Hi there, Tammy, and welcome to planDisney!
As a Central Floridian, I am thrilled to hear that you’ll be visiting the City Beautiful next year. I love that you’re including a visit to Walt Disney World Resort because no vacation to the Sunshine State is complete without one. Although I have an annual pass with access to the theme parks, spending time outside of them is just as enjoyable.
I’m not sure about what time of day your 24-hour adventure begins, but feel free to adjust the following suggested itinerary. (By the way, your interests make my heart sing, so this was super fun for me to create!)
Day 1Late morning: Grab one of the later breakfast dining reservations for
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort’s Kona Cafe to order that scrumdiddlyumptious, banana-stuffed Tonga Toast. Quick tip: You can reserve a spot for restaurants via the
My Disney Experience App up to 60 days before your visit.
Afternoon: Take the Disney Resort Monorail to
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. You can make an entire spa day out of it, or you can simply explore its beautiful grounds and shop and eat.
Night: After a ride past Magic Kingdom Park on the Monorail, have dinner at California Grill, which is on the 15th floor of
Disney’s Contemporary Resort. The dinner, especially the appetizers, are delicious here. In fact, I will say that it’s some of the best cuisine on property. Depending on your reservation time, watch the Magic Kingdom Park fireworks before or after your meal. The views are stunning, and they even pipe in the music so you’re not missing out on the magic.
Late Night: After dinner hop on the Disney Resort Monorail and head back to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort for drinks at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto and Tiki Bar or a yummy DOLE Whip from the Pineapple Lanai. Quick tip: If you opt to skip dinner at California Grill, you could also view the Magic Kingdom Park fireworks from the beach at the Polynesian.
Day 2Early morning: Visit
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort—French Quarter for a powdery beignet that will taste like it’s fresh out of Princess Tiana’s kitchen. You could also have breakfast (Mickey-shaped waffles and beignets in one morning—yum) at the nearby Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory.
Late morning: Take a ride down the Sassagoula River from the Resort hotel to Disney Springs for some shopping. The boat ride is so relaxing, and you’ll probably get to Disney Springs before the rush of other Guests visit this dining and shopping hotspot.
AN EXTRA GEM: Check out the “Beyond the Theme Parks”
planDisney Podcast episode that is all about all of the cool activities to do outside of the four theme parks. You can listen to it via your favorite streaming service or view the YouTube version that I’ve included with this answer.
I hope that you have an amazing 24 hours at the Most Magical Place on Earth! It will be a whirlwind of adventures and memory making. Tammy, please
revisit us here at planDisney if you have any other questions about your vacation.
Magic always,
LeAndra