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Top 7 Things to Do on a Short Trip to Walt Disney World

Disney Castle

So you’re in town for business, and you have an extra day to kill? You happen to fly through Orlando on the way home from your family reunion? Or maybe you’re an in-state Annual Passholder with an unexpected day off? Well, those all sound like the perfect opportunity for a short trip to Disney World, if you ask me. Here are seven ways to spend that precious little time at WDW:

7. Two Day Getaway – With a two-day, one-night getaway, you’ve got lots of options really. But if it were me, I’d go for a moderate or deluxe on-property resort. Live large—it’s only one night! Spend the first day lounging by the pool and using all the amenities that you can. Have a nice dinner, maybe take in a show. In the morning, check out and spend the entire day in the park of your choice. Don’t forget to utilize Fast Pass to make the most of every moment!

6. A Quick Overnight – Twenty four hours. That’s all you’ve got. How are you gonna spend it at Disney World? If it were me, I’d go for a value resort in this case. You’re not going to have time to appreciate a ton of amenities, but having access to on-property transportation would be ideal. Spend one day hitting your favorite park from open to close. Crash at your resort. Then get up just in time to grab a quick breakfast and check out.

5. One Glorious Day – One day is plenty of time to experience an entire park. (Trust me, I do it all the time!) The key is to go early, have a must-do plan…and wear good walking shoes! This might be a great time to bypass table service restaurants that can eat up time in favor of some well-planned counter service meals. At a counter service place you may not have the same level of staff attention, but you certainly won’t sacrifice any taste.

4. Just a Morning – Got some a.m. hours to kill? Why not book a Character Breakfast at one of the resorts? Not only will you get some good face-time with your favorite pals, but you’ll also get excellent food at any Character Breakfast. Afterwards, take a stroll around the grounds to relish in the Disney ambiance. Take some photos, dip a toe in the pool, and do some souvenir shopping. Personally, I recommend the Cape May breakfast because then you could also take a ride on a Friendship or walk along the Boardwalk.

3. Just an Afternoon – If you find yourself with several free hours some hot Florida afternoon, it might be the perfect time to try out one of the Disney Waterparks. A ticket to Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach is much more affordable than a regular park ticket, so spending a half-day could still leave you feeling like you’ve gotten your money’s worth. And, Florida Residents, don’t forget for a few dollars more you can upgrade to an After 2:00 Pass for the entire year. You know, just in case that free afternoon happens again sometime.

2. A Night Out – Perhaps you’ve been in meetings all day long, but you find that the evening is your own. Live it up Disney-style! First of all, check the park hours. Depending on your schedule, you may still find it worth your while to visit Magic Kingdom or Epcot. Sure, you won’t have a full day, but at night many of the wait times for rides drop considerably so you’ll be able to pack in more fun in less time. Plus you’ll be able to enjoy nighttime activities such as the Electrical Parade, Wishes, IllumiNations, and more. If you don’t want to pay for a park ticket, head to Downtown Disney to enjoy the nightlife. Even without a reservation, you’ll eat well and have plenty of entertainment options.

Bonus Tip!

BONUS TIP: Consider planning and booking your next Disney trip with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner you can trust like Mickey Travels. They’ll help you get the best Disney travel deal, share expert advice and their services are totally FREE! It’s genius! Discover More >



1. One Free Hour – So as an Annual Passholder, I’ve been known to make a trip to WDW for as little as an hour of park time. (Yeah, I’m that kind of crazy.) However, for non-passholders, one hour makes a park visit out of the question. But hey, if you’ve got a layover at Orlando International and you’re itching for some Disney fun, one hour is plenty of time to get a fix. Have a taxi drop you off at one of the Magic Kingdom resorts. Walk around and breathe in Disney air. Grab a Mickey Bar. Ride the Monorail. Take a trip on the resort ferry. Then hail another cab back to reality with your spirits full.

Remember, any time at Disney—no matter how short—is always time well-spent.

BONUS TIP: Consider planning and booking your next Disney trip with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner you can trust like Mickey Travels. They’ll help you get the best Walt Disney World deal, share expert advice and their services are totally FREE! It’s genius!

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About Melissa

Melissa resides on Florida's beautiful Space Coast with her husband and four Disney-loving boys. She frequently allows skipping school for Disney World visits...because making memories is more important than math. Their family has also been seen on HGTV's hit show "My Yard Goes Disney."

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