Category — i. Itineraries for Walt Disney World

DISNEY WORLD NEXT WEEK: OCTOBER 22 TO OCTOBER 30, 2016

The material below details next week’s Disney World operating hours, Extra Magic Hours, parades, and fireworks.

For more on October 2016 at Disney World, see this.

OPERATING HOURS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 10/22-10/30/2016

The Magic Kingdom will be open from 8a-12MN 10/22, 8a-7p 10/23 , 9a-11p 10/14, 9a-7p 10/25, 9a-11p 10/26, 9a-7p 10/27, 8a-7p 10/28, 8a-12MN 10/29, and 8a-7p 10/30

Epcot will be open from 9a-10p 10/22, 9a-9p 10/23 through 10/27, 9a-10p 10/28 and 10/29, and 9a-9p 10/30

Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be open 9a-8p 10/22, 9a-7p 10/23, 9a-8p 10/24, 9a-7p 10/25, 9a-8p 10/26, 9a-7p 10/27, 9a-8p 10/28 and 10/29, and 9a-7p 10/30

Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be open 9a-8.30p every day

EXTRA MAGIC HOURS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 10/22-10/30/2016

Saturday 10/22 Morning:  Animal Kingdom  Evening: none

Sunday 10/23 Morning:  Hollywood Studios  Evening: none

Monday 10/24 Morning: Animal Kingdom  Evening: none

Tuesday 10/25 Morning: none Evening:  Epcot

Wednesday 10/26 Morning: none  Evening:  Magic Kingdom

Thursday 10/27 Morning: Epcot Evening: none

Friday 10/28 Morning:  Magic Kingdom Evening: Hollywood Studios

Saturday 10/29 Morning: Animal Kingdom  Evening: none

Sunday 10/30  Morning: Hollywood Studios Evening: none

PARADES AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 10/22-10/30/2016

The Magic Kingdom: Afternoon Festival of Fantasy Parade: 3p every day

FIREWORKS AND EVENING SHOWS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 10/22-10/30/2016

Wishes at the Magic Kingdom: 10p 10/22, 10/24, 10/26 and 10/29

IllumiNations at Epcot: 10p 10/22; 9p 10/23 through 10/27; 10p 10/28 and 10/29; 9p 10/30

Fantasmic at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 7.30p every night

Star Wars Show and Fireworks at Disney’s Hollywood Studios:  8p 10/22, 10/24, 10/26, 10/28 and 10/29

SHOW SCHEDULES FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD 10/22-10/30/2016

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

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EPCOT DAY 1: FIRST SATURDAY AGENDA

Check in, get settled, and head to Epcot.

Today is the first of your three visits to Epcot. I’ve designed this itinerary with three Epcot visits because there are three key Tier One FastPass+ at Epcot, and you will use one each visit. This lets you sleep in before your next two Epcot visits…

Your plan tonight is to see Test Track, to visit the parts of World Showcase that are most fun in the evening, to sample the Holiday Storytellers, and to check out, if you have time, the holiday decorations in the nearby Epcot resorts.

You want to be on your way out of Epcot by 9.30p, so that you miss the crowds that will depart the park after the 9.30 IllumiNations show is over. (You will see IllumiNations on Friday night.)

You should have FastPass+ for Test Track, and you have no scheduled dining tonight.

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

FIRST THINGS

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 may 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.

Head to Epcot as early as you can, and at the latest in time to make your FastPass+ at Test Track.

AT THE PARK

• Go through the turnstiles and pick up a park map and “Times Guide”–a schedule.
• Head to World Showcase, and while keeping an eye out for your Test Track FastPass+, see the pavilions starting with Mexico and going clockwise.
  • Each pavilion will have some or all of shopping, special exhibits, a ride, a movie, and other special events—such as acrobats in China. Most also will have a Holiday Storyteller.
  • Check your map, times guide, and the pavilion itself, to see what each pavilion has.
  • For scheduled events like the Storytellers, 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
• Ride Test Track (FastPass+)
• Have dinner at a convenient counter service when you are ready.
• If you have time, head over to the BoardWalk Inn (walk or boat—the walkway and boat are at the International Gateway between the UK and France) and see the holiday decorations in its lobby, continuing on to see those in the nearby Yacht Club and Beach Club, time permitting.
• Be back in Epcot and headed towards the bus and monorail stops by 9.30p, so that you miss the crowds leaving after IllumiNations.
• Return to your hotel.

BACK AT THE HOTEL

Buy food, supplies (bowls, spoons, etc.) and get 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. You can also get these in the morning, but crowds in the shops/counter service will likely be lower tonight.

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!

MATERIAL IN THIS DISNEY WORLD ITINERARY

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ANIMAL KINGDOM DAY 1: FIRST SUNDAY AGENDA

Today you have the morning off and then begin your visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, which you will complete next Sunday morning. 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 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 next Sunday morning 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 begin your visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

MATERIAL IN THIS DISNEY WORLD ITINERARY

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HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS DAY 1: MONDAY AGENDA

You will begin your visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios today, completing it Wednesday afternoon and evening. Two days is way more than enough time, so, thanks to FastPass+, you get to sleep in each day.

You should have FastPass+ for Toy Story Midway Mania, Star Tours, and the Frozen Sing-Along.

You have dinner at the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue at Fort Wilderness at 6.15p, and need to be at the Studio’s Fort Wilderness bus stop by 4.45p.

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

AT THE PARK

• Arrive at Hollywood Studios by noon
• Pick up a guide map and “Times Guide.” Check the times of the Indiana Jones show against your FastPass+ and pick a show to visit.
• Head to Great Movie Ride and see it unless lines are too long.  If so, see it Wednesday
• See Toy Story Midway Mania (FP+)
• Have lunch at Backlot Express
• Fold in the Indiana Jones stunt show among Muppet Vision 3D, the Frozen Sing-Along (FP+) and Star Tours (FP+)
• Around 4.30p head for the bus stops outside the main entrance and look for the bus to Fort Wilderness.

AT FORT WILDERNESS

• Take the bus to Fort Wilderness, then take any internal bus to the Settlement. Find the Hoop Dee Doo area, and check in for the 6.15p show.
• See Hoop-Dee-Doo!
• Ask the cast members outside for the best way to get back to your hotel.  Most likely you will return by boat to the Magic Kingdom, and catch a bus or monorail there.  But special buses may be running…

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

Tomorrow you sleep in, then continue your visit to Epcot beginning in the late morning, and shift to the Magic Kingdom for the Christmas Party in the afternoon and evening.

MATERIAL IN THIS DISNEY WORLD ITINERARY

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EPCOT DAY 2 AND MAGIC KINGDOM DAY 1: TUESDAY AGENDA

Today you have the early morning off, and then in the late morning continue 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 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.

MATERIAL IN THIS DISNEY WORLD ITINERARY

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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 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.

MATERIAL IN THIS DISNEY WORLD ITINERARY

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