You’ve done your research on the best restaurants, read up on all the must-do attractions in the theme parks, and decided when you want to visit Walt Disney World, but there’s still one major question to answer – how many days should your vacation be? And, you might be surprised by how difficult it can be to decide!

First and foremost, it’s important to understand that Disney World is massive and there is a lot to see and do. With four theme parks, two water parks, Disney Springs, and more, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. In fact, even frequent Disney travelers sometimes feel like they could go to Disney World every day and still not have enough time to do everything.

So, how many days do you need to truly experience everything? Well, there’s no right or wrong answer to the question – it’s about determining what it is YOU want to see and do…and making sure you’ve got enough time to do it all! Here’s what you need to know to decide how many days your next Disney World vacation should be.

5 Questions To Ask Yourself When Deciding How Many Days You Need at Disney World

1. What is your budget?

It’s no secret that a Disney World vacation is pricey, but the overall cost is going to depend a lot on the length of your stay and how many days you plan to be in the parks. It’s a common misconception that a Disney trip costs an arm and a leg but, we’re going to let you in on a secret – it doesn’t have to!

Knowing how much you want to spend on your trip will be the best guide to help you decide how long your trip should be. If you’ve got a smaller budget, a shorter trip may be best. Whereas, the bigger the budget, the more you can do and the more time you’ll need to do it.

Of course, there are so many ways to make your Disney trip more affordable (even if you’re going to 5+ days!), but determining how much you want to spend is the best place to start.

2. Who are you traveling with?

Disney World isn’t just for little kids! Nowadays, families come in all shapes and sizes to Disney World. So, you might see someone flying solo, a couple on their honeymoon, a family of four on a fun getaway, or a full family reunion with 10+ people. But, each of these family’s Disney trips are going to look vastly different, and likely be different lengths!

For example, two adults traveling together may not need to spend a full day in Magic Kingdom (since the park is geared towards younger guests), but they may want a second day in EPCOT to enjoy all the eats and drinks at the festivals. However, a family with small kids may need even more time at Magic Kingdom to hit all the attractions. And, those large families? Well, it can take a long time to travel around the parks with a big group, so they may want to plan an extended trip to be sure that they don’t miss anything.

3. When are you traveling?

There’s never a bad time to go to Disney World, but there’s no denying that the crowds, ticket pricing, and special events can have a big impact on how long your trip should be.

When thinking about the time of year that you plan to visit Disney World, consider what the crowds might be like, and if there are any extra activities that you’ll want to attend such as Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, or any EPCOT festivals that you may want to spend more time at. Heavier crowds and additional activities could mean that you’ll need more time to explore everything the parks have to offer and beyond.

Additionally, if your budget is a big factor in deciding how long you can stay at Disney World, you may want to go during the “slow” season when prices are lower so you can get more bang for your buck.

4. What parks do you want to visit?

Are all four theme parks non-negotiable for you? Do you want to spend some time at Disney Springs? What about Disney’s water parks – Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach? Sit down and write out all of the parks you want to visit so that you can start making a rough itinerary.

5. Do you plan to park hop?

A park hopper ticket at Disney World allows you to visit more than one theme park in one day. And, if you use it wisely, a park hopper can make it easier for you to do more in fewer days. Just keep in mind that park hopper tickets cost more than a traditional one-park, one-day ticket, so you may want to price out the cost difference between a longer trip and visiting one park per day versus a shorter trip with park hopping.

How Many Days Do You Need In Each Disney World Theme Park?

So, you’ve answered the five questions above, but you’re still wondering “how many days do I actually need in each park?” Here’s what you need to know about what there is to do in each park and how long it takes the average park guest to do it all!

How Many Days Do You Need at Magic Kingdom?

Magic Kingdom is the most iconic park at Disney World, and it’s full of classic attractions and beloved characters. But how many days do you need to experience everything it has to offer?

Based on our experience, you should plan to spend one to two full days at Magic Kingdom. This will give you enough time to ride all the major attractions, see the shows, and explore the different lands, especially if you’re traveling with little kiddos or during the busier season.

One of the biggest reasons to spend more than one day at Magic Kingdom is the crowds. Even on a slow day, lines for popular rides like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Space Mountain can be over an hour long. So, by spreading your visit over multiple days, you’ll have more time to see everything without feeling rushed.

If you’re short on time, it’s still possible to see a lot of Magic Kingdom in one day. Just plan to arrive early, prioritize the attractions that are most important to you, and consider purchasing Lightning Lane entry to skip the lines for the most popular rides in the park. You’ll likely miss out on some of the shows, parades, and character meet-and-greets that make Magic Kingdom so special, but that’s just another reason to come back another time, right?

How Many Days Do You Need at EPCOT?

EPCOT is a unique park at Disney World that is divided into four sections: World Celebration, World Discovery, World Nature, and World Showcase. The front of the park (which includes World Celebration, Discovery, and Nature) has recently undergone a major transformation and is now home to several attractions (both new and old), restaurants, meet-and-greets, and exhibits. Whereas, World Showcase is located towards the back of the park and is a collection of pavilions that represent different countries around the world. Each pavilion features its own unique architecture, food, and entertainment.

To fully experience EPCOT, you should plan to spend at least one full day at the park. However, if you want to explore everything EPCOT has to offer, you may need to allocate an extra day. Here’s a breakdown of how much time you should spend at each section of EPCOT:

World Celebration, World Discovery, and World Nature

At the front of the park, you’ll come across some of the most iconic attractions in the park such as Soarin’, Test Track, Spaceship Earth, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and Journey Of Water, Inspired By Moana. There are also various exhibits and pavilions, such as The Seas with Nemo & Friends and The Land.

