Walt Disney World opened in 1971 as Walt Disney’s ambitious “Florida Project,” transforming miles of Central Florida swampland into a 40-square-mile vacation kingdom. Today the resort includes four theme parks, two water parks, a shopping-dining district, golf courses, and a web of monorails, boats, buses, and the Skyliner gondola.

Beyond the classics, Disney World keeps evolving. TRON Lightcycle / Run now rockets across Tomorrowland; EPCOT’s reimagining brought World Celebration Gardens and the “Luminous” nighttime spectacular; Animal Kingdom still wows with Pandora—The World of Avatar; Hollywood Studios thrills with Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and a revitalized Fantasmic!.

Practical notes: most date-based tickets don’t require park reservations; Park Hopper is available all day. Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass can be purchased to skip standby on select rides (pricing varies by date). Central Florida brings heat and afternoon showers—plan midday breaks, use Mobile Order for meals, and hydrate often.

Orlando (Walt Disney World Resort)

Set in Lake Buena Vista and Bay Lake, Disney World sits just southwest of downtown Orlando and minutes from I-4. The property is its own “city,” with themed resorts, lakes, woodlands, and a transit network that turns getting around into part of the fun.

Headliners include Magic Kingdom’s Happily Ever After fireworks, EPCOT’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and World Showcase eateries, Hollywood Studios’ Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Tower of Terror, and Animal Kingdom’s Flight of Passage and Kilimanjaro Safaris. Disney Springs adds destination dining, live music, and late-night desserts.

How to get there: Fly into Orlando International (MCO). Typical nonstop flight times: 2–3 hours from the Northeast, 3–5 hours from the Midwest/West, ~8–9 hours from South America, and ~9–10 from South America with connections. Search fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Rideshare/taxi to Disney resorts typically takes 25–35 minutes (~$35–$60). Dedicated shuttle services also operate (~$20–$30 per adult one-way). Renting a car can help for off-property errands; standard theme park parking runs about $30/day, while Disney resort hotel overnight parking is currently complimentary.

Where to stay (book via these search pages):

• VRBO Orlando — great for multi-bedroom condos near Windsor Hills, Reunion Resort, and Margaritaville Cottages (private pools and kitchens).
• Hotels.com Orlando — compare on-property-adjacent stays like the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin, Wyndham Bonnet Creek, Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace, and nearby family suites.

Insider picks: the Skyliner corridor (Pop Century/Art of Animation and Caribbean Beach) cuts commute times to EPCOT/Hollywood Studios; the Monorail trio (Contemporary, Polynesian, Grand Floridian) makes Magic Kingdom a breeze; Animal Kingdom Lodge wins for wildlife views and standout dining.

Day 1: Arrival, Check-in, and Disney Springs

Morning: Travel day. If you’re flying, search flexible fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Aim to land by early afternoon for a relaxed start.

Afternoon: Check in, freshen up, and head to Disney Springs. Start with cold brew at Gideon’s Bakehouse (get in the virtual queue if there’s a wait) or grab a glazed start at Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew. Browse World of Disney, the LEGO Store, and the DisneyStyle shop for early souvenirs.

Evening: Dinner at The BOATHOUSE (order the lobster roll or filet sliders; waterside tables feel celebratory) or Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ (buttermilk fried chicken, thigh-high biscuits, and the Hummingbird Cake are hits). For wine lovers, pop into Wine Bar George for small plates (Saganaki on fire, porchetta-spiced pork cheek) and curated pours by the ounce. Cap the night with live music at the Waterside Stage.

Day 2: Magic Kingdom Classics + “Happily Ever After”

Morning: Rope drop Magic Kingdom. If using Lightning Lane Multi Pass, pre-book 3 attractions (e.g., Peter Pan’s Flight, Jungle Cruise, Space Mountain). Consider a Single Pass for TRON Lightcycle / Run or Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Grab breakfast at Main Street Bakery (Starbucks) or Sleepy Hollow for fresh fruit waffle sandwiches by the castle. Hit TRON, then loop through Fantasyland and Haunted Mansion before lines peak.

