Category — i. Itineraries for Walt Disney World

EPCOT DAY 3: FRIDAY AGENDA

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

You should have FastPass+ for Soarin’, Living with the Land, and Turtle Talk with Crush.

You should have dinner scheduled as the Candlelight Processional Dinner Package at 5.45p, and after will be seeing the 8.15p Candlelight Processional and the park-closing fireworks show IllumiNations.

(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 11a

AT EPCOT

At Epcot today your goal is to complete seeing the west sides of Future World and World Showcase and to see the evening Christmas shows, plus a Holiday Storyteller or two if you’d like.

• Enter the park, grab a times guide, and check for Holiday Storytellers on the west side of World Showcase you might want to see late this afternoon.
• Go the Land Pavilion and see Soarin’ using FastPass+
• Have lunch just outside the Soarin exit at Sunshine Seasons
• See Living with the Land with FastPass+
• Walk to the Imagination Pavilion and see the Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival and Journey into Imagination with Figment (if time before your Turtle Talk with Crush FastPass+ is short, skip Journey into Imagination)
• Go to the Seas Pavilion and see The Seas with Nemo and Friends, Turtle Talk with Crush (FastPass+) and explore the exhibits
• Head to World Showcase and explore the west side starting with Canada. As on your earlier visit, use your Times Guide to track special shows or storytellers you want to see among the pavilions
• Head to Mexico for your 5.45 dinner at San Angel Inn, inside the pyramid
• After dinner, head towards the outdoor amphitheater in America where the Candlelight Processional will be shown. You want to be in line by 7.45 for the 8.15 show (the earlier, the closer the seats) so you may have time to explore or revisit a bit on the way to America
• See the 8.15p Candlelight Processional
• Pick your IllumiNations spot–walk towards the main entrance, and seek a spot near the south end of the lagoon with Spaceship Earth at your back. This will let you beat most of the crowds to the bus stops/monorail after IllumiNations. Hit the bathrooms before you pick your spot, as you don’t want anything slowing you down after it
• See IllumiNations
• Head back to your hotel

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

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

MATERIAL IN THIS DISNEY WORLD ITINERARY

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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 dinner scheduled at Chef Mickey’s at the nearby Contemporary Resort at 6p.

(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
• 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 meal at 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
• 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 complete your visit to the Animal Kingdom.

MATERIAL IN THIS DISNEY WORLD ITINERARY

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ANIMAL KINGDOM DAY 2: SECOND SUNDAY 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, Expedition Everest, and DINOSAUR. Your goal today is to see what you did not see First Sunday, including the daylight version of Kilimanjaro Safaris, and if you have time and interest, to see Rafiki’s Planet Watch.

(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

• 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 or just outside.  This is a tip-based service.  You can also store your bags at the bell stand
• Arrive at Animal Kingdom by 45 minutes before open

AT THE PARK

• Enter the park, go to Africa and see the daylight version of Kilimanjaro Safaris
• If you have time now, see the Gorilla Falls Trail—if not, see it after Festival of the Lion King
• Use your FastPass+ for 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 you have time (including the train allow at least 45 minutes), see it
• Sadly return home

MATERIAL IN THIS DISNEY WORLD ITINERARY

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DISNEY WORLD NEXT WEEK: OCTOBER 15 TO OCTOBER 23, 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 10/15-10/23/2016

The Magic Kingdom will be open from 8a-12MN 10/15, 8a-7p 10/16 , 8a-12MN 10/17, 9a-7p 10/18, 9a-11p 10/19, 9a-7p 10/20, 8a-7p 10/21, 8a-12MN 10/22, and 8a-7p 10/23

Epcot will be open from 9a-10p 10/15, 9a-9p 10/16 through 10/20, 9a-10p 10/21 and 10/22, and 9a-9p 10/23

Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be open 9a-8p 10/15, 9a-7p 10/16, 9a-8p 10/17, 9a-7p 10/18, 9a-8p 10/19, 9a-7p 10/20, 9a-8p 10/21 and 10/22, and 9a-7p 10/23

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

EXTRA MAGIC HOURS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 10/15-10/23/2016

Saturday 10/15 Morning:  Animal Kingdom  Evening: none

Sunday 10/16 Morning:  Hollywood Studios  Evening: none

Monday 10/17 Morning: Animal Kingdom  Evening: none

Tuesday 10/18 Morning: none Evening:  Epcot

Wednesday 10/19 Morning: none  Evening:  Magic Kingdom

Thursday 10/20 Morning: Epcot Evening: none

Friday 10/21 Morning:  Magic Kingdom Evening: Hollywood Studios

Saturday 10/22 Morning: Animal Kingdom  Evening: none

Sunday 10/23  Morning: Hollywood Studios Evening: none

PARADES AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 10/15-10/23/2016

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

FIREWORKS AND EVENING SHOWS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 10/15-10/23/2016

Wishes at the Magic Kingdom: 10p 10/15, 10/17, 10/19 and 10/22

IllumiNations at Epcot: 10p 10/15; 9p 10/16 through 10/20; 10p 10/21 and 10/22; 9p 10/23

