Hiya Sharon!
Happy Birthday to you and welcome to planDisney! I love celebrating birthdays in the Parks and am glad to see you are the same!
Since you have one day in the Parks, you must make the most of every second. I am glad you plan to purchase Disney Genie+ as it will make things run much more efficiently. Make sure that when you purchase it you select "Multiple Parks." Why? Sharon, since you stated that you are not a newbie, I am suggesting a birthday challenge to you!
Have you ever done a "4 Parks 1 Day Challenge"? This is only something I would recommend to Disney fans who want to try something different. It sounds crazy but it is a lot of fun! The goal is to visit Magic Kingdom Park, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, EPCOT, and Disney's Hollywood Studios in ONE DAY. Set goals for each Park such as eating one snack and riding one attraction. Don't forget to take many pictures! My suggested itinerary is:
1. 7:00 AM- Book your first Lightning Lane of the day. I suggest the earliest attraction you can grab at
Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park as that is where you are going first! If you're driving consider purchasing Preferred Parking so that you are closer to the entrance and can move quickly to the next Park. If there is no direct transportation between the Parks then I suggest hailing a rideshare or
Minnie Van to minimize delay.
2. Start the day at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, which opens at 8:00 AM for regular guests and 7:30 AM for guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel. This Park has the
earliest Park opening. Once you ride your attraction using Lightning Lane book another attraction right away for this Park or select something at Disney's Hollywood Studios within the next two hours.
3. Consider snacking on a proper birthday breakfast at
Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery. Those Breakfast Totchos and the Colossal Cinnamon Roll are my favorites!
4. I would then head to
Disney's Hollywood Studios to enjoy an attraction using Lightning Lane.
5. Hopefully you are arriving before lunch and hungry for some grub.
Consider Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo for some yummy dishes. I also highly recommend the relaxing vibes at BaseLine Tap House for some grownup drinks and snacks.
6. Keep an eye on your Tip Board on the My Disney Experience Mobile App and make the next reservation for a Lightning Lane for EPCOT.
7.
EPCOT is your next stop. I love the Funnel Cake in The America Adventure as you can get a slab of ice cream on top of it! I also praise anything from Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie.
8. Munch your baguette while heading to Magic Kingdom Park to end this special day. This is where I suggest grabbing a dining reservation at
Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen. There are reservations still available. Order a celebration cake! Have you seen Happily Ever After while riding Big Thunder Mountain Railroad? Sharon, trust me, it's magical.
Make sure to hydrate, wear good shoes, and have fun!
-Nimmy