When planning a Disney vacation, two of the first questions that come up are: when are we going and how long do we want to stay? Since it’s probably not feasible to stay forever (as much as you might want to), here’s my guide to determining how many days to spend on a trip to Walt Disney World.
How Many Days Should I Spend in Each Park?
Walt Disney World is comprised of four main parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.
Each of these parks is uniquely themed and offers its own set of attractions, shows, and dining options. Assuming you’d like to experience all four parks, here’s what I typically recommend:
- Magic Kingdom: 2 Days
- Epcot: 1-2 Days
- Hollywood Studios: 1 Day
- Animal Kingdom: 1 Day
Magic Kingdom offers the most to do, so ideally you’ll want more than one day to experience it. This is true especially if you have young children and will be taking more frequent breaks. If you’re visiting Epcot during a festival, you may also want an extra day to fully explore the World Showcase and enjoy the food booths.
Now, if you don’t want to visit all of the parks or you simply don’t have enough time to spend full days at each park, don’t panic. You can certainly experience the parks in less than 5-6 days, particularly if you have a Park Hopper ticket. However, be sure to set your expectations appropriately – you won’t be able to do everything in one trip, especially if this is your first visit. Focus on your “must do’s” and you’ll enjoy every minute of your trip.
What Else Is There to Do at Walt Disney World?
While the theme parks are the stars of the show, there is even more to do at Walt Disney World than you might think. Here are just a few of the ways you can spend time at Disney:
- Water Parks (Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon)
- Disney Springs
- Resort Pools
- Character & Signature Dining
- Golf Courses
- Spas
- Outdoor Recreation (Water Sports, Horseback Riding)
I’d recommend adding 1-2 days to explore Disney Springs and the resorts, and an additional 1-2 days if you want to experience the water parks as well.
You could also add a day trip to one of Florida’s beaches or another Orlando attraction (perhaps one featuring a certain wizard).
How to Design the Perfect Trip
The first thing to factor into your plans is your budget. It may not be the most fun item to consider, but fitting plans within your budget will make sure you can enjoy your trip without an added stress.
Next, decide which parks and activities you’d like to experience. Be sure to include break days for the pools or exploring Disney Springs. I recommend at least one full break day for every 2-3 days in the parks, particularly if you’re not taking afternoon breaks.
Decide whether you’d prefer a Base Ticket (1 park per day) or a Park Hopper Ticket (multiple parks per day). While you’ll still want to devote most of your days to a single park (for efficiency), the Park Hopper gives you the flexibility to take advantage of Extra Magic Hours in multiple parks and return for any rides you couldn’t fit into the first day. The Park Hopper is also great if you don’t have enough vacation time to give each park its own day.
Factor in the ages of your kids and any special needs in your group. If you’ll be moving at a slower pace or you’ll want to go back to your resort in the afternoons, you’ll want extra park days so you don’t miss out on any fun.
If you’re traveling during a holiday season (i.e. Christmas, 4th of July, etc), you may want an extra day to hop around the parks.
When planning out your park days, don’t forget about your arrival and departure days. Depending on your flight schedule, you may be able to fit in some park time or some extra dining experiences. I almost always recommend a dinner in Disney Springs for arrival night since it’s a low-key way to kick off the Disney fun.
An Example of a Great Walt Disney World Trip
Here’s just one example of how all this could play out on your next Disney vacation:
- Day 1: Arrival/Disney Springs
- Day 2: Magic Kingdom
- Day 3: Epcot
- Day 4: Hollywood Studios
- Day 5: Break Day/Water Park
- Day 6: Animal Kingdom
- Day 7: Magic Kingdom
- Day 8: Spa Morning/Departure
I’ve said it before – every Disney vacation is unique. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to explore what Walt Disney World has to offer without feeling rushed. This is your vacation after all!
Ready to start planning your next Walt Disney World vacation? I’d love to help! I am a concierge vacation planner specializing in Disney Destinations. My goal is to help families take the stress out of planning so they can focus on the fun. My booking, planning, and concierge services are completely free to client who book with me!
Request a free consultation and quote through my website or send me an email at jtullino@themouseexperts.com. I’d love to chat Disney with you!
