Ultimate Guide to Disney Itinerary Planning

By The Backseat View

I have 45 Disney Tips, an Inside Guide to Disney Dining, and a sneak peek at the Disney Resort Guide to help you plan a Disney vacation. I always recommend using a Disney Vacation Planner to make planning easier. Let’s open the Ultimate Guide for Disney Itinerary Planning for a few itinerary tips.

“If you don’t know where you want to go, then it doesn’t matter which path you take.” The Cheshire Cat (Alice in Wonderland)

When to go

I visit Disney when SCHOOL is IN session due to crowds. The WORST weeks with the highest crowds involve a school holiday in that week. Everyone does Veteran’s Day, MLK, President’s Day, and Easter weeks. Disney is at a max-level crowd anytime school is out, and summer is too hot. May, August, and September are the best months for good weather, lower crowds, and the Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in September. The first week of December is my Ultimate favorite time for Christmas decorations and the most MAGICAL feel of the parks and resorts.

Best Weeks

The BEST WEEKS to visit Disney for low crowd levels and cheaper prices are January 11-18, Feb. 2-13, March 1-13, April 27-May 11, and September 3-30.

Cheer and dance competitions take place at the end of January and early February, and South American tour groups drive crowds. It snowed during my last January trip, so the weather and ride refurbishment in winter are unpredictable. November 4-14 is Marathon week, which I always forget and get surprised by the crowds. Christmas can be double the price of September.

Selecting Park Days

The Disney Crowd calendar is LIFE for the best days to attend each park. If the crowd calendar shows Magic Kingdom at level 8 on Sunday and level 5 on Tuesday, you better bet I’m going on Tuesday.

In 2025, you get free waterpark admission on check-in day.

Example of a Trip Itinerary

Arrival day includes a water park visit. First, Magic Kingdom park day, then Hollywood Studios for a day, a rest day (Disney Springs with T-Rex), Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and departure day with Chef Mickey’s Breakfast. I like doing Animal Kingdom last because we don’t return to the park at night, so I can start packing up.

How long to stay

A week to 10 days is the obvious answer, with numerous entertainment options. We have done four-day trips. We can arrive at Disney by lunch and visit Epcot, Magic Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios to get full park days. Finally, spend half a day in Animal Kingdom before a night flight home. It’s all about your trip goals.

Where am I staying?

Disney Port Orleans French Quarter is a boutique resort with one bus stop, a few steps to dining, Mickey beignets, and a dragon pool. Pop Century is my budget choice, with The Polynesian being the BEST Deluxe choice. All-Star Music has the cheapest family suites in Disney at around $378 for three queen beds. Also, I love decorating my resort window with lights, Disney Characters, and signs.

Disney Dining

It’s a NO to the Dining Plan. I pay as I go unless Disney is running a deal. Everyone books Disney meals 60 days out with a skeleton itinerary in hand. Signature Restaurants use two dining credits, and it’s never worth it.

Special Events

I love Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. I’ll go to Disney Springs in the morning and enter the park with my party ticket in the afternoon. I love the unique character meetings (meeting all seven Dwarfs) and the parades. Watch the Christmas parade on Main Street with the SNOW! The parties are our extra-day or rest-day events. I never pay $120 to get in the park at 9 am and then a $150 party ticket. We also visit Santa at every park due to the lavish setups.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is behind Cinderella’s Castle and starts at $100. It is for all the little princesses who want their hair braided into a crown. You need to book as soon as you know you are going.

Memory Maker

It’s a big MEMORY trip, so buy the photo pass (Memory Maker) and take ALL THE PHOTOS! The Disney photographers will use your camera. The ride photos and magical Disney extras in the photos are worth the money. The park photos will link to your magic band. Advance purchase of the Memory Maker runs $185.

My Bag

I always bring my Mickey backpack with snacks, $1 ponchos, and water bottles. There are more bottle-refilling stations at Disney every year. Chewing Gum is not sold anywhere in Disney, so plan accordingly. An extra phone battery recharging unit is required because the Disney app runs all day.

