7 Day Walt Disney World Girls Trip

Days 1-2: Resort hop, rest, pool time

Resorts - Disney resorts can be destinations in themselves. With impressively themed pools, excellent dining options, walking trails, themed rooms, carriage rides, character experiences, and organized activities like movies under the stars and roasting s'mores by campfire, you’ll want to reserve a day (or three) to enjoy all your resort has to offer. You can also view fireworks from some resorts. I recommend Art of Animation, (A great value; the family suites are awesome!), Port Orleans Resort - Riverside (moderate), and Swan Hotel (Deluxe) for great pool vibes as well as a slightly quieter, more intimate vibe for the latter two. These resorts have transportation options of either boat, skyliner, or both, which I’m fairly partial to over the bus transport option.

Disney World Swan and Dolphin and Swan Reserve are Marriott-owned, but with all the same Perks (like early park entry and extended evening hours) that come with a Disney-owned deluxe resort. The Swan is an excellent option for a girls getaway with poolside drinks and dining service, and the Mandara Spa just across the way for pampering - a must-do with the girls. The boat transportation here is my favorite, along with the proximity to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios Parks. It’s a fabulous location, walkable to both the parks and the Boardwalk - another great area for a girls gathering. If you’re looking for less of a Disney vibe but still want to be on property, the Waldorf Astoria is a fantastic option.

Days 3-5: Park days with Park Hopper option

Theme parks - Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, and Animal Kingdom are the 4 main theme parks at Walt Disney World. There are also 2 water parks - Typhoon Lagoon and Disney’s Blizzard Beach. Each of the 4 main parks have different categories of attractions like rides, performances, shows, parades, character meet and greets, and more. Not to mention the shopping, dining, and nightly fireworks.

EPCOT

Is the perfect park for a girls day/adults trip. Particularly the seasonal festivals are great to experience. The Flower and Garden Festival (typically between March-July) and the Food and Wine Festival (July-November) are my favorites. Eating and Drinking Around the World is sure to be a blast and definitely popular among adults. One of the great things about Disney is the different combinations of trips you can create. Almost no two trips are the same. Disney is ever-changing and evolving, so it’s very likely to have new and different experiences each trip. Aside from eating and drinking in all the countries, EPCOT is definitely the park for meeting princesses and other characters. Frozen Ever After, Guardians of the Galaxy, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, and Soarin are some of the popular attractions

Hollywood Studios

Is the park for Star Wars and Toy Story lovers. It also has the most live shows, and they are all worthy of praise. The main attractions here are Rise of the Resistance, Slinky Dog Dash, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, and Tower of Terror. In this park you can meet Disney Junior Characters, Star Wars Characters, Toy Story Characters, The Incredibles, and Olaf. (Mickey and Minnie are in all four parks). As for shows, I highly recommend Frozen Sing-along Celebration, Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular, and Fantasmic!

Animal Kingdom

I love the vibe in this park. It really is a beautiful park and honestly somewhat low-key and chill. The must-do attractions include Avatar Flight of Passage, Festival of the Lion King, Expedition Everest, and Kilimanjaro Safari. I feel Animal Kingdom doesn’t get enough love. It’s a magnificent park and is not to be missed.

Magic Kingdom

It is the most popular park at Disney World and has the most rides with no height requirement. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, TRON Lightcycle, Big Thunder Mountain, and Space Mountain are for the thrill seekers, while Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, Peter Pan’s Flight, Dumbo, and It’s a Small World are timeless classics. This is also a great park for character meets as well as great dining options, and of course, the Festival of Fantasy Parade and Happily Ever After Fireworks Show are a must.

Days 5-6: Spend time exploring either Boardwalk or Disney springs.

Disney Springs

This is an entire area dedicated to dining, shopping, and entertainment. There is no admission required to get into Disney Springs. There are at least 60 dining venues, a bowling alley, a movie theater, performances, live music, and a plethora of shopping. For dining here, I recommend The Polite Pig, (prime brisket, pork shoulder, or southern pig with grilled street corn), Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ (the church lady deviled eggs), The Boathouse and Gideon’s Bakehouse.

Disney’s Boardwalk

Take a leisurely stroll, do some boutique shopping, partake in arcade games or rent a surrey bike built for four people, or choose from 11 dining options. There is also nightlife here at the adults-only Atlantic Dance Hall and Jellyrolls dancing and entertainment. I highly recommend Trattoria al Forno, for dining on the Boardwalk. If you go for breakfast, order the breakfast pizza!

