How Many Days Are Needed in Walt Disney World?

So, you have decided to bring your daydreams to life at Walt Disney World, yet one question remains – how many days are needed? With four sprawling theme parks and two huge water parks, there is an abundance of magical wonders to be uncovered.

You could opt for a week-long exploration of Walt Disney World, yet two to three days well planned can be equally rewarding - particularly if you have other Florida attractions on the agenda. So, for that all important question of time, it ultimately comes down to preference and priorities. Thankfully, with over 20 years of experience in planning dream Walt Disney World holidays, we are here to lend a helping hand…

2 – 3 days in Walt Disney World

For those looking to combine their Disney exploits with other Florida attractions - or for those lucky enough to visit the Sunshine State regularly - two to three days is a good amount of time to experience what's new and what's still amazing at Disney World.

If you’re a seasoned pro in the Disney landscape, you are bound to know the best rides, attractions, and places to eat already, which means all that’s left to do is soak it all up. However, long weekends and weekends in general tend to be more crowded so be prepared for queues. For shorter Walt Disney World breaks, we recommend getting the Genie+ app, which will allow you to skip the queue on your favourite rides.

Ideal itinerary for 2 – 3 days in Walt Disney World

No trip to Walt Disney World could be complete without a visit to Magic Kingdom, which is why we advise dedicating a full day to this nostalgia fest. Start your day taking in the wonder that is Cinderella Castle before embarking on classic rides, such as Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Haunted Mansion. Then, be blown away by the park’s new addition, TRON Lightcycle/Run. And to end your day with a bang (quite literally), Magic Kingdom’s spectacular Happily Ever After fireworks display is sure to dazzle the senses.



Epcot is another theme park which deserves your precious time due to its plethora of new offerings. Begin at the symbol of Epcot – Spaceship Earth, which will take you on an epic journey through human communication. After this, take your pick from the likes of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Test Track, and World Showcase – a collection of pavilions representing 11 countries. And top it all off with a meal in outer space. At the new Space 220 restaurant, you can dine with celestial views 220 miles above Earth.

For your third day, you may want to take advantage of the Park Hopper option and tick off both Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios on the same day. Or perhaps you want to cool off at one of the water parks, Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach instead. There's still plenty of choice.

4-5 days in Walt Disney World

With a four or five day trip, this allows for a full day at each theme park. And if this is your first visit to Walt Disney World, that is highly recommended. Although, limiting yourself to less than a week creates a more packed schedule and less relaxation time, which is another factor to consider. A good idea to make the most of your time on a four or five day trip would be to stay at a Disney Resort hotel, where you can delve into all the action straight away.

Ideal itinerary for 4-5 days in Walt Disney World

After soaking up all the best attractions at Magic Kingdom and Epcot over the first couple of days, there are a few options to make the most of the rest of your time. One suggestion is to spend another full day each at Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. Highlights at Animal Kingdom include stepping into the magnificent Pandora – The World of Avatar, singing along to your favourite tunes at Festival of the Lion King, and braving Expedition Everest and Kali River Rapids in the Asia themed area.



Plus, you will definitely want to strike a pose in front of the park’s pride and joy, the Tree of Life, which features over 300 animal carvings. And for your day at Hollywood Studios, you won’t want to miss the infamous Tower of Terror, as well as the impeccably designed themed areas, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land.

However, if you want to fit in a trip to the water parks as well as all four theme parks, the Park Hopper option makes for a perfect way to do that. Or, with so much to see and do at Magic Kingdom, you may want to dedicate two days just to this theme park alone. With an extra day, you can explore more of their fabulous dining and shopping opportunities. Savour a feast in the exquisite Be Our Guest restaurant and stock up on Disney delights at Emporium, Magic Kingdom’s largest gift shop.

6-7 days or more in Walt Disney World 

When it comes to Walt Disney World, you can never have too much time. That’s why anywhere from a week onwards is ideal. With seven days you can also opt to get the 7-Day Disney Magic Ticket, which can be spread out however you wish. This ticket includes the Park Hopper, unlimited downloads of your favourite family photos with Memory Maker, as well as access to ESPN Wide World of Sports and golfing paradise at Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course. And if you’re lucky enough to have even more time at the happiest place on earth, there is also an option for a 14-Day Disney Magic Ticket which can be used over 18 days.

Ideal itinerary for 6-7 days in Walt Disney World

With around a week or so at Walt Disney World, you don’t have to spend every day at the theme parks (although we certainly wouldn’t blame you if you did). A terrific addition to your Walt Disney World retreat if you have extra days is to explore the superb area of Disney Springs. Featuring an array of shopping, eating, and entertainment options, you could easily spend a full day here. Some of our top picks include the captivating Drawn to Life Presented by Cirque du Soleil, a relaxing waterside lunch at The Boathouse and browsing the world’s largest Disney store, World of Disney.



With more days in the holiday calendar, you can also time your visits accordingly. This means, for example, you could avoid Magic Kingdom on a weekend, opting for a quieter mid-week slot. A longer itinerary also gives you more chance to enjoy your accommodation amenities, whether that be relaxing poolside at the hotel or soaking up family time in the surroundings of a beautiful Florida villa.

Discover your perfect Walt Disney World 2024 & 2025 holidays here - and get in touch with one of our Disney experts today.