The Best Disney World Itinerary for a 5-Day Trip

A vacation to Walt Disney World takes a lot of planning, organization, and patience! Don’t fret. We’re here to help!

Several years ago, we created in-depth itineraries for all four Disney World theme parks. But since then, a lot of things have changed since the parks reopened.  So, now, we’re going to dive into a 5-day Disney World plan to help prioritize your must-do attractions, your core memory opportunities, and some pretty epic meals.

There’s a lot to cover at each of the four Disney World parks. But we’re going to go through each park to give you an idea of the best restaurants, attractions, and events that you might consider checking out. While you may not get to everything on each itinerary, it will definitely help get your plans in motion!

There are some decisions you’ll need to make before you skip down Main Street, U.S.A., like whether or not you plan to use Disney’s Genie+ planning tool or are willing to purchase Individual Lightning Lanes for those high-demand attractions. Your budget and your priorities will be the ultimate deciding factor in whether or not this tool will work for you. The two parks we think you can get the most value out of the Genie+, and Individual Lightning Lane options are in Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios, which are both heavy hitters in terms of attractions.

Though, you can still get a lot accomplished without it, if your goal is complete as much as each park has to offer, you’ll want to take advantage of Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours if you can.

If you’re traveling with little ones who might not meet some of the height requirements for some attractions, you’ll also want to take advantage of Disney’s Rider Swap, so no one has to miss out on their favorite attractions while someone stays behind with the tyke or folks who just might not some of those thrilling rides.

You’ll also want to preplan any table service meals you plan to enjoy during your Disney World vacation. Advanced Dining Reservations for Disney World table service restaurants open up 60 days prior to your vacation, and the most popular dining locations books up quickly!! 

So, that means not only do you want to figure out which spot you want to eat as early as you can, but you may also want to set an alarm on your calendar to book those reservations as early as 6AM (EST) on that 60-day mark!

Magic Kingdom

The Magic Kingdom is where you’ll find classic Disney attractions, iconic snacks, and loads of Disney characters.

For many guests, this is the most magical theme park at Disney World! This park has the most attractions, so if you only have one day to spend here, it might be worthwhile to splurge on getting Genie+ to make the most of your time here. And you’ll also want to make sure you get here as early as you can!

Here are some of our favorite must-do’s at Magic Kingdom.

Attractions

Now, we’re not going to list every, single attraction in Magic Kingdom, though we certainly love them all for different reasons. Here’s a quick overview of the ones we think you should prioritize, and of course, your mileage may vary based on your family’s interests and potential restrictions.

The most popular are the more “thrilling” rides:

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Splash Mountain
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• Space Mountain
• TRON: Lightcyle Run (opening in 2023)

Once you’ve mastered those big hitters, then you’ll want to fit in some of those classic Disney rides:

• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Haunted Mansion
• Jungle Cruise
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• “it’s a small world”
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
• Mad Tea Party

If you’re going to opt into the Genie+, then these attractions are the ones you’ll want to plan for.

Once you’ve marked all of these iconic rides off your list, there are other “filler” attractions that you can work into your day. In our opinion, the PeopleMover is a MUST.

• Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Astro Orbiter
• Tomorrowland Speedway
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover

If it’s a hot day, you may especially want to plan for a show or two, so you can get some much-needed air conditioning and time off your feet. We highly recommend Mickey’s Philharmagic and Carousel of Progress!

• Enchanted Tiki Room
• Hall of Presidents
• Mickey’s Philharmagic
• Country Bear Jamboree
• Carousel of Progress
• Monster’s Inc Laugh Floor

The Best and WORST Rides in Magic Kingdom

Characters

And while you’re in this magical kingdom, you may want to make time to meet some of your favorite Disney pals!

• Meet Ariel at Ariel’s Grotto
• Meet Belle at Enchanted Tales with Belle
• Meet Merida at Fairytale Garden
• Meet an assortment of Princesses (usually Rapunzel, Elena of Avalor, Cinderella, and Tiana) at Princess Fairytale Hall
• Meet Mickey & Minnie at Town Square Theater

You can sometimes find other characters roaming the park, like spotting Peter Pan near his attraction, Pooh & Tigger near The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and Aladdin & Jasmine in Adventureland, so keep your eyes out or check My Disney Experience App for who you might see!

