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The BEST Disney World 7 Day Itinerary

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As far as I’m concerned, any amount of time you can spend at Disney World is amazing. However, I think the sweet spot exists somewhere in the 7 to 9 day trip range.

Since a week long trip is probably the most popular, I decided to put together my ideal Disney World 7 day itinerary.

Is 7 days enough for Disney World? In reality, yes it is, though understand you still won’t get to experience everything.

For those on the flip side of that questions, is 7 days at Disney too much? Absolutely not. I really do think 7 days is the ideal amount of time for a Disney trip, especially if it’s your first trip ( updated August 2, 2022 ).

FYI – This whole post is full of links to other posts that will help with planning each of these days. They open in a new page so you won’t lose this one. I really hate when websites do that.

Table of Contents

Why is a Disney World 7 Day Itinerary the Best?

There are several potential answers to this question, but simply, the more time you can be there, the better, right?

But really, most people think of vacations in terms of something you go on for a week, so we default to that a little bit.

In terms of Disney specifically, a 7 day Disney World itinerary gives you enough time to spend a full day at each of the parks plus a rest day to either explore resorts or hit Disney Springs.

Did you know there are so many things you can do besides the Disney parks ? And that’s not even counting what you can do if you leave Disney property!

Whenever possible, it’s always a good idea to plan a long enough Disney vacation that you don’t have to feel so rushed and frantic. Let’s face it, even in a week you won’t even come close to fitting everything in.

However, a full 7 days at Disney World will give you a chance to experience a lot.

And when you’re experiencing a lot, that “rest day” is important. So, let’s get to it!

My Ideal 7 Day Disney World Itinerary

Here’s where I lay out the basic structure of your 7 day Disney itinerary. In reality, you can order things however you want to. However, my biggest recommendation is to insert a rest day smack in the middle of the park days.

Disney vacations are usually pretty exhausting, so everyone will be ready to recharge their batteries by then.

In terms of the park days themselves, truly, you can swap around the parks to whichever day you want. I don’t think there’s necessarily one order that gives you a better experience.

If you have a family full of Star Wars fans, make your Hollywood Studios day earlier in the trip. Looking forward to eating (and drinking) around World Showcase? Same deal.

I have one simple little caveat to this: if this is your first trip to Disney World you MUST make Magic Kingdom your first park day . Quite simply, Magic Kingdom is the foundation of Disney World.

There is nothing quite like rounding the corner onto Main Street and seeing the castle at the end. This is the moment you’ve been waiting for while planning this trip.

Nothing says, “my Disney trip has started” like this moment right here. I’ve been to Disney many times at this point and the feeling never gets old.

Day 1: Arrival Day

Whether you are flying or driving, this is always such an exciting day. Your Disney World vacation is starting! A full week of amazing experiences is before you.

My biggest tip for Arrival Day is to try to arrive at Disney as early in the day as humanly possible. Yes, that might mean getting up insanely early to catch a flight or hit the road, but trust me, you won’t mind once you get there.

Clearly, the goal here is to give you as much time as possible on Day 1 to settle in and start experiencing the fun.

The rest of what you do on this day depends on how much time you have and how “busy” you want to be. These are the two most popular options for arrival day:

• Resort/Pool Day
• Disney Springs

There are pros and cons to doing either option. The good news is you really can’t make a wrong choice!

Depending on your arrival time, your room might not be ready yet. That’s ok, you can leave your luggage with bell services and go about your business.

If you want to hit the pool on day 1, just make sure you pack the swimsuits at the top of the luggage for easier access. You can change in the lobby bathroom and enjoy the day until your room is ready.

Tips for Arrival Day

• Plan for an early bedtime to try to catch up on sleep. You will hit the ground running tomorrow!
• Going along with the above tip, if you make a dining reservation, make it an early one
• If you are renting a stroller, schedule drop off for today (and read all my Disney stroller tips )
• Day 2: Magic Kingdom

In reality, Magic Kingdom is actually a 2 day park if you want to get everything done. However, a well planned out Magic Kingdom day can accomplish a lot.

Take a look at my Magic Kingdom itinerary to get an idea of how to plan out your perfect day at Magic Kingdom.

I know I mentioned it above, but it’s worth repeating: If you’ve never been to Disney World, Magic Kingdom MUST be your first official park day . You just have to see the castle and experience a park that is quintessential Disney World.

Can’t Miss Experiences at Magic Kingdom

Here’s the deal, I’m going to give you this list, but you may very well have to miss some of it. That’s ok! As I said, there’s so much to do in Magic Kingdom it’s not even funny.

But every family is different and has different interests and priorities. Take the parts of the list that appeal to you and forget the rest.

Rides and Attractions

• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – this is the most popular ride at Magic Kingdom
• Thunder Mountain
• Space Mountain
• Splash Mountain
• Haunted Mansion
• PeopleMover – I have an absolute love affair with the PeopleMover. It’s a great way to sit back, relax, take in some great views, and learn some stuff
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin
• Country Bear Jamoboree
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• It’s a Small World
• Carousel of Progress

I think everyone should make a point of doing some of the classic Disney attractions, even though they aren’t necessarily as “exciting” as some of the other rides.

It’s a Small World probably won’t be everyone’s favorite ride, but did you really go to Disney World if you didn’t ride it?

There are plenty more rides at Magic Kingdom (the most out of any of the parks), but this core group is a great place to start.

Extra Experiences

• Character cavalcades
• Character meet and greets
• Disney Enchantment fireworks

Good Places to Eat

• Be our Guest
• Skipper Canteen
• The Plaza Restaurant
• Cinderella’s Royal Table
• Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe
• Columbia Harbour House

Seriously, your cup runneth over with this topic. There are so many amazing places to eat at Magic Kingdom it’s not even funny.

Whether you want quick service, table service, or to grab a snack, you can’t really go wrong.

Tips for your Magic Kingdom Day

• Tour the park efficiently by getting as much done in one land before moving on to the next
• Want to take a bit of a break? Tom Sawyer Island and Swiss Family Robinson Tree House are great places to get away from the crowds and have some quiet
• If you have access to it, definitely take advantage of early theme park entry to get on big rides with small lines
• When they are running, attending one of the parties ( Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party ) is a great way to sneak in more time at Magic Kingdom without using up a whole park day
• Day 3: Animal Kingdom

For some reason, everyone wants to skip Animal Kingdom (or Epcot) in favor of more time at the other parks. While I understand the desire to spend another day at Magic Kingdom, you don’t want to miss out on Animal Kingdom.

If you absolutely aren’t sold on a full day at Animal Kingdom, you can fit a lot into a half day with the right strategy. Take a look at my Animal Kingdom itinerary to get an idea of what a full day versus a half day looks like.

That post also gives you a very detailed breakdown of rides, timing of things, and so much more, so make sure you read it.

Can’t Miss Experiences at Animal Kingdom

Unfortunately, people tend to view Animal Kingdom as nothing more than a glorified zoo. But it’s so much more than that!

Sure, you can spend a good chunk of the day wandering around and looking at animals in amazingly themed exhibits, but you don’t have to.

There are typically also some amazing street performances throughout Animal Kingdom. My favorite street performances are in Africa. Whether it’s the drummers or the acrobats, they are awesome.

Unfortunately, as I write this, the acrobats haven’t returned yet. However, the musical street performances have returned to liven up the atmosphere.

But what experiences should you absolutely prioritize, especially if you’re only spending a half day at Animal Kingdom?

• Flight of Passage – seriously if you do NOTHING ELSE at Animal Kingdom, you must ride this. Hands down the most amazing experience
• Kilimanjaro Safari
• Expedition Everest
• Festival of the Lion King
• Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…And Beyond
• At least one animal exhibit trail
• Visiting Pandora at night is an absolute MUST if you’re there that time of the day, it’s breathtaking
• Flame Tree BBQ
• Satu’li Canteen
• Tusker House
• Nomad Lounge

Tips for Your Animal Kingdom Day

• Tired and need a place to rest? The seating area of Flame Tree BBQ is one of the prettiest, and calmest, places you’ll find. And you don’t need to order any food to sit there
• Other than riding DINOSAUR, don’t waste much time in Dinoland
• Only do Rafiki’s Planet Watch if you randomly find yourself with a ton of time to kill. Just taking the train out there and back takes a lot of time.
• Day 4: Rest Day

I’m a huge fan of having a rest day. My family is go, go, go when we’re at Disney so throwing a day into the middle of it where we aren’t up before the sun is a good idea.

But more than that, it’s another opportunity to fit in some of the amazing things you can do at Disney World besides the parks .

We’re big fans of resort hopping and eating so those are our frequent rest day activities. We also try to get to Disney Springs for a few hours during our longer trips.

The kids are huge fans of World of Disney and the Lego Store while my husband and I like wandering and eating as much food as possible.

On rest day we also try to plan some time at the pool. Because we are morning to night park goers, there never seems to be time on the park days to squeeze in the pool.

But your rest day is the perfect opportunity.

Where to Eat on Rest Day

Seriously, I don’t even have an answer for you other than, wherever you want. We often use rest day as a chance to try out restaurants at other Disney resorts.

This ties right into our enjoyment of resort hopping. We either pick the restaurants based on where we plan to hop, or hop around the area where we plan to eat.

And that’s not even including all of the options to be found at Disney Springs! If you love good food, I’d recommend planning your day around that.

Research the different restaurants at the resorts and Disney Springs and use that as your spring board to decide your rest day plans.

Day 5: Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios has become an extremely popular park, and for good reason. It houses an amazing new land and perhaps one of the coolest rides around.

However, this comes with one very significant drawback: sometimes it’s not possible to get on everything you want in a single day.

Hollywood Studios does not have as many attractions as you might think. This means the lines tend to get on the long side.

Don’t get me wrong, the attractions they do have are amazing, but there just aren’t too many of them. This has improved over the past couple of years as 2 new rides opened, but it’s still an issue.

In case you haven’t seen yet, Rise of the Resistance no longer has a virtual queue. While this does make life easier in some ways, it means the wait for Rise of the Resistance could be obscene.

The other option to get on Rise of the Resistance is to book Lightning Lane access. If you don’t know what that is, read my guide to Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane .

However, you need to be on the ball when booking opens at 7:00a or your won’t get a time slot. If that happens, revert back to Plan B and wait in the standby line.

I put together a whole post dedicated to tips on how to ride Rise of the Resistance with lower lines . That should tell you how important a good strategy is to get on that ride.

Can’t Miss Experiences at Hollywood Studios

Once upon a time (a few years ago) there wasn’t much to do at Hollywood Studios. It was a construction zone. But times, they are a changing!

Hollywood Studios has seen a few major additions to the park which now makes it the most sought after park at Disney World.

The addition of Toy Story Land, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway have upped the ante at Hollywood Studios.

However, Hollywood Studios requires a pretty solid strategy if you want to get on everything. And plan to have some down time too. Even with these new lands, there’s a shortage of rides and attractions.

Because of the complexity of Hollywood Studios, I highly recommend that you take a look at my guide to creating a Hollywood Studios touring plan , as well as how to rope drop Hollywood Studios.

Because of the scarcity of overall attractions, this list contains almost everything at Hollywood Studios. Not quite everything, but pretty darn close.

• Rise of the Resistance
• Millenium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
• Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
• Toy Story Mania
• Slinky Dog Dash
• Tower of Terror
• Rock n Roller Coaster (goes upside down)
• Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
• MuppetVision 4D – because who doesn’t love the Muppets?

Hollywood Studios has some pretty good places to sit down and grab a bite to eat.