Afternoon: Break for a lighter lunch at Columbia Harbour House (grilled shrimp skewer, Lighthouse slaw) or Pecos Bill (Tex-Mex bowls with salsas). Ride Tiana’s Bayou Adventure for a joyful spin through New Orleans music, then Pirates of the Caribbean and Big Thunder Mountain. Need A/C? The Enchanted Tiki Room and Carousel of Progress are delightful time capsules.

Evening: Dinner at Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen (playful, spice-forward menu; try the “Hardy Har Char” siu pork) or Be Our Guest for a prix-fixe feast in the Beast’s Castle. Stake your fireworks spot 30–45 minutes early near the Partners statue. “Happily Ever After” pairs projections and pyrotechnics in a goosebump finale. Post-show, head to the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor or take a serene boat to your resort if you’re on the Seven Seas Lagoon.

Day 3: EPCOT Eats, Culture, and “Luminous”

Morning: Secure the 7 a.m. virtual queue for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind or buy a Single Pass; with Multi Pass, target Soarin’, Test Track (if available during refurb windows, reroutes may apply), and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. Coffee at Connections Café, or hit Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie for flaky croissants and tartines in France before crowds swell.

Afternoon: Stroll Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana and the new World Celebration Gardens. Lunch choices: Connections Eatery (crispy chicken sammie; General Tso’s salad), Via Napoli for cult-favorite Neapolitan pizza, or Regal Eagle Smokehouse for solid brisket and sauces. Sip your way around World Showcase: La Cava del Tequila for artisanal margaritas, Kirin frozen beer in Japan, or a wine flight in Italy.

Evening: Dinner at Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya (seasonal specialties, pressed sushi, and sake pairings) or Spice Road Table for shareable Mediterranean plates with lagoon views. Claim a spot around World Showcase Lagoon for “Luminous: The Symphony of Us,” EPCOT’s stirring fireworks and fountains show. On your way out, ride Spaceship Earth—its nighttime light package is mesmerizing.

Day 4: Hollywood Studios Thrills + “Fantasmic!”

Morning: Be early. If you’re using Single Pass, prioritize Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance; Multi Pass picks might include Slinky Dog Dash, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, and Tower of Terror. Breakfast from Woody’s Lunch Box (tachos and breakfast bowls) or a cappuccino from Joffrey’s near the entrance.

Afternoon: Dive into Galaxy’s Edge: Smugglers Run is more fun with a full crew; Docking Bay 7 serves hearty Batuu bites (Tip-Yip chicken, Batuuan beef). Snap a photo by the Millennium Falcon and browse Dok-Ondar’s for uniquely themed merch. Cool down with Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, then Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster (if operating; refurb schedules vary) or the Frozen Sing-Along for laughs and A/C.

Evening: Drinks at Oga’s Cantina (book ahead; Fuzzy Tauntaun’s tingle is infamous) or craft cocktails at the Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge. Dinner at Roundup Rodeo BBQ for all-you-care-to-enjoy platters, or the Brown Derby for classic Cobb salad and filet. Close with “Fantasmic!”—arrive 30–45 minutes early; the newer sequences are dynamic and the finale still dazzles.

Day 5: Animal Kingdom Adventure

Morning: Start with Kilimanjaro Safaris at sunrise-light for active animals, then head to Pandora. Flight of Passage is breathtaking; Na’vi River Journey’s bioluminescent glow suits all ages. Breakfast at Pongu Pongu (the Pongu Lumpia pineapple-cream cheese pastry) or Kusafiri Coffee Shop for pastries and cold brew.

Afternoon: Explore Maharajah Jungle Trek (tigers, Komodo dragon) and catch Festival of the Lion King—still one of Disney’s best live shows. Lunch at Satu’li Canteen (build-your-own bowls; chimichurri and charred green onion vinaigrette are favorites) or Yak & Yeti (Ahi tuna nachos, Korean fried chicken). Brave Expedition Everest and relax with a frozen Night Blossom in Pandora.

