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I'm a travel planner who's been to Disney World over 40 times. Here's my one-day itinerary for ride lovers.

Jul 7, 2023, 03:15 IST
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I plan Disney World vacations for friends, family, and clients.Kari Becker
  • As an experienced Disney travel planner, I've made the perfect itinerary for ride lovers.
  • Genie+ and individual Lightning Lane purchases are a must to ride the most popular attractions.
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As a travel planner at Marvelous Mouse Travels, part of my job is helping clients plan out their daily itineraries at Disney World.

Using Genie+, optimizing park hours, and staying on the property will help you plan an epic day riding the best coasters and attractions.

Here's my plan for a day at Hollywood Studios, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Magic Kingdom.

Stay on Disney World property in a deluxe resort to maximize your time in the parks

When you stay at a deluxe resort in Disney World, you get to enter the park 30 minutes early and access some extended evening hours.

You'll need to check the schedule on the Disney World website in advance to pick a day that offers these hours, preferably at Magic Kingdom, for the most bang for your buck.

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Purchasing a few ticket add-ons is key for successfully planning out the day

You'll want to plan ahead to make it on new, popular attractions like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.Kari Becker

To make the most of your day, you'll want to buy a Park Hopper ticket, which allows you access to more than one theme park each day after 2 p.m.

I also recommend investing in Genie+, which allows you to make expedited Lightning Lane reservations to skip the standby line at attractions. There are some rides across the parks that you can purchase an individual Lighting Lane pass for — prices typically start around $20 a person and you can buy up to two a day.

I suggest starting your day by purchasing the Rise of the Resistance individual Lightning Lane for the earliest time possible, as well as purchasing a time after 2 p.m. for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

Separately, through Genie+, grab the earliest time offered for Rock 'n' Roller Coaster.

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Start the day with the big-ticket attractions at Hollywood Studios

There are a couple popular rides in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.Kari Becker

Starting with Hollywood Studios would be my first choice. There are a number of great rides there, and you want to start your day as early as possible to avoid crowds.

Get to the park at least an hour before opening and head straight to the standby line at Tower of Terror. Then hit up Rise of the Resistance and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at your prescheduled times.

Once you scan into Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, grab another Genie+ selection for Test Track at Epcot anytime after 2 p.m.

Before leaving Hollywood Studios, grab some lunch at Woody's Lunch Box, my favorite quick-service location, and head to the Disney Skyliner gondolas by 1:30 p.m. to take the trip to Epcot.

Hit up a few rides at Epcot around midday

After exiting the Skyliner, you'll enter Epcot through the International Gateway.

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Head toward Future World and grab a drink or snack on the way as you walk through the World Showcase.

Ride Cosmic Rewind and Test Track based at whatever time you could grab. If you have some extra time to ride Soarin' Around the World, add that to the list.

After riding Test Track, make sure to reserve a Lighting Lane for Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom through Genie+.

Head to Animal Kingdom before the park closes

My family loves riding Expedition Everest.Kari Becker

From Epcot, you'll want to take a bus to Animal Kingdom by 5 p.m.

If you were able to grab an Everest Lighting Lane, go there during your time slot. It's my favorite ride in the parks, so even if you can't get an expedited line pass, it's probably worth checking out the standby or single-rider line if the wait is reasonable.

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Grab a quick snack at Yak & Yeti quick-service or Satu'li Canteen and then jump in line for Avatar Flight of Passage in Pandora right before the park closes at 7 p.m. This is usually when there are the shortest wait times for the popular ride.

Finish up your night at Magic Kingdom

Big Thunder Mountain is one of the roller coasters at Magic Kingdom.Kari Becker

Hop on the bus from Animal Kingdom to Magic Kingdom to finish out the night. Magic Kingdom is often the last park to close, depending on the time of year — it's currently open until 10 or 11 p.m.

If you're visiting for extended hours as a resort guest and arrive after normal park hours, you can no longer use Genie+. Try to sneak a few extra Lightning Lane selections in before closing time.

Then jump on Space Mountain and Thunder Mountain based on their respective wait times. Riding during the fireworks is a great plan as many lines are short.

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If the lines aren't too long, you might even be able to squeeze in Seven Dwarfs Mine Train for one last thrill.

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