Magic Disney · 9 nights

Must-see spots

The best of Disney · Orlando, from people who have been there

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  Magic Kingdom fireworks

  Grab a spot in front of the castle 40 minutes early — it is THE moment of the trip.

• 

  Animal Kingdom safari

  Go first thing in the morning, when the animals are active and there is no line.

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  Evening at ICON Park

  The International Drive wheel closes the day with all of Orlando lit up below.

Day by day

What you will live

1. 01

   Day 1

   Orlando starts in the cool of the car

   You land, the driver is already waiting with a sign and the hotel is twenty minutes from everything. Late-afternoon pool, a light dinner and the park map open on the table: tomorrow it begins for real.

2. 02

   Day 2

   Magic Kingdom, the day the trip is named after

   Main Street opens up and Cinderella Castle rises at the far end, bigger than in any photo. Character breakfast, the classic coasters and, after dark, fireworks over the castle — nobody goes back to the hotel quite the same.

3. 03

   Day 3

   EPCOT, around the world without leaving the park

   A morning among the future-facing rides; in the afternoon, the World Showcase: Mexico, Japan, Morocco and France within a two-kilometre stroll. Have dinner in one of the pavilions and stay for the closing show on the lagoon.

4. 04

   Day 4

   Hollywood Studios and a galaxy far, far away

   Galaxy’s Edge is an entire planet built at full scale: you pilot the Millennium Falcon before lunch. Toy Story Land closes the afternoon at toy size — and the Tower of Terror is there for the brave.

5. 05

   Day 5

   Animal Kingdom, from the savanna to Pandora

   Safari first thing, while giraffes and rhinos still wander close to the road. After lunch, Avatar’s floating mountains and a flight on the back of a banshee that many call the best ride in Orlando.

6. 06

   Day 6

   Universal, from Diagon Alley to Springfield

   The day Harry Potter stops being a movie: wand in hand, butterbeer and the Hogwarts Express linking the two parks. Along the way, all of Springfield rebuilt — giant donut included.

7. 07

   Day 7

   Islands of Adventure, for the adrenaline lovers

   Hogsmeade under year-round snow, the VelociCoaster for the fearless and the Jurassic Park river to get soaked on purpose. The most intense day of the week: early dinner and bed.

8. 08

   Day 8

   The day of doing nothing, at last

   A whole morning at the resort pool, lunch with no set time and your legs saying thank you. Late afternoon at Disney Springs: shops, live music by the lake and that long, unhurried dinner.

9. 09

   Day 9

   ICON Park, outlets and a suitcase that comes home bigger

   Outlets in the morning to wrap up the shopping; at night, the International Drive wheel turns slowly with all of Orlando lit up below. One last ride, the last photos — and a flight home already missing the place.