Transportation

Transportation from the Orlando airport is by Mears Connect, driven by Sunshine Buses, the best airport shuttle option. It costs $16/person each way. Uber costs an average of $50 from the airport to a Disney hotel.

Once in Disney, I allot an hour to catch a resort bus and arrive at the park. The Bus Wait times in the Disney app are rarely reliable. The Skyliner lines in the mornings can be 45 minutes long. The Caribbean Beach Resort is the Skyliner Hub. You ride from your resort(Pop Century, Art of Animation, or Riviera) to the Caribbean, then get into another long line to ride to the park.

Lightning Lanes

These are Disney’s skip-the-line passes, and they are constantly changing. Learn all about the details a month before you leave. As of 2024, Disney Resort guests select Lightning Lanes a week out, and non-resort guests are three days out. The best rides in the park have a single pass. A multi-pass is for the next three best park attractions. I’m not a fan of lines, so I buy both passes.

Goals

Each trip’s itinerary goals differ due to the season, the age of your party, and new Disney rides.

The newest rides are Tron & Tiana’s Bayou in Magic Kingdom, Guardians of the Galaxy in Epcot and Rise of Resistance in Hollywood, and Avatar in Animal Kingdom.

I plan as much as possible, arrive early, then go with the flow for FUN. I can’t control wait times or the weather. However, nobody “wings” Disney, there’s always a plan.

Starting the Days

We are up at 6 am, eat breakfast by 7 am, board a park bus by 7:15, and arrive in the park by 8 am. If you didn’t eat by 7:10, then here’s a pop tart on the bus. We are at the bus stop on time. The later we get in the week, the less realistic it becomes. Disney has an Early Theme Park Entry for resort guests at 8:30, and we are through security so we can ride. Disney extends this courtesy to 15 other area hotels, so everyone is here.

Disney Itinerary Planning for Everyone OVER 44 inches

MAGIC KINGDOM

• We start Magic Kingdom the traditional way with Space Mountain, Fantasy Land, lunch, Frontier Land, a parade, and Adventure Land. We take a break at 2 p.m. and return at 6 p.m. to hit a few rides and watch Fireworks.
• Magic Kingdom is adding Cars Land and Villians Land so there’s construction in Frontier Land.

• The goal is TRON, so buy a Lightning Lanes Pass a week out. Check opening times for Tron. Recently, it was not opening for Early Theme Park Entry. People get in line anyway, so the wait starts at an hour. My Lightning Lane goals are Dwarf Mine Train (8 pm), Big Thunder Mtn Railroad (12:30 or 7 pm, with it being better at night), and meeting Mickey (1:45 or 2). If we go to Chef Mickey for characters, then replace with Peter Pan(due to be refurbished in 2025).

• Arrive at 8 AM and take Castle Pictures. The back of the Castle is pretty, too, with fewer crowds.

Fantasyland

• We hit Space Mountain twice at rope drop (8:30 am), Dwarf Mine Train (if we didn’t get a Lightning Lane), Tea Cups, Pooh, or Peter Pan. We grab a cinnamon roll at Gaston’s to eat in a line. Rapunzel’s Tower has the bathrooms.

• 10:15 am -We head to Haunted Mansion, which may have a delayed opening.

• 11- 11:30 We do an early lunch at Columbia Harbor House (order while in line for the Haunted Mansion) OR grab a Mickey Pretzel and Ice Cream.

Parade

• 11:30 – Find a SEAT FOR THE PARADE if it’s at 12. We sit in Frontier Land on the shaded side of the street with buildings close to Splash Mtn. I try to get a Lightning Lane for Big Thunder Mtn. Railroad at 12:40 pm.