If you don’t want to wait in line, you can always wave at characters as they pass by in cavalcades or the Festival of Fantasy Parade.

Now that we’ve addressed all of the attractions you need to prioritize and some of the characters you might want to see and where to find them let’s talk about FOOD!

PHOTOS & VIDEOS: The Festival of Fantasy Parade is BACK in Disney World!

Dining & Snacks

Magic Kingdom is home to some of the most popular restaurants, too. If you’re dying to eat inside a castle, then you’ll want to make sure you earmark your 60-day window to book reservations at either Be Our Guest (dining in the Beast’s Castle) or Cinderella’s Royal Table (inside THE Cinderella Castle)! Just be aware that in addition to being super popular, they are also pretty pricey and can eat up some serious park time, so plan wisely!

Some other table service restaurants we enjoy (dare we say even more!) are Skipper Canteen for something more unique or Liberty Tree Tavern, if you’re craving some homestyle cookin’.

If you don’t want to spend your precious park hours sitting at a table service and are looking more for a meal on the go, there are some great quick service options that keep us coming back time after time! We love having a cinnamon roll for breakfast at Gaston’s Tavern, corn dog nuggets over at Casey’s Corner, or the scrumptious Nutella Fruit Waffle from Sleepy Hollow Refreshments.

But some other quality eats can be found at Columbia Harbour House, if your looking for a nice salad or some fish and chips options. Pecos Bill always delivers if you want something to fill that Tex-Mex craving, Cosmic Ray’s has those theme staples of burgers, fries, and chicken nuggets.

The Best And Worst Restaurants in Magic Kingdom

Nighttime Shows

Can you imagine any other way to end the day in Magic Kingdom than with an epic firework show? Disney Enchantment is currently dazzling the Magic Kingdom sky, but we recently learned that a reimagined Happily Ever After will soon be returning!

If you’re a firework fan and want the best view of the show, you’ll want to stake out a spot on Main Street, U.S.A., at least 30 minutes before the show starts. If you enjoy fireworks, but not crowds, then you might want to squeak around to the back of Cinderella Castle for the show. You’ll miss out on the projections, but have A LOT more elbow room to enjoy the show in the sky.

VIDEO: Watch the DEBUT of Disney Enchantment Fireworks in Magic Kingdom

Phew! Having fun has never been so exhausting, right? That wraps up our perfect day in Magic Kingdom, and now time to prepare for our next perfect day in EPCOT!

EPCOT

EPCOT is home to Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Frozen Ever After, and the newest attraction to open in Disney World, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

It also has World Showcase, the best place at Walt Disney World for food and drinks. This park is HUGE, and though the acronym actually stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, it’s more casually thought of as Every Person Comes Out Tired. So let us help you tackle this huge park!

Attractions

There is a lot to see and do in EPCOT, but not a ton of attractions. So though you can definitely use Genie+ here to skip some of those longer lines at the most popular attractions, you probably don’t need it to check off everything on your list.

Disney World’s newest attraction opened here in Spring 2022, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, a groovy indoor coaster with an even groovier soundtrack. It’s currently using the Viritual Queue or Boarding Pass system, so you won’t be able to just hop in line here, you’ll have to study up and have quick fingers on your phone to secure a spot in the Virtual Queue at either 7AM or 1PM. Your other option is to come out of pocket and pay for an Individual Lightning Lane.

The most popular rides you should prioritize are:

• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
• Test Track
• Frozen Ever After

After you’ve completed these must-dos, there are some other classic EPCOT attractions you should make time for:

• Living with the Land
• Spaceship Earth
• Soarin’ Around the World
• Gran Fiesta Tour with the Three Caballeros
• The Seas with Nemo and Friends
• Mission: Space
• Journey into Imagination with Figment

If you need an escape from the heat or maybe a spot to sit down and enjoy a show, resting your weary tootsies, there are some beautiful shows that capture the education, culture, and creativity EPCOT was built on:

• Awesome Planet
• Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival
• American Adventure
• Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along
• Impressions de France

Each show tends to run about 20 minutes long, so you won’t have time to do them all in one day plus all of the rides and pavilions you’ll want to be sure to check out. But these are nice and entertaining respites from the walking and the heat and might help give you some time for digesting in between snacks around World Showcase.