• ABC Commissary (quick service)
• Woody’s Lunchbox (quick service)
• Dock Bay 7 (quick service)
• Ronto Roasters (quick service)
• Hollywood Brown Derby (signature restaurant)
• 50’s Prime Time Cafe (table service)
• Sci Fi Drive In (table service)

Unfortunately for everyone, Fantasmic! remains closed at Hollywood Studios. There are always rumors about it reopening, but nothing concrete yet.

Along with that, right now there are no fireworks shows at Hollywood Studios.

However, there are character cavalcades that run through Hollywood Studios throughout the day.

Building a light saber at Savi’s Workshop is an amazing (yet very expensive) experience. Ditto to building a droid at Droid Depot.

Tips for Your Hollywood Studios Day

• Be prepared to be flexible. You need to think on your feet to try to get on all the rides with less of a wait
• The physical park itself has more than a few pinch points. This makes certain sections of the park feel extremely crowded
• Need some quieter time? There are benches over by 50’s Prime Time which are a bit out of the way from the big crowds
• The ride lines can get very long by afternoon. Consider leaving and coming back for the last few hours of the day. This could be a good opportunity for some pool time back at the resort or a meal at another resort

Day 6: Epcot

Epcot is another park that often gets short changed by people who claim there isn’t much to do there, especially for young children. And while I can kind of see their point, I also respectfully disagree.

There is so much to do at Epcot I still haven’t managed a trip where I fit everything into a single day that I wanted to. I ALWAYS end up having to cut things out of the day that I wanted to do.

For ideas on how to spend your day, take a look at my 1 day Epcot itinerary .

Can’t Miss Experiences at Epcot

Epcot is about more than just rides, though there are some truly enjoyable rides as well. So much of Epcot is designed around learning and exploring.

With that in mind, Epcot opens up doors for the imagination and the mind. Each pavilion in World Showcase is its own masterpiece. Many of the countries have short movies or other experiences that help immerse you into the culture.

But a main attraction at Epcot? The food. Go with an appetite (and a lot of money).

• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
• Soarin’
• Frozen Ever After
• Spaceship Earth
• Living with the Land
• Exploring the countries
• Did you know there’s an aquarium?

Epcot has Disney World’s newest ride, at least until Tron opens in Magic Kingdom. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is an absolute blast and a must do at Epcot.

Right now, you can only ride Guardians of the Galaxy by using Disney’s virtual queue system so make sure you know how it works.

And for more information about the ride in general, you can check out my Guardians of the Galaxy ride guide and (spoiler free) review.

Seriously, I can’t even list them all or you’ll be here all day. If you are at Epcot during a festival, you don’t even need to go to a restaurant. You can just snack your way around the park.

• Rose and Crown Pub (table service)
• Space 220 (table service)
• Garden Grill (character meal)
• Regal Eagle Smokehouse (quick service)
• Any bakery in the countries
• Snack booths/outdoor kitchens

Space 220 is now the single most difficult dining reservation to get in all of Disney World. I haven’t managed to get one yet, nor has any of my family and friends.

Someday I will get there!

• International Festival of the Arts
• International Flower and Garden Festival
• International Food and Wine Festival
• International Festival of the Holidays

I think you can see the trend here. Epcot is renowned for its festivals full of food and drink. These festivals add a major boost to any day at Epcot.

Along with amazing food and drink, the festivals bring extras for the whole family. Each festival has it’s own themed scavenger hunt

In addition, Epcot has a new nighttime spectacular, Harmonious, which opened for the 50th anniversary. It’s a solidly entertaining show which gives me all the feels.

Tips for Your Epcot Day

• Bring comfortable shoes, World Showcase alone is about 1.5 miles around – here are my picks for the best shoes for Disney World
• Epcot can be very sunny and hot with not much shade so slather on the sunscreen
• There is a ton of construction going on in Future World right now which diminishes the experience somewhat

Day 7: Departure Day – What a sad day!

Boo! Your last day is here! If you are lucky, you have a later flight. This gives you time to fit in some more Disney fun. However, it seems that more often than not, the flights are early in the day.

Hopefully, you have time to grab a quick bite to eat and maybe take a final walk through of the resort. Or make some purchases at the resort gift shop.

If you have an evening flight, I absolutely recommend you go to one of the parks. We did this once when our flight didn’t leave until the evening.

We had to get back to the resort to catch the bus by 3:00p. So we rope dropped Animal Kingdom and left there by around 1:30p.

In that time we managed to ride EVERYTHING we wanted, including riding Expedition Everest 6 times. It was glorious. My kids still talk about it.

Tip: If you do have a later flight, leave your bags at bell services. They’ll keep them all safe and sound for you while you enjoy your last day.

Alternate 7 Day Disney World Itinerary: More Time at Magic Kingdom

Not surprisingly, many people want to spend more than one day at Magic Kingdom. And this is completely understandable. As I mentioned, you can’t do it all in one day.

So how should you set your itinerary in that case? Well, do you want a rest day or not?

Option #1: No Rest Day

• Day 1: Arrive
• Day 4: Hollywood Studios
• Day 5: Epcot
• Day 6: Magic Kingdom
• Day 7: Depart

In this option, I very deliberately sandwich everything between the two Magic Kingdom days. Beginning and ending your trip at the quintessential Disney park is the way to go.

Clearly, you’ll need a 5 day park ticket for this particular Disney World 7 day itinerary.

Option #2: Keep a Rest Day

• Day 3: Hollywood Studios
• Day 6: Split day Animal Kingdom/Magic Kingdom

There’s a massive argument for keeping a rest day in your schedule. Trust me, you’ll need that rest, and it allows you to explore the rest of the Disney World resort.

If you do want a rest day, I recommend doing a split day between Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom. Of all the parks, Animal Kingdom is the one that you can reasonably spend half a day there and still get just about everything accomplished.

That way you don’t feel like you’re drastically short changing your experience at any of the parks. You just need to make sure you are VERY efficient at Animal Kingdom.

With that in mind, make sure you look at my Animal Kingdom touring plan . That gives you more specific details on how to successfully visit Animal Kingdom in a half day.

Also, this allows you to again end your trip with some time at Magic Kingdom.

Yes there are other ways you can split those parks up (Hollywood Studios/Epcot is the easiest in terms of getting from one park to the next), but I think you miss out on too much with the alternatives.

Note: If you plan to do something like this, make sure you have park hopper tickets. I buy my discounted Disney ticket from Undercover Tourist to save a little money.

Other Places to go for Your 7 Day Disney World Itinerary

While I still maintain you should prioritize visiting all 4 of the parks, you certainly have other options you can entertain.

If you don’t want to have a rest day (or decide to skip one of the parks), here are several ideas of what you can do instead:

• Disney World also has two water parks: Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon
• Universal Studios is a hop, skip, and a jump away
• Of course, another Disney park day (I recommend a second Magic Kingdom day if you do this)

Do I Need Park Hopper Tickets for my Disney World 7 Day Itinerary?

In truth, you don’t NEED Park Hopper tickets, ever. Your trip will be just as much fun with the standard park tickets. That’s not to say you might not WANT Park Hoppers.

As I’m sure you can see just by going through the Disney World itinerary above, while you don’t need it, it sure would come in handy. If you absolutely want to do an additional half day at Magic Kingdom, you need a park hopper.

What if you run out of things to do at Epcot (I mean, I guess it’s possible…)? Hop on over to Hollywood Studios instead.

While park hopper tickets aren’t necessary, they sure do give you a lot more flexibility in your itinerary. Not only that, they give you spontaneity once you are there.

What if the family learns that Animal Kingdom is there absolute favorite park by day 2? Those park hoppers let them think on the fly and hop over there for an evening after being at another park.

For me, if you can spare the extra money for Park Hoppers, I always recommend them. However, if you are on a tight budget, save that money and get the standard tickets. You’ll still have a blast.

Whether you plan to buy standard park tickets or park hoppers, consider buying your park park tickets at a discount with Undercover Tourist . It saves you some money and is an authorized Disney ticket seller.

Tips for Planning Your Disney World 7 Day Itinerary

There are some general rules of thumb that are a little more on the insider track for you to consider while planning your Disney World 7 day itinerary.

A lot of these tips pertain to specific days of the week and certain parks. So how this lays out is really determined by your arrival and departure dates.

Avoid Magic Kingdom on Mondays

I seriously have no clue why this is, but Magic Kingdom tends to be more crowded on Mondays. Probably because most people fly in on Sunday and leave on Saturday.

And of course, the first park they want to go to is Magic Kingdom. If this scenario sounds familiar to you, then I say just go for it. I truly do think it’s best to start your first visit to Disney World at Magic Kingdom.

Just be prepared that the park will be a touch extra busy that day.

However, if you can shift your arrival and departure dates to be during the week, it can help with setting up park days on less crowded days.

Avoid Epcot Friday Evening through Sunday During Festivals

Epcot is known to be a locals park because of the dining and date night options. However, this is especially true during any of the Epcot Festivals.

Because of this, Epcot tends to be at its busiest from Friday after work through Sunday evening.

Aside from the busy-ness factor, the festivals have a lot of “drink around the world” potential. This increases the likelihood of loud, drunk people wandering around World Showcase as the day wears on.

If this isn’t your scene, don’t go to Epcot on the weekends.

A Split Stay Changes Everything

If you plan on booking a split stay (staying at multiple resorts instead of just one), ignore absolutely everything you read before this.

In the case of a split stay, I always base our park days on the location of that resort.

For example, we recently did a split stay between Beach Club Resort and Bay Lake Tower. Because of their locations, we went to Hollywood Studios and Epcot while staying at Beach Club, and Magic Kingdom while staying at Bay Lake Tower.

Animal Kingdom didn’t matter because there’s not much that’s easy and close about that one. We just shoved that one in when we were at Bay Lake Tower.

Transportation needs are the main reason behind this strategy. We could walk or take the Skyliner to Epcot and HS while at Beach Club. And we could walk to Magic Kingdom from Bay Lake Tower.

Any time you can avoid the bus is a thumbs up in my book.

Final Thoughts

When you’re looking for the best Disney World itinerary, I don’t think you can go wrong by planning a week in Disney World. You truly can do most everything that you’d like to do in that amount of time.

In terms of picking which parks to do when, definitely use this as a guide, but ultimately, trust your gut. If you really think about it, you can’t make a wrong decision as long as you go in with a flexible mindset ready to handle each day.

Seriously, try not to get bogged down in all the tiny details of planning or you’ll take the fun out of it. Look at the big picture and come up with the plan that works best for you.

Your Thoughts

Do you plan to try this 7 day Disney itinerary out? If not, what itinerary did you choose for your family? Let me know in the comments below.

