A joyful family riding Tiana's Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom. They laugh and scream as they plunge down the thrilling drop.
  • On Nov 23, 2024
    Umesh from Amanzimtoti Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    Hi we have a 4 day park ticket 1 day per park booked from Mon Dec 23rd to Thursday Dec 26th... we arrive in USA only on Saturday 21st Dec to try and book LL passes. Please advise which days would be best to visit each park

    Hiya Umesh!

    Welcome to planDisney! You are arriving during such a special time! Walt Disney World Resort will still be celebrating all of the winter holidays and the Parks will be decked in sparkle and lights! 

    A four-day date-based ticket means you can select even until the day of which Park you wish to visit. Advanced Theme Park Reservations are not needed. Since you are smartly arriving a few days before you enter the Parks you have time to do things one can only do while present in the United States. Make sure that you download the My Disney Experience Mobile App as soon as you arrive as that will be a great aid in all your planning and is needed when using Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Single Pass, or Premier Pass. If you will be staying at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel you can purchase these passes 7 days before you arrive but if you are not then you can make your purchase 3 days before. The purchase window begins at 7 am. 

    Since you are arriving on December 21st you are forced to make your purchases on that day as it can't happen unless on US soil. Regardless, let me help you plan out your trip. I'm assuming your goal is to visit all four theme parks so I will start by looking at the Hours & Events Calendar to see the Park Hours and events. Here is what I found: 

    Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park seems to be closing at 6 pm for the entirety of your stay so make sure that you start earlier here so you don't miss out on anything. Plan to visit this Park when you know you want to wake up early the next day as you will get time to rest! 

    Magic Kingdom Park has the special Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade every day of your trip at 12 pm and 3 pm. There is also the Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks in the evening. I can only imagine how special it would be to see these two special Christmas shows on Christmas Day! However, if you don't celebrate Christmas and are fine enjoying these shows on another day I would avoid Magic Kingdom Park on December 25. Magic Kingdom Park on Christmas Day tends to reach capacity and start not allowing guests to enter after a certain point. Even if you have a date-based ticket, there is a chance that if you arrive at the Park too late you may be asked to visit another Park. It is packed but it is a pretty exciting time. Make this a Park you visit early and stay all day for as you don't want to be prevented from returning.

    EPCOT on December 23, 2024, has Extended Evening Hours which means for certain guests the Park is open until 11:30 PM. If you happen to be staying at a Disney Deluxe Resort or Disney DVC Villa this is a privilege you should not pass up. If you are not staying at this Resort then it will be up to you if you wish to visit EPCOT. Just know that when the Park closes for regular Guests you will have to leave. You may see a surge of people near closing time as those eligible get their extra Park hours. 

    Disney's Hollywood Studios is good ol' reliable with nothing really dramatic going on. Park Hours seem to be for your whole trip 9 am to 9 pm. 

    I suggest you figure out which days you wish to visit Magic Kingdom Park and EPCOT.  I would then put Disney's Animal Kingdom Park the day before Magic Kingdom Park. Then put Disney's Hollywood Studios on the day that is not yet assigned. 

    I hope this helps and you have a magical time!

    Happy Planning!
    -Nimmy 
thumbnail image for Nimmy

Meet the Panelist: Nimmy, New York

Hey, it's Nimmy from New York! Just like my guy Jiminy Cricket I am your wisecracking and helpful guide to making the best decisions for your Disney vacation! My husband and I work very hard to journey to our favorite place on Earth, Walt Disney World Resort, as much as we can. We have traveled as just adults, with babies, kids, teenagers, and senior citizens. We have seen so many characters, eaten at amazing places, and consumed a ton of Dole Whips. So "give a little whistle" and let me be your guide! Learn More About Nimmy

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