Already have a Disney World trip planned or looking to plan one in the near future? Keep reading to discover our Disney World itinerary shared from our June 2021 adventure to the most magical place on earth! Learn about some must see attractions for each park, restaurant options our extended family of 6 enjoyed and more tips to plan your days in the parks!
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BACKGROUND:
Those who follow me on instagram know that we just go back from a one week trip to Disney World with my family and the surprise attendance of my parents. If you missed it, you can follow all I shared in my instagram story highlights here. You may also remember we had originally had a trip booked for March 2020 that was canceled and rescheduled several times during covid.
For your reference: at the time of booking our trip, park reservations were required in advance for each day, dining could still be booked 60 days in advance, parks were not at full capacity, and fast passes were not available.
PARK TICKETS:
We purchased a 6 day park hopper ticket package for 4 adults and two kids (3-9 years old) November 2019 through Sam’s club website. After several attempts at rescheduling, we ended up re-booking this trip for June 2021 where it was very hot by mid-day and we spent the rest of the afternoon by the pool. If I were to do it again, I probably wouldn’t have added the park hopper element to our package and I also think 5 days was plenty. Derek and I only park hopped one evening when we went back for a date night to Epcot, but otherwise the rest of the family never went to 2 parks in one day. My advice: plan your itinerary accordingly and you can have a full day in each park without having to hop around and pay the park hopper fee.
Magic Kingdom – booked 3 days
- BEST PARK FOR LITTLE KIDS: Not only are there lots of rides in this park but they are all in small groups so they aren’t far from one another. We booked 3 days here, including the first day that we flew in and didn’t visit until 4pm. You can hear more about my favorite rides for little kids on this post from our last trip!
- TRANSPORTATION: This is the only park that doesn’t actually have it’s own parking lot. You have to park at a transportation station and take either the monorail or the ferry over to the park if you drive yourself. If your hotel offers it, take the bus service to the Magic Kingdom as it’s quicker and more direct.
- GO EARLY: On the days we went, the park opened at 8am but we were already on rides by that point! It’s worth it to get a great shot of the castle without full sun in your eyes and to get on a bunch of rides before the crowds kick in.
- FAVORITE AREA FOR ALL AGES – TOMORROWLAND: Of all the areas of this park, one of the best is Tomorrowland. There’s a great mix of rides for younger kids, another shooting style game for competitors, Tomorrowland Speedway ride for riders at least 32 inches tall, People Mover that gives you a ride around the park and Space Mountain for those looking for a bigger adventure.
- TIP: BRING PONCHOS AND RAIN GEAR: Pop up showers are common in Florida! While we didn’t end up needing it for this trip, Target does sell plastic ponchos in their sporting goods section so come prepared! My mom also grabbed a clear shower curtain from the dollar store to put over our double stroller, should we have needed it.
Hollywood Studios – booked 1 day
- 7AM BOARDING PASS: To experience the Star Wars ride, Rise of the Resistance you need to get a “boarding pass” which you can apply for on your Disney World app at 7am. You don’t need to be in the park at that time, but you would need to have a park reservation for that day. Even though my husband was on at that time, we didn’t get a boarding pass in that first open session. They opened a second around of boarding passes at 1pm and he was able to grab one for later in the afternoon.
- This was the only park we went to in the am, came home to the hotel for a break mid-day, and went back to the park in the afternoon. We ONLY did that because we got that later time for a boarding pass for the ride (which BTW is so worth it)
- LEARN ABOUT RIDER SWITCH: My girls are NOT Star Wars fans and turned out Hailey was not a fan of most “intense” rides on this trip. They do, however, allow for rider switch for the Rise of the Resistance ride if you talk to a cast member upon entering the line, even though it’s not listed on the website! We were able to bypass the outside line, work with a specific cast member with their special scanner for Derek and I to go down the fast pass line to enjoy the ride while my parents stayed with the girls. After we came out (only 21 minutes later – I timed it) my parents got to do the same, going down the fast pass lane to enjoy the ride. Here’s the full list of attractions at the parks that offer rider switch.
- GET IN EARLY: The park was due to open at 9am but they let people in early! We were there at 8:45am already making our way to rides in the back of the park.
- BEST ATTRACTION FOR ALL AGES: Toy Story Mania. You are in two person teams competing to shoot at targets in carnival style games. All ages of our group loved this rides and the line was super short since we went there went if first opened!
- MY LEAST FAVORITE PARK FOR LITTLES: This was my least favorite park for my almost 6 and 8 year old as much of the attractions are geared towards older kids. Toy Story Land is very cute, but it only has 3 rides. We went straight there upon entering (EARLY) and the Slinky Dog ride line was already 60 minutes long!
- LUNCH: We enjoyed an air conditioned filling lunch at Mama Melrose’s which was enjoyed by all! Us adults each enjoyed a delicious Italian dish, while the girls enjoyed a large plate of spaghetti and meatballs, pizza, a large fresh fruit bowl each, milk, and finished with an ice cream sundae, which was all included in their kid’s meal.
Animal Kingdom – booked 1 day
- This is probably the most shade covering park at Disney World, but it still feels hot in June!
- MAKE THE SAFARI YOUR FIRST RIDE: We went straight there when we first got to the park and waited only about 5 minutes to get a truck. We were able to see tons of animals and even had to pause for a giraffe crossing.
- TOUGH TO BE A BUG CAN BE SCARY FOR SENSTIVE KIDS: This 3D show that’s inside the tree of life is a bit frightening for younger, more sensitive kids. Hailey cried through most of it so just be prepared. Besides the 3D effect on the screen and animatronic models above you, spiders come down from the ceiling, stuff squirts at you, bugs “sting” you on your back and there’s lots of flashing and loud noises.
- MUST SEE: FESTIVAL OF THE LION KING – if you’re a fan of Broadway plays, live performance musicals, or just the movie the Lion King, definitely check out this show at WHERE. We happen to catch this 22 minute performance that follows the plot of the Lion King with costumed performers and we all loved it!
- LUNCH: Rainforest Café – Overall I was very happy with the kid food selection available at the Disney parks. Here, both my girls got the Dinosaur chicken nuggets (which was more like 8 on the plate!) grapes, oranges, and milk.
Epcot – booked 1 day
- ATTENTION FOODIES – THIS IS THE PARK FOR YOU! Epcot is known for their unique food options in their world showcase where you can enjoy different food and drinks from all different
- UNIQUE ATTRACTION – LIVING WITH THE LAND: this one threw us all for a loop as it started as a sorta lame, slow boat ride, but continued to reveal some really cool gardens and new planting processes they are doing at the park! You can see lots of cool vertically growing vegetable gardens, unique edible plants and a fish farm, all with the message about helping care about our tomorrow.
- ADVENTURERS, DON’T MISS MISSION SPACE – ORANGE: – If you’re prone with motion sickness or hate closed spaces, this is NOT the ride for you. Derek and I went on this during our date night at Epcot an earlier night and while I was a bit nervous at all the repeat warnings about the ride, it was fun to experience what it would be like to land on Mars!
- DINNER: Coral Reef restaurant. This is a very scenic and yummy restaurant that is connected to the aquarium seen in the Living Seas and by the Nemo ride. Not only did we all have a delicious dinner while looking at the beautiful scenery, but the girls both chose Nemo’s concoction dessert as one of the “sides” to their steak dinner and they were happy to enjoy a brookie special treat! My parents had just enjoyed their 40th anniversary two months early and were treated to a chocolate cake dessert after I noted that in our reservation confirmation.
Have any questions about our experience? Leave them here or message me on instagram!
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