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13 thoughts on “The BEST Disney World 7 Day Itinerary”

I’m so bamboozled by it all!! Please help and advise 🙂 My husband went many many mons ago, and the plan to just arrive, suss it all out and go woth the flow has gone out of the window as reading all the reviews we have too book parks, restaurants and all sorts to make sure we get in! We are a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children – my girl will be 7 and my son will be 10) and we have booked 9 days staying at Riverside Port Orleans and then 5 days at Universal, we arrive in August and I have no idea what to do for the best. We’ve got 14 day magic tickets and 3 park explorer tickets too. We want to get the most of the experience, visiting and seeing as much as we can. What would you advise? I’m happy to go with an itinerary, but also need advice on what to book for restaurants, shows etc – I just have no idea at all. We would like to get a character dining breakfast in, as well as a nice restaurant a couple of evening, but also incorporate the water parks and a visit to the shops/malls famous food quarters too – but where do we begin?! There should be a plan set up for novices like me to just say book this book that go here and go there – and I would be ecstatic with that! Looking forward to your reply 🙂

Hi Nicole! My family group of 12 (two newbies to Disney) will be traveling to Disney in December. Since I still don’t know the exact park hours this is how we have planned to go to the parks. We will arrive there by car on Dec. 24 and leave on the 30th. 12/24: Arrive (rest day) 12/25: MK Day! Also my Birthday! <3 (hopefully the park will be open later than usual since there is no Christmas Party on this date) 12/26: Hollywood Studios (we considered making this a rest day, but since we have to drive back home we wanted to rest the day before we left instead) 12/27: Epcot 12/28: Animal Kingdom 12/29: Rest Day (I was thinking of taking everyone to Disney Springs and booking tickets to see Cirque Du Soleil!) 12/30: Check out at 11 and drive back home(:

If you have any other tips or tricks for us during the holiday season, I'm all ears! Thank you!_Mar

I think this looks like a wonderful plan! Just be prepared that Magic Kingdom on Christmas Day is going to be extremely crowded. Frankly, the most crowded day of the year. It is possible they will turn of the ability to Park Hop into MK that day so only people with park pass reservations will be allowed re-entry. That’s what they did on the day of the 50th Anniversary. I was able to leave and come back due to my park pass, but no one could park hop in who didn’t have a park pass.

I think you stand a very good chance of the park hours getting extended. It’s standard practice for crowded days. For example, today the park is open until 11p. I would expect something similar for Christmas day.

Also, with the drive, I think it’s a smart move to do your rest day before you leave. You’ll have to let me know how Cirque Du Soleil is. I’ve been dying to see it but haven’t pulled the trigger yet.

I hope you have a great trip!

Hi! My family is planning a 7 night split stay between the Polynesian resort and the beach club… Saturday to Saturday. Any advice with how we should plan our itinerary? We will have 4 day park hopper tickets and plan to have rest/pool days. We will have a 5 1/2year old and 2 1/2 year old at the time.

I love split stays! They offer such an elegant way to divide your trip. My biggest advice is plan your Epcot and Hollywood Studios days while you are at Beach Club; your Magic Kingdom day while you’re at Poly. Depending on how many night you are where, I’m assuming Animal Kingdom will likely fit into the Poly portion of your trip. Breaking it up this way helps minimize transportation issues and makes life a lot easier. I’m assuming Poly is first and Beach Club is second, but if it’s the other way, just reverse these suggestions.

Overall, I would consider something like this: Day 1: Arrival, pool day if you arrive early enough Day 2: Magic Kingdom Day 3: Animal Kingdom/pool time if you get done early in the day/or hop to whichever park you’d like Day 4: Pool day/Disney Springs if you have any interest Day 5: Epcot Day 6: Rest/Pool day Day 7: Hollywood Studios Day 8: Departure day

This gives you a nice spread of days that also allows for rest for everyone, especially the little ones. Those resorts both have great pools, so definitely take advantage of them. The Epcot and Hollywood Studios days, take advantage of your park hopper if you get bored in one place, switch to the other. What do you think? I hope this helps.

My family (first time) along with my brothers family (been there once) are planning to go in Dec. of this year.

We plan to be in Orlando for 7 days with 4 days of parks (with hopper and possible genie plus) with rest days in between.

My kids will be 6 and 3 and my brothers kids is 13, 6 and 3.

We are still trying to figure an itinerary and which parks we should go in certain days. My sister in law loves MK and want to do a full day at MK and a half day also. I have listed what im thinking but need help with more details, this is a rough draft:

Saturday – arrive/check in REST DAY SUNDAY – Park Day Monday – Rest Day/ explore resorts Tuesday – Park day Wednesday- Rest Day Thursday – Park Day Friday – Depart/ check out

Any advise would be awesome to help in planning this trip. I want to make sure we get the best experience possible. Thank you

I would love to help. I notice that you only listed 3 park days, but mentioned a 4 day park hopper ticket. If you do have a 4 day park hopper, definitely use all 4 of those days for the best experience. Here are my initial thoughts on how to structure your park days:

Saturday – arrive/check in REST DAY Sunday – Magic Kingdom (for people who have never been, it’s always great to start with MK) Monday – Hollywood Studios (if kids need rest, consider leaving the park for the afternoon to rest and come back in the evening) Tuesday – Rest Day/Explore resorts Wednesday – Epcot (again, consider leaving in the afternoon and coming back in the evening if everyone needs rest Thursday – Animal Kingdom in AM/Magic Kingdom in PM (Animal Kingdom can be done in half a day, this allows you to have another half day at MK) Friday – Depart/Check out

Because you have park hoppers, you have a ton of flexibility. For example, if everyone is bored with Epcot, hop to another park. You’ll notice I’ve taken out one of your rest days in order to fit in 4 park days (again, assuming you have 4 days park hoppers). You didn’t mention, but if your arrival is early in the day, or your departure is late in the day, that opens up the ability to use one of your park days on those days. You wouldn’t get a full day at that park, but you could add a rest day back in. That could be a good candidate to get that extra half day at MK.

What do you think of that plan? I hope it gives you a bit of direction in how to start laying your park days out!

Hi! I loved your schedule but now I have a conundrum. I will have access to early entry and extra evening hours, is it worth it on September to choose parks based on this?

I would definitely consider choosing a park based on extra evening hours. While I haven’t used them yet, I’ve heard good things about short waits during that time. However, if you have park hopper tickets you could always hop to the park with extra evening hours if you wanted to. You don’t need to base any park days on early entry, though. Early entry is for every park, every day, so you’ll have that benefit regardless of the park (excluding water parks).

Thank you so much! My biggest stress was switching Magic Kingdom from sunday (first park day) to wednesday because my family has never ever visited MK, they have only been to AK. So I am planning this then: Arrive AK (sunday) Epcot (extra evening hours on monday) Rest (tuesday) MK (extra evening hours) HS MK Depart

What do you think? I haven’t been to WDW in years and I am trying to make it the best family vacation. Children will be 12 and 14 when we visit. 🙂

I think that sounds like a wonderful itinerary! I really do love the late evenings in the park, they are my favorite. There’s just something wonderful seeing them all lit up with not many people around. I think you will all have a wonderful time!

Thank you. This is PRECISELY what I have been looking for!

Good! I’m glad I could help!

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Our Best & Most Helpful Disney Blog Posts

Welcome to DisneyTouristBlog.com! We’ve noticed an influx of new readers recently, so we thought maybe introductions or reintroductions were appropriate. I’m Tom Bricker, the writer, photographer, editor, etc., and general mischief maker (together with my wife, Sarah) behind this blog. This blog is based on our first-hand experiences and opinions of things I encounter while my wife and I travel to the various Disney Parks around the world.

It’s hard to believe it, but this blog is over 6 years old. It’s basically a kindergartner, which is ironic, since it might seem like it’s written by one. It started out as a personal blog where we could organize our trip reports, some of my photography thoughts, and various other op/ed pieces, but has since grown far beyond that. It’s also arguably grown beyond the blog format, which can make it very difficult for new readers to find some of our older articles.

Hence this tour. This is meant to be a quick way for you to find some of our most popular and useful articles, organized by location. Heck, maybe even you regular readers will find something you missed.

Walt Disney World Posts

When it comes to planning a trip to Walt Disney World, the best place to start is our comprehensive Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide . This guide is regularly updated, with the most recent revisions in October 2017. It’s a bit on the long side, but Walt Disney World vacations require a ridiculous amount of preparation, so it’s a good jumping off point. If you’re looking for a specific topic, check out the following:

• Money-Saving Tips for Buying Walt Disney World Tickets – We analyze the different ticket options so you can determine which is best for you, and also share some places to buy tickets to save money.
• Restaurant Reviews – There are hundreds of places to eat at Walt Disney World. This page has links to our reviews of each restaurant.
• Hotel Reviews – There are dozens of Disney hotels, plus even more off-site hotels. Here we link to the resorts and hotels that we have reviewed thus far.
• Disney Dining Plan Guide – The Disney Dining Plan can be a great way to plan ahead and save money, but there are downsides, too. These resources cover the pros & cons, plus best uses of the Dining Plan.
• Free Dining Info & Tips – Each fall, the Disney Dining Plan is offered for “free” as a promo. Here’s info about how you can get Free Dining, plus its pros & cons.
• When to Visit – The parks see the largest crowds when schools are on break. Here are times of year to go when crowds aren’t so bad, plus other considerations for choosing when to plan your vacation.
• Ultimate Guide to Christmas at Walt Disney World – Tons of stuff happens are the holidays in the parks, and we cover it all here, along with our tips for best experiencing it all.
• Guide to Seasonal Events at Walt Disney World – Although Christmas is our favorite time of year in the parks, there are tons of other seasonal events. This covers them all.
• Walt Disney World for Adults – As childless young adults, we often experience a “different side of Disney,” so to speak. This covers some of our favorite adult activities.
• Walt Disney World with Kids – With the help of our readers (and based upon our observations), we compiled some tips and mistakes to avoid when taking your kids to Walt Disney World.
• Disney v. Universal – A rivalry that’s all in the heads of fans, this post examines the strengths and weaknesses of Orlando’s two biggest theme park resorts.
• The Real Cost of a Walt Disney World Vacation – The actual cost of a Disney vacation surprises many people. Here’s how much you can really expect to pay.
• Guide to Walt Disney World Discounts – While that “real cost” can be intimidating, there are ways to save. This rates the various discounts offered on vacations.
• Grocery Delivery – You can save a ton of money on meals via grocery delivery. Here are the ins and outs of having groceries delivered to your hotel.
• Transportation Tips – From Disney’s Magical Express to renting a car to using Uber to shortcuts via the Disney buses, Walt Disney World transportation is a surprisingly complex topic.

Disneyland Posts

Being locals, we visit Disneyland on a fairly regular basis and update our info on even more frequent basis. Somewhat ironically, I first wrote my comprehensive Disneyland Resort Trip Planning Guide after we had only visited a couple of times, and it was primarily a post to implore Walt Disney World fans to visit Disneyland for the first time. A lot sure has changed since then! Here are some other key posts concerning Disneyland:

• Money-Saving Tips for Buying Disneyland Tickets – There’s a lot to know about Disneyland tickets, including where to buy to save money and where not to buy to avoid being scammed. This post covers it all.
• Hotel Reviews – We’ve stayed in 40+ hotels near Disneyland, and they most definitely are not all created equal. Some are great, and some are downright scary. This post ranks the hotels in the area, and provides links to my hotel reviews.
• Restaurant Reviews – Reviews of just about every major restaurant at Disneyland so you can dine at the best spots and try the ‘must do’ foods.
• When to Visit — Disneyland is busiest when school is out of session; this post covers avoiding crowds then, plus when you’ll actually want to visit.
• Guide to Disneyland Discounts – There are numerous ways to save money on a Disneyland vacation, and this post rates the various possibilities so you can choose the right option for you.
• Annual Pass Tips – A Disneyland Annual Pass can have a lot of value beyond just normal theme park admission. We cover all the benefits here.
• Ultimate Guide to Christmas at Disneyland – Christmas is my favorite time of the year at Disneyland, and this features tips for everything from Haunted Mansion Holiday to the must-try holiday snacks, and more.
• Ultimate Guide to Halloween at Disneyland – Halloween is a great time of year in the parks, and like the Christmas guide, this covers attraction overlays, snacks, Mickey’s Halloween Party, and more.