• 12-12:30 PARADE- Watch the Parade

• 12:30-2 pm- We ride Pirates of the Caribbean or Big Thunder Mtn Railroad after the parade, grab a Dole Whip at Aloha Isle to eat on our way to the bus, watch Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire show in front of the castle, then use our Lightning Lane reservation to Meet Mickey at Town Square at 1:45 pm.
• After the parade, option 2, grab lunch at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe or Liberty Tree Tavern, reservation only. They are both close to your parade seat.

Rest/Dinner

• We are headed to the bus by 2 p.m. to rest from 3 to 5. Dinner is at 6 p.m. at the Plaza on Main Street, Crystal Palace, or the hotel food court at 5 p.m. I gladly take a bag to the food court, bring everyone’s dinner back, and eat in the room for more ride time. Pizza delivery in the room is always a win.

• From 7-8:35 pm, we head to whatever Lightning Lanes Passes we have lined up. Big Thunder Mtn Railroad (is better at night), Peter Pan(tradition), Dwarf Mine Train, It’s a Small World (ridiculous tradition with everyone singing), and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin are our next favorites. JB loves the Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover, so we end the day relaxing with views of the park lights.

• At 8:45 pm, we watch fireworks from the back of Main Street by the Bakery or the train balcony. I can have my bakery Mickey Cookies and be closer to the bus pick-up ahead of the HUGE crowds.

Extra:

• Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (Splash Mountain) is a top attraction, but I’m not a fan of the log ride. I hate getting soaking wet. When your shoes are sloshing water, you will understand. If I’m riding, it’s at 12:40 after the parade.

• I love Enchanted Tales with Belle, and everyone should do it once.

• The Jungle Cruise always has a 90-minute wait.

Hollywood Studios

• Goal: Rise of Resistance, so pay for Lightning Lanes. Rise shuts down frequently, and Lightning Lane Passes go first. You won’t find me in this stand-by line.
• Lightning Lanes Goals: Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster (1 pm or 7 pm), Slinky Dog Dash (11 am or 7 pm), Toy Story Mania (11 am or 8 pm), or Smuggler’s Run.
• Hollywood Studios has construction for “Monsters, Inc.” land in the Animation Courtyard and Muppetts Courtyard.

Galaxy Edge

• We are here for Star Wars, rope-dropping to the Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run and riding twice. We will pay for Lightning Lanes Rise of Resistance, but if you didn’t, head there first. We are taking all the pictures, touring the shops, and building the droids and lightsabers.

Batuu Bounty Hunters

• Taylor plays the Batuu Bounty Hunters game and Star Wars: Datapad to create his own Star Wars adventure with the Play Disney Parks app. We start at the bounty board to begin scanning our Magic Bands. He loves it, but I’m confused about completing my mission and getting my credits. He uses his Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run points in these games. Tip: we used our Thermal Viewer on many doors to find what we were looking for. If you get tired of this game, leave Galaxy Edge, and the magic band stops playing.

Star Wars: Datapad

• This uses the Play Disney Park app and your Magic Band to view credits, explore Batuu, and complete missions. We scanned signs for translation and picked a side, Resistance or the First Order. Make sure to use the Disney account linked to the Magic Bands so you can see your credits. Anyway, if you see kids with colorful Magic Bands vibrating and scanning signs, they are doing this.

Toy Story

• 10:30 am – The next stop is Toy Story Land with zero shade.

• Depending on wait times & Lightning Lanes, we plan to wait on at least one ride, usually Toy Story Mania.

• Lunch is around noon at the 50’s Prime Time Café.

• Star Tours or Star Wars Launch Bay Encounter with characters or Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster usually round out our day. The Beauty & The Beast Show is at 1 pm & 2 pm and I love watching it. So, the 2 pm show will put us leaving the park closer to 3 pm.

• We leave at 2 p.m. for a rest or push through, depending on our moods and Lightning Lane Passes. Some days, we leave the park at 4 p.m. and have a quiet dinner at the resort.

• Return at 6 pm for Lightning Lanes for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and wait for Tower of Terror and Slinky Dog if we haven’t ridden yet.

