In full transparency, I’m a Disney grownup. A Disnerd. No matter you wish to name a grown-ass girl who doesn’t want any excuse to squander my trip days at Disney World. As annual passholders, our household has achieved Disney lots, so mates, household, and coworkers usually ask us for planning ideas earlier than their first journey. And one query that comes up time and again is whether or not or not you’ll be able to actually do Disney World in a day.
Typically, the context for that is fairly easy: A household solely has a couple of days to spare, they usually’re splitting their time elsewhere, whether or not that’s Common Studios or the seaside. Some folks merely move via the Orlando space and marvel if it’s value stopping over for only a day to pop into the parks. Different folks, like me, take a look at an open house on the calendar and assume, “Seems to be like an excellent day for Disney.”
So, are you able to do Disney in a day? Quick reply: Sure. But when we’re speaking about whether or not you ought to, that’s a bit extra concerned. Right here’s what that you must know earlier than reserving a single day at The Most Magical Place on Earth.
The Scope of Disney World
In case you have been to ask me when you may do Disneyland in a day, I wouldn’t hesitate to say sure. Certain, there’s a lot to do — however the place there’s a will, there’s a approach. However to place Disneyland vs. Disney World in context in the case of the bottom you need to cowl, contemplate this: Disneyland is 500 acres, whereas Disney World is nearly 30,000 acres. That’s roughly 47 sq. miles.
Whereas not all that land is devoted park house, Disney World nonetheless requires lots of hoofing. On common, Disney World friends stroll seven to 10 miles per day. You know the way a lot you and/or your loved ones can deal with comfortably, so maintain these numbers in thoughts relative to the remainder of your journey.
One Park, Two Parks, Three Parks, or The Complete Shebang
Arguably, the largest query is what number of parks you propose to go to. You can simply do Disney World in a day when you simply wish to immerse your self in Hollywood Studios (Galaxy’s Edge! Toy Story Land!) or leisurely go to each animal enclosure at Animal Kingdom. Our household routinely does each of these parks as half-day excursions, which means you would even do each in a day with out an excessive amount of stress or pressure with a Park Hopper.
Due to the addition of fashionable new rides like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Remy’s Ratatouille Journey, Epcot takes somewhat extra time than it used to. Plus, when you’re planning on doing each rides and the total World Showcase at Epcot, you undoubtedly have to carve out an excellent chunk of time. I may spend a complete day consuming and consuming my approach via the 11 totally different pavilions that showcase totally different meals and cultures from all over the world!
So far as Magic Kingdom goes, I feel it’s protected to name it a full-day park. With 24 rides (and counting), it’s a park the place you’d be hard-pressed to hit every part even in a complete day — apart from via a powerful (learn: pricey) mixture of Lightning Lanes and luck.
You can theoretically do all 4 parks in someday (it’s even an unofficial Disney World problem), however belief me after I say you’ll be trucking it at every park and to and from every park. In case you dare courageous that feat, I extremely advocate doing it throughout one in every of Florida’s cooler months, like January or February.
The Firm You Hold
Whether or not you’re flying solo to Disney, with different adults, or with children in tow considerably impacts how it’s best to strategy Disney World in a day.
In case you’re touring with a small-ish group and have disposable revenue burning a gap in your pocket, you would e-book a non-public VIP tour. Good for teams of as much as 10 friends, Disney’s VIP tour providers allow you to skip the common entrance traces and bypass the usual queue for rides. However be forewarned: It’ll value you. Pricing ranges from $450 to $900 per hour, relying on the season, and that doesn’t embody park admission for every particular person.
Lightning Lanes additionally assist reduce down the time you spend ready at any given park, however they add up — even when touring as a household of 4.
Anytime you go to Disney World with children, wait instances needs to be on the prime of your thoughts, notably when you’re touring round holidays or in any other case busy instances of the yr. In case your children are something like mine, they’ve a restricted tolerance for spending an excessive amount of time in traces, they usually often have to take park breaks to get out of the warmth and refuel their little our bodies. That point, although obligatory, does eat into how a lot you’ll be able to realistically match right into a Disney World day.
The Itinerary vs. The Expertise
Right here’s the factor: In case you have been to stroll as much as me and ask me if it’s value making an attempt Disney World in someday, my reply would all the time be sure. When you have the chance and means to make it occur, completely go. I firmly imagine you gained’t remorse it so long as you go into it with *cheap* expectations.
When you have it in your head {that a} profitable Disney day is attempting each snack in your want listing and hitting all of your bucket listing rides, you’ll most likely find yourself disenchanted. However when you go along with the aim of doing what you’ll be able to and having fun with it to the max, that’s when the actual magic of Disney World kicks in.
I like to recommend beginning with Magic Kingdom — which is quintessential Disney — and going from there. Seize a Dole Whip from Aloha Isle or some iconic Cheeseburger Spring Rolls in Adventureland and see the place the day takes you. Oh, and stick round for the Fortunately Ever After fireworks present… it’s the right finish to any Disney day.