Tokyo Disney Resort Posts

Although Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea are literally halfway around the world, they are my two favorite Disney Parks. I’ve visited several times and have written a ton of posts in the hopes that other Disney fans will travel to these great parks. My Tokyo Disney Resort Trip Planning Guide is a great starting point for planning, and these other posts are also helpful:

• Tokyo Disney Resort on a Budget – Traveling to Japan isn’t cheap, but it also isn’t as expensive as many people assume. Here’s how you might be able to make a trip fit your budget.
• Restaurant Reviews – I’ve dined at almost every restaurant in Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea. I’m slowly building an index of reviews, which you can read here.
• Why Tokyo DisneySea is the Best Park – The post that will put the Japanese parks on your bucket list if they aren’t already there.
• Airfare Hack for a Multi-Stop Trip – There are a lot of little-understood airfare rules that can enable you to visit Aulani in Hawaii, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Tokyo Disney Resort all for the price of one flight!

Other Destinations

We cover almost every Disney Destination on this blog, but for some places, our coverage isn’t quite as comprehensive. Here are our noteworthy posts from other places:

• Disneyland Paris Trip Planning Guide – I’m currently a Disneyland Paris Annual Passholder, and this is my comprehensive guide to that resort, which is located just outside of Paris, France.
• Hong Kong Disneyland Trip Planning Guide – The smallest Disney resort in the world, and one that we feel is underrated. We’ve visited at Christmas and Halloween, and this covers our tips for visiting.
• Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa Trip Planning Guide – Disney’s Hawaiian resort is a beautiful and huge place that is well-worth seeing if Hawaii interests you. Here’s what to do while there.
• Restaurant Reviews – An index of all restaurant reviews, including those from Paris, Hong Kong, Aulani, and the Disney Cruise Line.
• Disney Cruise Line Guide – A Disney cruise is a totally different type of vacation than visiting the parks, and this highlights what you should know, pack, and do during your cruise.
• Castaway Cay Tips – There’s a lot to know about Disney’s private island at which some Disney Cruise Line ships stop. This covers almost everything.

Other Posts

In addition to posts that fit neatly into a category of one particular Disney Parks resort, we also have a bunch of generalized Disney posts, photography posts, and “other stuff” posts:

• Disney Vacation Club Buying Guide – Buying into DVC is a decision that requires a lot of thought and analysis. We break down the key considerations so you can determine if becoming a DVC member is right for you.
• Unique Items to Pack for Disney – Packing lists are a dime a dozen, but this one only covers uncommon items you otherwise might not take, that will really improve your vacation.
• Tips for Renting DVC Points – Even if you don’t buy into Disney Vacation Club, you can benefit from it by renting points to save a ton of money on your resort stay.
• Ultimate Disney Parks Photography Guide – I got my start in the Disney fan community as a photographer and started sharing my opinions much later. This post merges photography and opinion as I give tips on everything from gear to taking better photos in the parks.
• Disney Pin Trading 101 – We are recovering pin trading addicts. While we don’t indulge anymore, this covers some things to know (and ways to save money) on this fun (and totally safe 😉 ) hobby.
• What to Wear to the Disney Parks – In our trip report days, the most common questions concerned my wife’s outfits in the parks. This answers most of the common questions.
• My Disney Parks Library – I’m not big into souvenirs, but I do collect Disney Parks books. Here’s a look at the books in my library.
• 1-Day Disney Parks Itineraries – Maybe you missed this from the menu bar…these are our plans for single days in various Disney Parks.
• Disney Parks Ride Guides – Another menu bar option that maybe you’ve missed. Brief synopses of every ride in every park, along with scores and other key info.
• Trips for Traveling on a Budget – Generalized tips that are useful for seeing more without spending as much money.
• Disneyland v. Walt Disney World – The pros and cons of each, and which is right for your vacation.

Social Media

If by some strange miracle you aren’t sick enough of us just from reading this blog, you can follow along via our various social media channels:

• Facebook – My photos and links to posts get shared here, and it’s an active place for conversation among readers.
• Pinterest – I post links to our articles, my photos, and other cool Disney finds that I stumble upon on the internet.
• Twitter – Articles, photos, random stuff, retweets, and replies to readers, all in bite-size 140-character chunks.
• YouTube – We’ve started a vlog! It’s still in the early stages, but our (eventual) goal is to bring you a weekly vlog with a mix of in-studio and live segments.
• Instagram (Tom) – I post #latergram photos from my DSLR and #live photos from my iPhone when I’m in the parks.
• Instagram (Sarah) – Sarah shares her iPhone photos of both the live and later variety.

Finally, one of my long-term goals is to get more serious about landscape photography and travel tips to other destinations. You can find these tips and photography on my secondary travel blog, TravelCaffeine.com .

Your Thoughts

We’d love to hear your feedback. Which type of post on the blog do you like most? Which type do you like least? What would you like to see more of? Need help finding anything or answering a question you have about vacation planning? Any other thoughts, questions, or comments?

Written by Tom Bricker

Tom and Sarah, Thanks for all the years! Yours was the first Disney planning blog I had ever laid eyes on ( I would say close to six years ago). Your site is still my go to and the one I recommended to everyone taking a WDW trip! Thanks for all the hard work and stunning photography over the years! I too can’t believe how big this thing is now…

As a longtime follower, I was wondering, and I was just discussing this with my husband the other day, do you still practice law and is Sarah still a nurse? I know you moved closer to the mouse, but did the site success change your lives? Just wondering… please do not feel obligated to answer!

Again thank you! You guys rock!

Brilliant site, look forward to reading new posts thanks

Tom, last February I booked a 1-week trip to WDW for end of May 28 – June 4. My wife and I will be celebrating our 18th anniversary. We have both lived in SoCal our whole lives and have enjoyed countless trips to DL & CA but this will be our first trip to WDW.

Shortly after I booked my trip I found your site. I was just looking for the best area to view the MK fireworks and trying figure out if the dessert package was worth it (we booked the Plaza Garden Viewing package). Anyways, once I found your site, I have been on it constantly. Your planning tips, reviews, Fastpass+ suggestions, etc are absolutely fantastic! Your site has helped us in planning our visit immeasurably. I wish I had found your site before I booked (I would have used an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner) but in spite of that, I am sure we will have a great trip. I just wanted to thank you for building such a great site!

Now I have buttered you up, I was also hoping you (or other experienced reader) could answer a question:

Recently Disney sent me an email promoting their various Unique Access Tours. Some of the tours are way out of our budget (private VIP tours go for $425 – $625hr!) but some of the other offerings intrigued me (i.e. Keys to the Kingdom Tour is $99; this is closer to our budget).

So I did what I always do. I came to your site and looked for a review to see what these tours are actually like. However, I could not find these tours mentioned on your site. Am I missing them? Have you done any of these tours? If so, I would be interested in your thoughts.

Basically, are any tours worth the cost/time? Should a first time visitor with only 6 full days to spend at WDW parks even bother with these?

Thanks again for the awesome site! It has already helped us avoid some common pitfalls for WDW first-timers.

We have been to Disney World numerous times. I’m always looking for something new to add each trip. We did Keys to the Kingdom tour last year and were very pleased with it. The guide was so pleasant and informative. We learned to much about the behind the scenes stuff. It also included lunch. And we got to go to the head of the line through a special entrance for Haunted Mansion! I would recommend it.

Leslie, thank you for the feedback, it is appreciated! -Josh M

I’m a longtime reader. This is so helpful. Thanks! Love the photos and photography posts.

Tom, I’ve been following your blog for some time and have found so many of your tips and reviews helpful. Thanks for this compilation – such a great planning resource and reference tool!

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The Family Vacation Guide

16 of the Best Disney World Blogs to Help Plan Your Vacation

posted by Charmaine Cortes on December 21, 2022 // last updated on June 12, 2023

Walt Disney World is one of the most popular tourist destinations worldwide. As such, it’s a popular topic for bloggers. With hundreds of them online, how do you find the best Disney World blogs to help plan your vacation?

We’ve combed the reaches of the internet to select the 16 best Disney World blogs for vacation planning. You’ll find our overall favorites as well as the top blogs in specific categories like food, families, and staying up-to-date.

That way, you can stop browsing and start planning your family’s perfect Disney getaway!

Overall Best Disney World Blogs for Vacation Planning

Food and drink blogs, staying up to date before your departure, blogs for specific interests, groups, and more, rely on bloggers’ first-hand knowledge.

First, let’s look at the best overall blogs about Disney World that you should utilize in your planning.

Don’t ignore Walt Disney World’s website as a resource, either. They won’t divulge insider secrets, but you can find up-to-date information about hours, locations, menus, and more.

Start with The Family Vacation Guide

That’s right; you don’t have to go anywhere to find much of the information you need. Even though The Family Vacation Guide isn’t explicitly dedicated to Disney, we’ve published hundreds of articles about it.

Moreover, our articles aren’t written exclusively for seasoned park-goers; first-time visitors can start with our complete guides to the four theme parks: Magic Kingdom , EPCOT , Disney’s Hollywood Studios , and Disney’s Animal Kingdom .

Then, read our resources on the resorts at Disney World, many individual attractions, character meet-and-greets, dining and restaurants, and so much more. 

From there, you’ll find many more topics to explore. We’ve covered some of them, but devoted Disney blogs go into far more detail. Use those to fill in the gaps.

The Disney Parks Blog

The Disney Parks Blog is officially affiliated with the Disney Company, so it’s very official. That has its pluses and minuses.

One of the best things about this blog’s official status is that you know all the information in it is accurate and reliable. There’s enough misinformation about Disney parks floating around the internet, so they triple-check their facts and data. Perhaps more importantly, they also take down or update old posts with out-of-date information.

It’s also very thorough. For obvious reasons, Disney wants to be the first to break news about its brand. Lots of the other blogs on this list follow them for breaking information.

The downside? You wouldn’t expect to find criticisms of the parks or experiences on this blog, but they don’t share the same kind of insider tips that the others do. This isn’t the best blog to use if you’re looking for insider tips and tricks.

The Disney Parks blog doesn’t just cover Disney World, either. They cover all the parks and resorts, including Disneyland , Aulani , the Disney Cruise Line , and international theme parks .

The Budget Mouse

The Budget Mouse is one of our favorite Disney blogs. It’s ideal for vacationers hoping to save a little money on their trip. But the blog’s author is also a serious Disney expert who lends her knowledge to every post. 

She’s been going to Disney World for over 30 years. This tenure gives her authority on all things about the central Florida property. 

She devotes almost all her content to Florida parks, hotels, and other landmarks. If Disney makes a big announcement or if she has something helpful to add about the other properties, she will. But otherwise, you won’t have to weed through articles on Tokyo Sea and Disneyland . 

Moreover, The Budget Mouse is also available as a podcast. Start listening when you decide to travel to Walt Disney World. Let new and older episodes give you ideas and get you pumped for your upcoming visit.

Allears.net

Allears.net is a comprehensive, up-to-date blog. It’s packed with information that you can use to plan your vacation. They have resort and attraction guides, information on ride closures, updates on parades, fireworks, shows, and much more.

Allears has organized its website beautifully. You can navigate easily and search. Browse their dining, hotels, and parks sections to determine what you want to do, and stay up-to-date on their main page.

They also have information about Universal Studios Orlando and other theme parks in the area if your family plans to visit any of them.

Allears also has an active vlog as well. Their informative videos are fantastic for families to watch together to get excited about an upcoming vacation. Just be sure to preview them if you have little kids; you don’t want anything to spoil the magic for them.

