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Note: This itinerary is just an example!  I will be revising it (if needed) after Disney World publishes its actual schedule for December 2016, likely in late May.

This Walt Disney World itinerary is a shorter variant of the eight-night Basic December itinerary. It’s designed for the three weeks following Thanksgiving.

If you aren’t going one of those weeks, see Other Itineraries for alternatives the rest of the year, which are published about six months ahead.

You can enlarge the itinerary by clicking it.

As with the other itineraries on this site, there is also a detailed page for each day of your vacation, with specific instructions for that day. Find them here:

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

Moreover, a detailed To-Do List covers all the steps you need to undertake–including reserving dining and booking FastPass+.

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ANIMAL KINGDOM DAY 2: SATURDAY 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 Kilimanjaro Safaris, Festival of the Lion King, and a third ride of your choice. Your goal today is to see Africa–the first two FastPass+, Pangani Forest, and, if you have time, Rafiki’s Planet Watch.

(Note: this is from the FastPass+ Basic December Itinerary Six Night Variant. The itinerary works only for the three weeks after Thanksgiving. For itineraries for other dates, see this.)

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.  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, and if you loved it on your earlier visit, head to and re-ride Expedition Everest. Otherwise go to Africa and ride Kilimanjaro Safaris
• See the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail, and while wandering, if you just saw Kilimanjaro, decide if you want to do Kilimanjaro again. If not, change your FastPass+ for it to something else from Thursday you’d like to see again
• Use your FastPass+ for Festival of the Lion King, Kilimanjaro, and/or anything else you have scheduled
• Rafiki’s Planet Watch is a minor adventure accessed by the Wildlife Express Train. If interested, and you have time (including the train allow 45 minutes), see it
• Sadly return home

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HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS: THURSDAY AGENDA

Today you visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

You should have FastPass+ for the Toy Story Midway Mania, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, and the Forzen Sing-Along. You have no scheduled dining today.

(Note: this is from the FastPass+ Basic December Itinerary Six Night Variant. The itinerary works only for the three weeks after Thanksgiving. For itineraries for other dates, see this.)

FIRST THINGS

Arrive at the Studios by 45 minutes before open.

AT THE PARK

• At park open, grab a times guide, head to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, and ride it
• See Tower of Terror
• Take a look at your Times Guide.  The challenge today is to see the fixed-schedule shows Indiana Jones, Lights Motor Action, Beauty and the Beast, and Fantasmic in the middle of all the other rides and FastPass+.  If the schedule works, aim for Indiana Jones a little after 11, Lights Motor around 4.30, and Beauty and the Beast around 5.30.  Fantasmic is what it is; if there’s two shows, the later one will be less crowded, but yields a day about 90 minutes longer…
• See Great Movie Ride
• See Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream
• See the Voyage of the Little Mermaid (FP+)
• See Indiana Jones
• See Muppet Vision 3D
• Fit lunch in
• See Star Tours
• See the Frozen Sing-Along (FP+)
• See Toy Story Mania (FP+)
• See Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream
• If time permits, see the Magic of Disney Imagination and Disney Jr Live on Stage
• See Lights Motor Action
• See Beauty and the Beast
• Be at Fantasmic 30-45 minutes before showtime. Fit dinner in before or after, depending on the Fantasmic schedule
• See the Osborne Lights in Streets of America

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

Tomorrow you will complete your visit to the Magic Kingdom.

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ANIMAL KINGDOM DAY 1: WEDNESDAY AGENDA

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

You should have FastPass+ for Kali River Rapids, Expedition Everest, and Dinosaur.

(Note: this is from the FastPass+ Basic December Itinerary Six Night Variant. The itinerary works only for the three weeks after Thanksgiving. For itineraries for other dates, see this.)

MORNING

• Sleep in and eat breakfast in your room
• Pack some spare clothes–you will get soaked on Kali River Rapids!
• Arrive at Animal Kingdom around noon

AT THE PARK

• Today your goal is to see Discovery Island, Asia, and DinoLand–you’ll be returning Sunday morning to see Africa
• 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
• Eat lunch at Flame Tree Barbecue
• Head to DinoLand and use your Dinosaur FastPass+.  The other rides here aren’t worth much of a wait except for Finding Nemo. Ride them if they look like fun and the lines are short
• Fit Finding Nemo in around your FastPass+ for Expedition Everest and Kali River Rapids, seeing also during the afternoon the Maharajah Jungle Trail and the show Flights of Wonder (Nemo is close to Expedition Everest)

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

Tomorrow you visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

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MAGIC KINGDOM DAY 2: FRIDAY AGENDA

Today you will complete your visit to the Magic Kingdom. You’ll finish Fantasyland and see Liberty Square.