There are also plenty of other interactive experiences you can experience throughout EPCOT, so keep your eyes open and scroll through the My Disney Experience App in case something appeals to you and your family. And there’s more coming soon, like Journey of Water and the Play! Pavilion which should be opening soon!

And, of course, you’ll also find various entertain around World Showcase like the Mariachi Cobre in the Mexico Pavilion and Sergi in the Italy Pavilion. These entertainers don’t just add some zip to their pavilions but are amazingly talented and worth stopping to appreciate.

AllEars TV: The BEST and WORST Rides in Disney World’s EPCOT

Characters

Though full of culture, EPCOT also has some character, too. And Characters! Here’s where you can spot some of your favorite Disney Pals.

• EPCOT Entrance: Goofy and Pluto rotate shifts in Future World
• Imagination Pavilion: Joy from Inside Out and Vanellope von Schweets from Wreck It Ralph
• Morocco Pavilion: Princess Jasmine from Aladdin
• Norway Pavilion in Royal Sommerhus: Anna & Elsa from Frozen
• United Kingdom Pavilion: Alice and Mary Poppins
• France Pavilion: Belle and Princess Aurora
• Mexico Pavilion: Donald all decked out in his Mexican attire
• World Showcase Gazebo: Minnie Mouse
• China Pavilion: Mulan
• Germany Pavilion: Snow White

If you’d rather avoid standing in line to meet characters,  you can always book a Character Meal. Garden Grill has Mickey, Pluto, Chip, and Dale in their farmer’s outfits greeting their guests. And Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is host to a number of rotating Disney princesses where you can usually find Ariel, Snow White, Aurora, Belle, and Jasmine.

You might find some characters wandering the grassy knoll outside the Imagination Pavilion, near the International Gateway in between the UK Pavilion and France, or on the outskirts of the American Adventure Pavilion. So keep your eyes open!

PHOTOS: The HIDDEN Disney Characters You Can Find Around EPCOT!

Dining & Snacks

What Attractions are to Magic Kingdom, Food is to EPCOT. With 11 countries represented around World Showcase and different Festivals available almost year-round with a multitude of food booths, you’ll never leave EPCOT hungry (or you’re doing it wrong!).

Since EPCOT is host to some of the most popular dining experiences, this is another situation where you’ll want to mark your 60-day calendar to book those reservations. For those must-do table service meals, we recommend Le Cellier (if you want a really good steak or gourmet poutine), Space 220 (for an immersive and truly unique experience eating in space), Via Napoli (for authentic pizza and Italian cuisine), Biergarten (for an all-you-care-to-enjoy Oktoberfest celebration), and we’ll always sing the praises of Garden Grill for its food and its character interactions!

If you want something a bit quicker, Regal Eagle Smokehouse in the American Pavilion delivers some tasty BBQ; Les Halles in France is a great spot for a sandwich, quiche, or pastry; Yorkshire County Fish Shop in the UK offers classic fish n’ chips; and Connections Cafe & Eatery has a great selection of a very broad menu!

If you do visit EPCOT during one of its four festivals, explore the menus to find some tapas-size snacks. You can make a meal out of just snacking around the world. And EPCOT is home to some of our favorite snacks as well, like the School Bread at Kringla Bakeri Og in Norway or the caramel popcorn from Karamell Kuche in Germany.

What to Eat on a $50 Budget at the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival

Night Time Show

Now that you squeezed in all of those must-do attractions, enjoyed some classic shows, and filled your tummies with international delicacies, what better way to end the night than with a celebration of cultures, music, and fireworks!

And it’s not just fireworks. This show includes pyrotechnics, lasers, LED screens, lights, and moving fountains. It’s all choreographed to classic Disney songs sung and accompanied by artists from more than a dozen different countries and cultures from around the world.

The show is put on in the center of World Showcase Lagoon, so there is plenty of spots to get a view, just make sure you don’t get stuck behind a tree!

How to Get the Best View of Disney World Fireworks and Shows

Latest attractions — check! Amazing culinary crawl around World Showcase — check! High-fived some favorite Disney pals — check! That wraps up our perfect day in EPCOT, and now time to prepare for our next perfect day in Hollywood Studios!