Disney Addicts

The name these bloggers chose says a lot–they love everything Disney does, and it shows in every article on Disney Addicts . It’s a general guide, news page, and expert resource. They make vacation bookings, so just be aware they’ll try to direct you to book with them.

They have complete guides to parks, resorts, attractions, and more. They regularly update them, so you can be confident they’re up to date.

The Disney Addicts contributors post regularly, and not just news. They have plenty to read besides just the news. They include an estimate of how long it takes most people to read the articles, so it’s easy to find a quick read or deep dive.

One of the best things about this blog is the Ask Us feature. You can browse and search their articles, but if you can’t find an answer, there’s an email address where you get a fast, accurate, and honest response. It’s a tremendous (and free!) tool.  

MouseSavers

The name makes it sound like this blog is primarily devoted to money-saving planning tips, but MouseSavers is more than that. You’ll definitely find tons of valuable ideas to save money, including creative ideas that only experts could devise. They’ll link to other resources for saving money, too. 

But MouseSavers is also a great resource, especially for planning. They regularly update calendars with hotel rates, Disney Vacation Club points charts, merchandise pricing, and much more. Most of their articles tell you when they last edited them and detail the changes made. 

Like most Disney blogs, MouseSavers also has basic guides for parks, hotels, and more. While the site isn’t pretty, you’ll find the information you need presented plainly, with no frills. Sometimes, that’s exactly what you need, and you can rely on MouseSavers for accuracy.

Ziggy Knows Disney

It’s true; Ziggy Knows Disney , and on his blog, he’s shared that knowledge with the world. This blog is primarily dedicated to Disney World. 

Because that’s where he gives the most attention, Ziggy spends a lot of time in Florida parks and resorts to provide readers with up-to-date information. He regularly updates older posts.

One thing we love about Ziggy is that he approaches the same topics in several different ways. Instead of one comprehensive guide to EPCOT theme park , you can also read tips for saving time or money in EPCOT, an excellent guide to EPCOT, characters in EPCOT, and so on.

Another great thing about this blog is that it’s easy to navigate and find what you need. The photography is solid, and you’ll enjoy reading against the clean white background (which isn’t crowded with ads, either). The only downside is that Ziggy is a serious devotee, so you won’t find much criticism on the blog. 

When Walt Disney World first opened, it had notoriously mediocre food. But now, it’s a top foodie destination in the entire United States and globally.

Naturally, a few bloggers have tackled the topic exceptionally well. Let’s take a look.

Disney Food Blog

The Disney Food Blog started many years ago before many people even knew about blogs. Since then, it has grown into a business that collaborates directly with Disney Parks and Resorts. 

While maintaining official independence, the Disney Food Blog has tons of insider information about everything having to do with food, dining, drinking, and related events in Walt Disney World. The blog’s author has even co-written cookbooks for the Disney Company.

Even if you don’t feel the need to stay up-to-the-minute on Disney food news, this blog is a tremendous resource for vacation planning. Everyone has to eat on vacation, and this blog can help you, no matter your family’s preferences.

On the blog, find guides for Disney World with dietary restrictions, including various allergies, vegan and vegetarian, gluten-free, Halal, Kosher, and so on. Read about the best restaurants with the fastest service, table-dining for toddlers, character dining, and any other experience you can imagine.

For adults, the Disney Food Blog covers beverages just as thoroughly. You’ll find everything you need about imbibing around the world, including special events, bar features, and more.

Vegan Disney World

Veganism and similar movements are more than just dietary preferences. They incorporate lifestyle choices that overlap with several other areas of life. 

As more people become vegan converts, Disney has committed to meeting their needs. Vegan Disney World keeps track of it all. If you’re vegetarian, vegan, or just like to eat clean, fresh ingredients, this blog has all the information you need.

You’ll find vegan guides to everything you can imagine on the Vegan Disney World blog. They have entries for each resort, restaurant, park kiosk, specific lands and kingdoms, and more.  

They also have tons of reviews. You’ll find reviews for individual dishes as well as restaurants as a whole. They talk about vegan menu options and what dining experiences are like for vegans.

You can also stay up-to-date on new vegan bites and even read about vegan merchandise and other initiatives throughout the parks.

The Disney Drink Blog

Besides the gorgeous photography, there’s a lot to love about the Disney Drink Blog . The word is certainly out about how much fun grown-ups can have in Disney World (with or without kids in tow), and this blog covers it all in depth.

First and foremost are the drinks! You can find loads of information about beer, wine, and cocktails and where to get them. You’ll find restaurant guides, kiosk menus, and comprehensive overviews of drinking in the parks.

The Disney Drink Blog also carefully covers Disney’s many special events and festivals. In particular, they report from the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival almost daily. 

What’s more, since drinking at Disney is the purview of adults (and Disney enforces it strictly), there are tons of tips for that age group. You’ll find complete restaurant reviews and guides to enjoying the many attractions as a full-fledged grown-up.

When Walt Disney opened Disneyland in 1955, he said he always wanted the park to evolve and change. That’s true in all Disney parks today, which means there are always new updates to read!

WDW News Today

WDW News Today is a social media empire with a popular weekly YouTube television vlog series and a top-rated blog, among other accounts. 

This blog captures virtually every change in Disney World. It’s run mostly by residents of the greater Orlando area who visit the parks, hotels, and the rest of the property daily. They sometimes see new merchandise or ride updates before even cast members!

This blog is incredibly thorough, with multiple updates every day. Like most blogs, they have guides for the parks, each of the hotels, and other essential information. But it’s most useful for news.

WDW News Today contributors always give candid opinions, even when they don’t like something. You never have to wonder if you’re reading slanted content on this blog. If you want a full assessment, this is where you should look.

Disney Tourist Blog

In many ways, Disney Tourist Blog is similar to WDW News Today. They have a massive number of total posts that span years of updates. Whenever anything happens in the parks, hotels, or other locations around Walt Disney World, you’ll read about it here.

While they sometimes post about the same things, Disney Tourist Blog and WDW News Today’s angles are quite different. Whereas WDW News Today is meant for Disney insiders and experts, Disney Tourist Blog writes for tourists.

Disney Tourist Blog does a terrific job staying up-to-date without overwhelming readers with information. If you can’t visit the parks regularly, you might feel lost trying to catch up on a year or more of updates. Disney Tourist Blog makes that simple.

Tips from the Disney Divas and Devos

While this website isn’t strictly for news, we put it in the staying up-to-date category. That’s because most of their posts are updates, and their new tips are often about new attractions and things to see and do.

Tips from the Disney Divas and Devos (short for “devotees”) is an entertaining blog to read. While they sometimes post longer updates and have more comprehensive guides, most of their articles are short and easy to read. 

We like to check their site daily for updates as our trip gets closer. Not only do we learn about changes to attractions, but we also find out the best time of day to ride while getting excited about our trip.

Are you still looking for the perfect blog for your vacation planning? We’ve got a few more.

Dad’s Guide to Walt Disney World

PlanDisney has the Disney Moms Panel , a great resource (and occasionally includes a dad or two). But dads have a unique parenting perspective and their own take on vacation planning, which is why we appreciate Dad’s Guide to Walt Disney World .

While outwardly thwarting outdated ideas of fatherhood, this blog doesn’t lose its unique masculine charm. Fathers love to read Dad’s Guide to Disney World, but moms, other caregivers, and anyone traveling with kids also use it.

This blog has articles for beginners and die-hards who have visited the parks multiple times. You can find guides, tips, updates, and more.

Walt Disney World for Grown-Ups

The name says it all. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to go to Disney World without kids, then Walt Disney World for Grown-Ups is for you. After all, a family vacation doesn’t have to include anyone under 18!

While this blog covers many of the same topics as those listed above, it does so from the unique perspective of adults traveling without kids. It specializes in tips and advice for an older crowd. 

You’ll also find guides for enjoying special events aimed at a younger crowd, like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party .

Military Disney Tips Blog

Military families know that everything is different for them, including vacations. Disney has many offers, special discounts, and programs for current and former members of the armed forces. 

The Military Disney Tips Blog has complete guides aimed at military families. It also offers advice for navigating Disney World as a military member. Finally, you’ll find the most up-to-date information on businesses offering military discounts.

Whether you’re visiting Disney World for the first or tenth time, in a party of two or twenty, there’s a blog for you to read. Rely on the experts in this article to plan your perfect vacation and get pumped!

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Whether you’re a Disney veteran or new to the magic, our expert advice ensures you have everything you need for the perfect Disney vacation. Bookmark our page, subscribe to our newsletter, and stay in the loop with updates, news, videos, and happenings from your favorite place on Earth! We will enhance your Disney experience while exploring the latest company and park announcements. As part of our community, you will also gain exclusive insights as we discuss theme park evolutions, share fan theories, and dive deeper into the essence of the magic. Your journey into the extraordinary world of Disney truly begins here!

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How To Visit Disney World In 2 Days

Posted on Published: 05/07/2024

Although I am a Disney fan and have visited the parks many times over the past few years, I still find visiting to be a bit overwhelming. With four theme parks, two water parks, Disney Springs, and countless hotels, there’s so much to see and do.

Even with a longer vacation, it can be challenging to plan a trip that includes all of your must-dos. If you only have two days to visit, it will be even more difficult. But, even if you only have two days to visit Walt Disney World, you’ll need to be more thoughtful in your planning.

This post offers our best tips for how to visit Walt Disney World in two days.

Disclosure: I’ve been on some complimentary and discounted trips to Walt Disney World, but have also paid my own way. This post contains affiliate links and a purchase/click through one of these links may result in a commission paid to us at no cost to you.

When booking your Walt Disney World vacation, consider purchasing through our affiliate Get Away Today . They offer great prices on tickets and can book many hotels.

Set Your Expectations

If you want to visit Disney World over two days, it’s important to set your expectations properly. There is no way that you can see and do everything. These are large, busy parks, with many rides, shows, shops, and restaurants.

Understand that while you won’t be able to see everything that the parks offer, you can still have a great time over these two days. You aren’t meant to see everything at Disney in one visit, regardless of how long you have.

Get the Right Tickets

When you purchase Walt Disney World tickets , you’ll see that there are a variety of options to choose from. In addition to the number of days, you’ll also be able to choose to add on the park hopper option and the two water parks.

For your two-day visit, you’ll need to decide if you want to see all four theme parks, or would prefer to prioritize two parks. Before making this decision, you can look at the attractions offered at each park and decide which ones are best for your vacation. While my family loves EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios (if we have to choose two parks), you may prefer to visit the Magic Kingdom if you are first-time guests or you have little children.

If you do want to visit all four theme parks over the two days, you will need to be very thoughtful in your visit. You’ll also need to get a park hopper ticket. That’s the only way that you’ll be able to visit more than one park per day. The park hopper is added to every day of your multi-day ticket.

Know that you won’t be able to see everything in the parks, and set expectations with your family. Young kids may be confused about why they must leave a park (especially the Magic Kingdom) if they haven’t seen everything.

Plan Two Full Days

For this short trip, it’s a good idea to plan for two long days. While you will be tired, it’s the best option for seeing and doing as much as possible.

We recommend starting at rope drop which is the Disney way of saying right at the park opening. The rope that the cast members hold blocking the entrance is past security, the turnstiles, and the park entrance, so you want to arrive before the posted opening time in the early morning.

It’s also a good idea to check the park calendar. Sometimes there are special events, like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween party, which can cause the park to close earlier. Guests need a separate ticket to these events.

