Disney World 5-Day Itinerary: Day-by-Day Plan for Families (Ages 8-12)

Eat at hotel (if included) or pack bagels, fruit, granola bars. You need fuel but don't spend 60 min at a sit-down breakfast—save time for rope drop.

Park opens at 9am but gates open at 8:30am. Arriving at 7:45am puts you near the front of the rope drop crowd. Bring sunscreen, portable fan, frozen water bottles.

Cast members will hold you at the "rope" until 9am official opening. Position yourself in Fantasyland rope drop group. When rope drops, WALK QUICKLY (don't run) to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

First major ride of your trip! Wait will be 15-30 min vs 90-120 min by 11am. Take family photo in front of mine entrance while in line.

Walk to Tomorrowland (5 min). If you booked Lightning Lane for Space Mountain, use it now. Otherwise, standby line should be 30-45 min. Secure loose items—this is a jerky coaster in the dark.

Walk to Frontierland (10 min). Lines are climbing but still manageable (40-60 min). This is a great "first coaster" if your kids are nervous—fun but not too intense.

Both are walk-ons or short waits (15-30 min) late morning. Air-conditioned, relaxing, good for cooling down. Do both back-to-back.

Take the bus/monorail back to your resort. Let kids swim, nap, or just decompress in AC. Florida midday heat (90-95°F) plus crowds make this the worst time to be in the park. You'll enjoy evening hours more if you rest now.

Afternoon heat makes getting soaked appealing. Expect 60-75 min wait. Bring a change of clothes in backpack OR embrace wet shoes (they'll dry fast in Florida heat).

Waits drop during dinner hour (5-7pm). Should be 35-50 min. Funny for all ages, shaded boat ride, good rest from walking.

Crowds thin after dinner. Good time for re-riding favorites (Seven Dwarfs with Lightning Lane if you have a second pass, or Peter Pan if kids want it). Alternatively, explore areas you missed: Tom Sawyer Island, Swiss Family Treehouse.

Happily Ever After fireworks start at 9pm (summer schedule). Claim a spot on Main Street USA or in front of Cinderella Castle 30-45 min early for good views. Kids can sit on ground while you wait.

Shops on Main Street stay open 30-60 min after park closes. Browse for souvenirs or head straight to bus/monorail to beat exit crowds. Get to bed early—you have another rope drop tomorrow.

Today requires the earliest wake-up. Eat something substantial—you won't have time for real lunch until 12:30pm.

This seems insanely early but Rise of the Resistance lines hit 120+ min by 10am. Early arrival is the only way to ride it with short waits. Gates open at 8am for 9am opening.

When gates open, follow signs to Galaxy's Edge (back left of park). DON'T get distracted by Toy Story Land—head straight for Rise of the Resistance. Cast members direct rope drop crowds.

This is the best ride in all of Disney World—full-scale Star Destroyer, trackless vehicles, motion simulators. Ages 8+ will lose their minds. Wait will be 20-40 min vs 120-150 min by 10:30am.

Walk to Toy Story Land (10 min). If you booked Lightning Lane, use it now. Otherwise, standby line should be 50-70 min. Great family coaster—thrilling but not too intense for ages 6+.

Right next to Slinky Dog. 4D shooting game where you compete for high scores. All ages love it. Expect 45-60 min wait midday.

Walk back to Galaxy's Edge (10 min). Star Wars flight simulator—you pilot the Millennium Falcon. Wait should be 30-40 min during lunch hour.

30-min show. Sit down, rest your feet, enjoy air conditioning. Shows run every 90 min—catch the 1:30pm or 2pm showing.

Next door to Indiana Jones. Classic Star Wars simulator (dated graphics but still fun). Wait 25-40 min midday. Do this OR take hotel break if kids need rest.

Option A: Return to hotel for 90-min swim/nap. Option B: Stay in park, do Rock 'n' Roller Coaster (0-57mph in 3 seconds, 48" height, ages 10+). Standby wait 70-90 min.

If you booked Lightning Lane, use it now. Otherwise, wait drops to 60-75 min late afternoon (from 90+ earlier). Classic drop ride—too intense for most under 10 but teens LOVE it.

Park empties after 7pm. Great time to re-ride Rise of the Resistance (buy Individual Lightning Lane for $15-20/person if you want a second experience) or shop in Galaxy's Edge (build a lightsaber at Savi's Workshop, $250).

Hollywood Studios typically closes 9-9:30pm. Beat the exit rush by leaving 30 min early. Tomorrow is another early day (EPCOT virtual queue at 7am).

Set alarm for 6:58am. At 7:00:00am, tap "Join Virtual Queue" button. You'll get a return time (usually 10am-2pm). This guarantees your spot to ride—no waiting in standby line.

Less urgent than yesterday's early arrival, but you still want to rope drop Test Track at 9am opening.

Design a virtual car on screens in queue, then ride high-speed outdoor loop (65mph). Kids 6-14 love this. Wait 20-30 min at rope drop vs 60-90 min by 11am.

Hang-glider simulator over world landmarks. Relaxing, beautiful, all ages. Wait 30-45 min mid-morning.

Choose Orange (intense, simulated rocket launch, ages 10+) or Green (mild, non-spinning version, ages 6+). Orange is one of the most intense rides at Disney—skip if anyone prone to motion sickness. Wait 30-40 min.