Hollywood Studios

This Park — which is an ode to Hollywood that, in recent years, seems to be all about immersing guests in the movies they love — offers a slew of attractions and experiences for everyone in the family. To paraphrase Michael Eisner, welcome to the Hollywood that never was and always will be, as the idealized version of Hollywood in the 30s and 40s.

This park contains some of Disney World’s best rides, like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Tower of Terror, and Slinky Dog Dash, and is the other park that we’d recommend you consider getting Genie+ for. We’ve listed some of the must-do experiences you’ll want to prioritize for your day in this park.

Attractions

Hollywood Studios is packing some thrills, well, Disney-style thrills, so if you’re traveling with a family, you’ll want to review those height requirements and Rider Switch options.

The big hitters in this park are:

• Rise of the Resistance
• Slinky Dog Dash
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
• Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror
• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Once you’ve secured your plan for fitting these into your day, there are some solid other attractions you’ll want to add in:

• Star Tours – The Adventure Continues
• Millenium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
• Toy Story Mania
• Alien Swirling Saucers

And since this is Hollywood and all about “on with the show,” then, of course, there are some amazing shows to consider:

• MuppetVision 3D
• Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy
• Frozen Sing Along Celebration
• Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
• Mickey Vacation Shorts
• Beauty & the Beast Live On Stage

Once again, these shows can run from 20 to 40 minutes, so they offer a nice break from the heat and hustle of park touring, but also take up a huge chunk of time. Our universal recommendation is MuppetVision 3D. Even though the 3D effects are a bit dated, the Muppets are classic, and we never pass an opportunity to visit!

Ranking the Rides of Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Characters

While visiting Hollywood, it just makes sense to run into some celebrities!

• Red Carpet Dreams: Meet Mickey & Minnie
• Celebrity Spotlight: Meet Olaf from Frozen
• Star Wars: Launch Bay: Meet BB-8, Darth Vader, and Chewbacca
• Toy Story Land: Meet Bo Peep, Jessie, Woody, and Buzz Lightyear
• Disney Junior Dance Party!: Meet Doc McStuffins, Vampira, and Fancy Nancy
• Walt Disney Presents: Meet Mike & Sully from Monster’s Inc

And though you won’t necessarily get time for a photo and autograph, you can several Star Wars characters in Galaxy’s Edge, like Kylo Ren, Rey, Stormtroopers, and Chewbacca. You may also spot some classic Disney characters like Pluto, Goofy, or Chip and Dale around Echo Lake.

Hollywood and Vine offers a buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with character meetings, if you prefer to dine with celebrities. Breakfast hosts characters from Disney Junior, so perfect for pre-schoolers and the little tykes. While lunch and dinner switch up for Minnie and friends in their seasonal outfits.

A Few Beloved Characters Are Returning to Disney’s Hollywood Studios SOON

Dining & Snacks

Hollywood Studios may currently hold the title on Disney thrill rides, but it is not known for providing thrilling food. There are some noteworthy snacks that we keep coming back to, and some fun restaurants where we honestly enjoy the experience more than the food.

If you’re looking for a sit-down, full-service meal, we like Hollywood Brown Derby the best. It’s a bit pricey, and a bit hoity-toity, but always delivers a top-notch meal. For those fun dining experiences and pretty good food, there’s 50’s Prime Time Cafe, where you dine on down-home cookin’ with your “relatives;” Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater, where you eat classic diner food in a stylized drive-in theater show quirky film clips; and Oga’s Cantina over in Galaxy’s Edge where the vibe and drinks are out of the world, but the food is… not recommended.

For quick bites, the selection here is pretty standard, nothing super noteworthy. ABC Commissary has had some fun dishes, with the addition of their Shrimp Tacos. The Ronto Wrap in Galaxy’s Edge is really good (we like the breakfast version, too!) If you like hot dogs, Fairfax Fare has you covered. And the charcuterie option at BaseLine Taphouse is a solid choice. And for snacks, we gravitate toward the Carrot Cake Cookie at Trolley Car Cafe, Wookiee Cookie at Backlot Express, and Lunchbox Tarts over at Woody’s Lunchbox.

