One of the biggest questions I’m often asked is: how many days do I need for Disney World?
Obviously, there’s no right answer here because there’s no way to get absolutely everything done at all four parks, Disney Springs, the water parks, hotels, and more in a month, let alone a few days while on vacation.
But after many years of traveling to Walt Disney World, I can firmly say that four days is what you should plan for Walt Disney World.
Why four?
Well, there’s four theme parks. So I’m going to show you how to plan one for each day, and squeeze in some other fun things throughout your Disney trip.
As solo travelers it’s so easy to bounce around the parks, hopping into Single Rider lines and skipping some things you definitely don’t want to do (looking at you, Astro Orbiter).
So what does the four day basic itinerary look like for a ThemeParkHipster?
Keep reading to find out more!
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Day One: Arrival Day, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney Springs
Since I typically drive to Walt Disney World I always make my first day park Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Even if you’re flying to the parks, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a great first day park.
Because there are so few attractions it’s super easy to hit all of them in just a few hours.
If you’re planning on trying to get on the super popular Flight of Passage attraction try getting in line just before the park closes.
This is when the wait is the shortest since you likely missed being at the park at opening.
Since Disney’s Animal Kingdom closes early day one is the best day to explore Disney Springs.
Hop on board a bus or drive to the shopping and entertainment district. If you’re wanting to eat dinner somewhere it’s best to make a reservation.
A few places we cannot get enough of include Wine Bar George, Frontera Cocina, and Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill.
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Day Two: Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Even though Disney’s Hollywood Studios is not technically a full day park you’re going to want to make sure you get this park on one of your middle days.
This is the best way to have as many chances as possible to ride Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
Lightning Lane passes for the attraction drops first thing in the morning (sometimes around 7 a.m.).
In the morning, you can attempt to use your Genie+ Service to grab a pass for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance from anywhere at Walt Disney World, including your hotel room.
If you are not successful, you can wait in the standby line. So do pack your patience!
While at the park you’re definitely going to want to ride the other new attraction, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
This ride is super cute and takes you into the cartoon world of Mickey Mouse and his friends.
Since Disney’s Hollywood Studios closes relatively early this would be a great night to spend enjoying your hotel, or playing a round of mini-golf at Disney’s Winter Summerland mini-golf course.
Day Three: Magic Kingdom
Whatever you do, do not schedule Magic Kingdom for your arrival or departure days. There is so much to do at this park that it will take you all day if you want to do it all.
I highly encourage you to get to the park at or around the official park opening.
This is the best time to get on popular rides like Space Mountain, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, or BIG Thunder Mountain Railroad with little to no wait.
When afternoon rolls around grab lunch from Be Our Guest Restaurant, where you’ll dine inside Beast’s castle.
This is a nice spot to sit down, relax and enjoy a good meal before starting the second half of your day.
After riding everything and catching the shows and parades at Magic Kingdom you likely won’t want to do anything after the park.
Head back to your resort for some much needed rest and maybe a good drink from the bar.
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Day Four: Epcot and Departure Day
It’s the last day of vacation and there’s only one park left. Epcot is a great park to end with especially if you’re planning on leaving later in the evening to head back home.
After you get your bags packed drop them off at bell services while you hit the park.
Since Epcot does to have a ton of attractions it’s relatively easy to hit all of them in just a few short hours.
After getting everything in the front of the park like Soarin’ Over The World and Test Track completed head to World Showcase for a bite to eat. I love dining anywhere inside the Mexico, Germany, or United Kingdom pavilions for lunch.
After taking a stroll around World Showcase head back to your resort to grab your bags and head home.
Walt Disney World Planning Tips to Remember for Your Trip
- Be flexible. This is the itinerary that works for me, but if you want to spend more time at Epcot by all means move it to a day where you’re at the parks all day. If you could care less about Star Wars move Hollywood Studios to your departure day. But whatever you do, do not let Magic Kingdom be a half-day park.
- Make dining reservations. Disney is known for their super limited dining reservations. This is why it’s so important to make reservations for the restaurants you absolutely want to go to before you leave home.
- Do what you want. There’s nothing like going to Disney alone and not having to please others with a plan. If you want to have a full day at your resort, do that. If you want to spend two days at Magic Kingdom, go ahead!
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How Many Days Do I REALLY Need for Disney World?
Although you can have a pretty good trip for three days, I recommend planning at least four days at Walt Disney World to experience each theme park.
I know this itinerary is a bit intense, so feel free to add more half-days at the parks, that way you can relax and enjoy your resort or spend a day shopping and dining at Disney Springs.
Have you done Walt Disney World Resort in 4 days? If so, let me know your BEST itinerary in the comment section below.
About the Author
Megan is a theme park expert and frequent traveler to magical places. She covers all things Disney and Universal and runs marathons for fun.
She thinks you can tell a lot about someone by the name of their signature lipstick, and hers is NARS Dragon Girl.
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(Original Article Date: January 28, 2021/Updated by Editor on May 9, 2024)