With more than 50 rides, plenty of shows and experiences, endless food options, and too many photo ops to list out, a Walt Disney World vacation can be a beast to plan.
As a former Disney cast member turned travel writer, I’ve put together the perfect Disney World itinerary to take care of all the planning for you. This schedule hits all the best attractions and breaks down each of the Disney World park itineraries.
You can also get a printable version of this itinerary emailed to you for later.
Disclosure: Travel Lemming is an independent reader-supported blog. You can support us by purchasing via the affiliate links on this page, which may earn us commissions when you make a purchase or hotel reservation through one of our affiliate partners. Note that this site has no affiliation with The Walt Disney Company or its subsidiaries. The opinions expressed are those of the author.
Table of Contents
6 Day Disney World Itinerary
📄 Get this Itinerary Emailed to You (Printable Version)
Day 1 – Animal Kingdom
🦁 Also read my full Animal Kingdom Itinerary.
Spend your first day at Disney World at Animal Kingdom, my favorite theme park. The Walt Disney Company designed Animal Kingdom with several “hidden” trails that lead you past exotic animals. Wander through some of these trails as soon as you walk through the entrance gate.
Continue heading straight onto Discovery Island where you’ll see the park’s icon, the Tree of Life. The path to the left of the tree will bring you to Creature Comforts. Pick up some Starbucks coffee and a pastry to fuel up for the day. From here, you’ll work counter-clockwise around the park to efficiently see and do everything.
Make your way to Pandora – The World of Avatar to ride Flight of Passage, one of the best attractions at Disney World. Children will enjoy the Na’vi River Journey boat ride, but you can skip it if the wait is too long. Grab a quick lunch at Satu’li Canteen before continuing to Africa.
Take the boardwalk path along the water to avoid the crowds. You’ll run right into the Festival of the Lion King show. After you enjoy the show, walk through Africa to hop on Kilimanjaro Safaris. Continue the animal viewing on the Gorilla Falls Expedition Trail, where you can see hippos and gorillas. Adults in your party can grab yummy beverages at the Dawa Bar.
Make your way to Asia and walk through the Maharajah Jungle Trek. If you’re ready to cool off, ride Kali River Rapids and prepare to get soaked! Then, ride Expedition Everest, Animal Kingdom’s only rollercoaster.
Before heading to dinner, make a stop in Dinoland U.S.A. to ride DINOSAUR. Two of the best dinner options in Animal Kingdom are Flame Tree Barbecue, for a casual quick-service dinner, and Tiffins Restaurant, for a more up-scale table-service option.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom does not have a fireworks show due to the animals. Head back to your Disney hotel early to get a good night’s rest because you still have five more days of fun.
You can also check out my full post laying out the perfect Animal Kingdom itinerary.
- 🛎️ Where to Stay:Animal Kingdom Lodge ($$$, animals outside your window), Coronado Springs Resort ($$, newly renovated)
- 🍽️ Where to Eat:Tiffins Restaurant ($$$), Flame Tree Barbecue ($), Satu’li Canteen ($)
- 🍺 Where to Drink:Dawa Bar ($), Nomad Lounge ($$)
Day 2 – Magic Kingdom
🏰 Also read my full Magic Kingdom Itinerary.
You can’t visit Walt Disney World without spending a day in the Magic Kingdom theme park, so get up bright and early. If you are staying at a Disney resort, you can enjoy Extra Magic Hours and enter 30 minutes before the park opening. Grab a quick breakfast at your hotel before heading to Magic Kingdom.
Arrive at park opening and have your camera ready when you enter the park because the view of Cinderella Castle down Main Street, U.S.A. is breathtaking. Take a left before you get to the castle to enter Adventureland. Ride the Jungle Cruise and Pirates of the Caribbean, two of Magic Kingdom’s most popular rides.
Then make your way over to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (opening summer of 2024) in Frontierland. Skip Tom Sawyer Island (unless you have kids that need to run off some energy). Enjoy a quick-service lunch at Pecos Bill Cafe or Columbia Harbour House.
