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PLAN YOUR
 PARK DAYS

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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PARK GUIDES

OUTSIDE THE
 PARKS

FAQs

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PLAN YOUR PARK DAYS

Figuring out which parks you’re hitting on which days is a game-changer for your whole vacation plan. It makes booking things like Dining, Enchanting Extras, and Lightning Lanes way easier—and helps make sure you’re not showing up to Magic Kingdom on the busiest day of the week (because no one wants to rope drop with half of Florida).
Use a free crowd calendar to decide which day of the week to visit each park day and plug in your choices into the weekly overview on the  DIY DREAM PLANNER dashboard.
If you're staying for a full week, I recommend you do....
Day 1 - Arrival Day
Day 2- Park #1
Day 3- Park #2
Day 4 - Rest Day
Day 5 - Park #3
Day 6 - Park #4
Day 7 - Departure Day
Even if you're not doing a full week, I highly recommend that you have a rest day in between park days. Trust me... you will thank me later!

PARK GUIDES

Take a look through each park guide so you can get the lay of the land and start mapping out your game plan for each park day—because wandering aimlessly with kids in tow is nobody’s idea of magic.

MAGIC KINGDOM

EPCOT

HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

ANIMAL KINGDOM

THINGS TO DO OUTSIDE THE PARKS

Disney World isn’t just about the four main parks—there’s a whole world of fun beyond the gates, from resort hopping and mini golf to Disney Springs and water parks. Think of it as bonus magic for your rest days (or your “we-need-a-break-from-walking-10-miles” days)

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RESORT HOPPING

Resort hopping is like a mini vacation inside your vacation—each resort has its own unique vibe, complete with themed decor, shops, and dining you won’t find anywhere else. People even do monorail or Skyliner crawls to check out lounges and snacks, because who says bar hopping can’t come with a side of pixie dust?

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DISNEY SPRINGS

Disney Springs is the go-to spot for shopping, dining, and entertainment—basically, it’s where the grown-ups feel like kids again (but with better snacks and way more shoes). It’s the perfect place to spend a chill evening or take a break from the parks without sacrificing any of the fun.

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WATER PARKS

Disney’s water parks are the perfect way to cool off and still soak up the magic—think lazy rivers, wave pools, and waterslides with a side of Disney Magic. And bonus: if you're staying on property, you get free access on your check-in day, which is basically Disney's way of saying, "Welcome, now go make a splash!"

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MINI GOLF

Disney’s mini golf courses aren’t your average putt-putt—they’re full of over-the-top theming, from holiday hijinks to wacky fairways straight out of a cartoon. And if you’re staying on property, you get a free round included with your stay… because nothing says “vacation victory” like beating your family at whimsical golf.

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ESPN WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS

ESPN Wide World of Sports is where Disney magic meets serious game face—it hosts everything from youth tournaments to major athletic events. Even if you’re not competing, it’s fun to check out (and secretly pretend you’re part of a championship team while strolling through the complex).

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ENJOY YOUR RESORT

You don’t even have to leave your “vacation home” to soak up the Disney magic—each resort has its own lineup of fun! From pool time and campfire s’mores to Movies Under the Stars and other free daily activities (check the resort schedule), hanging at your resort might just end up being one of your favorite Disney days.

You can do any of these things outside of the parks on your arrival day, departure day, or on a rest day. I wouldn't recommend you do them during a park day to save your sanity.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHICH DISNEY WORLD PARK SHOULD I DO FIRST?
There really is no right answer for this. It's all your preference. That being said, most people like to start with Magic Kingdom...because nothing is quite as iconic as the Cinderella Castle.
HOW MANY REST DAYS SHOULD I PLAN FOR MY TRIP?
Ideally you should have at least 1 full rest day, with 2 travel days (arrival and departure day).
WHICH DAY SHOULD I VISIT DISNEY SPRINGS?
My family and I usually visit Disney Springs on our arrival day. We get in late afternoon and head straight to Disney Springs. We will shop for a bit and eat dinner (and get the infamous Gideon's Bakehouse 1/2 pound cookies!!!) before checking into our hotel. You really don't need a full day at Disney Springs, because it's basically just a giant, outdoor shopping mall.
WHAT'S THE BEST RESORTS TO VISIT?
  • Polynesian Village Resort
  • Grand Floridian (especially during Christmas time!)
  • Boardwalk Inn
  • Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • Wildnerness Lodge

now you HAVE....

✓ Picked which days to do each park
✓ Picked a rest day
✓ Learned what to do on your rest day


next up

CHAPTER 3: DINING & ENCHANTING EXTRAS

check it off in the planner!