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

Star Wars Show and Fireworks at Disney’s Hollywood Studios:  8p 10/15, 10/17, 10/19, and 10/21 and 10/22

SHOW SCHEDULES FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD 10/15-10/23/2016

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

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DISNEY WORLD NEXT WEEK: OCTOBER 8 TO OCTOBER 16, 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 10/8-10/16/2016

The Magic Kingdom will be open from 8a-12MN 10/8 and 10/9, 8a-7p 10/10 and 10/11, 8a-12MN 10/12, 9a-7p 10/13, 8a-7p 10/14, 8a-12MN 10/15, and 8a-7p 10/16

Epcot will be open from 9a-10p 10/8, 9a-9p 10/9 through 10/13, 9a-10p 10/14 and 10/15, and 9a-9p 10/16

Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be open 9a-8p 10/8 through 10/12, 9a-7p 10/13, 9a-8p 10/14 and 10/15, and 9a-7p 10/16

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

EXTRA MAGIC HOURS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 10/8-10/16/2016

Saturday 10/8 Morning:  Animal Kingdom  Evening: none

Sunday 10/9 Morning:  Hollywood Studios  Evening: none

Monday 10/10 Morning: Animal Kingdom  Evening: none

Tuesday 10/11 Morning: none Evening:  Epcot

Wednesday 10/12 Morning: none  Evening:  Magic Kingdom

Thursday 10/13 Morning: Epcot Evening: none

Friday 10/14 Morning:  Magic Kingdom Evening: Hollywood Studios

Saturday 10/15 Morning: Animal Kingdom  Evening: none

Sunday 10/16  Morning: Hollywood Studios Evening: none

PARADES AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 10/8-10/16/2016

The Magic Kingdom:

• Afternoon Festival of Fantasy Parade: 3p every day
• Evening Main Street Electrical Parade: 9 and 11p 10/8 and 10/9

FIREWORKS AND EVENING SHOWS AT WALT DISNEY WORLD 10/8-10/16/2016

Wishes at the Magic Kingdom: 10p 10/8, 10/9, 10/12 and 10/15

IllumiNations at Epcot: 10p 10/8; 9p 10/9 through 10/13; 10p 10/14 and 10/15; 9p 10/16

Fantasmic at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 8p 10/8 through 10/12; 7.30p 10/13 through 10/16

Star Wars Show and Fireworks at Disney’s Hollywood Studios:  7.30p 10/8, 10/10 and 10/12; 8p 10/14 and 10/15

SHOW SCHEDULES FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD 10/8-10/16/2016

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

LONG RANGE WEATHER FORECAST FOR WALT DISNEY WORLD 10/8-10/16/2016

See this for forecasts.

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The heart of The easy Guide to Your Walt Disney World Visit is the same as the heart of Disney World itself–the theme parks.

You don’t go to Disney World for the hotels, or because a certain time fits your schedule; you go to experience the magic of the parks and the attractions within them.

Co-author Josh of easyWDW.com and I thus make the parks the most important part of our book, The easy Guide to Your Walt Disney World Visit–the 2017 edition of the best-reviewed Disney World guide book series ever published.

We cover them in Chapter 6, by far the longest of our chapters, and the one that get the most updates over the course of our publishing year.

In the era of FastPass+, never has planning paid off more–and never has failure to plan been more of a risk to a great visit.

Chapter 6 makes all this easy for you. It begins with an explanation of FastPass+ and how to use it, and then talks about itinerary design:

Next we go into each of the theme parks, beginning with an overall introduction–an example from the beginning of our Epcot section:

Next we talk about the specific areas of the parks, first highlighting the lay of the land, dining, shopping and other features–an Animal Kingdom example:

Then, continuing the area by area discussion, we give full reviews of each attraction–an example from the Magic Kingdom:

Note that this attraction just shifted to being only seasonally available. We will be updating the book soon with this and many other changes, and buyers get a free updated version.

No other Disney World guidebook is as up-to-date as ours, and no other offers free updates to those who have already purchased it. The scoop:

We follow this same basic format for each of the four parks.  Then we move on to the cheat sheets, one for each park:

The cheat sheets give thoughtful itineraries, beautifully designed by Josh, that simplify your planning, ease your time in the parks, and minimize your waits. A bit of an example from the Studios.

These itineraries are not designed for a year from now–they work this second.  That’s why our free update policy is so important–as the parks change in ways large and small, so does our advice.

In the cheat sheets, we also repeat some of the information from the earlier parts of the chapter–with the thought that you can tear them out and bring them with you into the parks.

You can follow our cheat sheets exactly, or you can modify them based on what you have learned about each ride from the reviews earlier in the chapter!

No one knows how to design good days in the parks like my co-author Josh does. His influence is all over Chapter 6, and pervades the cheat sheets. Buy the book, follow our advice, and you will indeed have an easy Disney World visit!

That’s it for now. More to come on other features of the 2017 easy Guide later! Meanwhile, buy the book, OK?

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