When you finish eating, get ready for a spooky adventure in the Haunted Mansion. As you then enter Fantasyland, prepare yourself for all the rides! You won’t want to miss Peter Pan Flight,“it’s a small world”, Journey of the Little Mermaid,Dumbo the Flying Elephant, and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
Finish your day in Tomorrowland and ride Space Mountain, the PeopleMover, and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. Enjoy a special Magic Kingdom dinner at Cinderella’s Royal Table inside the castle or eat in the Beast’s castle at Be Our Guest Restaurant.
Grab your favorite Magic Kingdom treat, like DOLE Whip or a candy apple, before you find a spot in front of the castle for the Happily Ever After fireworks. The fireworks are best viewed a third of the way from the castle to the park entrance.
Be sure to also bookmark my full post laying out the perfect Magic Kingdom itinerary.
- 🛎️ Where to Stay:Grand Floridian Resort ($$$, luxury and convenience), Polynesian Village Resort ($$$, Magic Kingdom fireworks views), Contemporary Resort ($$$, a Disney classic)
- 🍽️ Where to Eat:Skipper Canteen ($$), Be Our Guest Restaurant ($$$$), Cinderella’s Royal Table ($$$$), Columbia Harbour House ($)
- 📚 Related Reading: Learn about the Best Time to Go to Disney World. Visiting during the low season means fewer crowds and shorter wait times.
Day 3 – Hotel and Disney Springs
After two full days at theme parks, sleep in and enjoy a slow morning at your hotel. Eat breakfast, walk around the property, and enjoy that Florida sunshine by the pool. I always recommend a relaxing day in the middle of your Walt Disney World trip to offset the fast-paced days at the parks.
Around lunchtime, head over to explore the fun things to do at Disney Springs. This is a shopping and entertainment area located at the Walt Disney World Resort. Enjoy lunch and a show at my favorite restaurant, Raglan Road Irish Pub.
Catch a movie at the AMC theater and then ride the Aerophile. This hot air balloon will take you 400 feet in the air for 360-degree views of the Disney property.
Right on time for happy hour, create your own bar crawl by stopping at Dockside Margaritas,Jock Lindsay’s Hangar Bar, the Hole in the Wall Bar, and more. Before heading back to your hotel, have dinner at one of the many table-service restaurants. Morimoto Asia and The BOATHOUSE both serve mouthwatering food.
- 🛎️ Where to Stay:Saratoga Springs Resort ($$, two fantastic pools), Old Key West Resort ($$$, pure relaxation), Port Orleans Resort ($$, Southern charm)
- 🍽️ Where to Eat:The BOATHOUSE ($$), Morimoto Asia ($$), Raglan Road Irish Pub ($$), Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ ($$)
- 🍺 Where to Drink:Dockside Margaritas ($), Jock Lindsay’s Hangar Bar ($), Hole in the Wall Bar ($)
- 📚 Related Reading: Disney Springs is free to visit, but it’s just one of many Free Things to Do in Orlando.
Day 4 – Epcot
🌎 Also read my Epcot itinerary.
Don’t worry about eating a big breakfast when you visit Epcot. There are more than 30 dining and snack options available throughout the theme park. Plan to eat fun and international cuisine throughout the day.
After you pass under Spaceship Earth (fondly known as the Epcot ball), head left into World Discovery. You’ll want to go to Test Track as early as possible to avoid a long wait. After you ride Test Track, hop on Mission: SPACE for a journey into outer space.
Before you head out into the World Showcase, walk over to World Nature. Here you can ride Soarin’ Around the World and visit the SeaBase aquarium. One unique attraction is Living with the Land where you can enjoy a slow boat ride through sustainable greenhouses.
Spend the rest of your day wandering through the different countries of the World Showcase. In the great debate of which direction you should start, I am team Canada over Mexico (most people choose to head into Mexico first).
Take your time exploring each country. They all have restaurants, bars, snack stands, and specialty shops for you to visit.
Some of my favorite stops around the World Showcase are the Rose & Crown Pub in the United Kingdom, La Crêperie de Paris in France, the stores in Japan, Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar in Italy, the Werther’s Original Karamell-Kuche store in Germany, and Kringla Bakeri in Norway.