Day 6:

In addition to exploring the Boardwalk or Disney Springs, add on a special event to your trip like one of the parties or Disney After Hours.

Special Events and Tours

Disney offers special events like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, Very Merry Christmas Party, Jollywood Nights (new!), Disney After Hours, and Disney VIP tours. If time and budget allows, these are great options to add on to your trip for getting even more time in the parks, and for experiencing less crowds and wait times. The Halloween Party is particularly fun seeing everyone’s costumes and trick-or-treating!

Enchanting Extras

You can also add on extras such as dessert parties for premium fireworks viewings, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for your little prince or princess, build a Lightsaber or Droid for young padawans, tranquil horse-drawn excursions, pony rides, horseback riding, specialty cruises, a starlight safari and more.

Day 7:

Rest Day before departure (this is crucial). I find that resting/down time at the beginning and end of the trip is perfect to offset the “business” of the days with park plans.

TIPS:

1. Be sure to add Memory Maker to your trip and take advantage of the photographers stationed throughout all the parks so your whole group can get pictures in front of the iconic castle as well as with the characters and on rides.

2. You’ll also want to optimize your time by purchasing Disney Genie + for most days at certain parks. This way you will save time standing in line and be able to get through more attractions.

3. Another way to save time is mobile ordering. Go into your My Disney Experience app (make sure you have an account and download this app!), go to Mobile Orders, and place an order for food pick-up at any of the quick-service options.

4. My biggest tip when it comes to Disney World is to take time to slow down and be in the moment. Look around, enjoy the details, and take in the scenery. Remember to stay hydrated, take a rest, have a snack, or cool off at an indoor spot. It can be very tempting to try and cram as much as possible into your trip. Don’t do that, specially if it’s your first visit or you aren’t someone who loves to be on the go all the time. Being intentional about taking moments to simply enjoy being there really just enhances any trip. Know that it’s virtually impossible to see and do everything in one trip (unless you have months to spend) but decide on a few “must dos” for your party and add in time to be flexible.

Resort Dining Recommendations:

Topolino’s Terrace at Riviera Resort

I recommend this for character breakfast or dinner because both are fabulous. Can’t go wrong with any menu choice, but I will recommend the sour cream waffles for breakfast.

Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White

Head over to Fort Wilderness Lodge for an incredible dinner and character experience. Have a three-course dinner with Snow White, the Evil Queen, and maybe even a couple of Dwarfs. I recommend the Royal Prime Rib Roast or the Brother’s Grimm Herb Chicken for entree. Shared appetizers and desserts come out automatically!

Sanaa at Animal Kingdom Villas (Kidani)

This one does not feature any characters. However, the dinner menu offers African cooking with Indian flavors, and while you are enjoying the food you can look out at savanna views with zebras, giraffes, and other African wildlife. Honestly, this was my favorite dining experience! I recommend 100 percent order the Indian style bread service appetizer and butter chicken for entree.

Java at Walt Disney World Swan Hotel

I was very pleasantly surprised by this little coffee/bakery lounge at the hotel. I’m a coffee drinker and this adorable place was a life-saver for my early morning coffee fix. It also has very delicious breakfast, lunch, and snack options. Probably my favorite hotel grab-n-go type establishment thus far.

Park Dining Recommendations:

EPCOT - Garden Grill Restaurant (family-style character breakfast).

Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria (the BEST pizza and gelato - trust me, just go.)

Hollywood Studios - 50’s Prime Time Cafe (American casual dining table service with a fun 50s theme.)

For quick service, I recommend Woody’s Lunchbox or Backlot Express.

Animal Kingdom - For a casual sit-down meal, go to Yak & Yeti offering American/Asian cuisine and for sure order the Ahi Tuna Nachos. For a quick-service meal, hands-down Flame Tree Barbecue. Order the Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Pulled Pork.

Magic Kingdom - For a casual sit-down service, I love either Tony’s Town Square (caesar salad and fettuccine alfredo) or The Plaza Restaurant. Tony’s is themed around Lady and the Tramp!

For quick service, my go-to’s are Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn (order the fajita platter or the beef or chicken nachos).

Columbia Harbor House (order the lobster roll or the trio platter.)

Sleepy Hollow (my number one favorite snack - the nutella waffle with fruit.)

The Spring Rolls Cart right outside Adventure Land (cheeseburger spring rolls! Thank me later.)

If you are a Beauty and the Beast fan or a Cinderella fan, you may consider dining at Be Our Guest (American/French) or Cinderella’s Royal Table (American). There are also Winnie the Pooh characters at Crystal Palace.