Consider Genie+, Individual Lightning Lane, and Virtual Queues

Genie+ is an add-on that can be purchased separately. While it’s completely optional, Genie+ can be a great way to save time, because you’ll be given a time window to return to an attraction and go through the lightning lane.

At Walt Disney World, Genie+ can be added at midnight on the day of your visit. Pricing varies based on demand, and Genie+ can and does sell out. Once you have Genie+ on your ticket, you can reserve your first lightning lane at 7 am.

Lightning lanes are available at popular attractions at each park. However, the most popular attractions utilize the individual lightning lane system, which is separate from Genie+. The individual lightning lane is a separate cost and is available to purchase individually.

Currently, the individual lightning lane is available for several attractions. These include:

• TRON (the Magic Kingdom)
• Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train (the Magic Kingdom)
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (EPCOT)
• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (Disney’s Hollywood Studios)
• Avatar: Flight of Passage (Disney’s Animal Kingdom)

You may also want to take advantage of the free Disney Genie system. The Disney Genie (without the +) is a free system that can also be helpful when trying to maximize your time. With the Disney Genie, you’ll input all of your preferred experiences and the system will help determine the best times to visit those experiences.

The virtual queue system is another free way to maximize your time. This is currently available for two attractions, TRON and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

With Virtual Queue, you’ll go online at a specific time and request a virtual queue position. Then, you can return to the attraction when your boarding group is called. While you aren’t guaranteed short wait times, you likely won’t see long lines.

Currently, virtual queues open at 7 am and again at 1 pm. You must be in the park where the ride is located to access the 1 pm virtual queue. You can’t choose your return window, you’ll just be assigned a boarding group number.

Regardless of which of these options you choose, it’s important to make a plan. Look at the lists of attractions, and talk with your family in advance to determine what you’ll want to do for your two-day trip to Walt Disney World.

Utilize Mobile Ordering and Quick Service Dining

Walt Disney World offers so many great restaurants, including some fantastic character dining experiences. However, for a two-day trip, you may consider skipping these.

Of course, if your child has a favorite character, or if you want to experience one of these restaurants, then you absolutely should do that. However, you can save time and money by choosing instead to eat at quick-service restaurants.

The Walt Disney World My Disney Experience app offers mobile ordering, which you should use. With mobile ordering, you will skip the ordering queue and instead order and pay on the app. You’ll get a return time, and can just go to the mobile order area and pick up your food.

Must-Visit Rides

Everyone’s list of must-visit rides and attractions is going to vary, but we have some of the most popular rides (and our favorite attractions):

The Magic Kingdom

• it’s a small world
• Space Mountain
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• The Haunted Mansion
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Frozen Ever After
• Test Track (temporarily closing in summer 2024)
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
• Soarin’
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
• Slinky Dog Dash
• Toy Story Midway Mania
• Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
• Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
• The Rock N Roller Coaster (currently closed for refurbishment)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

• Kilimanjaro Safaris
• Expedition Everest
• Flight of Passage
• Kali River Rapids

Stay Nearby

For your two-day Walt Disney World experience, it can be beneficial to stay on the property. Not only will you be nearby, but you’ll also be able to take advantage of early entry.

Guests of on-property hotels (as well as a few other, nearby hotels ), can enter the parks 30 minutes before other guests. This can give you a big advantage in riding a few attractions before the lines get longer.

Have you visited Walt Disney World over two days?

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Windermere, FL (January 1, 2023) – MickeyTravels, LLC is proud to announce that it has been awarded DIAMOND Earmarked status by Disney Destinations. This is the highest level designation a travel agency can earn within Disney’s Earmarked Program.

MickeyTravels, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, is a nationally recognized leader in the Disney travel arena. Their travel advisors are based across the country and are among the best in the world at planning personalized Disney vacations for their clients.

Being designated with DIAMOND Earmarked status places MickeyTravels in exclusive company. Only five travel agencies in the world earned DIAMOND level status in 2022 making this a very elite group within the Disney travel industry.

“I am so proud of our MickeyTravels family. They amaze me every day with their genuine enthusiasm for what they do,” said Elyssa Antonelle, Co-Owner of MickeyTravels. “Their passion is contagious and that’s what ultimately drives our team’s success,” Antonelle continued.

In an age where many travel agencies have begun charging their clients planning fees, MickeyTravels is proud to continue offering their expert vacation planning services for free.

“Earning the Diamond Earmarked designation is a fantastic accomplishment for all of us at MickeyTravels. We only book Disney vacations, so our unique focus is attractive to so many of our clients. It’s a perfect marriage and that’s exactly why we get so many referrals and repeat clients,” said Antonelle.

MickeyTravels is the travel agency of choice for tens of thousands of families across the United States each year.

Visit www.mickeytravels.com to learn how MickeyTravels can make all your Disney vacation dreams come true. You can get a free quote on your next Disney vacation by clicking here .

For more information, please contact Elyssa Antonelle at 1-888-812-8750 or  [email protected]

We get asked the same question all the time – which Disney fan sites and Disney blogs do you recommend.  Let’s set the record straight. There are many great Disney fan sites and blogs out there, but which ones are the best?

We can only go off of experience based off of our knowledge and the opinions of our clients. A lot of things come are to be considered when deciding who the best Disney fan sites and Disney blogs are. Here are some of those important items:

• Credibility in the Disney travel arena
• Relevancy of their posts – how accurate are their blog posts?
• Timing of their posts – how quickly are these sites posting news after it breaks?  Are they breaking the news?
• Their following – are other Disney fans following them on social media? Check out the number of followers they have.
• Their passion for Disney – does that passion come through in their writing?

After careful consideration we believe these are the best Disney fan sites and blogs on the web!

• MickeyBlog.com
• Disney Fanatic
• Disney FashionBlog.com
• Prince Charming Dev
• Tasty Disney
• Disney Vacations – Talk , Tips & Q&A
• MarvelBlog.com
• DisneyBuzz.com

These sites offer something different to Disney fans, but all are highly respected in the Disney community and provide amazing content that Disney lovers should enjoy. If you haven’t checked them out yet, I highly recommend visiting their sites and seeing for yourself!

If you’re ready to book your Disney vacation, please contact us to get a FREE quote! We’d love to help plan the most magical Disney vacation ever!

MickeyTravels is proud to announce that @teamsparkle will take over their Instagram account on Saturday, June 23, 2018. The self-proclaimed, Curator of cuteness™ will be posting photos and stories on the MickeyTravels Instagram account direct from Disneyland!

@teamsparkle will document her day at Disneyland, and encourage her followers to go to the MickeyTravels instagram account to follow along.  Some of @teamsparkle’s feature ideas for the MickeyTravels account are (subject to change): Pixar Parade, character meet and greet, refurnished Dumbo ride,  lunch or dinner, Shopping or and dessert feature.

Make sure to follow along on Saturday, June 23 on the MickeyTravels Instagram account (@mickeytravels) to see @teamsparkle at Disneyland.

The Happiest Place on Earth will be full of color and sparkle on Saturday, June 23rd. We’re looking forward to see what’s in store and hope you are too! For a FREE quote on your next Disney vacation, click here!

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I go to Disney World at least once a month. Tourists keep missing out on these 5 underrated things.

• I go to Disney World at least once a month, and I've found underrated things most tourists miss. 
• On days when I'm not going to the theme parks , I love playing mini golf with family and friends.
• Wine-tasting classes are great for adults looking for something unique to do at Disney Springs .

I've been going to Disney World for over 30 years, and as an adult, I visit at least once a month.

The company is putting $60 billion into its global theme parks and cruise lines — including significant additions and renovations across the Disney World parks — so there's more to do every visit.

But with all the expansion, most tourists probably miss the underrated activities I've discovered across the property.

Here are some of my favorites.

Playing pickleball is a great way to start the day.

Most people look forward to character breakfasts or getting on their first rides in the morning, but I love hitting the pickleball courts .

There are courts at the Contemporary Resort, Animal Kingdom Lodge , Boardwalk Inn, Fort Wilderness Resort, Old Key West Resort, Saratoga Springs Resort, Yacht Club Resort, and Beach Club Resort.

Hotel guests can check out equipment for free, so I never have to bring paddles or balls in my suitcase.

Another sporty activity I love is playing mini golf at one of the four Disney courses.

Mini golf is a classic vacation activity in my family, and the four courses at Disney World are filled with whimsical touches.

Two courses, Fantasia Gardens and Fantasia Fairways, are located near Disney's Swan and Dolphin hotels . The former is full of larger-than-life decor with fun twists and turns, and Fairways is set up more like a real golf course.

The other mini-golf complex, Winter Summerland Miniature Golf, is next to Blizzard Beach Water Park . One side is Christmas-themed, and the other is Santa's summer break.

I prefer Winter Summerland because of its nostalgic, kitschy vibes.

Wine-tasting classes can be fun and educational for adults.

My favorite restaurant at Disney World is Wine Bar George at Disney Springs. A few days a month, owner and master sommelier George Miliotes holds a 90-minute blind wine tasting.

Throughout the class, participants learn how to taste wine like a sommelier, and Miliotes has been able to answer just about any wine question I've ever had.

On a recent tasting, I blindly compared a $15 bottle of Argentine white wine to a $300 bottle of French white wine — I liked the cheaper one better.

A day of pampering at the spa is a great mid-trip break.

Until a few years ago, I never realized Disney had full-service spas on its property. Trust me when I say taking a break in the middle of a theme-park vacation is usually greatly needed.

I've been to the Grand Floridian Spa for a leg massage after a long weekend of organized races around the parks via runDisney.

I loved choosing a rock from the indoor crystal garden to inspire the music, lighting, and scents of my treatment room.

Spending the day at the spa inside the Four Seasons Resort Orlando is also a treat.

During my visit to the Disney-affiliated hotel, I had access to an indoor and outdoor relaxation area, a steam room, and a solarium before and after my treatment.

I love going behind the scenes of an iconic Epcot attraction.

One of my favorite Epcot attractions is Living With the Land. The quiet boat ride takes guests through various nature scenes before sailing through working greenhouses.

The ride itself is fun, but I also love taking the Behind the Seeds walking tour.

The one-hour tour isn't included in theme-park admission , but it takes people through the ins and outs of the greenhouses. I've caught an up-close look at the massive fruits and veggies and peered into the fish farm from the edge of the tanks.

You can reserve a spot on the tour online, but I've never had any problems booking it at the park. There's a small booth in the Land Pavilion near the attraction's exit.

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How do I get the most out of Disney World in a day? Tried and true tips for first trips

Some people have it all figured out, even when it comes to visiting theme parks .

Walt Disney World posts its hours of operation online, but for many fans, showing up when the parks open is already too late because lots of other guests will already be inside, ahead of them for rides.

Knowing when to arrive, what to pack and how to save helps maximize any day at the parks.

Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.

Longtime visitors learned these kinds of tips and tricks the hard way, but here is how first-timers can make the most of every moment at the " Most Magical Place on Earth ."

►Disney World 4 Parks in 1 Day Challenge: '19,338 steps later, my husband and I agreed we'd do it again'

►Psst: 10 Walt Disney World 'secrets' and tips

1. Arrive early

The first guests in each park get the shortest lines and can often squeeze in multiple rides while everyone else is still making their way in. There are two ways to do this, and both involve arriving at park entrances before official opening times.

The first option requires staying on Walt Disney World property. Resort guests get  early theme park entry  and can enjoy attractions 30 minutes before everyone else. Additionally, on select nights, guests at deluxe resorts get extended evening hours  at certain parks after they close to the general public.

►Disney World prices keep going up: Here's why fans keep going back

The second option is rope dropping. Guests can make their way through security and into the parks before opening, but they only go so far. They can't ride any rides yet, but they can still beat the crowds arriving after the park officially opens. This is also a great chance to take photos. 

Either way, it's important to factor in extra time to get to the entrance, particularly for Magic Kingdom because the parking lot is across a lake. Most guests can only get to Magic Kingdom by monorail, ferry, water taxi or shuttle. However, guests of Disney's Contemporary and Polynesian Village resorts can walk over.

2. BYOB (as long as it's nonalcoholic)

Unlike some theme parks, Disney World allows guests to bring in  outside food and nonalcoholic drinks .

While iconic Disney treats like  Dole Whip  can't be found elsewhere and are worth savoring, packing snacks or even a whole meal can save a lot of money.

Keeping a reusable water bottle handy is especially important for staying hydrated as guests go, go, go. Those can be refilled with ice water for free anywhere fountain drinks are sold.

►What can I get for free at Disney World?: 10 freebies for your next trip

3. Pack ponchos, cooling towels and sunscreen

Florida lives up to its Sunshine State nickname much of the year. It gets hot! But it also rains a lot.

Cheap pocket-size ponchos and cooling towels, which can be purchased at discount stores back home, take up very little space and keep guests moving along rain or shine.

Sunscreen will also be cheaper to buy at home than in the park. Reapplying regularly will keep vacations from being ruined by sunburns.

►Is it worth upgrading to Genie+?: Testing out Disney Genie at Disney World

4. Bring a power bank for smartphones

Whether taking photos, browsing through Disney Genie , or killing time while in line for a ride, it's easy to drain smartphone batteries during a day at the parks. There are limited places for guests to plug in their chargers. They can  buy power banks  in the parks, but it's cheaper and easy to bring one from home.

5. Wear that fanny pack

It's a good thing fanny packs came back in style because they're a convenient, hands-free way to carry essentials around the parks. No need to worry about things falling out of pockets on rides. Also unlike most bags, fanny packs won't strain shoulders or backs after a long day.

Some people do still prefer to carry sling-style bags, drawstring bags and backpacks, which can be especially helpful for families with young children or guests planning to buy multiple souvenirs.

6. Make advance dining reservations and mobile orders before hunger strikes

Guests who have their hearts set on specific sit-down restaurants at the parks should book as soon as possible. Reservations open up 60 days in advance . If a specific venue is booked solid, guests should routinely check back, especially closer to the day of their visit when there might be cancellations.

For guests who prefer to grab and go, mobile ordering is available through the My Disney Experience app at quick-service eateries across the parks, but pickup windows may be limited by demand at certain times of day. Guests should put in orders early to get the widest selection of pickup times.

7. Use strollers

All four Disney World parks are big and spread out. For every step an adult takes, young children take even more. Even if little ones may have stopped using strollers regularly at home, it may be worth bringing or renting a stroller for the parks. Those can also be lifesavers at nap time.

►No park ticket? No problem: 10 things to do at Walt Disney World outside the parks

8. Buy 'souvenirs' at home

Young children won't be able to tell the difference between Disney-themed gifts purchased at stores like Target or at the parks. Pparents can shop for deals at home to avoid high prices on property and surprise kids once they get to their hotel. Many souvenirs , however, can only be found at the parks.

9. Schedule downtime

Guests taking multiday trips may want to consider a down day in between park days to recharge and unwind.

If that's not an option, take a break during the day by either heading back to the hotel for a couple of hours or simply enjoying a long, seated, air-conditioned attraction like The Carousel of Progress in Magic Kingdom or The American Adventure at EPCOT.

►Come explore with us: Sign up for USA TODAY's Travel newsletter

10. Maybe skip the fireworks 

Disney's fireworks and nighttime spectaculars are stunning and worth watching at least once, but guests who are uncomfortable in crowds may want to skip out. Main Street U.S.A. and World Showcase get packed, and all those spectators leave at the same time once the shows are over, making for long waits for transportation.

Guests who skip the fireworks can easily walk onto rides with little to no lines while everyone else is enjoying the show. Or they get a head start on heading back to hotels and hope to catch a glimpse of the fireworks along the way.

►Disney World vs. Disneyland: What's the difference?

BONUS: Be flexible

While it's helpful to plan as much as possible in advance, guests should be flexible once they arrive, so their trips aren't ruined when unexpected circumstances arise. Cast members can also help when plans go awry.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How do I get the most out of Disney World in a day? Tried and true tips for first trips

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What is the cheapest trip to Disney World? How to save without sacrificing the magic

• There are accommodations for every budget within minutes of Walt Disney World, but staying on property can make the most of a trip.
• Unlike other theme parks, Disney World welcomes guests to bring in their own food and alcoholic drinks, which can save a lot of money.
• Discount vacation packages and theme park tickets may be available from employers or places guests have a membership to like AAA and Costco.

It's easy to spend a lot of money at Walt Disney World.

Tickets alone to  Disney Very Merriest After Hours  can cost a family of four roughly $1,000. Add a sit-down dinner, some souvenirs and a hotel for the night and the budget balloons. Multiday vacations cost even more. 

There are, however, lots of easy  ways to save without skimping on the experience, which for some families may only come once in a lifetime.

From choosing where to stay to what to skip, here is how to get the most bang for limited bucks on a trip to Disney World.

►What can I get for free at Disney World?: 10 freebies for your next trip

►Tried and true tips: How to get the most out of Disney World in a day

Where to stay at Disney World

From motels to Airbnbs, timeshares to five-star resorts, there are accommodations for every budget minutes away from Disney World, but to maximize time and benefits, one of the best options is to stay on property.

That's because Disney resort guests get early theme park entry , which can be key for beating long lines for rides later in the day, especially for folks who don't want to spend extra money on Disney's new Genie+ or Lightning Lane  add-ons.

Disney transportation is free for everybody, but resort guests have the added convenience of regular service to the parks and Disney Springs from their hotels. Guests who bring their own cars have to pay for parking at the resorts, but they don't have to pay additional parking fees at the parks.

►Is it worth upgrading to Genie+?: Testing out Disney Genie at Disney World

By far, the cheapest option for staying on property is a campsite at Disney's  Fort Wilderness Resort . Campsites for traditional tents, pop-up campers and camper vans start at $66 per night in the off-season. Peak dates and larger campsites for RVs cost more. Perks of staying at Fort Wilderness include free evening sing-alongs with Chip 'n' Dale, lakeside views of the nightly fireworks at Magic Kingdom, and all the bells and whistles of staying at an official Disney resort.

Guests who prefer traditional rooms can choose from four Disney value resorts: three All-Star properties with average nightly rates listed at $126 in the off-season and  Pop Century  which averages $168 nightly off-peak. Standard rooms at both resorts sleep up to four adults. The All-Star resorts have been recently renovated and have similar layouts to Pop Century. One big difference is Pop Century has direct access to Disney's Skyliner , which connects the resort to EPCOT, Hollywood Studios and several other Disney resorts.

There are a number of non-Disney hotels near Disney Springs that also offer early park entry and accept rewards points for booking, like Holiday Inn Orlando and  DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando . Some even pop up in Express Deals on Priceline.

Another option for redeeming rewards points is staying at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin , which are operated by Marriott and within walking distance to EPCOT. In addition to early admission at the parks, Swan and Dolphin guests are eligible for extended evening theme park hours , which are otherwise only open to guests at deluxe Disney resorts and villas and Shades of Green.

►Disney World prices keep climbing: Here's why die-hard fans keep going back

Shades of Green  is an Armed Forces Recreation Center on Disney property that is not open to the general public. Eligible guests  include military service members, Armed Forces retirees, disabled veterans and their families. While Shades of Green is not a Disney resort, guests can enjoy both early admission and extended evening hours as well as discounted rates on stays and park tickets .

One more option is booking a Disney Vacation Club stay through a rental company like David's Vacation Club Rentals  or  DVC Rental Store . These companies serve as a middleman between guests and Disney timeshare owners renting out stays at official Disney resorts. Cancellations may not be as flexible as booking directly through Disney. And while guests are able to score significant savings on deluxe Disney resorts, these rentals aren't cheap.

Discount Disney tickets

Costco members can buy discounted vacation packages for Disney World, which include park tickets and hotel stays. AAA also offers deals , but starting prices for tickets on their website may match  Disney's prices online  depending on the desired date. Some employers may also offer discounted park tickets through corporate benefits programs, though restrictions vary.

Thrifty travelers may be tempted to purchase discounted park tickets through third-party timeshare sellers promising steep savings in exchange for sitting through a sales pitch, but those can take precious hours away from vacations. Disney's official timeshare program, Disney Vacation Club, does not offer discounted tickets for listening to presentations.

How to save on food

Unlike other theme parks, Disney World welcomes guests to bring in their own food and non-alcoholic drinks.

Guests who drive to Disney can pop into numerous grocery stores off property.  Amazon Fresh and Instacart also deliver groceries.

To save money, guests can eat breakfast in their hotel rooms then pack simple lunches and snacks for the park.

Water bottles can be filled at fountains or wherever fountain drinks are sold. 

At the parks, quick service restaurants have the most budget-friendly meal choices. Guests can plan ahead and budget accordingly by checking out menus online .

While some adults may be inclined to order off kids' menus to save money, those portions are notably smaller and offerings are generally more basic. Instead guests may want to consider buying and sharing multiple snacks throughout the day so they can try different things without spending too much.

Skimp on souvenirs

The dazzling array of souvenirs at Disney World can break the bank. Fortunately  Shop Disney  runs various sales year-round, and retailers from Walmart to Gap sell licensed Disney merchandise, which also goes on sale.

Guests can keep an eye out for deals before their trips to avoid going hog wild when they arrive at Disney World.

►Disney World 4 Parks in 1 Day challenge: '19,338 steps later, my husband and I agreed we'd do it again'

More ways to save

Disney Visa Card from Chase customers can save 10% on select merchandise, dining and experiences. They can also earn rewards dollars throughout the year that can be redeemed across Disney World.

Another way to save is through Disney gift cards, which are as good as cash at the parks.  Target RedCard members  can save 5% on gift Disney cards. Sam's Club and BJ's Wholesale members can also pay a little less than face value. Gift cards purchased for full price at Kroger  can rack up fuel points for savings on gas.

One tactic that won't cost a thing is asking for Disney gift cards for holidays or birthdays. Those can be saved up to help pay for trips.

Stories and tips to get the most of your Disney Rewards

Insider tips for walt disney world ® resort after hours events.

May 14, 2024

What happens in Walt Disney World ® Resort after the gates close? Now’s your chance to see for yourself as you light up the night at Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom ® Park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios ® and EPCOT®, as well as Disney H2O Glow After Hours at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park! For these magical nighttime adventures, we’ve got all the intel on what to wear, what to bring and what to see at the parks. Cardmembers, remember you can redeem your Disney Rewards Dollars toward attending these separately ticketed events to enjoy all the evening excitement. 1

What to expect at Disney H2O Glow After Hours

When the sun goes down at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, the fun is just getting started! Disney H2O Glow After Hours, running from 8-11 p.m. on select summer nights, is sure to make a splash. (If you have a ticket for Disney H2O Glow After Hours, though, you can enter as early as 6 p.m.!) This seasonal event is full of splashing attractions all aglow, DJ dance parties and so much more. Here are some key tips to make the most of the festivities.

Get your tickets in advance

Be sure to plan ahead if you’re set on illuminating your nights. Tickets for this exclusive summer event are subject to availability. Once you snag your tickets to Disney H2O Glow After Hours, note that you don’t need to purchase general admission to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park unless you want to visit before 6 p.m.

Ride some favorite attractions with lower wait times

One of the brilliant perks of this after-hours event is that all of the attractions of Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park are available by night (subject to change due to inclement weather or other reasons) with fewer Guests. That means less time waiting in line for popular attractions like the sensational Storm Slides and the thrilling Crush ‘n’ Gusher and more time zipping, twisting and churning through aquatic adventures!

Come hungry: Snacks and Towels are included

Ever find that splashing to your heart’s content gets your appetite going? At Disney H2O Glow After Hours, your ticket to the party includes tasty snacks like ice cream novelties, popcorn, select fountain beverages and towels. And if you’re hungry for even more deliciousness, you can get more by redeeming your Disney Rewards Dollars toward special themed foods and beverages available for purchase. 1

Bust a move at the DJ dance party

Light up the dance floor and mingle with some Disney pals during the high-energy dance party. Pumping music and flashing lights really bring the enchantment to life by night!

What to expect at Disney After Hours

A whole new world awaits by night at Walt Disney World ® Resort! Come rediscover the parks in a different light during Disney After Hours, a special, separately-ticketed evening event that allows you to explore for three extra hours. Delight in tasty snacks, feast your eyes on nighttime spectaculars and experience the area like never before with these handy tips.

Pick your perfect park (or parks!)

When it comes to Disney After Hours, you can choose your own adventure. Step into a land of enchantment at Magic Kingdom ® Park (available now through June 27, 2024), embark on an adventure at Disney’s Hollywood Studios ® (available now through August 29, 2024) or blast off into a night of thrills at EPCOT® (available now through July 18, 2024). Can’t decide on just one? You can purchase multiple event tickets to visit different parks on different nights—it’s up to you!

Spend less time waiting for some iconic attractions

Since Disney After Hours is a limited-capacity event, you’ll spend less time waiting in line and more time enjoying incredible attractions like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Tron Lightcycle / Run (which uses a standby queue).

Snag some complimentary snacks

Tasty snacks are included in your ticket to Disney After Hours. Follow signage at the event to find and indulge in complimentary goodies like select ice cream novelties, popcorn and bottled beverages at carts located throughout the three participating parks. And if you work up even more of an appetite, you can redeem your Disney Rewards Dollars toward additional snacks that are available for purchase. 1

Enter the park before the event starts

Get a head start on the fun: Although Disney After Hours officially starts at 10 p.m., your event ticket lets you enter the park as early as 7 p.m. Guests with a valid ticket to Disney After Hours do not need a separate theme park reservation or additional ticket.

Keep an eye out for extra nighttime entertainment

When you arrive early, you get extra time to experience even more nighttime entertainment before the event begins! Early arrivals to Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom ® Park get to watch not one, but two fireworks extravaganzas: Happily Ever After, before the park closes, and Disney Enchantment, which is available exclusively once the gates shut. Not only does EPCOT® feature its beloved attractions and entertainment before closing, but it’s also home to a new nighttime spectacular, Luminous The Symphony of Us. And at Disney’s Hollywood Studios ®, you can catch an exclusive performance of Fantasmic!, where Mickey dreams up an epic battle between heroes and villains.

Gear up with glow-in-the-dark accessories

By night, new experiences come to life across the parks with magnificent light displays and decorations, and you can match the vibe by wearing glow-in-the-dark Disney accessories. Stock up for your glow-up at DisneyStore.com , where you can save 10% on select purchases with the Disney® Visa® Credit Card. 2

So much evening adventure awaits at Walt Disney World ® Resort once the park gates close, whether you’re splashing the night away at Disney H2O Glow After Hours or marveling at twilight delights at Magic Kingdom ® Park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios ® and EPCOT®. Make the most of these exclusive experiences by redeeming your Disney Rewards Dollars toward your After Hours tickets and enjoy the party well into the night! 1

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NEWS: Tornado Watch Issued for Disney World Area

By Samantha Kendall Leave a Comment

You can plan and plan the perfect Disney World vacation — but Mother Nature doesn’t usually care about your plans .

Rainy Day at Animal Kingdom

Nothing can ruin your Disney World vacation faster than a torrential downpour and severe weather. That’s exactly the case for Disney World today. In fact, the entire Central Florida area is currently under a tornado watch — including the Disney World area.

A tornado watch has been issued for all of Central Florida — including the counties where Disney World is located. WKMG reports the watch is currently in effect until 11AM ET today.  You can continue to monitor the area by clicking  here .

Rainy day in Magic Kingdom

Eric Burris, meteorologist with WESH news shared a look at a line of storms with intense lightning in the area. Typically, tornado watches aren’t of much concern — unless it escalates to a tornado warning. Make sure you’re checking the weather regularly so that you know if that happens.

Intense line of storms with TONS of lightning continues working through the metro- Here’s a live look from our Doppler radar… pic.twitter.com/TuAqeHNXhh — Eric Burris (@EricBurrisWESH) May 15, 2024

Burris reported that nothing too severe had impacted the area for now, but scattered thunderstorms are still expected to impact much of the area, including Disney World.  Potential hail and heavy winds are also expected.

For just before 9 AM, that is still a ton of lightning… Nothing severe for now, but definitely watching this line of storms. Plenty more coming in off the gulf later on today as well… pic.twitter.com/Zpf6k88glV — Eric Burris (@EricBurrisWESH) May 15, 2024

If you’re heading to Disney World today, you might want to keep an eye on the radar and check your favorite weather app to get the most up-to-date information. You should also make sure you listen to any Cast Members during severe storms as they’re trained to keep you safe!

It’s unlikely that Disney will close the parks for today’s weather, but there will be multiple ride closures if lightning, heavy rain, and strong winds affect the area. 

Rain at Animal Kingdom

According to News 6 ,  the Orlando area will encounter scattered storms and high temperatures in the next few days thanks to a stationary front, so we could see showers and storms continue through the week.

Rain is  possible every day through Sunday,  May 19th, with rainfall possibility being as high as  60% on Wednesday.  Monday and Tuesday each have a 50% rainfall chance and Friday through Sunday each have a  40% chance. Thursday has the lowest rain chance with 30%.

A rainy day in EPCOT.

Pack your ponchos and raincoats! Stay tuned to DFB for the latest updates, tips, and news that you need to know for your next Disney World trip!

An ALARMING Travel Trend Is Becoming a Major Problem at Disney World

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Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!

GET YOUR GUIDE NOW

What’s your top Disney World weather tip? Tell us in the comments.

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Services for Guests Who Are Neurodivergent

Disney is committed to delivering a wide range of innovative support services aimed at helping our guests with disabilities visiting our theme parks. explore ways and resources for guests with neurodivergent disabilities to use throughout the theme parks and in the resort hotel areas. some tools found on this page may benefit a variety of individuals and are not limited to guests with neurodivergent disabilities., know what to expect at the parks.

For more information, download the Accessibility Planning Guide & Recommendations.

How to Prepare

Plan a visual schedule.

Next, fill in the remaining times with possible attractions and use a question mark or a change card to build flexibility into the schedule. Review the visual schedule with your family member before your visit so they have an idea of what to expect.

By providing a possible timeline, you can help the Guest with a neurodivergent disability understand what to expect—such as crowds, sights, sounds, and smells—and so that they can learn the routine.

For an example of a timeline, please download our Accessibility Planning Guide & Recommendations .

Study Location Maps

Review the maps with the Guest with a neurodivergent disability and try to lay out a plan for the day. We recommend that you consider downloading the My Disney Experience app to have information on your mobile device, including entertainment showtimes. You can even order food and beverages via the My Disney Experience app .

What to Bring

Being prepared for a day at Walt Disney World Resort goes beyond the parks. Plan ahead by bringing along an assortment of items.

Some suggestions include:

• A Safety Bracelet or Nametag
• Ear Plugs or Headphones
• A Favorite Device or Activity
• A Sensory Toy

Practice Waiting in Line

To prepare, practice waiting with the Guest with a neurodivergent disability at home or in lines at places they might already frequent.

Attraction Planning Resources

Sensory experience details.

Review a list of details about Walt Disney World experiences—including details about scents, lighting effects, attraction vehicle speeds and more.

Accessing Attraction Queues

Walt Disney World Resort offers tips and a variety of programs to help Guests with disabilities access attraction queues including Rider Switch, Single Rider, Disability Access Service and more.

At the Parks

Companion restrooms.

Learn more about restrooms

Choose a Meeting Location

Should they get lost, stress the importance to the Guest with a neurodivergent disability of finding a Cast Member who will assist in attempting to reunite you. In addition, there are also designated locations in each park where lost persons can be escorted.

It is recommended that you take a photo of the Guest with a neurodivergent disability on your mobile device or digital camera, especially if they tend to wander off. You may also consider making a nametag that includes their name, as well as your name and mobile phone number.

Take a Break

Some examples include:

Magic Kingdom Park:

• Main Street, U.S.A. – Center Street
• Adventureland – Area near Swiss Family Treehouse; Area next to the Pirates of the Caribbean restrooms
• Frontierland – Miner’s Cove; Area near Tiana’s Bayou Adventure restrooms
• Liberty Square – Area behind Ye Old Christmas Shoppe; Area next to the Hall of Presidents
• Fantasyland – Area near the Wishing Well; Area outside Pete’s Silly Sideshow
• Tomorrowland – Pathway near TRON Lightcycle/Run leading towards Fantasyland; Area between Space Mountain and the Rockettower Plaza Stage; Area near Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
• World Celebration – Areas throughout
• World Nature – Area between the Seas with Nemo and Friends and the Coral Reef Restaurant; Imagination Pavilion near the restrooms
• World Discovery – Area near Mission: SPACE and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
• Mexico Pavilion – Accessible ramp to right of pavilion
• Norway Pavilion – Corridor between Norway and China
• China Pavilion – Area next to the Temple of Heaven
• Italy Pavilion – Seating nook next to Pizza Al Taglio
• America Pavilion – Corridor between Joffrey’s Coffee and Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue
• Japan Pavilion – Garden seating area
• Morocco Pavilion – Near Restaurant Marrakesh and Lamps of the Wonder
• France Pavilion – Between France and the United Kingdom near the water
• United ­­Kingdom Pavilion – Garden area
• Canada Pavilion – Garden walkway towards Le Cellier Steakhouse

Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

• Sunset Boulevard – Courtyard near Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy
• Sunset Boulevard & Hollywood Boulevard – Area next to The Hollywood Brown Derby restaurant
• Animation Courtyard – Near the restrooms
• Pixar Place – End of block near archway
• Toy Story Land – Corridor between Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
• Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – Area next to First Order Cargo; Area between Oga’s Cantina at the Walt Disney World Resort  and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run; Area next to Toydarian Toymaker
• Grand Avenue – Corridor on right just before Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge; Pathway between Muppet Vision 3D and Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano
• Echo Lake – Area by Indiana Jones Adventure Outpost to the right of 50’s Prime Time Café

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park:

• Discovery Island: Areas throughout
• DinoLand USA – Area next to theater
• Asia – Maharajah Jungle Trek (locations throughout) and the pathway next to Caravan Road leading to Africa
• Rafiki’s Planet Watch – Locations throughout
• Africa – Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail (locations throughout)

All Parks – First Aid and quick-service restaurant seating areas (during non-peak periods).

Learn more about break areas in the Accessibility Planning Guide & Recommendations.

Dietary Accommodations

View more information about  special dietary requests  throughout the Resort.

Guest Health Care Services Presented by AdventHealth