Hiya Katie and welcome to planDisney!
5 days in the Disney Parks is a dream come true. I'm so glad that your family is going to get to spend quality time together at The Most Magical Place on Earth. Since my goddaughter is in the same age bracket as your boys, I'm happy to share some of our recommendations on how to have a magical time.
On Monday, start off the fun at
EPCOT. After traveling the day before, EPCOT is a chill way to start your vacation. The
EPCOT International Festival of the Arts definitely feels like jumping into a chalk painting. My goddaughter says you definitely don't want to miss Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Shooting through deep space to some tunes from Star Lord's playlist is a new vacation must for us. She does warn kids to bring their grown-ups along with them as this Attraction definitely has its fair share of unexpected twists and turns. Space 220 Restaurant is a great meal in the stars for the whole family but my girl prefers eating at the different festival booths. Keep an eye on Disney Parks Blog as your trip approaches for a detailed Foodie Guide.
Tuesdays are for visits to
Magic Kingdom Park. We usually hit Big Thunder Mountain Railroad first thing and have started booking an Individual Lightning Lane for Seven Dwarves Mine Train to avoid long wait times later. We always make time to grab a DOLE Whip float in Adventureland and secure a spot to watch the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade in Frontierland where it's less crowded for a better parade viewing experience.
Wednesday is when you should hit
Disney's Hollywood Studios. This park is home to some fantastic shows like Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular and Fantasmic! which makes its post-pandemic return today! And of course, they've got to test out their skills piloting the biggest hunk of junk in the galaxy on Millenium Falcon: Smuggler's Run. And my goddaughter is absolutely nuts about Slinky Dog Dash over in Toy Story Land.
Thursday you can walk on the wild side at
Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Avatar Flight of Passage is so amazing that my whole family(including the non-thrill seekers) were wanting to ride it again. And we love to see as many animals as possible on Kilimanjaro Safaris. Trek over to Asia and find the yeti on Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain. And stop for lunch at Yak And Yeti for some Asian-inspired cuisine.
Friday head back to Magic Kingdom Park to finish your vacation. Sail on the Jungle Cruise, zoom on Space Mountain, and watch Disney Enchantment lighting up the night before it ends its run at The Most Magical Place on Earth. And stop in for lunch at Sleepy Hollow Refreshment for my personal favorite sweet and spicy chicken and waffle sandwich.
Katie, I hope you have the best time ever this January. If travel plans permit it, I strongly recommend finishing your vacation on Saturday with brunch at
Chef Art Smith's Homecomin' in Disney Springs. There's some down-home southern comfort food that the whole family can enjoy and some spectacular cocktails for the adults to get into. If you have any other questions, please feel free to
come back for another chat! Happy planning!
Taylor