You can find some good food here, but it doesn’t really compare with the selection available at EPCOT or Disney Springs.

Eat Here, Not There in Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

Nighttime Show

Hollywood Studios knows how to put on a show. One of the best ways to finish a day at “The Studios” is with Fantasmic!

This epic nighttime spectacular returned after a long hiatus with some new music and new scenes to overwhelming fanfare! If you love Disney characters, water projections, laser shows, and good triumphing over evil, then this is the show for you!

Be aware that you won’t be the only one seeking a prime seat for this show. You and your forty-thousand closest friends (ok, maybe not that many, but a lot of folks) will be filing into the Amphitheater for the show. We recommend sitting a little further back to avoid the spray and mist from the water projections and for a full view.

Here’s What CHANGED at Fantasmic! in Disney World

All the thrills, celebrities, shows, and epic snacks (not to mention probably saving the galaxy from the First Order a time or two), means you’ve had a COMPLETE day at Hollywood Studios. That wraps up our perfect day in Hollywood Studios, and now time to prepare for our next perfect day in Animal Kingdom!

Animal Kingdom

Are you ready for a wild time? Ok, how about a wildly relaxing time?

Animal Kingdom isn’t overflowing with rides, but there’s plenty to see and do.  Similar to EPCOT, if you keep your eyes open and let yourself wander, you never know what hidden treasure you might stumble across.

Attractions

The main attractions here are… well, the animals (hence the name, we suppose), but there are some you’ll want to hit up bright and early to avoid some long lines.

• Avatar Flight of Passage
• Kilimanjaro Safaris
• Na’vi River Journey

Some other attractions might sporadically have long lines, but usually, they’re pretty moderate:

• Dinosaur
• Expedition Everest
• Triceratops Spin
• Kali River Rapids

On hot days, the line for Kali River Rapids might back up, as folks look for that refreshing splash of attraction water to cool them down.  Expedition Everest can also get a little busy sometimes, but this attraction has a Singler Rider line, which can sometimes be faster! And as we mentioned, there aren’t a lot of rides here, but there’s still plenty to do.

Take time to explore the Discovery Island Trails, Gorilla Falls Exploration Trails, or Maharajah Jungle Trek to see all of the unique animals, creative theming, and storytelling and chat with a Cast Member in the area to learn about these amazing animals.

Then finally, the shows!! Animal Kingdom shows rival those over at Hollywood Studios (and we might even like Festival of the Lion King better than anything because — TUMBLE MONKEYS!)! Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!  are both Broadway-style musicals with beautiful costumes, impressive puppetry skills, and fun, toe-tapping tunes.

The two other shows in Animal Kingdom, It’s Tough to be a Bug and Up! A Great Bird Adventure immerses guests in the worlds of these fascinating and talented animals. If you have a fear of bugs or birds, you may want to avoid these shows, because you may find yourself getting a little more familiar with these creatures that you’re comfortable with.

AllEars TV: The BEST and WORST Rides in Animal Kingdom

Characters

We all know that the animals are the big stars of the show here, and though you can’t hug a tiger here, you can still spot your favorite Mouse for a hug, high-five, or quick howdy.

• Adventurers Outpost: Mickey and Minnie in their safari outfits.
• Donald’s Dino-Bash: Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Chip, and Dale make regular appearances
• Discovery Island: Kevin, that precocious bird from Up, wanders around regularly.

You’ll also be able to wave at characters as they cruise around the Animal Kingdom waterways on flotillas. We’ve classic and unique characters on these festive barges like: Mickey, Minnie, Chip and Dale, Pocahontas and Meeko, Russell and Dug, and Baloo and King Louie.

Though not a traditional meet-and-greet, it’s fun to see some Disney friends sometimes when you least expect it!

Kevin from Up! Spotted in Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Dining & Snacks

Animal Kingdom rivals Hollywood Studios when it comes to amazing show quality, and it might do the same to EPCOT in terms of food!

Yep, we said it.

Animal Kingdom has some of the best snacks and dining experiences at the Disney Parks! And it hits the mark on everything. We got restaurants we love, quick service we love, and snacks galore! So, here’s your warning not to read this hungry. Go get a snack and come back… we’ll wait.

