HOW WE DISNEY
ITINERARY | NOTES | SUGGESTIONS
A magical week at Walt Disney World, ‘There Now Please’ Style…
DAY 1: ARRIVAL & EPCOT
Check in to The Beach Club
The Beach Club is a Deluxe Resort with a casual elegance resembling that of New England. Steps from EPCOT, The Boardwalk, and Disney’s Skyliner transportation system, this sprawling resort offers a three-acre water wonderland for adults and children alike.
Evening at EPCOT
After spending a relaxing afternoon leisurely settling in, unpacking, and exploring the resort’s beautiful grounds, take a five-minute sunset stroll over to EPCOT’s World Showcase. Enjoy `some Fish N’ Chips at the UK Pavilion’s Rose & Crown Dining Room, and then wander the World Pavilions, doing some light shopping and hitting up a couple rides (Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in France, or Frozen Ever After in Norway.)
DAY 2: MAGIC KINGDOM PARK
Beach Club Morning
After scoring your top priority ride for the day on Genie+, saunter on over to the Beach Club Marketplace for a quick breakfast bite. Mickey Waffles & Bacon will likely be on the agenda. Glide through the lobby for a sensorial refreshment on your way to the Magic Kingdom Bus. (Guests checking out of the Beach Club beg for tips on where to score a candle with the addictive and elusive “Beach Club” aroma to bring home with them).
Magic Kingdom
A quick bus ride drops you off right at the front gates of the happiest place on earth. Take in the sounds and sights of Main Street USA as favorite characters greet you and smells of fresh baked pastries fill the air. By the time you approach the castle, it’s probably time to select your next Genie+ ride on the My Disney Experience App.
We like to choose one or two park “neighborhoods” to explore before lunch, like Fantasyland (where you find the nostalgic fairytale rides) and Tomorrowland (where you can ride Space Mountain and your kid can drive a car in Tomorrowland Speedway), followed by an afternoon jaunt through Adventureland (with the beloved must-rides such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Jungle Cruise) and Frontierland (more classics like Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain). Do not miss the famous Haunted Mansion in Liberty Square.
By doing a combination of Stand-By Lines and Genie+ selections, we typically end up doing around 5 attractions before lunch, then 5-8 more in the afternoon. Remember that, from Character Meet n’ Greets, to Shows, Parades, Specialty Snacks, and Hidden Mickeys, there is plenty to do beyond running from ride to ride.
Table-Service Dinners at the Magic Kingdom can be elaborate, elegant affairs (think Princess Moments at Cinderella’s Royal Table or Beast-Sightings at Be Our Guest), or something decidedly more casual like Liberty Tree Tavern (family-style Thanksgiving meals, all year round) and Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen (a Jungle Cruise-themed restaurant with international cuisine).
A little more ride-hopping and Evening Fireworks at the castle round out a gorgeous, epic day at the Magic Kingdom.
DAY 3: HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS & EPCOT
Overview
First thing’s first: Get that ROR return time on lock, stat! Yes, we like to relax a bit, but we’re not blatantly irresponsible! We, too, are here for the rides, and Rise of the Resistance is… um… not missable. It’s just… not. (More on that below.)
Today is all about EPCOT & Hollywood Studios, connected by The Boardwalk and Crescent Lake. Everything is technically walkable, from the EPCOT Area Resorts (Beach Club, Yacht Club, Boardwalk Inn, & Swan/Dolphin/Swan Reserve) to Hollywood Studios and EPCOT, but depending on how much of a walk you’d prefer, other solid transportation options are the Friendship Boats that travel across Crescent Lake, and the Skyliner (the beautiful, still-new aerial tram system) that whisks you away with sweeping aerial views. If venturing out on foot, start the morning with a quick bite from the Boardwalk Bakery. The Everything Everything sandwich or Mickey Cinnamon Roll should hold you over.
