Disney World in a Weekend

Four parks, one WEEKEND?

48 hours, 2,880 minutes, 172,800 seconds. You’re visiting Disney World but only have a weekend to do it! Want to hit all four parks? Here’s how to get the most out of your Disney experience and still make it a magical weekend:

  1. Get a Park Hopper
    • Worth the extra money if it’s in your budget. This allows you to visit multiple parks in one day, which is necessary if you want to hit all four in one weekend. You purchase this as an “add-on” to your existing park ticket.
  2. Stay on Property
    • Again, if it works for your budget, staying on property will make your weekend getaway much more do-able. Disney transportation to/from the parks will allow you to truly get the most out of your time and money.
    • Staying on property also opens up Extra Magic Hours for your family. EMH is the time before or after the parks’ scheduled open time when only resort guests are allowed in to the parks! Check the times guide to take advantage 🙂
  3. Make a Plan!
    • Planning for Disney is always crucial, but when you have limited time, it’s even more important! You won’t be able to do everything Disney has to offer (25+ trips later and I still haven’t hit it all), and that’s okay!!
      • Make a list of your family’s “Must Do’s,” and then make an outline for each day so you hit everything on your list.
      • Make dining reservations (180 days out from your trip) or have a plan for walk-ups. Sit down lunches and dinners provide a good break if you’re hitting the parks hard.
      • Make Fast Pass+ selections (60 days out if you’re staying on-property, 30 days if you’re off-property). This will save you tons of time waiting in lines.
      • Include time for breaks. Whether it’s a coffee stop, nap break or pool time, do what’s best for your group so you keep everyone happy! It’s easy to get worn down at the parks trying to do everything, so plan this break time into your day.

Want some help making a custom itinerary for your family? Contact me to do the planning part for so you can really get the most out of your Disney experience!

4. Be Prepared

You can never be too prepared for Disney. Weather changes unexpectedly, so be sure to pack everything from rain gear to extra pairs of clothes to your comfiest pair of shoes.

On a recent weekend trip to Disney, my husband and I got stuck in the craziest rain storm at Animal Kingdom and got soaked all the way through our clothes and shoes. Luckily, we had packed a change of clothes (I still ended up having to buy new shoes though.) You never know when those Florida storms will blow through!

Three hours of downpour and two rides on Expedition Everest (front row) later –
we were ready to leave Animal Kingdom.

5. Enjoy! You’re at the Happiest Place on Earth!

Sounds obvious, but it’s easy to get caught up in running from one ride to the next. Again, you won’t be able to do everything Disney has to offer, so try to soak in the activities you are able to do to make them even more magical!

Best Break Spots in Hollywood Studios

Days at Disney World are long and tiring, which is why having a few “break spots” in the parks is the key to making every minute magical! These are three of our favorite break spots at Hollywood Studios…

1. Trolley Car Cafe (Starbucks) – Coffee break

Right at the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Sunset Boulevard, this Starbucks hot spot is the perfect pick me up. They have the standard Starbucks menu, and some super cute Disney/Starbucks mugs!

2. Baseline Taphouse – Adult beverage break

This new spot next to Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant is a great addition to Hollywood Studios. Incredible outdoor seating and a great beer selection make it the ideal adult break spot.

3. Muppet Vision 3D – Kids and parents AC break

While we actually enjoy the Muppet Vision 3D show itself, our family is also guilty of using this show as our nap time. Sitting in a dark theater in the AC for 25 minutes is perfect for a much needed power-nap. You can rest, and the kids will love it!

Try these spots out on your next trip to Walt Disney World and let us know what you think!

3 Tips for Visiting Walt Disney World in the Summer

Summer in Orlando is what you would expect – hot, humid and crowded. But don’t let that stop you from booking your trip to the Happiest Place on Earth. Our family’s “usual” time to travel to Disney is the beginning of August, which is prime time for heat and crowds.

We’ve been going that time of year for as long as I can remember, so we’ve really gotten it down. Here’s how we’ve managed to do it all these years…

1. Don’t spend all day at the parks – this is my general plan for Disney, but especially important in the summer months!!

  • Hit the parks in the morning. I always recommend getting there before the parks open.
  • Stay through lunch/early afternoon. Leave before the heat (or summer storms) hit.
  • Head back to your resort. Spend some time cooling off at the pool or in the AC.
  • Visit the parks again for dinner and nighttime. You’ll be refreshed and ready to go, and the heat will have subsided!

2. Dress accordingly

  • Wear light clothes that dry quickly. Summer months are great for athletic clothes. You’re likely going to be sweaty or wet from the summer storms that blow through, so you want clothes that will dry fast.
  • Comfy shoes are always a must! This might seem obvious, but don’t wear brand new shoes to the parks. Wear shoes you know won’t rub in the heat. Lightweight gym shoes are my go-to.

3. Bring the right gear

Portable fans/fan spray bottles for the kids. They’ll be happy to have it while you wait in lines or are watching the parade. You’ll be happy to cool off too!

Ponchos. Summer storms blow in quickly, and they pass through even more quickly! Don’t get caught in the rain without them, or you’ll get soaked. We like to buy disposable ponchos in bulk in advance of our trips, so you can just throw them in your bags and toss them when you’re done.

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