• I love the Movie Magic Firework Show (8:40 pm) and Fantasmic (9 pm).

Filling Time

• Toy Story’s Alien Swirling Saucers are fun if the wait is 30 minutes.

• Mickey & Minnie Runaway Railway was not worth the two hours we waited in the blazing sun.

• Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular is excellent if it fits into your schedule.

• Meet Hollywood Minnie and Soccorer Mickey at Red Carpet Dreams.

Epcot

• Epcot is BIG and I always forget how BIG. It is impossible to jump around the park for ride times.

• Goal: Guardians of the Galaxy is a Lightning Lanes Pass or join the Virtual queue at 7 am.

• I usually skip the other multi-pass Lightning Lanes for this park because they are nobody’s top rides.

Guardians

• We are heading to the LEFT with Guardians, Test Track, and maybe Mission Space before our 12:30 lunch. Depending on lightning lane times, I might flip and head to Nemo’s aquarium and Soarin’ on the RIGHT.

• Ratatouille is in the middle of the park, so making it your first ride requires a lot of backtracking. However, the Skyliner lets you out near Ratatouille.

• It takes us a good hour or two to walk around the countries. All the countries have little nooks and shops to explore that could add hours to this estimate.

Snacks

• We snack around the world. My favorite bakeries are the French and German ones. We enjoy our Italian lunch reservation at Via Napoli.

• We head out for a rest and return for dinner reservation around 6:00 pm in Mexico La Hacienda de San Angel or England’s Rose & Crown.
• The goals are Soarin’, The Seas with Nemo in the Aquarium, and the Harmonious Show. Near Mexico, where the boat departs to take you across the lake, there’s a nice area where you can sit on a rock flower planter and wait for Harmonious. Anywhere along the water’s edge is good for the light show.

Extra:

• Ratatouille was one and done for us.
• Frozen Ever After is always an hour-plus wait.
• The Gran Fiesta Tour in Mexico never has a long wait.
• Meet Pooh at the Hundred Acre Wood in the United Kingdom and tons of other character options in Epcot.

Animal Kingdom

• Avatar is the goal for the day. I usually head here first and skip paying for Lightning Lanes. We only come with low crowds, so if school is out, pay up.

• Lightning Lane goals are Kilimanjaro Safari and Everest. Animal Kingdom is huge, and I don’t enjoy trekking across it for ride times. DINOSAUR is being shut down for the Pueblo Esperanza new land expansion, which is Encanto-themed.
• The Tropical Americas, Pueblo Esperanza, is undergoing construction and replacing Dino-Land.

Avatar

• Avatar Flight of Passage is the best ride, so it’s first. Na’vi River Journey is next to Avatar, so it’s second. I’m not waiting an hour for this, so I’ll probably walk by.

• The second goal of the day is Kilimanjaro Safari. Ride early with the animals out, eating breakfast.

• Maharajah Jungle Trek and Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail are close to Kilimanjaro Safari.

• Festival of the Lion King is Broadway-worthy.

• Lunch is at the Flaming Tree BBQ.

• The Finding Nemo Show and Everest finish out our day. We don’t return.

Extra:

• The Kali River Rapids is rarely on my list because I hate getting soaking wet.
• The animals at the Conservation Station petting zoo, plus the train ride, make a fun stop.
• It’s Tough to be a Bug! gives you a close-up of the Tree of Life. It’s being reimagined into Zootopia.

2 Days in MK

Tip: Book two days at Magic Kingdom when traveling with young children. It gives you time for Jungle Cruise, Aladdin, Dumbo, Barn Stormer, Little Mermaid and meeting more Characters. The second MK day is more laid back. Tom Sawyer’s Island and Liberty Square Riverboat are closing due to the CARS expansion in Frontierland.