Use your virtual queue return time (whenever it was assigned). This reverse-launch coaster with rotating vehicles and 70s/80s soundtrack is INCREDIBLE—likely the best ride at EPCOT, maybe all Disney World. Ages 8+.

Walk clockwise around World Showcase lagoon (1.2 miles). Hit these highlights:

• Norway (1:45-2:30pm): Frozen Ever After ride (use Lightning Lane or wait 60-80 min). Shop for trolls in gift shop.
• China (2:30-3:00pm): CircleVision 360° film (10 min, walk-on, air-conditioned rest).
• Japan (3:00-3:45pm): Authentic shopping (anime, toys, kimonos), watch taiko drummers (check show times), eat mochi ice cream ($5).
• France (3:45-4:30pm): Remy's Ratatouille Adventure ride (40-60 min wait, trackless dark ride, all ages), pastries at Les Halles bakery (get the croissant, $4).

Skip Germany, Italy, and Morocco if kids are tired—mostly shopping and restaurants.

Return to hotel for swim/rest OR continue exploring World Showcase. If staying, do Living with the Land boat ride (10 min wait, air-conditioned, showcases Disney's greenhouses—surprisingly interesting).

Complete any missed pavilions (UK, Canada) or re-ride Test Track/Guardians with Lightning Lane if you have remaining selections. EPCOT empties significantly after 7pm—good time for short waits.

Watch from anywhere around World Showcase lagoon. Best views: Between France and UK, or near Japan. Fireworks last 20 min. Exit immediately after to beat crowds.

Flight of Passage reaches 120-150 min waits by 10am. Early arrival is mandatory if you want to ride without buying Individual Lightning Lane ($15-20/person).

Speed-walk to Pandora (back of park, 10 min from entrance). This 4D flying simulator over Pandora is BREATHTAKING—frequently cited as Disney World's best ride. Wait 20-40 min at rope drop vs 120+ by 10:30am. Ages 8+ (44" height requirement).

Right next door to Flight of Passage. Slow boat ride through bioluminescent Pandora forest. Beautiful but short (4 min). All ages. Wait 30-45 min early morning.

Walk to Africa section (15 min). Open-air truck ride through habitats with real giraffes, elephants, lions, rhinos. Animals are most active morning/evening (they hide in afternoon heat). DO NOT skip this—it's the highlight of Animal Kingdom for many families.

Coaster with backward-facing section and Yeti animatronic. Ages 8+ (44" height). Wait 50-70 min midday. If kids love coasters, use Lightning Lane for this + re-ride later.

30-min live show with acrobats, puppets, and Lion King music. Air-conditioned theater, perfect midday break. Check show times and arrive 20 min early for good seats.

Walk-through exhibits with no lines:

• Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail: Gorillas, hippos, exotic birds. 20-30 min self-paced.
• Maharajah Jungle Trek: Tigers, bats, komodo dragons. 20-30 min self-paced.

These are RELAXING (no lines, no waits) and educational. Kids love seeing animals up close.

You WILL get soaked. Fun on hot afternoon (Florida heat makes wet clothes tolerable). Ages 6+ (38" height). Wait 30-50 min. Bring change of clothes OR accept soggy shoes for last 2 hours in park.

Use Lightning Lane for Expedition Everest re-ride if kids want it, OR shop Pandora merchandise (super expensive but beautifully themed), OR leave early to beat exit rush. Park closes 6-7pm.

Option A: Return to hotel for long pool session (you finished early!).

Option B: Drive to Disney Springs (25 min, free parking, no ticket needed). Shop, eat ice cream, see live entertainment. Open till 11pm.

Option C: Take afternoon nap back at hotel, then explore resort (most Disney resorts have multiple pools, arcades, and character dining).

Eat at hotel restaurant (if you have dining plan) or cook breakfast in room if you have kitchenette. No rush today—park is open 9am-10pm.

Arriving mid-morning means you skip rope drop stress. Use Lightning Lane strategically for rides you missed on Day 1.

If you skipped it on Day 1, do it now with Lightning Lane. Wait will be 60-80 min standby. Great for ages 3-10. Otherwise, re-ride Seven Dwarfs or Space Mountain with Lightning Lane.

Splash Mountain (if you want to get soaked again) and/or Tom Sawyer Island (walk-around playground—kids love exploring caves and climbing fort). Waits 45-60 min midday for Splash.

Things you might've missed on Day 1:

• Enchanted Tales with Belle: Interactive storytelling (kids act out Beauty & the Beast). Great for ages 4-8. 20 min experience.
• Mickey's PhilharMagic: 3D movie. Air-conditioned, walk-on, 15 min. Good midday rest.
• Country Bear Jamboree: Animatronic singing bears. Dated but air-conditioned and oddly charming.

Use any remaining Lightning Lane selections for family favorites. Most requested re-rides: Seven Dwarfs, Space Mountain, Big Thunder, Pirates, Haunted Mansion.

Main Street USA shops, Emporium (largest gift shop), Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (princess makeovers if you booked 60 days out, $70-$200). Budget $100-200 for final souvenirs—kids will want SOMETHING to remember the trip.

Watch Happily Ever After one last time. Stake spot on Main Street 30 min early. After fireworks, linger on Main Street for family photos in front of Cinderella Castle with evening lights.

Head back to hotel. Pack tonight if checking out tomorrow morning. Order Pizza Hut or Domino's delivery to hotel room (most Disney resorts allow this) for late-night packing snack.