and eat lunch at Flame Tree Barbecue
• Recheck the show times and see Finding Nemo, and Flights of Wonder. Fit the Maharajah Jungle Trail and visiting the exhibits and carvings around the Tree of Life between shows
• Have dinner at the counter service near Yak and Yeti
• Use your FastPass+ for Kilimanjaro Safaris and Rivers of Light
• If you have the time and energy, and lines are short, see Expedition Everest. You have FastPass+ for it next Sunday morning, but it’s worth doing in the dark, too!
• After dark, perhaps on your way out, see the Tree of Life Awakenings

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

Tomorrow you have the morning off, then complete your visit to the Magic Kingdom.

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MAGIC KINGDOM DAY 3: SECOND SATURDAY AGENDA

Today you have the morning off, and then in the early afternoon continue your visit the Magic Kingdom.

You should have FastPass+ for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Peter Pan’s Flight, and the Haunted Mansion.

You should have lunch scheduled at Crystal Palace at 1p, and dinner scheduled at Chef Mickey’s at the nearby Contemporary Resort at 6p.

(Note: this is from the Nine Night Version of the 2016 Basic December Itinerary. The itinerary works only for the three weeks after Thanksgiving. See this for other itineraries.)

MORNING

• Sleep in and eat breakfast in your room
• Either eat lunch in your hotel or arrive at the park earlier than 12:45p to dine there
• Arrive at Magic Kingdom by 12:45p

AT THE MAGIC KINGDOM

At Magic Kingdom today your goal is to complete seeing Liberty Square and Fantasyland while fitting in your meals at the Crystal Palace and Chef Mickey’s, viewing the Christmas decoration at a few nearby hotels, and if you wish seeing the evening entertainment.

• Enter the park, grab a Times Guide, and if you plan to see them, confirm the time of Wishes and if there is one–there probably will not be–the evening parade
• Have lunch at the Crystal Palace
• Go to Fantasyland and see Seven Dwarfs Mine Train with FastPass+
• Head into Storybook Circus at the back of Fantasyland and ride Dumbo, and if it looks like fun, Barnstormer
• Come back on the other side of the Mine Train and ride Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
• Head towards the Castle and see Mickey’s Philharmagic
• Ride it’s a small world
• See Peter Pan’s Flight with FastPass+
• Take the path between Peter Pan and it’s a small world to Liberty Square and see Haunted Mansion (FastPass+)
• Look for a fourth FastPass+ on your phone if you’d like to return to a ride
• See the Christmas decorations at the Grand Floridian and Wilderness Lodge framed around your 6p dinner at Chef Mickey’s at the Contemporary Resort. The simplest way to do this, if you can start by 4.30, is to
  1. Take the resort monorail around the Seven Seas Lagoon, get off at the Grand Floridian, and check it out, starting with its lobby
  2. Re-board the resort monorail, and take it to the Contemporary.  Get off and dine at Chef Mickey’s there
  3. Take the boat from the Contemporary (in the back, beyond the pools) to the Wilderness Lodge, get off and check it out, focusing on the lobby
  4. From the Wilderness Lodge boat dock, take the Magic Kingdom boat back to the park
• What you do next is up to you. Use your fourth FastPass+ if you booked one; revisit favorite rides; stay for the fireworks show Wishes (similar, but not identical, to the fireworks you saw earlier this week); watch the evening parade if there is one (the former Main Street Electrical Parade stopped in October, and as I write this no replacement is known to be imminent); and/or
• Head back to your hotel

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

Tomorrow you sleep in then complete your visit to the Animal Kingdom.

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ANIMAL KINGDOM DAY 2: SECOND SUNDAY AGENDA

Today you spend the afternoon completing your visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. You have no scheduled meals.

Note that if you want to spend tomorrow morning at a park, add a day on to your ticket this morning at your hotel.

You should have FastPass+ for Festival of the Lion King, Expedition Everest, and DINOSAUR. Your goal today is to see what you did not see Friday, including the daylight version of Kilimanjaro Safaris.

(Note: this is from the Nine Night Version of the 2016 Basic December Itinerary. The itinerary works only for the three weeks after Thanksgiving. See this for other itineraries.)

MORNING

• Sleep in and have lunch at your hotel
• Arrive at Animal Kingdom by 1p

AT THE PARK

• Enter the park, go to Africa and see the daylight version of Kilimanjaro Safaris (FastPass+)
• See the Gorilla Falls Trail
• See Festival of the Lion King
• Walk to Asia and use your FastPass+ for Expedition Everest. If you like, ride it again—from the single rider line if standby is too long
• Ride Primeval Whirl and/or Triceratops spin if they look like fun
• Use your FastPass+ for DINOSAUR
• Rafiki’s Planet Watch is a minor adventure accessed by the Wildlife Express Train back in Africa. If interested, and see it
• Repeat and rides you might want to see again
• Return to your hotel

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

You have no scheduled parks or meals on your last day. If you want to go to another park in the morning, add another day to your ticket before you visit today!

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