I am so excited to be writing this post. I think I am actually writing this more for my own benefit than anything else. I just get so excited to plan for Disney trips… I have to share every little detail. I put too much effort and work into them to keep it all to myself, haha!
If you didn’t see on my IG, we booked our very first trip to Disney World with Willow in 2019. While this is a ways away, I have already started planning out our days – from parks to dining reservations, to fast pass selections. I know this is going to change a lot over time (especially when they post the park times). But for now, this is my working itinerary.
I wanted to share this here because I have friends come to me and ask about Disney tips all the time. I figured that tackling Disney World with a toddler is a new angle. Disney is already overwhelming without kids in the mix, so hopefully this itinerary will serve as a good guide. Things can be swapped out and changed around according to your own likes/dislikes, but at least it is a starting point.
The below is based on our 7-day vacation. You’ll notice that we are only visiting parks on 5 days out of the 7. That is not only to save some money, but to take a break in between days to not become burnt out. The last thing we need is a major meltdown due to too much time in the busy parks. A couple days are necessary to recharge! That being said, let’s get into it.
DAY 1: EPCOT
FP #1: Character Spot meet and greet (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto, Chip and Dale, Goofy)
FP #2: Spaceship Earth
FP #3: Frozen
Dinner: Mexico (4-5PM ADR)
Night entertainment: Illuminations
*Other rides as we find time: Nemo, Imagination, Gran Fiesta, Turtle Talk with Crush
Notes: We decided to start with Epcot as opposed to Magic Kingdom to avoid rushing around like crazy on the first day. Magic Kingdom is a “start as early as you can” kind of park. By visiting Epcot, we get in the character meet and greets and some other fun rides without it being too overwhelming on the first day.
DAY 2: Magic Kingdom
Breakfast: Make own at hotel (we’ll be having groceries delivered to room)
FP #1: Peter Pan
FP #2: Winnie the Pooh
FP #3: Princess Fairytale Hall character meet and greet
Lunch: Pack own + snacks
Dinner: Quick Service
Night entertainment: Happily Ever After fireworks
*Other rides as we find time: Mad Tea Party, Philharmagic, Aladdin’s Magic Carpet Ride, Journey with Little Mermaid, Casey Junior Splash and Soak Station
*Festival of Fantasy parade at 3PM
Notes: We are planning to take a midday break when the park gets crowded/hot. We can nap, hang by pool, etc. Then we can head back to MK for dinner and shows.
DAY 3: Rest Day
Breakfast: ‘Ohana at Polynesian (10AM ADR)
Lunch: Hotel
Dinner: Rainforest Cafe in Disney Springs (4PM ADR)
Night: Bed early
Notes: On this rest day, we can lounge by pool and just enjoy the hotel. We’re staying at the Art of Animation. I also thought maybe we can take a bus over to the Animal Kingdom Lodge to explore that hotel… could be fun with Willow. Plus, they have great vegan food spots!
I also scheduled a character breakfast at the Polynesian resort. This way, we can still get our character fill without actually going to a park. There is honestly so much to do aside from going to the parks. I am very much looking forward to rest days.
DAY 4: Animal Kingdom
Breakfast: Tusker House (8AM ADR)
FP #1: Na’vi River Ride
FP #2: Kilimanjaro Safari
FP #3: Flights of Passage (we’ll use the Rider Swap for this… if we are lucky enough to even get a FP)
Lunch: Pack own + snacks
Dinner: Yak + Yeti (5PM ADR)
Night entertainment: River of Lights
*Other rides as we find time: TriceraTop Spin, Boneyard, Maharajah Jungle Trek
Notes: I can’t wait for Animal Kingdom day! So much to do. I started the day with an early breakfast reservation (another character dining) so that we can get into the park early. We’ll also do this park for half the day and then rest before heading back for dinner and the night show. Honestly, might not end up keeping the dinner reservation (depends on how we feel) but I like to at least book it in case. We can cancel it if we decide to pass later.
DAY 5: Hollywood Studios
Breakfast: Make own at hotel
FP #1: Toy Story Midway Mania
FP #2: Alien Swirling Saucers
FP #3: Disney Junior Live!
Lunch: Pack own + snacks
Afternoon: Nap and relax at hotel
Dinner: Blaze Pizza in Disney Springs
Night entertainment: Disney Springs
*Other rides as we find time: Muppets 3D Vision, Frozen Singalong, Beauty and Beast, Voyage of Little Mermaid
Notes: I can’t wait to see the new Toy Story land. If it wasn’t for that, we may have passed on this park. There aren’t many rides for toddlers, but they at least have a lot of Disney Junior characters and fun. And Willow LOVES Disney Junior, At any rate, this isn’t an all-day park. We’ll probably head back to hotel around lunch to relax and recharge. We’ll head to Disney Springs at night for some exploring and shopping.
DAY 6: Magic Kingdom
Breakfast: Make own at hotel
FP #1: Pirates of the Caribbean
FP #2: Haunted Mansion
FP #3: Buzz Lightyear
Lunch: Pack own + snacks
Dinner: Be Our Guest
Night entertainment: Catch up on last-minute rides
*Other rides as we find time: Small World, Enchanted Tales with Belle, Prince Charming’s Regal Carousel
Notes: Last park day will obviously go to Magic Kingdom again to hit up anything we might have missed or things Willow wants to do again. She can lead. For now, plan above. A new set of FP, too. I saved some of the “scarier” rides for the second visit of MK. I think I’ll try to gauge Willow’s reactions on other rides to feel her out if she’ll like Pirates or the Haunted Mansion.
DAY 7: Rest Day
Breakfast: Disney Springs – Erin McKenna’s Bakery for vegan treats?
Morning: Hotel (pool)
Notes: Last day we’ll just take easy. Soak up the hotel and visit Disney Springs for some last minute shopping before heading to airport. It’s an easy day.
Just reading and putting all this together felt like A LOT. To be honest, I am going to just let Willow lead the way… we’ll see what we can get done! But I just like going into it with a plan…
Anyone else out there a crazy planner? How about Disney fans? Shout it out in the comments.
If you landed here because you’re also planning a Disney World vaca with toddlers, then I hope this sample itinerary helped! Have a beautiful day. Happy planning! xx bianca
Hi! Fellow Disney nut! Just want to point out that you can’t do Fast Pass for both Flight of Passage and Na’vi River in the new tiered system. You can only pick one or the other. Same with Alien Swirling Saucers and Toy Story Mania. Otherwise, looks awesome!! Have a great time!
Ah, thank you!! I should have known… a bummer, but understandable. I’ll have to modify it. Thanks for the correction!! :)