On a weeklong trip we tend to visit Hollywood Studios multiple times, so we don’t try to pack every single thing in to this one visit. With EPCOT being such an easy gondola ride away, we often prefer to visit both parks this day. It keeps things fresh and prevents full-day single-park burnout.
Hollywood Studios
Start your morning in Hollywood! Do not underestimate the charm level of Mickey’s Runaway Railway in the impeccable replica of the iconic Chinese Theater. This central landmark will likely beam you straight in. It happens to the best of us, over, and over, and over. This is a wonderful way to start your day, as long as the line is your friend when you arrive, and/or you got that Genie + when you woke up. But really, speaking of beaming, if you have ever been interested in Star Wars at all (even, like, the tiniest bit ever), Galaxy’s Edge is going to blow your mind. Other amazing features include all rides in Toy Story Land (they’re just adorable and really fun), thrill rides like Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, super cute live shows and film experiences, and of course the original Star Wars ride: Star Tours. We also really love the Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy. The visual effects and animatronics are unbelievable.
Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios
If you’re one for a second breakfast snack, the overnight oats at Ronto Roasters are really yummy, and its other-worldly environment is somehow both energizing and relaxing. In general, if you can line up your Lighting Lanes by location, then that’s best (less running back and forth from one park corner to the next). If you happen to swing both ROR and Millennium Falcon back-to-back, don’t forget to add in a little time for some Blue or Green Milk and a sighting of Chewbacca. For the more daring among us, an intergalactic beverage at Oga’s Cantina can be arranged.
ROR v. The Falcon: You may find that some family members will prefer the hands-on activity of flying the Millennium Falcon, while others will marvel at the impressive coordination and unbelievable scale of ambition seen in Rise of the Resistance. They are completely different rides, so definitely do both.
*Note: as soon as you swipe into your last Hollywood Studios ride, you will want to begin reserving Genie+ times for your EPCOT afternoon. Keep in mind, however, that if/when the Two-Hour Rule kicks in, you should start Stacking for your EPCOT evening. (Don’t worry, we will explain all of these Tips n’ Tricks once you book your vacation!)
Hop to EPCOT
Knowing you will soon revisit Hollywood Studios, you can happily hop over to EPCOT for your afternoon park experience. Taking the Skyliner over is a breeze (pun intended). Although the Skyliner will bring you to the World Showcase entrance of EPCOT, you may want to go straight to Front-Facing side of EPCOT, as you’ve already done some dabbling in the World Showcase on your first evening. Head towards the iconic Geodesic Sphere, where you will find what used to be called “Future World.”
This area is being revamped into three distinct areas: World Celebration, World Nature, and World Discovery. Depending upon your age group, you will likely want to prioritize doing Test Track, Mission Space, and Soarin’, but many more will love visiting with Nemo and Crush alongside real Manatees and Sharks in a 5.7-million-gallon saltwater aquarium. Another often overlooked gem is the Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival, or you can visit the classic EPCOT character, Figment, as he playfully guides you through the science of imagination. For classic staples that really encapsulate the utopian spirit of Walt’s original vision of EPCOT, do not miss Spaceship Earth or Living with the Land.
We wouldn’t be able to stay away from World Showcase for Dinner and Evening Shopping, however, so back to the countries we go once the sun has set. There are a million options. Impeccably-themed dining experiences can be found in all of the countries’ pavilions. (And while in “Mexico,” it’s easy to quickly ride the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros. It’s usually a walk-on with essentially no wait.) Hopefully you’ve managed to Stack another jaunt to Arendelle or Paris for after dinner. Some rides are so enchanting, you want to ride them a couple times throughout the week.
The best thing about the Beach Club? You are only a short walk from your bed at the end of this fun-filled day.
*Note: until Guardians of the Galaxy’s Virtual Queue turns into a Lightning Lane option, we’ll save that for a day in which we visit EPCOT first thing. More on the below.
DAY 4: ANIMAL KINGDOM RESORT AREA
Animal Kingdom may be the most relaxing park to visit. Although there are some amazing rides at Animal Kingdom, including Avatar Flight of Passage in Pandora - World of Avatar and Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain in “Asia,” the magic of the Animal Kingdom park really comes alive through its enriching musical performances and enchanting animal encounters.
The Animal Kingdom theme park has seven distinct lands: The Oasis (a tropical paradise filled with exotic animal exhibits); the central Discovery Island (home to the epic Tree of Life, It’s Tough to be a Bug show, and restaurants Flame Tree Barbecue and Table Service Nomad Lounge); Asia (home to attractions like Maharajah Jungle Trek, Kali River Rapids, and the above-mentioned Expedition Everest); DinoLand U.S.A. (which houses the scary thrill ride DINOSAUR); Pandora—World of Avatar; Africa; and Rafiki’s Planet Watch (more below on the last three). The park is really quite large, so we recommend planning multiple experiences in one “land” before moving on to the next, when possible.
Our favorite experiences in Africa include attending the incredible Festival of the Lion King performance, tasting the flavors of Africa with Donald Duck at Tusker House Restaurant, and going on the Kilimanjaro Safaris on Disney’s Harambe Wildlife Reserve. Musical “Street Side” Performances take place in the square outside Harambe Market, and there are even Muziki Drums nearby for you to make a little music yourself.
A Wildlife Express Train whisks you up to Rafiki’s Planet Watch, where the artists among you can learn how to draw favorite characters at The Animation Experience, and the aspiring veterinarians in your group can visit animal healthcare professionals, all at the Conservation Station. This is a really special experience if you have the time and are up for a little extra adventure.
Pandora - World of Avatar cannot be missed. For the tiny tots there is Na’vi River Journey — where Pandora’s bioluminescent creatures come to life in an immersive boat ride through the land of the Na’Vi; and for the bigger kids, there is the famous Flight of Passage (a Rope-Drop staple): a thrilling and inspiring flight simulator ride on a native mountain Banshee through the skies of the Avatar Universe. A great nearby Quick Service option is Satu'li Canteen, and a trip to this land after nightfall will greet you with a flurry of exotic glowing plants, nestled nearby the enormous floating mountains in the Valley of Mo’ara.
More Animal Kingdom Highlights include the highly rated fine dining experience at Tiffins and its attached Nomad Lounge in Discovery Island; and the exciting musical Finding Nemo: The Big Blue... and Beyond!
Dinner at the Animal Kingdom Lodge
Do yourself a favor and shuttle over to Animal Kingdom Lodge after a day at the park. The architecture is absolutely gorgeous, scores of exotic animals leisurely wander the on-property savannah, and the resort’s restaurants are Tasting Extravaganzas. You will not regret an evening at Boma - Flavors of Africa or the lodge’s Signature Dining Experience, Jiko - The Cooking Place.
DAY 5: EPCOT & CHILL
By now you may need a quieter day, depending on how many items still remain on your to-do list. Some people choose to take a Pool/Resort Day in the middle of their trip, but others decide to go to parks each and every day. Personally, we always like to have the option to hop over to a park for a quick bite and a couple rides, even if we’re doing a chill day, so we always get a park-hopper ticket for each of our vacation days.
Guardians of the Galaxy - Cosmic Rewind
This Brand-New EPCOT Ride is an innovative Marvel Universe Family Rollercoaster, and it is not to be missed. Start the morning by logging on to the My Disney Experience App and snagging a boarding time via the Virtual Queue.
Once you have your assigned return time for the ride, you can start building out the rest of your day accordingly. If your Guardians of the Galaxy reservation isn’t until the afternoon, for example you may want to stack some Lighting Lanes for later in the day, and spend a calm morning lazing around the gorgeous grounds of your resort.
