by Wishes Diva
As a member of the Disney Diva family, I often get asked to help friends and family members plan their trips. I personally love it when this happens because to me, planning a Disney trip is half the fun! I was recently asked by a coworker to assist her family of five plan their trip for this summer. I was happy to help! I decided to share the itinerary that I did for her and her family in the hopes that it can help someone else plan their trip! This itinerary is perfect for families visiting the first time that want to see the highlights. This would be good for a family that has a 4-Day Base Ticket for the parks, not including Water Parks. Not everything is included for every park: it is nearly impossible to fit it all in one day!
Day 0: Check-in 3:00pm
DIVA Tip: If you don’t want to wait until 3pm to check in, you can always request an early check in time. To read about doing this check out this article on Online Check-in!
-Visit Disney Springs. Pick a restaurant in the area to make a late dinner reservation. Take your time wandering around and do some shopping!
Day 1: Epcot
-Test Track (40” height minimum)
-Fast Pass: The Seas with Nemo & Friends -9:25 AM – 10:25 AM
-Turtle Talk with Crush
-Fast Pass: Soarin’ (40” height minimum) -11:55 AM – 12:55 PM
-Fast Pass: Spaceship Earth -1:05 PM – 2:05 PM
-DIVA Lunch Tip: You can either make a reservation for a Table Service restaurant or consider one of several Quick Service restaurants. If you are on the Disney Dining Plan be sure to plan your meals accordingly! You can read more about the Disney Dining Plans in this article!
-Meet Disney Pals at Epcot Character Spot (Mickey & Friends) or other characters (Baymax, Inside Out)
-Break at Hotel- DIVA Tip: I always suggest to anyone that is taking a vacation to WDW, whether adults or children, young or old, that it is an excellent idea to take a break in the middle of the afternoon. You can take a nap, relax at your resort pool, or take in the sights of your resort. This will help alleviate any grumpy vacationers later in the day!
-Dinner at World Showcase
-World Showcase- Take your time wandering through all of the different countries. There is so much to experience!
-Three Caballeros (Mexico)
-Frozen Ever After (Norway)
-Illuminations- 9pm
DIVA Tip: I prefer to stand between Italy and Germany or Norway and Mexico. I like the vantage points I get in these two locations!
-Visit Mouse Gear souvenir shop
DIVA Tip: Some of the shops in the various parks do not actually close when the park closes. You can visit them on your way out to do your souvenir shopping without having to carry around your purchases all day!
Entrance to Toy Story Midway Mania
Day 2: Hollywood Studios
-Rock’n’Rollercoaster (48” height minimum)
-Star Wars Launch Bay
-Fast Pass: For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration -10:00 AM – 10:15 AM (10:30am show time) -25 minute show
-Great Movie Ride
-Fast Pass: Twilight Zone Tower of Terror -11:00AM – 12:00PM
-Indiana Jones™ Epic Stunt Spectacular! –12pm show time -30 minute show
-Lunch
-Beauty and the Beast -2pm show time -30 minute show
-Break at Hotel
-Dinner
-Fast Pass: Toy Story Mania! -5:55 PM – 6:55 PM
-Muppet Vision 4D
-Star Tours
-Music of Pixar: Live! -8:15pm show
-Pick one:
-Fantasmic! -9pm
-Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Fireworks Show – 9:30pm
Tree of Life illuminated
Day 3: Disney’s Animal Kingdom
DIVA Tip: With the opening of Pandora, be aware that Animal Kingdom could be very busy depending on the time of year. Also be on the lookout for what days have Extra Magic Hours if you are staying on property!
-Expedition Everest (44” height minimum)
–Fast Pass: Kilimanjaro Safaris -8:40 AM – 9:40 AM
–Fast Pass: Festival of the Lion King -10:30 AM – 10:45 AM (11am show time)
-Maharajah Jungle Trek
-It’s Tough to Be a Bug
-Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail
–Lunch
-Pandora- DIVA Tip: Take your time to fully experience this brand new area to Animal Kingdom. The attention to detail is incredible! Read more about Pandora here.
–Fast Pass: Na’vi River Journey-12:40 PM – 1:40 PM
-Flight of Passage- 44” height minimum (there will probably be a crazy line but there should also be a single rider line)
-Finding Nemo: the Musical -3pm or 4pm -35 minute show -30 minute show
-Break at Hotel
-Dinner
-Dinosaur (40” height minimum)
-Primeval Whirl (48” height minimum)
-TriceraTop Spin
-Tree of Light Awakenings (8:55-9:30pm)- This is a special event that happens on the Tree of Life every evening.
-Rivers of Light at 9pm
-Kilimanjaro Safaris
DIVA Tip: We always go back to the safari for the night safari, which is a new feature they recently added. To read more about Animal Kingdom after dark, check out this article!
Entrance to the Storybook Circus area of Magic Kingdom
Day 4: Magic Kingdom
*In my opinion, Magic Kingdom is the hardest park to plan for. The crowd levels and wait times can vary immensely depending on the time of year and day of the week.
-Space Mountain (44” height minimum)
-Fast-Pass: Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin -9:10 AM – 10:10 AM
-Monster’s Inc Laugh Floor
-Fast-Pass: Peter Pan’s Flight -10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
-Mickey’s Philharmagic
-Fast Pass: Meet Mickey Mouse at Town Square Theater -11:40 AM – 12:40 PM
-Lunch
-Magic Carpets of Aladdin
-Jungle Cruise
-Pirates of the Caribbean
-Splash Mountain (40” height minimum)
-Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (40” height minimum)
-Break at Hotel
-Dinner
-Haunted Mansion
-it’s a Small World
-Prince Charming’s Regal Carousel
-Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
-Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (30” height minimum)
-Enchanted Tales with Belle (show type attraction)
-Under the Sea- Journey of the Little Mermaid
-Dumbo the Flying Elephant
-Barnstormer (35” height minimum)
**Shows to Consider at Magic Kingdom:
-Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire (Character Show at the Castle) 10:30am, 11:30am, 1pm, 2pm & 4:15pm
-Festival of Fantasy Parade 3pm
-Happily Ever After Fireworks 9pm
-Once Upon a Time (Castle Projection Show) 9:45pm
*Time subject to change based on time of year. Please check a Times Guide before you go!
Hopefully this sample itinerary has been helpful to you in your planning! This was not meant to be an in-depth look at the attraction, show, or dining options at Walt Disney World. For further information on those topics please search for more details in other articles! Happy planning!
And if you are ready to plan be sure to talk with our FREE Diva Travel Agent, Patricia Payne!