Disney Itinerary Planning for UNDER 44inch members:

Magic Kingdom:

• 8:00 Am arrive and Castle Pictures

• 8:30-Peter Pan’s Flight, then Winnie the Pooh

• If you don’t have a Lightning Lane for Dwarf Mine Train, take the oldest to ride while the babies ride It’s a Small World and the carrousel.

• Tea Cups, Dumbo, The Barnstormer

• Ride what you can until 10:30, and then go to the Haunted Mansion.

Parade

• 11:15 am: pick up lunch from Columbia House that was ordered while in the Haunted Mansion line or a snack to eat in the parade spot.

• 11:30 PARADE– NOT TO BE MISSED usually at 12, but check times in your app

• Pirates of the Caribbean, Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire show in front of the castle, or Meet Mickey Mouse at the Town Square

• 2 pm Naps

• 6 pm -Return to the Park and head to Tomorrow Land for People Movers, Buzz’s Ranger Spin, Astro Orbiter, Tea Cups, or Dumbo.

• 8:30 pm- Move to Main Street for fireworks.

Day 2: Magic Kingdom

• Jungle Cruise, Aladdin, Tiana Bayou Adventure-ponchos, Little Mermaid, Enchanted Tales with Belle, and whatever you missed.

• Make sure to walk through the castle and watch the castle show Friendship Fare.

• You can skip fireworks for dinner at Chef Mickey’s or Ohana.

Epcot:

• EPCOT IS BIG with great playgrounds.

• Lightning Lane Guardians of the Galaxy for adults and rider swap. The Skyliner drops into the park near Ratatouille.

• We didn’t like to backtrack, so we started on the right side of the park with Nemo and the Aquarium, the playground, meeting characters, and then Ratatouille.

• We eat lunch in Via Napoli in Italy, but all Princesses are headed to Akershus.

• Frozen Ever After the boat ride and finish visiting the countries.

• At 2 pm, we leave for a nap.

• After dinner in Mexico, ride the Grand Fiesta boat and then grab a seat near the boat dock for the Harmonious Firework Show.

Hollywood Studios:

• Rise of the Resistance has a height requirement of 40 inches and is the Lightning Lane Pass.
• Multi-pass Lightning Lanes for Smugglers Run, Slinky Dog, and Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
• Hollywood Studios has the Beauty and the Beast Show, so check out the show times.
• Toy Story Land is your first stop for Slinky Dog, Toy Story Mania, and Alien Swirling Saucers.
• Star Wars Lightning Lane passes determine what time to visit for Rise & Smuggler’s Run. Shop around, take pictures, and buy the blue milk.
• Have lunch at Hollywood & Vine for a character meal.
• Meet Disney Junior Pals in the Animation Courtyard.
• The Frozen Sing-along is a good time with air conditioning.
• Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is for everyone.
• Meet Mickey and Minnie at Red Carpet Dreams.

Animal Kingdom

• Animal Kingdom is a zoo that is great for all ages.
• Avatar is your first ride and rider swap or Lightning Lane with a height requirement of 3’8″
• Na’vi River Journey is for everyone.
• Kilimanjaro Safari is your first or 3^rd stop, depending on Lightning Lane Pass.
• After the Maharajah Jungle Trek and Gorilla Falls Trail, catch the Wildlife Express train to The Conservation Station and enjoy the petting zoo.
• Tusker House for a character lunch.
• The Lion King Show is Broadway quality.
• Don’t skip the Finding Nemo Show.
• It’s Tough to Be a Bug! or Zootopia is a cute little show near the Tree of Life.

Other Parks

I combine Disney with Discovery Cove (swim with dolphins), Universal (Epic Universe is on everyone’s list), Sea World, and Busch Gardens. Universal for Harry Potter and Jurassic Park fans is AMAZING and tops Epcot.

“I give myself very good advice, but I very seldom follow it.” Alice in Wonderland

Thank you for reading my Ultimate Guide to Disney Itinerary Planning. Don’t miss these other in-depth posts on Disney Resorts, 45 Disney Tips, and The Inside Guide to Dining Dining.