The center of the lagoon is home to Luminous The Symphony of Us, Epcot’s nighttime fireworks show. Make dining reservations at La Hacienda de San Angel in Mexico for 30-60 minutes before the show. When you check in, ask to be seated by the windows to enjoy one of the coolest dining experiences of a Disney trip.
Be sure to check out my full post laying out the perfect Epcot itinerary and my guide to the best things to do at Epcot.
- 🛎️ Where to Stay:Boardwalk Inn ($$$, central location), Yacht & Beach Club ($$$, best pool on property), Swan and Dolphin Hotel ($$, fantastic amenities)
- 🍽️ Where to Eat:Coral Reef Restaurant ($$), La Crêperie de Paris ($$), Le Cellier Steakhouse ($$$), Biergarten Restaurant ($$$)
- 🍺 Where to Drink:La Cava del Tequila ($), Rose & Crown Pub ($), Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar ($)
Day 5 – Hollywood Studios
🎬 Also check out my Hollywood Studios itinerary
I find that Disney’s Hollywood Studios has some of the longest wait times at Disney World. The attractions are either must-do thrill rides or ones you won’t mind missing, meaning the wait times for the good attractions are almost always long.
Disney World offers a paid option for shorter wait times called Genie+ (previously FastPass+). If you are going to spend the extra money to cut down your wait times, this is the park to do it.
If you arrive first thing in the morning, you’ll see that a majority of guests head to the back of the park to visit Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. I recommend you turn right onto Sunset Boulevard instead. Ride the classics, Tower of Terror and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, before the lines get too long.
Watch the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular before getting lunch. ABC Commissary is a delicious quick-service dining location in the center of the park. For some of my favorite food in the park, head to Docking Bay 7 or Ronto Roasters in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
After lunch, head into Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to ride Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run. To complete this intergalactic visit grab some blue milk or a drink from Oga’s Cantina.
Whether you’re visiting Disney World with kids or as a kid at heart, Toy Story Land is a can’t-miss experience. Slinky Dog Dash, a recent addition to the theme park, is a thrilling roller coaster that is exciting enough for adults but still tame enough for children. Toy Story Land is also home to Toy Story Mania, an arcade shooting ride.
If you’re looking for a yummy afternoon snack, stop by Woody’s Lunch Box. The grilled cheese is one of my favorite meals at the parks. For a sweet treat, pick up a Box Tart.
Enjoy a special dining experience at The Hollywood Brown Derby or laugh as “Ma” yells at you to get your elbows off the table at the 50’s Prime Time Cafe. Following dinner, ride Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
Be sure to also bookmark my full post laying out the perfect Hollywood Studios itinerary.
- 🛎️ Where to Stay:Riviera Resort ($$$, brand-new opulence), Art of Animation Resort ($$, classic movie themes)
- 🍽️ Where to Eat:ABC Commissary ($), 50’s Prime Time Cafe ($$), The Hollywood Brown Derby ($$$), Woody’s Lunch Box ($)
- 🍺 Where to Drink:BaseLine Tap House ($), Oga’s Cantina ($$)
Day 6 – Blizzard Beach
Walt Disney World itineraries would not be complete without a day at one of the water parks. I prefer Blizzard Beach over Typhoon Lagoon, but each water park is phenomenal.
When you enter the water park, you should first find some good seats. There are lockers available for your valuables, but you’ll want to set up everything else at a “home base”. Seating around the wave pool fills up quickly. Ask a cast member to direct you to one of the many beach areas throughout the park.
After a Disney vacation of waiting in lines and dealing with crowds, use this day to relax. Some of my favorite rides here are Summit Plummet,Teamboat Springs, the Chairlift, the lazy river, and the wave pool.
Grab lunch at Lottawatta Lodge and bring your food back to your chairs for the beach day experience. When you need an afternoon treat, you must get some of the mini donuts.
The park hours usually end near sunset, so soak in the remaining sunshine and reminisce on your epic Disney vacation.
- 🛎️ Where to Stay:All-Star Resort ($, affordable and convenient), Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek ($$, great location)
- 🍽️ Where to Eat:Lottawatta Lodge ($), Mini Donuts by Joffrey’s Coffee ($), Warming Hut ($)
- 🍺 Where to Drink:Polar Pub ($)
- 📚 Related Reading: If you’re interested in a day away from Disney, you can read up on the Best Things to Do in Orlando and Epic Day Trips from Orlando.
