7 Steps To Help You Plan A Successful Itinerary For Your Walt Disney World Vacation

Planning a vacation to Walt Disney World is nothing short of magical—but let’s face it, it can also be a bit overwhelming. With so many parks, attractions, dining options, and special events, creating the perfect itinerary can feel like a puzzle. The good news? Putting in a little time and effort upfront can make all the difference in ensuring your Disney vacation goes off without a hitch.

Whether it’s your first trip or you’re a seasoned Disney pro, we’ve put together seven essential steps to help you plan a Walt Disney World vacation itinerary that maximizes your fun, minimizes stress, and captures all the magic. Let’s dive in!

1. Do Your Research

First things first—before you begin planning your itinerary, it’s important to do your research. Walt Disney World Resort is a massive destination with four theme parks, two water parks, an entertainment district at Disney Springs, and more than 25 resort hotels. Understanding what each park has to offer, as well as what’s going on during your vacation dates, will help you make informed decisions.

Key areas to research:

• Restaurants: Review dining options across the parks, resorts, and Disney Springs. Whether you’re eyeing a fine dining experience at California Grill or looking for a quick-service snack, knowing your choices will make meal planning much easier.
• Best days to visit parks: Crowd levels can vary depending on the time of year and day of the week. Planning to visit parks on less crowded days can make a world of difference.
• Special events: Be aware of special events like the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, and Disney Jollywood Nights. These events can affect park hours and crowd sizes.
• Weather: Know what to expect weather-wise so you can pack and plan accordingly. Florida’s weather can be unpredictable, especially during hurricane season.

By investing time in research, you can make smarter decisions about what to include in your itinerary, ensuring you experience everything you’ve dreamed of during your Disney vacation.

2. Make a List

As you research, start building a list of must-do activities. This can help you organize your priorities and ensure you don’t miss anything important. Here’s what to include in your list:

• Dining experiences: Write down restaurants you want to try, their locations, and whether they are full-service or quick-service.
• Must-visit attractions: From classic Disney rides like Space Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean to newer experiences like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, make sure to note the attractions that are top of your list.
• Special activities: Are you interested in extras like Disney tours, water park days, or a visit to Universal Orlando? Add these to your list as well.
• Relaxation time: Remember, it’s a vacation! Include pool time or a quiet afternoon break to rest your feet and recharge for more Disney fun.

Making a list will help you build your itinerary, and it’s also a great tool for staying organized as you start making reservations.

3. Create Groups or Pairs

Once you have a list of restaurants, attractions, and activities, it’s time to start organizing your days. One way to do this is by grouping or pairing experiences together based on their location or time of day.

For example, if you plan to have breakfast at Kona Café in Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, it makes sense to pair that with a day at Magic Kingdom, which is just a quick Monorail ride away. Or, if you’re spending the afternoon at Animal Kingdom, you might want to plan dinner at Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, located nearby.

By pairing experiences based on proximity, you can save time on transportation and make the most of your day.

4. Create a Template for Your Itinerary

Now that you’ve grouped your experiences, it’s time to create a template for your itinerary. Whether you prefer to use an old-fashioned pen and paper or a spreadsheet, a template will help keep your plans organized.

We recommend dividing each day into three parts: morning, afternoon, and evening. By splitting your day this way, you can clearly outline what you’ll be doing at different times, from park visits to dining reservations to downtime at your resort.

Make sure to include the following details in your template:

• Date and day of the week
• Disney park or resort you plan to visit
• Dining reservations
• Special events or attractions

Having a detailed template will make it easy to see your plans at a glance and will help when it’s time to make Advanced Dining Reservations.

5. Complete Your Itinerary

With your template in place, it’s time to fill in the blanks and complete your itinerary. Start by plugging in the experiences and dining reservations you’ve already planned, using your list and groups to guide you.

As you create your plan, consider the amount of time you’ll need in each park. For example, Magic Kingdom often requires a full day, while Hollywood Studios might be better suited for a half-day visit, depending on your must-do attractions.

If you have a Disney Park Hopper Pass, you can plan to visit multiple parks in one day. For instance, you might spend the morning at Animal Kingdom and hop over to EPCOT for an evening stroll around the World Showcase.

6. Make Your Advanced Dining Reservations

One of the most exciting moments in planning your Disney trip is when you’re finally able to make Advanced Dining Reservations. At 60 days before your trip, you can reserve dining experiences across the Walt Disney World Resort, and popular spots fill up fast, so be ready!

Use your itinerary to guide your reservations. Once you’ve secured a reservation, update your itinerary to reflect the confirmed times and locations. If you need to adjust plans or swap activities around, this is the time to do it.

7. Check Disney Park Hours and Finalize Your Plans

As you approach your vacation, keep an eye on Disney park hours and special event schedules. About 60 days before your trip, park hours will be posted on the My Disney Experience app and the Walt Disney World website. This is a great time to review your itinerary and make any final tweaks based on the hours posted.

For example, if EPCOT is open later than you expected, you might want to adjust your plans to spend more time there, especially if you’re hoping to experience Harmonious, the nighttime spectacular.

Having the latest information about park hours and events will help you maximize your time at the parks and make the most out of your magical Disney vacation.

Final Thoughts: Ready to Experience the Magic?

Planning a Walt Disney World vacation might seem like a lot of work, but with a well-organized itinerary, you can reduce stress and make sure your trip is filled with magical moments. From researching the best restaurants to carefully plotting out your park days, taking these steps ensures that you’ll get the most out of your Disney adventure.

So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your perfect Disney itinerary today and get ready for a trip you’ll never forget! ✨

What’s on your Disney itinerary? Let us know in the comments below.