Are you planning a long weekend trip to Walt Disney World? Perhaps you are in the area visiting family and want to hop over to Disney property for a few days. Is it possible to plan a short Disney trip, and still experience some magic? Yes! I am going to share my best tips for planning a short Disney trip with you today!
Not every Walt Disney World vacation has to be seven or more nights. For some, that’s not possible, but they still want to soak in some magic and Mickey Ice Cream bars! But what does a “short” Disney trip entail?
For this post, my definition of “short” is four days or less. Keep in mind, even if you spent an entire month on Disney property, you still probably couldn’t see and do it all!
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Narrow Your Focus
Plan two days of theme parks if possible, and from there narrow down your 5-10 “must dos” at each park. My recommendation for two parks are Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. Also, having Park Hopper on your ticket is going to give you a lot more flexibility and ease of moving amongst multiple parks in one day.
Don’t Overschedule Yourself
When planning your “must dos”, this may include snacks and foods to try! Snacks are a very important part of any well planned Disney trip :). On a short trip, planning several Table Service meals can be a misuse of time.
If you need to book a sit down, or have a place you’d like to try, schedule only one Table Service meal. Or, better yet, take a look at the My Disney Experience app at the last minute and see if you can book a sit down meal if you feel as if you need one. Being flexible is key to a short trip!
Maximize Your Flight Times
Try to book the earliest flight into Orlando and the latest flight out. This gives you two almost full days at the beginning and / or end of your trip. These are the days to book a sit down meal, or perhaps attend a hard ticket event on arrival day if you get into Orlando early enough. Also, the earlier flight, the less chance you have of getting delayed on your trip to Orlando.
On your last day, you can store your luggage with Bell Services, and make a trip to a character breakfast, or perhaps to Disney Springs to do some last minute shopping. Or, your last day could be a pool / resort day before heading to the airport.
Choose Your Resort Wisely
In this case, time is of the essence, and you do not want to spend a lot of time on transportation or getting to the theme parks. With the addition of the Skyliner, this makes two of the Value Resorts VERY appealing. Disney’s Pop Century and Disney’s Art of Animation are budget friendly, but have two very good transportation options.
RELATED READING: Disney’s Pop Century vs Art of Animation – How to Choose a WDW Resort
Personally, I’d skip a Moderate resort completely for a short trip. Either go Value with a Skyliner Resort, or go big with a Deluxe to put you RIGHT near a theme park. If you are planning a visit that is focused on EPCOT and Magic Kingdom, a monorail resort is probably the best bang for your buck. If this is not in your budget, and you prefer a Moderate resort, consider using Uber/LYFT or Minnie Vans to get around Disney property.
Use Mobile Order
Mobile Order is a HUGE timesaver when in the Disney parks. This can be used at Quick Service and some snack locations in all 4 theme parks. Mobile Order is easy to use via the My Disney Experience app, and saves a lot of time. You can be in line waiting for an attraction, order your food, and pick it up after you ride.
RELATED READING: Best Budget Friendly Snacks at Disney World Parks
Consider a Special Event
If possible, attend a special event. A hard ticket event can really give you some more park time at Magic Kingdom. This year, Disney has returned Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, and likely will return Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Guests with tickets to these events can access the park as early as 4PM, and the park is open until midnight. This is a great arrival day event if possible. It gives you some park time, and something fun to do on your first night in Orlando.
Planning a short trip to Walt Disney World is feasible! With some flexibility, a good mindset and a solid plan, you can actually see and do a lot in a few days! Most of all, don’t push yourself and your family. You want your short time at Walt Disney World to be special and memorable, not rush by in a blur.