How to Get Around Walt Disney World
Buses
Disney has buses that run between the resorts, theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs. The buses do not run between resorts though. Depending on the time of day and which resort you are staying at, bus travel can be a quick or slow option.
Monorails
The monorails are iconic at Walt Disney World and everyone should take a ride at least once. There are three routes:
- The Transportation and Ticket Center (aka Magic Kingdom parking) to the Magic Kingdom
- A loop with stops at the Contemporary Resort, Polynesian Village Resort, Grand Floridian Resort, and Magic Kingdom
- The Transportation and Ticket Center to Epcot
Boats
The main boat transportation at Disney World is the ferry between the Transportation and Ticket Center and Magic Kingdom. There are also transportation boats that connect some of the resorts with theme parks or Disney Springs.
Skyliner
The Skyliner is a gondola ride and it is the newest transportation option at Walt Disney World. Riding the Skyliner allows you to move between Epcot, Disney’s Boardwalk, Hollywood Studios, Riviera Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort, Pop Century Resort, and Art of Animation Resort.
👉 Read Next: What to Pack for a Disney Vacation
Disney World Itinerary Planning Tips
You can also see my full list of 49 Disney World tips.
Tip #1 – Skip the Park Hopper
The Park Hopper add-on for your theme park admission is an unnecessary cost if you are spending at least 4 days at Walt Disney World. There is no need for park-hopping between two parks (or more). You’ll use your time more efficiently if you stay at one park per day.
If your visit is shorter than 4 days and you must visit two Disney parks in one day, I recommend combining a morning at Animal Kingdom and an afternoon at Hollywood Studios.
Tip #2 – Use Free Transportation
The biggest perk of staying at one of the Disney resorts is access to free transportation. Disney utilizes buses, monorails, boats, and gondolas to connect all the theme parks, Disney Springs, the water parks, and the resorts.
Tip #3 – Plan Ahead
It can be overwhelming to plan a trip to Walt Disney World because there are endless options for hotels, restaurants, and attractions. Trust me that it is worth it to spend a little time planning your Disney World itinerary ahead of time!
By planning in advance, you can enjoy your vacation to the fullest without worrying about making a ton of decisions every day. You can use the My Disney Experience app to keep track of all your plans.
If you’re on a budget, be sure to read my Disney World budgeting guide and my guide to visiting Orlando on a budget.
Tip #4 – Don’t Overcommit on Your Itinerary
It is tempting to try to fit every restaurant, attraction, and show into your itinerary. Unless you have an unlimited budget and time, this is unrealistic. Prioritize your favorite Disney World activities and anything else will just be a bonus. You won’t be able to truly enjoy your visit if you are rushing and worrying.
👉 Read Next: Where to Stay in Orlando (By a Local)
Disney Itinerary Planning FAQ
How many days do you need at Walt Disney World?
A 6-day Disney World itinerary gives you plenty of time to visit the four main parks and everything else Disney World has to offer, like the water parks, Disney Springs, and the miniature golf courses.
What order should you visit Disney World parks?
On your first day at Disney World, head to Animal Kingdom for a slow-paced day after traveling to Orlando. After a restful night, spend the entire day at Magic Kingdom to hit all the classics. On day three, head to Epcot for an international adventure and all the food you could want. Finish up your visit at Hollywood Studios, where you can enter the worlds of your favorite movies.
Is 4 days enough for Disney World?
A 4-day Disney World itinerary is enough time to visit the parks. If you want to also visit the water parks or spend a day at your hotel, you will want to extend the length of your vacation.
🏰 Read Next: 3 Day Itinerary for Disneyland
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This 6-day Walt Disney World itinerary takes you to all the Disney parks and hits the best attractions. Be sure to get a printable version of this itinerary for easy reference.
If you use this itinerary on your visit to the Disney resort, let me know in the comments what your favorite was!
Oh, and before you go, be sure to bookmark all my free Orlando travel guides for more local advice!
