Category — w. Most Recent Stuff

(This is part of the FastPass+ Seven Night High Crowd Itinerary. A variant of the regular (eight night) FastPass+ High Crowd Itinerary, it only works for weeks that the regular High Crowd Itinerary works unchanged.  See this for such weeks. If your week isn’t listed, use the comment form at bottom to get suggestions!)

EPCOT DAY 1: FIRST SATURDAY AGENDA

Check in, get settled if your room is ready, and be at Epcot as soon as you can.

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 will likely 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. You can ask to be called or texted later to find out your exact room
• If your room is ready, and if you have time–you want to be at Epcot as soon as you can–get food and supplies (bowls, napkins, scotch) for your breakfast in the morning, which you will be eating out of your room. Also get (from the counter service restaurant)  “Refillable Mugs,” which you will be able to re-use at your resort for free drinks over your entire stay
• Head to Epcot as soon as you can

AT THE PARK

• Your plan today is to see as many of Epcot’s lengthier attractions as you can to free time on your second visit, see parts of World Showcase that are most fun in the evening, and see Epcot’s park-closing spectacular Illuminations using FastPass+. You should also have FastPass+ for Spaceship Earth and Mission Space, and dinner reservations for either Akershus or San Angel Inn at around 7p. Those arriving late may have to thin the below to just dinner, World Showcase, and Illuminations
• Go through the turnstiles and pick up a park map and “Times Guide”–a schedule. Use your first FastPass+ and then see Ellen’s Energy Adventure. Use your second FastPass+ then sample Innoventions East (except for Sum of All Thrills, where the line is likely too long–see it on your second Epcot day).
• Head to World Showcase, and while keeping an eye out for your dinner reservation at around 7p, 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.
  • Check your map, times guide, and the pavilion itself, to see what each pavilion has.
  • For scheduled events like the 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
• Have dinner at whichever you chose to reserve between San Angel Inn inside the Mexico pyramid or the Akershus Royal Banquet  Meal in Norway at 7p
• Continue touring World Showcase clockwise until about 8:30p
• Start making your way to the Illuminations FastPass+ area right where Future World and World Showcase intersect. Hit the bathrooms if needed on the way, as you don’t want to so pause after Illuminations
• Watch Illuminations, and if you are parked, taking the monorail, or taking a bus back to your hotel, immediately at its end start walking briskly to the park exit (on the far side of Spaceship Earth) to beat the crowds.  The value of your Illuminations FastPass+ is that 1. it puts you in the best viewing spot for Illuminations, and 2. it puts you in the viewing spot nearest the park exit
• Return to your hotel

BACK AT THE HOTEL

Buy food, supplies (bowls, spoons, etc.) and 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.

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

You will spend the first of two days at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. You want to arrive by 45 minutes before scheduled opening. Check with your concierge on transport (likely buses) and what time you should be at the bus stop.

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 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 Rafiki’s Planet Watch if you have time.

(Note: this is from the FastPass+ High Crowd Itinerary. The itinerary works only for certain weeks. See this to see if it works for your dates.)

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 Thursday, 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

MAGIC KINGDOM DAY 3: SECOND SATURDAY AGENDA

Today you will complete your visit to the Magic Kingdom, with Adventureland and Frontierland in the morning, an afternoon break, and the nighttime shows in the evening.

You should have FastPass+ for Splash Mountain, Jungle Cruise, and the Main Street Electrical Parade.  The other fixed point in your schedule is dinner at the Crystal Palace.

(Note: this is from the FastPass+ High Crowd Itinerary. The itinerary works only for certain weeks. See this to see if it works for your dates.)

FIRST THINGS

Be at the park by 45 minutes before open.

AT THE PARK

• Enter the turnstiles when the park opens, grab a map and Times Schedule, and head to Big Thunder Mountain. Ride it
• Check Splash Mountain waits. If they are low, get in the standby line and ride it, changing your FastPass+ for it to Pirates of the Caribbean. If they are high, keep your FastPass+ for Splash and instead head to Pirates of the Caribbean and ride it
• If the Magic Carpets of Aladdin looks fun, ride it
• Work any other attractions in around your remaining morning FastPass+
• Head back to your hotel and take the afternoon off
• Be back at the park in time for dinner at the Crystal Palace
• Find the FastPass+ viewing area in front of the Castle and from that spot watch the Main Street Electrical Parade and Celebrate the Magic
• After Celebrate the Magic, move back closer to Main Street and see Wishes
• Head back to your hotel

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

Tomorrow you finish the Animal Kingdom, and then return home

MAGIC KINGDOM DAY 2 FRIDAY AGENDA

Today you will continue your visit to the Magic Kingdom, completing Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, touring the attractions at Liberty Square, and beginning your visit to Frontierland.