*Note: Over the past couple of years, Disney has been implementing Virtual Queues for their newly-released rides. This Virtual Queue opens twice daily: at 7am and 1pm. The boarding groups are gone within seconds once they’re released at 7am, but don’t worry; after you book your vacation, we will explain the best method for obtaining a boarding pass during the morning release.
Pool Day
Beach Club’s Three Acre Water Experience, Stormalong Bay, features a Lazy River, Whirlpool Spas, a Zero-Entry beach-like pool with sand on the bottom, a giant Shipwreck-Themed Water Slide, and an elevated Tanning Deck. After spending a morning in the sun and sand, you may want to experience the highly-sought-after on-site restaurant, Beach & Cream Soda Shop. After enjoying a Reuben or a French Dip, you can request the Kitchen Sink: a literal kitchen sink(!) filled to the brim with an 5 flavors of ice cream, hot fudge, a fresh-baked brownie, and every topping that you can think of.
Relaxing at EPCOT
In addition to Princess Greetings and Lighting Lanes, EPCOT World Showcase offers Culturally-Enriching Music and Dance Performances alongside Immersive Films that are masterfully projected in Circle-Vision 360°, creating a seamless and moving experience of the wonders of Nature and Culture from across the globe. If there is an adult in the group who would just like to chill and have a drink, Unique Beers from around the world are readily available and fun to taste, along with tastings of regional cuisines at kiosks throughout the World Showcase. Many people Snack, Drink, & Shop “Around the World” at EPCOT, enjoying a genuinely enriching experience that is full of entertainment, new sounds, and new tastes.
Harmonious is a Nighttime Spectacular that takes place in the World Showcase Lagoon. Over 200 artists came together to make this staggeringly impressive multi-sensorial experience come to life. A culturally-diverse musical treatment of favorite Disney songs shines brightly with huge screens, pyrotechnics, water choreography, lasers, and lights.
Evening at the Beach Club
Not up for a light show? A five-minute stroll will bring you back to the Beach Club, where you can lounge on the resort’s lake-front beach, taking in the Boardwalk scenery. You might feel like catching a Movie Under the Stars or roasting a marshmallow around the Campfire. Maybe you want to have a night cap at the neighboring Yacht Club’s Ale & Compass Lounge (the Yacht Club is attached to the Beach club, after all, and it is stunning). All of these things are possible!
DAY 6: MAGIC KINGDOM RESORT AREA
Overview
We suggest visiting multiple resorts during your vacation week. Each distinct destination has its own impeccable theming and complimentary Disney transportation, and their Signature Dining options are vast and glorious. This day is all about the Magic Kingdom and its Neighboring Resorts.
MK Morning
It might be a good idea to start the morning in one corner of the park that you feel you didn’t really cover on the first day. For example, if you forgot to grab a DOLE Whip while you enjoy the Kitsch Classic Enchanted Tiki Room Show, remember that the super cute Magic Carpets of Aladdin and super fun Swiss Family Treehouse are right next door. Of course if you can swing a Lightning Lane for nearby Jungle Cruise, why not visit the backside of water twice in one week?
Die-Hard Disney-Nerd and/or Self-Proclaimed Disney Historians will know many from the list of charming attractions that opened with the park on its very first day (October 1, 1971) are still going strong: It’s a Small World; Mad Tea Party; Dumbo the Flying Elephant; Peter Pan’s Flight; and Prince Charming Regal Carrousel. For the most serious royals among us, a VIP Makeover Experience can be experienced at Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique.
Magic Kingdom Resorts
We find some of the dining experiences at these resorts to be truly rejuvenating. On days when we have a Magic Kingdom Park Reservation, we often reserve a Table Service Meal at a neighboring resort. We love seeing all that Disney has to offer, and the theming of these resorts is at once uplifting and relaxing. Making an ADR (Advance Dining Reservation) means guaranteeing a break in pace and scenery in the middle of your park day.
