School’s almost out which means a vacation is in order. Where else is there to go but the happiest place on Earth? A tangible world of adventure, childhood, and magic. Disney World. It can be tricky to navigate if you’re a novice. Many have successfully visited all 4 parks in a day. But, not all visits are created equal. As a self proclaimed Disney World expert and former cast member, this is what I would do if I only had one day to spend in Walt Disney World.

My first stop would be Magic Kingdom. Yes, I know. This is the park most people try to end their day on because they want to see the castle at night, fireworks, and castle shows. Those are things that I cherish deeply. BUT if you only have one day, you should maximize your time. Magic Kingdom is always slammed at night no matter what time of the year. It can take literally up to 2 hours to work your way through the crowds, onto the monorail, and on the tram back to your car after Wishes. In order not to risk ending your trip on a less than magical note, head to MK in the morning. It is guaranteed to be the happiest morning you’ve ever had. Between the welcome show, trolley shows, Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire, and shortest lines of the day, you’re getting the most out of your time. Main Street U.S.A has an incredible energy first thing in the morning. You can grab a coffee drink at the Main Street Bakery for an extra kick of energy without waiting in line for 45 minutes like you would have to later on. This is a great time to get pictures in front of the Castle. Don’t rush this! You made it all the way to Disney World, you can’t leave without a great shot in front of Cinderella Castle. At this early hour you should try to get on Peter Pan’s flight, Mine Train, and all 3 mountain rides (Space, Splash, Big Thunder). These are some of the hardest to get on, but getting there early minimizes your wait time if you don’t have a fast pass.

Animal Kingdom should be your next stop! Animal kingdom is amazing but often underrated. It is the largest Disney World park and it is full of adventure. As you walk in you’ll be greeted by the beautiful tree of life; the trademark of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This is the best place for photos. Once you’ve gotten the perfect picture, I recommend you move onto attractions. Hands down, you must ride Expedition Everest. It’s a crowd favorite and will surely satisfy the thrill seeker in you. If it’s a hot day you definitely want to get on Kali River Rapids because you will definitely get wet. Animal Kingdom is known for its Safari which is something you don’t want to miss! There’s also plenty of chances for character meet and greets, shows like Festival of the Lion King, and coming soon is Pandora: World of Avatar which looks amazing.

The next park should be Hollywood Studios. Hollywood Studios is a lot of fun! The good thing about it is it tends to be quick to get through, since there are only a few major things you should make sure to do, like Tower of Terror, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, and Star Tours if you’re on a time crunch. But, there are tons of shows if that’s what you prefer like Beauty and The Beast, Muppet Vision 3-D, and Indiana Jones. You can also meet friends from Toy Story, Star Wars, and Olaf. Pick and choose what you want to do the most, whether its thrill-seeking rides or live entertainment. You really can’t go wrong!

By now you’ve guessed what your final park of the day would be. Epcot! Everybody loves Epcot. This is the perfect place to end your day for many reasons. At this point, you’re probably exhausted. Luckily Epcot is probably the most relaxed park. You can opt to get rides in like Test Track, Mission: Space, and Soarin’, or head straight to The World Showcase. Epcot has some of the best restaurants in all of Disney World. You and your friends should pick a country to eat at—which is always equally fun and delicious. Walking through the different country’s shops is both entertaining and acculturating. Epcot has great shopping, which is also why its good to end their so you don’t have to lug around everything you bought all day long. Looking across the water at the different countries lit up at nighttime is truly breathtaking, as is the nighttime show Illuminations. It will dazzle you while it moves you to tears, as you swell with awe at the beauty of the different countries in the showcase. A magical, relaxing end to a perfect day in Disney.

Everyone has their own park preferences and may spend a day in the parks completely differently. This is just the way I would do it, and how I recommend it to be done. 😊