If you’re planning a trip to Disney World, you may be wondering how to get the most out of your vacation and how many days you should plan to visit each of the theme parks. We’ll be answering that question with a bit of background about the theme parks and advice on figuring out how many days would be best for you. The answer will ultimately depend on how long you will be staying, what other activities you would like to experience while you’re here, and if you want to visit all 4 of the Disney parks in Orlando.
On that note, let’s dive into our tips and tricks for planning the ultimate Disney vacation experience:
- How many days does it take to see all 4 Disney World parks?
- Tips and tricks when deciding how many days you need at Disney World
- How many days for Magic Kingdom?
- How many days for Epcot?
- How many days for Animal Kingdom?
- How many days for Hollywood Studios?
- Three-Day Long Weekend Itinerary
- Park Hopper Passes
- How many days to stay in Orlando?
- Accommodations near Disney World
How Many Days Does It Take To See All 4 Disney World Parks?
Walt Disney World Resort is set up as a little world in Orlando, featuring four different theme parks spread out on 25,000 acres of land that spans over 43 square miles. So when you’re going to Disney World, how many days should you map out? The rule of thumb is to take four days minimum, and this will allow you to dedicate at least a full day to seeing each park so that you’re not rushing or stressed out.
The time you spend at Disney World should be filled with wonder and magic! You’ll put a damper on this if you’re constantly watching the clock, dreading the long lines for rides, or trying to travel long distances in short amounts of time. Even with four days, you might even find that you want to add an extra day to your Disney itinerary when you’re here.
If you are here during the slower months, you may be able to get last-minute tickets. However, it’s always best to plan to ensure Disney park reservations are available for your specific stay. The last thing you want to happen is to want to spend more time at the parks, but not be able to visit.
Tips and Tricks When Deciding How Many Days You Need at Disney World
How many days at Disney World should you plan for your specific trip now that you know the minimum? Your Disney trip will have particular details that’ll affect the itinerary.
Consider these variables when you’re figuring out how many days to do Disney World:
- Choosing the time of year that you’ll be visiting Orlando
- The logistics of the trip (like how many travel days you will need)
- How much you’re budgeting for the Disney vacation
- Whether it’s a summer trip, birthday celebration, or another event
- How many people are traveling
- Events or special days happening at the parks
Once you hash out the details, you can determine the number of days you need. We highly recommend researching which parks appeal to you most and setting aside extra time for the ones that are highest on your list.
How Many Days for Magic Kingdom?
If you love pure imagination, colors, story, and attention to detail, you’ll want to spend some extra time in Disney’s Magic Kingdom. There are various lands to explore, and almost nothing beats admiring Cinderella’s Castle. But, how many days for Disney World Magic Kingdom are enough? Consider these attractions and plan accordingly:
- Magic Kingdom lands include Main Street USA, Frontierland, Adventureland, Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, and Liberty Square
- Rides like Splash Mountain, Prince Charming’s Carousel, and Space Mountain
- Attractions based on your favorite classic Disney movies like Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, and Beauty and the Beast
- Several restaurants, confectionaries, and specialty food places
- Nightly firework spectacular at Cinderella’s Castle (Happily Ever After)
If you love traditional Disney themes and well-known franchises, you’ll want to spend some time here when you visit Disney World. You can also view our top 10 things to do at Magic Kingdom to learn more about this special spot at WDW.
How Many Days for Epcot?
Epcot at Walt Disney World currently consists of 4 different areas to explore: World Showcase, World Discovery, World Celebration, and World Nature! Even some new and exciting attractions are available, and more will be here soon. Here are some of the details that you’ll want to add to your itinerary:
- Enough time to experience at least a few of the 11 themed countries at World Showcase, including Mexico, Japan, Morocco, China, and the United Kingdom
- Consider the 4 annual festivals held at Epcot: Flower & Garden, Food & Wine, Festival of the Arts, and Festival of the Holidays
- Rides like Soarin’, Spaceship Earth, Journey Into Imagination, and Mission: Space
- Attractions based on franchises like Guardians of the Galaxy, Frozen, Ratatouille, and Alice in Wonderland
This area of the park gives you a strong sense of Walt Disney’s vision and allows you to transport into different lands while not needing to travel far, so take time to enjoy it all.