Yak & Yeti offers a huge menu of Asian-fusion inspired dishes. If you’re looking for something a bit unique, you can find it here, but for those pickier eaters, there are also some more familiar eats. Tusker House is the character meal with Donald and the gang greeting diners in their safari outfits. As a buffet, this is also a good spot for picky eaters to wander through and get those familiar foods, while also having the opportunity to try some African-inspired dishes. Tusker House (as a character meal) is super popular, so make sure you secure that dining reservation right at that 60 day mark.

Tiffins is a swanky option with some higher prices and honestly feels like you’re eating inside an art gallery. One of the coziest spots in Animal Kingdom is the neighboring lounge for Tiffins, Nomads Lounge. This spot gets hoppin’, so if you wanna try some unique cocktails, some light (yet classy) eats, and beautiful scenery, you’ll want to look into joining the Walk Up Waitlist here.

For quick service, picky eaters can find their bliss at Restaurantosaurus (for burgers, sandwiches, and fries) and Flame Tree BBQ has some tasty smoke BBQ that you can literally smell all around Discovery Island. Or if you’re looking for something a bit more unique, Satu’li Canteen (for those delicious cheeseburger pods and protein bowls!) or Yak & Yeti Local Local Foods Cafe has some familiar Asian-inspired meals (like fried rice and sweet & sour shrimp).

And so many snacks!! Eight Spoons Cafe has baked mac and cheese we can’t get enough of! Isle of Java has a Tiger Tail pastry for sweet tooth cravings, Mr. Kamal’s has some seasoned fries that are shareable (but you won’t wanna share), Pongu Pongu has a Pongu Lumpia sweet pineapple cheesecake style eggroll that is different but delicious. Or for other pineappley cravings, Tamu Tamu is the spot for those Dole Whip lovers.

Are you hungry, yet? See? We told you, Animal Kingdom packs in the flavor!

Review: Satu’li Canteen lunch on Pandora at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Night Time Show

Because of the animals at Animal Kingdom, you won’t find any fireworks here. Fire, explosions, loud noises, bright light flashes and wild animals just don’t mix.

But we do recommend staying after sunset to watch the Beacon of Light projection show on the Tree of Life. The park icon lights up, and a projection show tells the story of some animal friends as they come to live from the tree and interact together. It’s a peaceful, magical show that is the perfect way to wind down after your day exploring nature and appreciating all of these amazing creatures.

AllEars TV: The Secret to Having the Best Day in Disney World’s Animal Kingdom

You’ve ventured to Mo’ara Valley in Pandora, and SIVAKO’d on the back of a banshee, escaped the Yeti guardian of Everest, and saw some amazing animals on the safari and trails, so you’ve had a COMPLETE day at Animal Kingdom. That wraps up our perfect day in Animal Kingdom, and now time to prepare for our next perfect day in Disney Springs & the Resorts!

Disney Springs

Sometimes considered a fifth park for all it has to offer, Disney Springs won’t require any Genie+ access, though you may still want to have your phone handy for Mobile Order at some of the dining locations.

But just because you won’t find classic dark rides or thrilling coasters, doesn’t mean that there aren’t some fun attractions here. let’s take a look at how you can spend some of your day at Disney Springs!

Attractions

There are actually a few “rides” in Disney Springs, but you will have to pay to ride these options:

• Amphicars at The BOATHOUSE
• Aerophile

If you looking to cruise the Sassagoula waterway in a unique way, head over to The BOATHOUSE and snag a ticket to ride in one of the zippy Amphicars. Or if floating through the air is more your style, the Aerophile balloon will lift you up 300 feet in the air for sweeping views of the Disney World property.

If you prefer to keep your feet on solid ground, Disney Springs has some great shows for you, as well.

• Cirque du Soleil: Drawn to Life
• AMC Dine-In Theater

If you don’t want to set aside several hours for these shows, you can also catch live music all throughout Disney Springs in the evenings. Or, if you’re up for a bit of friendly competition, check out Splitsville, which not only has an extensive menu but is also a bowling alley!

And there is no limit to the shopping and dining opportunities in Disney Springs with some one-of-a-kind shops and the world’s largest Disney Store!