We like to alternate between the Polynesian Village Resort (a speedy Monorail ride away); the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa (monorail or a quick walk); and Wilderness Lodge (a beautiful boat ride through the Seven Seas Lagoon) when visiting on a Magic Kingdom Resort on a park day. We really love Wilderness Lodge’s outdoor restaurant Geyser Point Bar & Grill (a casual outdoor lakefront lounge serving Pacific Northwest Drinks and Bison Burgers; Polynesian Resort’s ‘Ohana (family-style skillets, Hawaiian bread, and Lilo & Stitch party parades); and Grand Floridian’s sophisticated, Signature Lounge, Enchanted Rose.
Depending on how we’re feeling after our meal, we may either return to the park or take Disney Transportation back to our Resort to enjoy some down time..
DAY 7: HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS & DISNEY SPRINGS
Hollywood Studios Morning
This morning is a good time to take in the atmosphere of the park and re-ride any of your absolute faves that you experienced on Day 3. Beyond the rides, there are plenty of charming entertainment experiences from which to choose; take some time to check out Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage; Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!; For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration; and/or Muppet Vision 3D.
There are really fun themed restaurants to check out for lunch, as well, like 50s Prime Time Cafe or Sci Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant. For something more calm and collected, try the famous Cobb Salad at The Hollywood Brown Derby. For an afternoon snack, you may want to check out the Seasonal Offerings and Colorful Popcorn at Kat Saka’s Kettle, a small counter nestled within Black Spire Outpost: the intergalactic trading post found within Galaxy’s Edge.
Disney Springs
We don’t personally feel the need to spend tons of time at Disney Springs, but many beg to differ. We will say, however, that it actually is nice to break up the park days with a trip to a nearby destination that is somewhat “outside of the bubble.” You do not need park tickets to enter, and there are non-Disney businesses aplenty. These factors broaden up the scene to create a different crowd and vibe, so a bit of shopping and dinner/drinks here feels kind of like a vacation from the vacation… or maybe it feels like a bit of flirting with the outside world, without quite letting go. Disney provides Easy Roundtrip Transportation to Disney Springs, so if you would like an extended selection of souvenirs, or even something practical like good walking shoes that you should’ve brought but didn’t and are now paying for it(!), Disney Springs is a good idea.
Some fun-filled shops include The LEGO Store; M&Ms; Art Gallery & Collectibles Store The Art of Disney; The Coca Cola Store; and Build-A-Dino by Build-A-Bear Workshop at the T-REX restaurant—an immersive, prehistoric adventure and dining experience.
As for restaurants, we love The BOATHOUSE. The view is gorgeous, the bread is delicious, the seafood options are endless, and the Kids Meals are served in adorable cardboard Car-Boats (look around the lake to find these real-life Amphicars buzzing around, both on land and in water!)
Disney Springs has Entertainment Options that don’t exist in any of the parks, like Aerophile (a “Hot Air Balloon” Ride); the above-mentioned Amphicar Tours; a Variety of Live Performances such as Irish Music at Raglan Road or The Blues & more at House of Blues. You can even go bowling at Splitsville Luxury Lanes or attend a Gravity-Defying Performance by Cirque du Soleil.
All in all, we think at least one visit to Disney Springs is a wonderful way to diversify your Disney experience.
DAY 8: TOPOLINO'S TERRACE & DEPARTURE
If you haven’t found the time to do a proper Character Breakfast, allow Mickey, Minnie, Donald, & Daisy to give you a proper send-off by reserving a coveted table at Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera. After checking out of the Beach Club Resort, you can leave your luggage with Bell Services and take a quick walk over to the EPCOT Skyliner location. Allow the gondola to whisk you away to the Riviera Resort, where you will ascend the elevator to panoramic rooftop views and a Fine Dining experience with a Mediterranean Flair.
After checking in to your Flight Home, the “Next Right Thing” to do, says Anna of Arendelle, is… contact There Now Please to plan a Disney Cruise or a Galactic Starcruiser Adventure, of course.