How Many Days for Animal Kingdom?
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is an excellent land that draws in families and visitors all over! It’s the second-largest theme park globally, with over 580 acres and 7 different lands to explore. Here are some of the attractions and details to consider when planning out your days:
- The seven main areas within Animal Kingdom include Africa, Asia, DinoLand U.S.A, Discovery Island, Oasis, Pandora – The World of Avatar, and Rafiki’s Plant Watch
- In the center of it all is the 145-foot man-made “Tree of Life” that’s a must-stop during a visit to this park
- Animal Kingdom rides like Kali River Rapids, Na’vi River Journey, and Expedition Everest: Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
- Attractions based on franchises like The Lion King, Avatar, A Bug’s Life, and Finding Nemo
If you love nature and animals, this area of Disney World is an incredible experience and will transport you to a different time! If you have enough time planned here, we highly recommend going on a safari tour in the Africa area and discovering all of the cultural attractions set in the fictional village of Harambe.
How Many Days for Hollywood Studios?
This is the area of Disney World where glitz, glamour, and imagination live! Disney’s Hollywood Studios actually used to be called MGM Studios before a name change in 2008. Here are some of the features and details you should consider:
- Multiple lands, including Hollywood Boulevard, Sunset Boulevard, 3.4 Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Toy Story Land, and Echo Lake
- Rides like The Twilight Zone’s Tower of Terror, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
- Live entertainment like parades, concerts, and magic shows
- Attractions based on franchises like Star Wars, Mickey Mouse, Cars, and Indiana Jones
Hollywood Studios has to be on the list when you want to experience lights, cameras, and action. And, if you have a Star Wars fanatic in your family or group, you must make a day trip out of Galaxy’s Edge!
Three-Day Itinerary (What Park Should I Skip?)
So, we mentioned that it’s highly recommended to have at least four days to explore Disney World. But, what happens when you’re planning a long weekend trip or only want to spend three full days at WDW?
Choosing which park to skip is a tough decision, but if there’s no way to avoid it, eliminate the park that least serves your interests. If you’re not a big fan of animals and nature, skip Disney’s Animal Kingdom. If you don’t have a movie buff or Star Wars enthusiast joining you, skip Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
One fun and creative way to choose is to take a vote among your family and travel buddies. Have everyone vote on their favorite park and ensure you have enough time to visit those top three. Another option is to visit two parks in one day, and park hopping allows you to do just that. Continue reading to see if it’s the right option for you.
Park Hopper Passes
Thankfully, Disney offers Park Hopper passes that make it easy to bounce around from park to park! This special pass lets you travel between multiple parks after 2pm each day. So, for those who have limited time, you can choose to visit one park earlier in the day and hop right over to another in the afternoon. You can purchase them with your Disney World theme park tickets.
Just keep in mind that you must make a Disney Park Pass reservation for the first park you want to visit and enter that park before visiting another. At the moment, you don’t need to have a park reservation after your visit to the first park but always double-check with the requirements before visiting.
How Many Days Should You Stay in Orlando?
While Disney World is a must-do for your Orlando vacation itinerary, don’t forget to plan some time to enjoy the rest of the city! When possible, we recommend blocking out at least a week to spend in Florida to enjoy both the Disney parks and the local area.
Other top attractions nearby include Disney Springs (no park ticket is needed), Universal Orlando, Icon Park, SeaWorld Orlando, water parks, world-class golf courses, and so much more. Please view all of them on our map of Orlando to gauge how close they are to Disney World and all of the resort communities in the area.
Accommodations Near Disney World
Do you already have a place to stay picked out? If not, you and your family have many options from which to choose! We offer a massive selection of vacation homes near Disney World — many of which are beautifully designed vacation homes with Disney-themed rooms featuring fan-favorite characters!
You’ll find these accommodations in Orlando have plenty of space for you and your family to spread out after fun-filled park days. Plus, there are fantastic amenities to enjoy, such as private pools, game rooms, and even more on-site resort amenities.
Start by browsing our vacation rentals near Disney World online or contact us for personalized recommendations! Our team is available 24/7 by phone and email, so don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have.
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