WALT DISNEY
WORLD IN JUST 3 DAYS
By Cara Goldsbury
So your headed to Walt Disney World, but you only have time for a
long weekend. Although its certainly not the ideal way to see The
Happiest Place on Earth, it definitely can be done, especially if
youre willing to hit the parks early, stay late, and be content
with only catching the highlights.
Even though youll only be touring for 3 days,
buy a 4-day Hopper Pass (unused days never expire) in order to
visit two parks on the last day.
Stay on Disney property for easy access and
pre-arrange priority seating, Disneys answer to dining
reservations, weeks before your trip by calling 407-WDW-DINE. Most
importantly, bring along a great pair of walking shoes and lots of
energy. Hang on for a whirlwind of a tour.
Friday at The Magic Kingdom
1. Arrive one hour prior to opening which allows enough time to
park, shuttle to the Ticket
and Transportation Center, and cruise over the Seven Seas Lagoon by
monorail or ferry to the parks entrance.
2. Grab a quick breakfast at the Main Street Bakery. They usually
begin serving their mouthwatering pastries around thirty minutes
before official park opening time.
3. Head straight to Splash Mountain in Frontierland, then take in
Big Thunder Mountain next door.
4. Cut back through the hub to Tomorrowland, pick up a Fastpass
(Disneys nifty, free, timesaving device allowing you to return at a
given time with little or no wait in line) for Space Mountain (if
necessary). During your wait see ride Buzz Lightyear.
5. If anyone in your party is interested in the Fantasyland
attractions (as I usually am) go there now. It will probably be
necessary to pick up a Fastpass for either Peter Pans Flight or
Winnie the Pooh, so check it out first. Ride Peter Pans Flight and
The Many Adventure of Winnie the Pooh and be sure to see Mickeys
Philharmagic.
6. After Fantasyland have a fast food lunch at the Pecos Bill
Cafe.
7. Pick up a Fastpass at The Haunted Mansion in Liberty Square
before settling down for the afternoon Share a Dream Come True
Parade at 3 PM.
8. After the parade, head to The Haunted Mansion and then to the
Pirates of the Caribbean in Adventureland.
9. Make a priority seating reservation for Cinderellas Royal Table
or Tonys Town Square Restaurant for dinner and enjoy the park until
the evenings festivities begin.
10. See the SpectroMagic parade and the dont-you-dare-miss Wishes
fireworks.
Saturday at Epcot
1. Have breakfast at your hotel and be at the park one half-hour
before opening time.
2. Head to Mission Space and Test Track first and then move over to
the west side of Future World to see Honey I Shrunk the Audience at
the Imagination pavilion.
3. Hop next door to The Land where youll want to ride the Living
With The Land attraction.
4. Ride Spaceship Earth.
5. Move on to the Universe of Energy.
6. Head to World Showcase and pick up a late lunch at one of the
many international fast food spots.
7. Work your way around World Showcase for the remainder of the
afternoon, making time between stops for shopping and a few
highlights including Maelstrom in Norway, the Reflections of China
film, The American Adventure show, and Impressions de France.
8. Make priority seating at one of the World Showcase restaurants
for 7 PM. My favorites are Mexicos San Angel Inn, Frances Bistro de
Paris, and Moroccos Restaurant Marrakesh. Search for a nice viewing
spot around the lagoon for the 9PM Illuminations spectacular about
thirty minutes prior to showtime.
Sunday at Disneys Animal Kingdom and Disney-MGM Studios
1. Have breakfast at your hotel, head to the Animal Kingdom, and be
at the park gates one half-hour before opening. Use the time before
rope drop to walk the paths of the Oasis.
2. At rope drop head straight to Kilimanjaro Safaris and then walk
the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail.
3. Backtrack to Discovery Island to take in Its Tough to Be a Bug
then head to Asia and walk the Maharaja Jungle Trek.
4. Work in the Festival of the Lion King at Camp Minnie-Mickey
sometime during the day. If you have young children, stop for a
visit at the Character Greeting Trails.
5. Pick up a fast food lunch. My favorite is the Tusker House in
Africa.
6. Then its time for Dinoland. Pick up a Fastpass (if necessary) to
Dinosaur. During the wait take in Primeval Whirl at Chester and
Hesters Dino-Rama.
7. It will now be late mid-afternoon and time to head to Disney-MGM
Studios. Thrill junkies should immediately head down Sunset
Boulevard to the Tower of Terror and the Rock n Roller Coaster.
8. If touring with young children or if thrill rides arent your cup
of tea, skip the scary
rides and see the The Voyage of the Little Mermaid then the Great
Movie Ride. Afterwards take The Magic of Disney Animation tour.
9. Ride Star Tours and if there is time see Muppetvision 3-D.
10. Make the latest priority seating possible for a late dinner at
the Hollywood Brown Derby for dinner. Head back to your hotel and
collapse.
About
the Author
Cara Goldsbury is
the author of The Luxury Guide to Walt Disney World: How to Get the
Most Out of the Best Disney Has to Offer available at 800-247-6553,
www.luxurydisneyguide.com, Amazon.com, or your local bookstore.
Visit her at www.luxurydisneyguide.com.
mailto:info@luxurydisneyguide.com
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