Disney World, Florida, USA
I had never been to Disney World in Florida before, or any really big amusement park for that matter. So when I planned to go a friend of mine, who has been to Disney World many times before and even got married there, created a itinerary for seeing as much of the park as possible in 3 days for 2 adults.
My trip was from Wednesday to Friday, flying into Florida early Wednesday and leaving early Saturday. We stayed at the Walt Disney World Pop Century which was on site and so meant free bus transport to and from the resorts and also, on certain nights, people staying on site could stay later than normal at some of the parks. These buses started running an hour before the parks opened and for at least an hour after. On the way back there was usually a bit of a queue but if you don’t mind not being in a rush then its not that bad.
The trick with seeing the big rides and attractions is to make use of the Fast Passes. You can get one of these every hour and so you need to plan the rides, there are queuing times for each ride so you know roughly how long it will take you. As soon as you get to the park get a fast pass for the most popular ride and see the other smaller rides while you are waiting. I found the guide below very useful and hardly spent anytime waiting in queues - an absolute blessing! I think the longest queue was for Mount Everest in the Animal Kingdom, about 30mins, but we just had a snack while queuing and it was totally worth the wait - one of the best rides there.
I really enjoyed the fireworks displays in the evening, Disney definitely know how to put on a show!! I could have stayed another day or 2 and explored Downtown Disney and the water park, but if you are a bit short on time then I would definitely follow the guide below. See the parks in the order listed if you can and it will blow you away.
Also remember to pick up a map of the park your visiting, they are at the entrance, as it is easy to get lost. Bring snacks and a bag to put your cameras and stuff in…oh and don’t forget your trainers! Enjoy!!
Magic Kingdom
Go here on Wednesday or Friday and plan to spend the whole day.
There is a parade at 3pm where the best place to watch it is Frontier Land.
At 8pm there is the Spectro Magic parade. The best place to watch is from the train station above Main Street USA near the entrance. Get there early and get a seat at the tables. Otherwise anywhere on the parade route but try and get close to Tomorrowland.
Fireworks are at 9pm and the best place to watch is between Main Street USA and Tomorrowland, Tinkerbell will fly right over your head.
Not to miss attractions
Adventure Land
Pirates of the Caribbean
Jungle Cruise
Frontierland
Splash Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain (OK if you have Fastpass or short line)
Liberty Square
Hall of Presidents
Haunted Mansion!!
FantasyLand
Explore the Castle
Any of these rides are classic Disney, but skip if short on time except:
It’s a Small World…cheesy but a classic
Mickey’s Philharmagic - OK 3D Show
Mickey’s Toontown Fair
If you are short on time you can skip this - most of the rides are for little kids.
However, if you want to see (and get your picture with) Disney characters, this is the place to go.
Tomorrowland
Buzz Lightyear
Space Mountain
Stitch Great Escape
Monster Laugh Factory
Use your fastpass as much as you can. When you enter the park go and get a fast pass for Space Mountain and go from there. If you go on Friday, get there early, get the fast pass for Space Mountain and then go to Adventureland and go around the park from left to right. Otherwise any order is fine.
Epcot
Go here on Thursday. Plan to spend the whole day, unless you decide to skip World Showcase. If you skip World Showcase, take international near England to boats and go to MGM in afternoon/evening. However, the Showcase is lots of fun and a nice walk.
Not to miss attractions
Club Cool - if its open. Free tasting of Coke from around the World.
Journey into Imagination
Honey I Shrunk the Audience
Mission Space
This has tons of warnings for motion sensitive people. If you have ni probelms with simulators, go on this. I thought it was cool. Use fast pass.
Space Ship Earth
Cheesy, but there is never a line
Test Track
Definitely fast pass or use the single rider line
The Seas
Talk with Crush…small attraction, but LONG lines. Go to this first when you get to the park if you get there at opening.
The Land
Soarin…very cool. Use fast pass
Universe of Energy
Ellen ride ok if waiting for a fast pass for another ride
*Do other activities in pavilions while waiting for fast pass times
World Showcase
I really loved World Showcase. Go through all the countries if you have time. Make sure to go to the USA pavilion. The American adventure attraction is good. Eat snacks at the different countries instead of having a big meal (or, alternatively for adults, try a beer from each country!). Don’t miss the pastry shop in France. Mmm!
There are rides in Norway and Mexico. They are OK. Go on them if the lines are low.
Animal Kingdom
Go here on Friday. Plan on spending 4-5 hours here and then go to MGM.
Park opens at 9am. Get there early and go to Kilimanjaro Safari or Mount Everest first or get fast pass to come back. Kilimanjaro is a long wait unless first few trucks.
Not to miss attractions
Discovery Island
It’s Tough to be a Bug
This show is inside the tree. make sure to check out the tree as you walk in.
Camp Minnie Mickey
Mostly characters
Africa
Kilimanjaro Safari -fast pass
Pangani Forest rail - do while waiting for fast pass
Asia
Mount Everest - get a fast pass for this
Kali River Rapids - you will get SOAKED! Don’t go on unless it is really hot or you want to spend the day wet
Maharajah Jungle Trek - do while waiting for a fast pass
Dino Land USA
New Nemo Show
Dinosaur
Primeaval Whirl - cheesy, but fun
There are not a ton of attractions in this park, but A LOT to look at. Animals are everywhere. The landscape is beautiful. From experience you can see the major attractions very quickly. Don’t bother with the parade. Not worth staying at the park till 3pm.
Take the bus from the Animal Kingdom to MGM.
MGM
Go here after Animal Kingdom, or after Epcot if you skip World Showcase.
Fantasmic is the nighttime show. It starts at 8.30pm, but get there about 45mins-1hr before to get a seat.
Not to miss attractions
Sunset Blvd.
Rock n Roller Coaster
Tower of Terror
Get a fast pass for one, go ride the other while waiting. Use standby line to go quicker.
Hollywood Blvd
Great Movie Ride - cheesy but OK if you have time. Do this if you’re waiting for something else
Streets of America
Lights, Motors, Actions show - check times
Muppet Vision 3D
Mickey Avenue
Backlot Tour - OK if you have time to kill
Animation Tour
Animation Tour - good if you like animation and behind the scenes stuff
Voyage of the Little Mermaid - cool black pupptet black light show
Echo Lake
Indiana Jones
Star Tours
This park also has a lot of stuff to look at, but hit the major attractions first and then go back if you have time. Use fast pass for as much as you can. This park closes after Fantasmic at 9pm. If you still have energy, you can check out Downtown Disney.
I'm Doug Platts and this is my travel blog from my trips around the world. On my travel blog I speak about many places I have been to and include my travel photos of what I have seen. If you have a travel blog or have travel photos you want to share please contact me. Or if would like to write a travel article for my travel blog, or would like to share travel tips or advice to publish here please let me know.