You should have FastPass+ for the Enchanted Tales with Belle, Buzz Lightyear, and the Haunted Mansion. The other fixed point in your schedule is Chef Mickeys.

(Note: this is from the FastPass+ High Crowd Itinerary. The itinerary works only for certain weeks. See this to see if it works for your dates.)

FIRST THINGS

Be at the park by 45 minutes before open.

AT THE PARK

• Enter the turnstiles when the park opens, grab a map and Times Schedule, and head to Space Mountain. Ride it
• Between now and your Buzz Lightyear FastPass+, see anything you missed in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland Wednesday (except Enchanted Tales with Belle, for which you have a FastPass+) or want to re-ride
• See Buzz Lightyear, and head to the Contemporary for Chef Mickeys. You can walk back and forth, or take the monorail
• Use your FastPass+ for Enchanted Tales with Belle, then head to Liberty Square.
• Fit in the Liberty Belle and Hall of Presidents around your FastPass+ for the Haunted Mansion. The first two operate on the hour and half hour–arrive ten minutes before.
• Head into Frontierland and see the Country Bears and Tom Sawyer Island
• You are now done if you wish to be, but if you’ve got more energy, walk out through Adventureland and see some of the lower-wait options there–the Enchanted Tiki Room and the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse (you’ll see these tomorrow otherwise)
•  Have dinner at a counter service at either the Magic Kingdom or back at your hotel

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

Tomorrow you finish the Magic Kingdom, with an afternoon break

ANIMAL KINGDOM DAY 1: THURSDAY AGENDA

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

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

(Note: this is from the FastPass+ High Crowd Itinerary. The itinerary works only for certain weeks. See this to see if it works for your dates.)

MORNING

• Sleep in and eat breakfast in your room
• Pack spare clothes, as 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 the Maharajah Jungle Trail and the show Flights of Wonder (Nemo is close to Expedition Everest)
• Have dinner at the counter service near Yak and Yeti
• Head back to your hotel when you are ready–if you hare time and energy, seeing the last show of Festival of the Lion King today will make Sunday morning simpler

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

Tomorrow you continue your visit to the Magic Kingdom, and have the evening off.

MAGIC KINGDOM DAY 1: WEDNESDAY AGENDA

Today you will begin your visit to the Magic Kingdom and end the day at nearby Fort Wilderness for the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue dinner show.

It’s one of your longer days, but you have tomorrow morning off to sleep in, and the more you do today, the earlier you can knock off on your second visit Friday afternoon!

You should have FastPass+ for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Winnie the Pooh, and Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid. Other fixed points in your schedule: you have lunch reservations at Cinderella’s Royal Table, the afternoon parade at 3p, and need to be leaving the park by 5.15p at the latest to catch the Fort Wilderness boat for your 6.15p Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue reservations.

You will be dividing Fantasyland and Tomorrowland between today and Friday.

(Note: this is from the FastPass+ High Crowd Itinerary. The itinerary works only for certain weeks. See this to see if it works for your dates.)

FIRST THINGS

Be at the park by 45 minutes before open.

AT THE PARK

• Enter the turnstiles when the park opens, grab a map and Times Schedule, and head to Peter Pan. Ride it
• See It’s a Small World, the Carrousel if you wish, and Mickey’s Philharmagic while you are in the area
• If the Tomorrowland Speedway is important, see it now before lines build
• Fit in the other rides in Fantasyland around your FastPass+ for  Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Winnie the Pooh, Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid and your lunch at  Cinderella’s Royal Table–skipping Enchanted Tales with Belle, which you will see on Friday
• If you finish Fantasyland, see the lower-wait attractions in Tomorrowland before and after the 3p parade
• See the 3p parade by grabbing a spot around 2.30 between the Castle and Main Street
• Continue with your touring until around 5p, then head for the main entrance and look for the boat docks right in front
• Take the boat to Fort Wilderness (not the Wilderness Lodge), and follow the crowds to the Hoop Dee Doo area, and check in for the 6.15p show.
• See Hoop-Dee-Doo!
• Ask 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 have the morning off, and then begin your visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom!