If you and your family are headed to Walt Disney World but only have one day to spend there, then you will want to make sure you’re planning ahead, and that you’re prepared to have the BEST DAY EVER! OH – and you’ll need this too – check out my Itinerary for A Day At Disney With The Family:
Start at the Magic Kingdom: Arrive AS SOON AS IT OPENS (check the official Disney Parks Calendar for when that will be), and head RIGHT to some of the more popular rides, like the “Mountains” – Space, Splash, and Thunder. Ride them once (or more!) while the lines are nice and short
Spend the rest of the morning enjoying the Magic Kingdom – walk around, take pictures, stop and greet some characters, have some snacks, do some shopping, ride some rides (using your fastpasses that you booked in advance – check out how to do that here) and just soak in that Disney Magic!
A character meal is a must for lunch – what better way to sit down and relax and enjoy some great food, than to also get to rub elbows with your favorite Disney pals? I recommend The Crystal Palace – they serve up a great buffet style lunch, and Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore and Piglet circulate the dining room during the meal for hugs, autographs and photo ops! Chef Mickey’s is also a great choice, where brunch is served starting late morning, and the “Fab Five” are the guests of honor (Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald, and Goofy). Plus – you get to ride the monorail to get there which is super fun! But remember to make your Advanced Dining Reservations early either via My Disney Experience or at 407.WDW.DINE as spaces are limited.
Head over to Hollywood Studios after lunch for some vintage Hollywood glamour – there are plenty of shows and rides that the whole family will love! I recommend hitting up The Great Movie Ride, Star Tours, and Rock’N Roller Coaster (if you weren’t able to snag a fast pass for this one, you can head to the single rider line instead – your party will be broken up, but the wait will be much shorter!). Stroll the streets and take in the sights and sounds (the street performers are a must-see!).
Dinner at the Hollywood Brown Derby would be a perfect way to end your day, while enjoying delicious food in an upscale atmosphere (oh, and they have delicious grapefruit cake, too!)
Ok, so that’s the schedule rundown, and now here’s a few reminders to help you make the most of your day:
Make Sure You Bring: Sunscreen, refillable water bottles, and snacks, and make sure everyone is wearing comfortable sneakers (since you will be doing a lot of walking!)
Before You Go: Do your research – read a guidebook or check out some online resources so that you know the lay of the land and what to expect before you arrive at WDW. I also highly encourage you to book fastpasses, and to make Dining Reservations for any sit down meals – learn more about ADR’s and dining here
I recommend only doing 2 Parks in 1 day, as doing all 4 is way too much especially when you’re traveling with your family and kids, it would be overwhelming to say the least! I chose Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios for the itinerary because I feel like they have the most to do, which means everyone (no matter their age!) can find something they want to ride/see/explore.
Planning a trip to Disney? Fill out our form below to receive your FREE quote.
Let our friends at Destinations to Travel help you book your next Disney Vacation. They are the preferred Travel Agency of Chip and Company and Disney Addicts, and who we use ourselves.
Get started Now for your FREE No Obligation Quote.
Book With our friends at Destinations to Travel
- Tips for staying cool while visiting Walt Disney World - June 18, 2022
- Disney DIY – Theme Park Map Picture Frames - May 28, 2020
- Favorite Walt Disney Quotes - October 29, 2019