Evening: Consider Tiffins for dinner—elegant, travel-inspired dishes (charred octopus, butter chicken) and an adjacent Nomad Lounge with riverside seating. After sunset, watch the Tree of Life Awakenings, then head out early for a swim or quiet evening at your resort; Animal Kingdom typically closes earlier than other parks.

Day 6: Water Park + Resort Hopping

Morning: Brunch at Kona Café (Tonga Toast and press-pot coffee) or Boma at Animal Kingdom Lodge (South African–inspired buffet with carved meats and salads). Head to the Disney water park that’s open during your dates—Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach—both offer lazy rivers, family raft rides, and wave pools. Standard parking is complimentary at water parks.

Afternoon: Dry off and resort-hop. Take the Monorail to explore the Contemporary (check out the Mary Blair mural), Polynesian (Dole Whip at Pineapple Lanai), and Grand Floridian (lobby pianists, Victorian ambiance). Alternatively, ride the Skyliner between Caribbean Beach, Riviera Resort, and the BoardWalk area; Ample Hills’ successor and BoardWalk Deli make for sweet stops.

Evening: Book a sunset dinner: California Grill atop the Contemporary (sushi, oak-fired steaks; fireworks views with music piped in) or ’Ohana at the Polynesian (skewers, noodles, bread pudding). If you haven’t caught MK fireworks from inside the park, watch from the resort beaches or the Contemporary observation areas after dinner.

Day 7: Slow Morning, Disney Springs, Departure

Morning: Sleep in and pack. Optional character breakfast: Chef Mickey’s at the Contemporary or Topolino’s Terrace at Riviera Resort for refined pastries and watercolor-costumed characters. Coffee at Joffrey’s kiosk or a last sweet at Gideon’s if you missed it on Day 1.

Afternoon: Return to Disney Springs for last-minute shopping—Disney Springs Art Walk murals, Uniqlo basics, and World of Disney for anything you forgot. Lunch at Morimoto Asia (Peking duck, dim sum) or Chicken Guy! for fast, flavorful tenders with a dozen sauces. Depart mid-afternoon to MCO; rideshare is ~30 minutes depending on traffic. Check flight options on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Evening: If you have a late flight, stroll the Springs’ waterfront, catch a final live set, and savor one last treat—Ghirardelli sundaes or Sprinkles cupcakes—before heading out.

Practical Disney World tips for this week:

• Lightning Lane Multi Pass: Hotel guests can typically book selections up to 7 days before check-in for their length of stay; other guests up to 3 days out. Single Pass is used for top-tier rides like Guardians, TRON, Rise of the Resistance, and Flight of Passage. Prices fluctuate by date and demand.
• Virtual Queues: As of 2025, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and TRON frequently use virtual queues (drops at 7 a.m. and 1 p.m.). Use the app promptly at release times.
• Dining: Advance Dining Reservations open 60 days out (resort guests can book length-of-stay at that mark). Use Mobile Order for quick-service hotspots like Satu’li Canteen, Woody’s Lunch Box, and Columbia Harbour House.
• Weather & gear: Pack ponchos, portable fans, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes. Summer storms are brief but intense; take indoor attraction breaks when lightning pops up.
• Tickets: Date-based pricing varies; one-park-per-day tickets often start around the low $100s; Park Hopper adds flexibility to catch multiple nighttime shows.

Where to book your stay: compare options and deals at VRBO Orlando and Hotels.com Orlando. For flights, check Trip.com and Kiwi.com for competitive fares.

Seven days at Disney World gives you time to savor headliners, try standout restaurants, and enjoy restful afternoons. With smart Lightning Lane planning, early starts, and well-placed meals, you’ll see the icons and the hidden gems—then end each night under Florida’s famous fireworks.