Dining & Snacks

There’s no shortage of restaurants at Disney Springs! The only limit is the size of your stomach (and the depth of your wallet). Some of our favorite restaurants are in Disney Springs, and you should definitely check out if one (or more) of these fit into your vacation plans!

• Homecomin’ by Chef Art Smith
• Raglan Road
• The BOATHOUSE
• Wine Bar George
• Morimoto Asia
• Jaleo

Some of these spots offer amazing weekend brunch menus as well, so you can be flexible with your plans.

But there’s so much to see and do, maybe you just want a quick but quality meal? Well, buckle up because Disney Springs brings their A-Game with quick service options like:

• Earl of Sandwich
• Chicken Guy!
• Polite Pig
• D-Luxe Burger
• Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza

To satisfy your sweet tooth, Disney Springs has everything from over-the-top donuts, to cookies so good they require a virtual queue, and Dole Whip flights.

• Swirls on the Water
• Gideon’s Bakehouse
• Everglazed Donuts
• Salt & Straw
• Amorette’s Patisserie

If you crave it, Disney Springs has it!

Every Restaurant In Disney Springs And Who Should Go There

Disney Resorts

If you’re spending the money to stay at a Disney Resort Hotel, you may as well make some time to enjoy some of the amenities that you’re paying for, right?

Some come with an extra charge (like spa treatments or horseback riding), but other things you can do for free! Let’s see what some of the resorts have to offer!

Recreation

Each Disney Resort Hotel has a different theme and story, and some of those amenities are uniquely themed to fit into those environments. All the resorts have pools, gift shops, fun-themed lobbies, dining areas, movies under the stars, and expansive (and immaculate) grounds and jogging trails. Depending on your resort level, you could also have access to fitness centers, lounges or bars, coffee shops, meeting areas, outdoor firepits, and live entertainment.

Visit Fort Wilderness for archery lessons, horseback riding trails, and carriage rides at Tri-Circle D Ranch. Visit Saratoga Springs or the Grand Floridian for spa treatments and massages.

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Dining & Snacks

Are you looking for a Character Meal for the whole family? A fancy dinner for a date night? Some good ol’ down-home cookin’? An international culinary experience? The best burger you’ve ever eaten? Or do you just want to make a meal out of Instagram-worthy cupcakes?

The Disney Resorts have some of the best dining experiences (yeah, we just said that about Disney Springs… and EPCOT… and Animal Kingdom… and we mean it every time)!

For those magical Character Meals, you can always count on Chef Mickey’s (at the Contemporary Resort), Cape May Cafe (at the Beach Club), and Story Book Dining at Artist Point (at Wilderness Lodge). For incredible steaks, check out Yachtsman Steakhouse (at the Yacht Club), Steakhouse 71 (at the Contemporary), Toledo (at Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs), and Jiko (at Animal Kingdom Lodge).

If you have some big eaters and need an all-you-care-to-enjoy experience, check out Trails End (at Fort Wilderness),  Whispering Canyon (at Wilderness Lodge), Boma (at Animal Kingdom Lodge), and ‘Ohana (at the Polynesian). For a romantic date night, look into Topolino’s Terrace (at the Riviera), Citrico’s (at the Grand Floridian), California Grill (at the Contemporary), and Ale & Compass (at Yacht Club).

For more casual quick service options, some of our go-to’s are:

• Mara at Animal Kingdom Lodge
• BoardWalk Deli  at the BoardWalk Inn
• Contempo Cafe at the Contemporary
• Primo Piatto at the Riviera
• Gasparilla Island Grill at the Grand Floridian
• Capt Cook’s at the Polynesian
• Sassagoula Floatworks at Port Orleans French Quarter
• Geyser Point at Wilderness Lodge
• Roaring Fork at Wilderness Lodge

So whether you’re staying at one of these resorts, or just passing through, don’t pass up the opportunity to grab an epic meal at one of these locations!

FULL LIST of Character Dining Restaurants that Are Back to “Normal” in Disney World

 

PHEW! That’s four perfect park days, plus a bonus day at the Disney Resorts and Disney Springs. So, the hard part is over (the planning part), now comes the fun part — to do it!

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What do your perfect 5 days in Disney look like? Let us know if the comments below!

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