(Other Itineraries)
By Dave Shute
OVERVIEW: WALT DISNEY WORLD ITINERARIES
If you can’t do the recommended December weeks at Walt Disney World:
- For Disney World itineraries covering all the other parts of the year, see lower on this page
- To design your own Disney World itinerary, see this
WALT DISNEY WORLD ITINERARIES BY ARRIVAL WEEK
This page provides below links to Walt Disney World itineraries by arrival week. Each itinerary includes links to daily guidance and a to-do list.
Itineraries are revised as Disney releases its calendar—which it usually does daily, providing it for about the next 6 months.
DISNEY WORLD ITINERARIES BY ARRIVAL DATE
Note: for the dates that follow through October, on June 24 I published a revised itinerary that 1. reflects the partial opening of Galaxy’s Edge, and 2. reflects (through November 2) the revised Extra Magic Hours program that will come with Galaxy’s Edge. I kept dining constant so that no ADR changes are needed
- For an October 12, 2019 arrival date, use the Extra Extra Magic Hours Itinerary (published 6/24; dining remains the same as the previously recommended itinerary)
- For an October 19, 2019 arrival date, use the Extra Extra Magic Hours Itinerary (published 6/24; dining remains the same as the previously recommended itinerary)
- For an October 26, 2019 arrival date, use the Extra Extra Magic Hours Itinerary (published 6/24; dining remains the same as the previously recommended itinerary) but change the plans (and To-Do Lists) for the two Sundays based on the material on this page.
- For a November 2, 2019 arrival date, use the Higher Crowd Itinerary (note: this is a change from my previous advice, meant to manage the risks of extra crowds from the 8/29 partial opening of Galaxy’s Edge)
- For a November 9, 2019 arrival date, use the Higher Crowd Itinerary (note: this is a change from my previous advice, meant to manage the risks of extra crowds from the 8/29 partial opening of Galaxy’s Edge)
- For a November 16, 2019 arrival date, use the Higher Crowd Itinerary (note: this is a change from my previous advice, meant to manage the risks of extra crowds from the 8/29 partial opening of Galaxy’s Edge)
- For a November 23, 2019 arrival date, use the Higher Crowd Itinerary, but swap First Sunday and Thursday in both the itinerary and its To-Do List
- For a November 30, 2019 arrival date, use the Basic Itinerary
- For a December 7, 2019 arrival date, use the Basic Itinerary
- For a December 14, 2019 arrival date, use the Basic Itinerary
- For a December 21, 2019 arrival date, use the Higher Crowd Itinerary
- For a December 28, 2019 arrival date, use the Higher Crowd Itinerary, but swap Monday and Tuesday
- For a January 4, 2020 arrival date, use the Higher Crowd Itinerary
- For a January 11, 2020 arrival date, use the Higher Crowd Itinerary
- For a January 18, 2020 arrival date, use the Higher Crowd Itinerary
- For a January 25, 2020 arrival date, use the Higher Crowd Itinerary
- For a February 1, 2020 arrival date, use the Higher Crowd Itinerary
- For a February 8, 2020 arrival date, use the Higher Crowd Itinerary
- For a February 15, 2020 arrival date, use the Higher Crowd Itinerary
- For a February 22, 2020 arrival date, use the Higher Crowd Itinerary
- For a February 29, 2020 arrival date, use the Higher Crowd Itinerary
- For a March 7, 2020 arrival date, use the Higher Crowd Itinerary
- For a March 14, 2020 arrival date, use the Higher Crowd Itinerary
- For a March 21, 2020 arrival date, use the Higher Crowd Itinerary
- For a March 28, 2020 arrival date, use the Higher Crowd Itinerary
- For an April 4, 2020 arrival date, use the Higher Crowd Itinerary but watch for earlier opens and more EMH
- For an April 11, 2020 arrival date, use the Higher Crowd Itinerary but watch for earlier opens and more EMH
- For an April 18, 2020 arrival date, use the Higher Crowd Itinerary for planning, but check back here after October 29 to be sure
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259 comments
Good Morning,
This is our families very first trip to Disney World. Our daughter, her husband and their 3 children (ages 9-girl, 6-boy & 1) will be joining my husband & I. The dates are Oct. 6-12 2018. I know this is a busier time, but we are locked into this time due to Fall Break. We have not made our hotel reservation but will do so next week. Because of my husbands work we are eligible to stay at Shades of Green. What do you know about the property? Is it conveniently located? Because of having a 1-year old I feel that we will need to go back to our room midday for him to nap. Also, we do get the perk of the magic your way ticket but are not eligible for the meal plan. 🙁 We would like to participate in several character meals. Would any of the itineraries that you have listed work for our family? Thank you in advance for your time.
