Planning your Disney vacation really is the beginning of the magic, and building your itinerary is one of the best ways to create that anticipation. Sometimes, as the planner of the group, you get an insider’s view of what’s coming, and sharing those plans with your friends and family brings everyone into the excitement. I love the process of making our days come to life on paper (or screen), turning a list of reservations and park hours into something that feels like a story we’re about to step into.
Start with the basics: create a simple document with one page for each day. Add the date and park you’ll be visiting, then decorate it with fun images or themed headers from around the internet to set the scene. This is where I note our top-priority attractions, closed attractions (sad but true), fireworks and parade times, and even the transportation we’ll be using. At Walt Disney World, especially, where you might be deciding between monorails, buses, Skyliner, or boats, having this all written down helps the whole group know what to expect. Dining reservations should also be included, along with confirmation numbers and the reservation holder’s name, to avoid confusion when multiple people book meals.
If there’s space left, fill it with more details that help keep your day on track and add a little extra sparkle. I like to include park hours, early entry details, and even notes for resort or rest days. For example, one of our plans has outlet shopping in the morning before heading to Disney Springs for Drawn to Life, so I included travel time to the shops and even the walking route from the show to our dinner spot. Outfits can also be part of the plan. If you’re Disney Bounding, jot down who’s wearing what in which park to avoid any last-minute outfit mix-ups. The more complete your plan feels, the smoother your trip will run.
The best part is sharing your pixie-dusted itinerary with the people you’re traveling with. I love giving a copy to each of my teenagers and sitting down together to go through what we’ll be doing; it turns the countdown into a family event. On the trip itself, keeping a digital copy on your phone makes it easy to reference in the parks. However you choose to organize it, a little pre-trip planning sets the tone for the magical memories you’re about to make.