You should have FastPass+ for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Enchanted Tales with Belle, and Peter Pan. As soon as you have finished your FastPass+ for the Mine Train, try to get a fourth FastPass+ for the Haunted Mansion. The other fixed points in your schedule are the 3p parade and your reservations at Cinderella’s Royal Table and Chef Mickey’s.

(Note: this is from the FastPass+ Basic December Itinerary Six Night Variant. The itinerary works only for the three weeks after Thanksgiving. For itineraries for other dates, see this.)

FIRST THINGS

Be at the park by 15 minutes before your Cinderella reservation–earlier if possible.

AT THE PARK

• Dine at Cinderella’s Royal Table in the castle.
• See Peter Pan (FP+)
• See it’s a small world,  the Carrousel, and Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid around your FastPass+ for Enchanted Tales with Belle
• See the afternoon Festival of Fantasy Parade
• See for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (FP+). As soon as you are off the Mine Train, go to a kiosk to try to book a fourth FastPass+ for the Haunted Mansion
• See Dumbo
• See the Barnstormer if it looks like fun and lines aren’t too long
• Take the WDW Railroad from the Fantasyland Station to the Frontierland Station. Walk from there to Liberty Square
• See the Hall of Presidents
• See the Haunted Mansion (perhaps with FastPass+)
• See Liberty Belle Riverboat
• Walk or take the resort monorail to the Contemporary Resort
• Have dinner at Chef Mickey’s
• Via the resort monorail, stop at the Polynesian, then the Grand Floridian, to see their Christmas decorations
• Continue on the resort monorail to the Magic Kingdom. Find the Wilderness Lodge boat at the front, and take it to the Lodge.  See its Christmas decorations. Return by boat to the Magic Kingdom
• Head back to your hotel

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

Tomorrow you finish your visit to the Animal Kingdom and head home.

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MAGIC KINGDOM DAY 1: TUESDAY AGENDA

Today you have the morning off and then begin your visit to the Magic Kingdom, starting on a regular ticket and then shifting to the specially ticketed Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (“MVMCP”).

Over the course of the afternoon and evening, you’ll complete Tomorrowland, see much of Adventureland and Frontierland, and begin your visit to Fantasyland.

You should have FastPass+ for Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, and the Jungle Cruise. You have lunch at Crystal Palace, and many fixed events in the late evening as part of MVMCP.

(Note: this is from the FastPass+ Basic December Itinerary Six Night Variant. The itinerary works only for the three weeks after Thanksgiving. For itineraries for other dates, see this.)

FIRST THINGS

Arrive at the park in time for your lunch at the Crystal Palace.

AT THE PARK

• Have lunch at the Crystal Palace
• See Big Thunder Mountain (FP+)
• See Tom Sawyer Island
• See Splash Mountain (FP+)
• See the Country Bears
• Fit the Swiss Family Treehouse and Enchanted Tiki Room around your FastPass+ for the Jungle Cruise
• Head to Tomorrowland and see the lower-wait rides here–the Carousel of Progress, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, Stitch’s Great Escape, and the Tomorrowland PeopleMover
• Have dinner and then get your MVMCP wristbands. Note that at MVMCP, you’ll be skipping the first parade, and watching the second one instead
• See Space Mountain (FP+)
• See Buzz Lightyear
• See Astro Orbiter
• See Tomorrowland Speedway
• See Winnie the Pooh
• See Mickey’s Philharmagic
• See the 9.15p Castle Show
• See the 9.30p Holiday Wishes
• See the 10.05p “Celebrate the Seasons” show
• See the second Christmas Parade at 10.30p
• Return to Adventureland and see Pirates of the Caribbean and Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• You are now done–but if you have the energy and time, waits should be very low now, so re-ride a favorite

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

Tomorrow you have the morning off, then begin your visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

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