Blessings,
Cathy
Hi Cathy, there’s a review of Shades of Green here. Note that you may also be eligible for the Disney Armed Forces Salute (many who are eligible for Shades are eligible for it, but not all.) If eligible, you can get great prices on tickets, and also (separately) on Disney-owned resort rooms.
One of the drawbacks of Shades of Green is so-so transportation. So yes, while you will be able to get back and forth for naps, the buses–especially for Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom–are less frequent than those serving the Disney-owned resorts.
The itineraries on this site don’t shorten well. However, you can find one and two day touring plans for the parks in my book.
Our family of five{myself, husband, son, and two grandsons aged 10 and 8} will be arriving late on July 6th. We will be leaving for home on the 14th in the afternoon. We would like to spend time at Disney World, Sea World ,LEGOLAND or Universal Studios. Is it possible to do, using your itinerary for the week of july 7.
Hi Bernadine, the itineraries on this site neither shorten well nor do they apply to different arrival and departure dates. Start here to pick how many days you want to spend in the Disney parks. Then, in my book you can find one and two day itineraries for the Disney parks.
I’m planning a trip September 12-19. Your itineraries start on Sunday. Should I just start midweek following your plan?
Sara, my itineraries are based on predicted specific park conditions, and also a specific order of seeing the parks the first time (basically EPcot first and MK last). They also assume kids 8 or older. As a result, they don’t adapt well to different dates or different ages (you didn’t mention kids, so I’m just noting that). You would be better of picking your park days (I can help with that, just let me know) and then using the one and two day per-park itineraries in my book.
Hello, I’m trying to work up an itinerary for 11/13-11/19/18. I expect the crowds to be heavier at towards the end of my trip. I’ll be traveling with my wife and 6 year old daughter. Can you help to suggest which days to do which parks?
Hi Peter, I will be able to, but only after Disney’s calendar for then comes out. Sp ping me back in ~6 weeks, OK?
Hi. Unfortunately, we have to be there during a heavy crowd time (Oct. 6-13). When will those itineraries be out?
Hi Gina, a week from tomorrow!
Hi Dave,
My 180 point is fast approaching. I just want to follow up with you for advise on my trip for 11/13-11/19. I’m trying to figure out the best days to do which parks so I can then book some dining on the corresponding days I’ll be in each park.
Thanks.
Hi Peter, the calendar continues to be not helpful. Today it is out only through 11/4. I’d be glad to guess if you’d like me to…
We are going for the first time in a long time. Feb. 3–10th, 2019.
What is your opinion as to what rides might be closed that week.
Thanks
Bill Warren
Bill, the three rides that are almost always closed are Splash Mountain, the Liberty Belle riverboat, and Kali River. However, the closure periods vary, and it’s not uncommon for them to have re-opened by the dates you have targeted. The schedule comes out as late as 6 weeks before, so no more specifics now. In 2018 during your period Pirates of the Caribbean and The American Adventure were also closed–I don;t expect those two to be closed again this year, but something (or something) else may.
Hi Dave me and my family are going Oct 31st thru Nov 3rd we are going to Mickey’s not so scary Halloween party will we get to see any Christmas decorations before we leave?
Priscila you may see a few on the 2nd or 3rd, especially at Magic Kingdom.
Hi Dave!
When should I check back for the updated itineraries for the Spring? Specifically, the week of 4/27/19. Thanks!
Hillary, about 6 months before the date, so late October–because that’s when Disney releases its calendar.
Hi Dave!
After looking around more on your site I’m wondering if I can use your Seven Night Variant for lower crowds itinerary (Sunday arrival) for my family’s trip 4/28/19-5/4/19. Our last day would still be a full day at Disney. Would it work to somehow combine the 2 days at AK into one day? This trip will be my kids’ first trip to WDW, but not their only. We have 3 boys ages 10, 7, and 5. We’re not purchasing a dining plan, so I’m thinking we’d only do one character meal. Thanks again!
