Many people ask – How long should my Disney trip be? I would say 5-7 days is ideal. If you are familiar with Disney, have a decent budget, and your kids are seasoned travelers then it could be longer. With a 6 day Disney itinerary you may not get to see and do everything during this time but you will enjoy everything you do and that’s what counts! Here is a sample 6 day Disney Itinerary with the highlights for a family with children.
Day 1 – Disney Arrival
Arrive in Disney via plane or car by mid morning. Don’t forget to plan an airport transfer. We have some great options for you. Check in, get settled, have lunch, naps, or a dip in the pool. Head over to the Contemporary Resort to Chef Mickey’s or Polynesian for ‘Ohana and then over to the Magic Kingdom for the fireworks or head back to resort to get to bed. If you don’t have park tickets you can even view the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the beach at the Polynesian or from the observation deck at the Contemporary.
Day 2 – Magic Kingdom
After eating breakfast go over to Magic Kingdom. Work your way around the park starting with Aladdin’s Magic Carpets, Jungle Cruise, and Pirates of the Caribbean (for kids not scared of the dark). Head around toward Adventureland for Big Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain (40″ height limit) and then the Haunted Mansion. It might be a good time to grab a bite to eat at Columbia Harbour House (lots of seating upstairs).
* Tip: Mobile order your lunch about an hour ahead and select your ideal lunch time.
Then head into Fantasyland. Don’t miss it’s a Small World, Peter Pan’s Flight, Winnie the Pooh, Cinderella’s Carousel, and 7 Dwarfs Mine Train. On your way into Tomorrowland hit the Tomorrowland Indy Speedway, Space Mountain (44″ height limit), Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, and the Tomorrowland Transit Authority. The Monsters Incorporated Laughing Floor is pretty funny if you get the chance. Throughout the day you will see some cavalcades and the times are listed in the My Disney Experience App! You will also enjoy fireworks at the end of the day. It is Enchantment through the end of March and then will be switching back Happily Ever After. Both fireworks shows include projections on the castle and up and down main street so make sure you have a good view of both these areas to have a full experience. My favorite dinner is at the Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen (they have awesome Sangria). You can find out more about Disney Genie+ Service if you plan to purchase it with some tips as well. You can finish the day with a fireworks dessert party for a little extra magic.
Day 3 – Epcot
After breakfast head over to Epcot. Enjoy the pavilions in Future World first. We like to spend a lot of time in the Land, Living Seas, and Journey Into Imagination. Then head over to the World Showcase. You will find the Kidcot Fun Spots in every country. They may enjoy using the Passports throughout the countries too. There are fun rides for the kids in both Mexico, Norway, and France. There are tons of great places to eat but these are my favorite Epcot restaurants. Don’t miss the fireworks/show at the end of the night. The best view is anywhere you can see the center of the water. If you are at Caribbean Beach, Art of Animation, Pop Century, or Riviera you can get to Epcot via the new Skyliners! For this park, in addition to the Genie+ selections you can also try for a virtual boarding pass for Guardian of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind at 7am if you are onsite guest and again at 1pm if you are in the park.
Day 4 – Animal Kingdom
After breakfast its time to head to Animal Kingdom. I would make sure you see Pandora – Flight of Passage or Navi River Journey (depending on kids ages) Kilimanjaro Safaris, and Festival of the Lion King. Animal Kingdom is not to miss at night with the way Pandora lights up, and the Safari at Night. There is also a new show called Disney’s Kite Tales that takes place throughout the day so check the app for show times. You may be ready to make it an early night so you can go back to your resort and have the kids take a swim.
Day 5 – Hollywood Studios
Lights, Camera, Action – Time for Hollywood Studios. Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge are both open and you won’t want to miss them. You may want to purchase an Individual Lightning Lane for Rise of the Resistance as the line for this can get really long. Depending on kids ages you may want to spend more time with Toy Story and Disney Junior or head to Tower of Terror and Rock n Roller Coaster. Star Wars fans you will want to go to Star Tours and spend some time in Galaxy’s Edge. Make sure to read Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge – The Inside Scoop to get the latest information. There are many experiences that require reservations such as building a droid at Droid Depot or building a lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop. You can plan a meal at Mama Melrose or character dining at Hollywood and Vine. If not then Sci-Fi Dine-In is a lot of fun with great food. End the night with the new projection show – Wonderful World of Animation or Fantasmic. Time to head back to pack up.
Day 6 – Travel Home
Time to go home. Make sure you have scheduled your transfer back to the airport but your trip isn’t over yet. Bell services will hold your luggage until its time to board so pack up, send your luggage with bell services, and head to the pool for one more swim or the playground to get out the rest of your energy before you leave. Have a safe trip home and start thinking about your next magical Disney vacation!
This is just one example of a 6 day Disney itinerary, but Magical Memory Planners can create an itinerary just for your family, at no additional cost, when you book your vacation with us. We can take into account your kids ages, heights, and interests so that your plan is completely customized to your family’s needs. With new changes like Genie + and new airport transportation options, we can help you put all the details together. Ready to plan a stress free vacation?