To fully experience Future World, you should plan to spend at least half a day exploring the attractions and exhibits. If you want to ride all the popular attractions, you may need to allocate more time.

World Showcase

World Showcase is the second section of EPCOT, and it features pavilions representing 11 different countries around the world. Each pavilion has its own unique architecture, food, and entertainment. Plus, during select times of the year, you’ll also find several food booths around World Showcase as part of EPCOT’s four different festivals. This is a fun way to sample eats and drinks from around the world and see some limited-time entertainment.

To fully experience World Showcase, you should plan to spend at least half a day exploring the pavilions and trying the different foods. If you want to see all the live performances and shows, you may need to allocate more time.

How Many Days Do You Need at Disney’s Hollywood Studios?

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a popular park that offers a mix of thrilling attractions, shows, and experiences inspired by Hollywood movies. With so many different lands, shows, and attractions to experience here, you might be wondering how much time you need to spend at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The answer depends on your interests and priorities. If you are a big fan of Star Wars or Pixar movies, you might want to spend more time exploring the themed lands and attractions dedicated to those franchises. Or, if you’re more interested in live shows and entertainment, you might want to schedule your visit around the park’s schedule of performances.

Generally speaking, you can experience most (if not all) of the major attractions and shows at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in one day. However, it’s important to keep in mind that there are several key attractions here that draw big crowds which may mean that you spend a lot of your day waiting in long lines if you’re traveling during a busy time of the year.

How Many Days Do You Need at Disney’s Animal Kingdom?

While Disney’s Animal Kingdom is actually the largest park in Disney World, it has gained a reputation as being a half-day park. But, that might not be what’s best for your family!

For example, if you are a fan of animals and nature, you’ll likely need a full day at the park compared to someone who is primarily interested in rides and attractions. The park is similar to a zoo in that there are several walking trails and attractions that let you get up close to a variety of animals like elephants, tigers, gorillas, and more. Plus, there are several stage shows that you don’t want to miss (especially if you’re traveling with kids) including The Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!

On the other hand, if you are more interested in rides and attractions, you may be able to experience everything Animal Kingdom has to offer in less than a day. The park has only a few major rides, including Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris, and Avatar Flight of Passage, so you may be able to get through the lines more efficiently if you’re not traveling during peak times of the year.

How Many Days Do You Need at Disney Springs and Other Disney World Attractions?

Disney World is made up of more than just the four theme parks!

Disney Springs is a shopping, dining, and entertainment complex with over 100 stores, more than 50 places to grab a bite or a beverage, live entertainment, and more. You can easily spend a full day at Disney Springs, especially if you plan to shop, dine, and take in the entertainment. However, most people will plan to visit Disney Springs on the day that they arrive or in one evening.

In addition to Disney Springs, there are a few other Disney World attractions that you may want to visit during your trip. These include the two water parks, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, and the Disney Golf and mini-golf courses.

If you are interested in visiting both water parks, plan on spending a full day at each park. And, if you only have time for one water park, choose the one that best fits your interests. Blizzard Beach is known for its more thrilling water slides, while Typhoon Lagoon has a more laid-back, tropical vibe.

If you are a golfer, consider playing a round at one of the Disney Golf courses one morning. There are three courses to choose from: Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course, Disney’s Palm Golf Course, and Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course. Or, opt for mini golf at one of Disney’s two courses: Fantasia Gardens & Miniature Golf and Winter Summerland. Both of these activities only take up about half a day or less.

And, don’t forget that you may want to spend a day outside of the parks swimming and enjoying your hotel!

So, How Many Days Do You Need At Disney World?

The bottom line is that the length of your trip really depends on what you want to do! In general, we recommend that first-time Disney goers plan to visit for 5-7 days. This gives you enough time to go to all four theme parks, enjoy a few table service restaurants, visit Disney Springs, and relax at your hotel at a pace that makes it feel like you’re actually on vacation.

That being said, it is totally doable to visit Disney World for a holiday weekend and still have a great time – you just might not be able to do absolutely everything…and that’s okay!

One of the best ways to be sure that your Disney World trip is fulfilling and the right length for you is to sit down with your family prior to your trip and have everyone pick 5 things they want to do (whether that’s in each park or for the entire trip). This will help you know what to prioritize regardless of how long your trip is so everyone walks away without any regrets.

FAQ

What is the ideal length of stay at Disney World?

The ideal length of stay at Disney World depends on your preferences and priorities. However, most visitors recommend spending at least 4-5 days to fully experience all four theme parks, along with some time at Disney Springs and the water parks. If it’s your first time visiting, we recommend staying for a week to fully immerse yourself.

What if I have to skip a park? Which one do I skip?

If you have to skip a park, it ultimately depends on your interests and priorities. However, most visitors recommend skipping Disney’s Animal Kingdom if you’re short on time. While the park has some great attractions, it currently has fewer rides and shows than the other parks.

Can I visit all four theme parks in one day?

Technically, it’s possible to visit all four theme parks in one day, but it is not recommended. You would have to rush through each park and miss out on many attractions, shows, and experiences. It can be a fun challenge, but it’s better to take your time and fully enjoy each park on its own day if you have time.

Comments

How many days do you usually plan a Disney World vacation for? Have you ever gone on a trip that felt too short? Or, too long? Let us know in the comments!