Hillary, no, for two reasons–one is as noted before: without the operating calendar in hand, it’s just a guess. The second is that I have to update the seven night itineraries, as I have let them get out of date.
Gotcha! Thanks for the response, Dave.
Family of 4 (2 boys ages 12 & 16). First and only trip to wdw. We are planning on getting 5 day military salutes tickets. We have shades of green reservations for 4/11/19 – 4/19/19. Oldest son will be with his HS band until Saturday 13th. They will see Epcot, and AK and half day at MK(the band will march at MK on Friday the 12th and we want to see it). I know it’s going to be crazy busy with spring break, but it may be our only chance. What itinerary would you suggest? Should we do Epcot and AK that first Thursday and Saturday and pick 2 other days the next week to see MK and HS? Do you think the hopper plus option would be good to fill the other days? (We are thinking of doing Universal as well). (We are also not fans of big roller coasters. Any changes to the itinerary besides skipping the rides we don’t like?). Thanks for your help!
P.S. been reading your book. SO helpful!
Hi Christina none of the itineraries on this site will work for such a short trip.
Adapt the one day touring plans in the book for HS, AK and Epcot, and the two day itinerary in the book for MK.
Change the times, though, if needed for what will likely be earlier openings and additional morning EMH (do EMH at MK Friday morning if it is added to the schedule.)
Your Epcot, AK and first MK days are ok. DO HS on Sunday with the morning EMH, and MK any day after except Wednesday.
Do you know when you’ll have Sept 28 2019 itinerary posted?
Julie, around April 10. But of you can’t wait, I’ve been tracking the stuff here for about a year and found it generally sound
How will early December look? We are going Dec 4-11 and it’s our second time at Disney.
Jennifer, see this.
Hope this finds you well. We are planning a trip to run in the Princess 5K and half marathon. I know that Galaxy’s Edge will change much, but I want to make plans for meals at 180 days.
We will be in the parks – Sun – Feb 16th AK
Mon – Feb 17th HS
Tues – Feb 18th MK
Wed – Feb 19th E
Thurs – Feb 20th HS
Fri – Feb 21st E
Sat – Feb 22nd E
From Friday on, we will be in the park for just a short time as we will be resting a bit for the races. How are the parks we have picked for these dates? I know much can change once Star Wars explodes all over HS….but I need to start somewhere.
Thank you as always,
Wendy
Hey Wendy, it’s too early for me to have an opinion, for two different reasons–official hours are not out yet for then, and I don’t have a ton of confidence that even when they do come out, that the EMH patterns won’t change in a profound way after then.
That said, in my experience this site has a pretty good track record in predicting hours and they recommend parks within that prediction using a process that is very similar to mine. (The EMH point still applies.)
Thanks!
We are planning our first trip to Disneyworld in November/December 2020. I originally wanted to arrive on 11/28/20 and leave on 12/6/20, as your rankings suggest. We may not be able to arrive until the following Monday, 11/30/20 and if so, would stay until 12/8/20. Would arriving that Monday be better than waiting till the following Saturday, 12/5, to arrive, especially with that being Pop Warner week and the Rise of the Resistance ride set to open on the 5th? Or do you suggest sticking to the Saturday through the following Sunday schedule? I am a huge Star Wars fan, but I’m not sure I’d be willing to wait for the time it would probably take to ride that new ride, especially with the family coming along as well. We will most likely visit Universal for 1 day during the trip to experience the Harry Potter parks as well, if that makes any difference in your recommendation. No matter what day we arrive, I was planning on sticking to the 8 night/9 day suggestion that you have. I just want to make sure that we arrive on the day that helps give us the best experience we can have. Thank you for your time and any input you have.
Hey Jonathan–there’s no magic to the Saturday arrival other than it fitting into a traditional “week off of work.” In fact trips with more Sundays-Thursday and fewer Fridays and Saturdays will typically see both lower crowds and lower hotel and ticket costs than trips the same length with more Fridays and Saturdays.
Given the uncertainties around Galaxy’s Edge, my vote would be to arrive 11/30. BTW, Rise of the Resistance may well be in soft-open then…
JONATHAN–BTW did you mean 2020?
Dave, that sounds great to me. I will plan on getting us there by 11/30. I did mean 2020 as well. Thank you again for your help.
Jonathan
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