You do not have to be a Disney pro to pull off four parks in one day. You need a plan, comfy shoes, and a little optimism. This updated guide now matches our vlog day and still gives you flexible backups you can copy. We show our exact times, rides, food, and every transfer we used. Then we add alternates in case your conditions are different.
Up one level: Theme Parks Hub
Pillar: Getting Around Disney World… Monorail, Skyliner, Buses, Boats
Related: Skyliner… Best Routes and Transfer Tips · Monorail vs Skyliner… Which Is Faster Today
Official references
Monorail: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/monorail-transportation/
Skyliner: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/skyliner/
Water transportation: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/water-transportation/
Bus transportation: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/bus-transportation/
Bus hours FAQ: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/transportation/park-bus-hours/
My Disney Experience app: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/my-disney-experience/mobile-apps/
Key Takeaways
- Start where opening time is earliest. We started at Disney’s Animal Kingdom at 7:47 AM.
- Use Lightning Lane Multi Pass to hold three return windows and keep moving. Add Single Pass for a true must ride when needed.
- Hop smart. Bus to Magic Kingdom, Monorail via TTC to EPCOT, Skyliner to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, then Skyliner back to EPCOT for the finale.
- Use single rider lines when you cannot get a Lightning Lane.
- Stay flexible. If a queue spikes, swap in a boat, a walk, or a snack break.
- Our step count was 34,051 which is about 15 miles. Pack light and pace your day.
Niko’s Note 🐾 Screenshots save the day. Save tickets, Lightning Lanes, and bus times in case cell data blips.
Our exact 4 parks route and timeline
This is the route you see in our video. Keep the order if your hours line up. If your hours differ, use the alternates below.
| Time | Where | What we did | Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5:28 AM | Orlando International Airport | Land. Walk Gate Link to main terminal. Rideshare pickup. | — |
| 6:20 AM | Hotel check in | Drop bags at Disney Springs area hotel. Early Entry eligible. | Lyft |
| 7:15 AM | Hotel to Animal Kingdom | Shuttle was hourly. We chose rideshare to make rope drop. | Lyft |
| 7:47 AM | Animal Kingdom tap in | Start of the challenge. | — |
| Pandora | Flight of Passage. Ride hiccup. Re-seated and complete. | Lightning Lane | |
| DinoLand U.S.A. | Final spin on DINOSAUR before future retheme. | Lightning Lane | |
| Asia | Expedition Everest. Backward section still rules. | Standby | |
| Africa | Kilimanjaro Safaris. Giraffes, elephants, hippos. | Standby | |
| Pandora lunch | Satu’li Canteen bowls and drinks. Debate on savory popping pearls. | — | |
| 11:22 AM | Animal Kingdom to Magic Kingdom | Direct bus. | Bus |
| 11:41 AM | Magic Kingdom tap in | Castle selfie. | — |
| Tomorrowland | Space Mountain. | Lightning Lane | |
| TRON Lightcycle / Run | Ares overlay during the day. Worth the wait. | Standby | |
| Frontierland | Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Parade pause at the hub. | Lightning Lane | |
| 2:30 PM | Magic Kingdom to EPCOT | Express monorail to TTC. Transfer. Monorail to EPCOT. | Monorail |
| 2:54 PM | EPCOT tap in | Club Cool tastings. | — |
| World Discovery | Test Track via single rider. | Single rider | |
| World Nature | Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana. | Walkthrough | |
| Food & Wine | Frozen Apple Pie and Nitro Pumpkin Cheesecake Mousse. Both Replicate Worthy. | — | |
| 4:38 PM | EPCOT IG to Hollywood Studios | Transfer at Caribbean Beach. | Skyliner |
| 5:06 PM | Hollywood Studios tap in | Four parks in one day achieved. | — |
| Sunset Boulevard | Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster. Likely last Aerosmith ride. | Lightning Lane | |
| Batuu | Blue vs Green Milk showdown. Team Blue for Beau. | Mobile order | |
| 6:01 PM | Hollywood Studios to EPCOT | Transfer at Caribbean Beach and Riviera. | Skyliner |
| 6:34 PM | EPCOT round 2 | Frozen Ever After, Cosmic Rewind via paid single pass, Club Cool, dinner, live music sighting. | Mix |
| 9:00 PM | World Showcase Lagoon | Luminous: The Symphony of Us. Emotional finish. | — |
| 10:00 PM+ | Recap | Steps 34,051. Callouts for future studio builds. | — |
Food that made our Replicate list
Satu’li Canteen bowls. Frozen Apple Pie drink. Nitro Pumpkin Cheesecake Mousse. Blue Milk.
Why this order worked for us
- Animal Kingdom first. Earliest opening. Big headline rides done before heat builds.
- Magic Kingdom second. Bus is direct from Animal Kingdom. Space, TRON, and Tiana with a castle reset.
- EPCOT third. Monorail winds are a morale boost. Club Cool, Test Track, Moana, festival snacks.
- Hollywood Studios fourth. Skyliner is efficient and scenic. Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster and Batuu milk stop.
- EPCOT finale. Frozen Ever After, Cosmic Rewind, and Luminous to close.
Alternates if your hours or queues are different
- Start at Magic Kingdom, then EPCOT, then Hollywood Studios, then Animal Kingdom by bus.
- If Skyliner is down, walk the Crescent Lake path or ride a FriendShip Boat between EPCOT IG and Hollywood Studios.
- If monorail has long waits, take the TTC ferryboat. Capacity clears crowds fast.
- If you miss an Animal Kingdom bus at night, use rideshare for the last hop.
Transfer tips we used
- TTC. Follow signs from the Magic Kingdom platform to the EPCOT platform. They are separate.
- International Gateway. Enter and exit near France. This is where you board Skyliner and FriendShip Boats or take the Crescent Lake path.
- Caribbean Beach hub. Keep left for EPCOT when arriving from Hollywood Studios.
- Post fireworks buses. Leave a little early or wait 20 minutes. The surge thins.
Accessibility and stroller notes
- Monorail and ferryboats have level boarding areas.
- Skyliner has a slow load line for wheelchairs and ECVs. Many single strollers roll on.
- FriendShip Boats and launches vary by dock and water level. Crews will advise.
- Buses have ramps and wheelchair positions. Collapse strollers when asked.
Packing and prep checklist
- Park tickets and any Lightning Lanes in the My Disney Experience app: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/my-disney-experience/mobile-apps/
- Battery pack and cables.
- Snacks and refillable water bottle.
- Ponchos and a light layer.
- Comfortable shoes.
- A tiny roll of athletic tape for hot spots.
FAQ
Can I copy this day without paying for Lightning Lanes Yes, but you will likely do fewer headline rides. Use rope drop, single rider, and smart transfers.
Is Skyliner faster than the FriendShip Boat Often yes when lines are short. The Crescent Lake path can tie if the Skyliner queue is long.
Does the monorail go directly from Magic Kingdom to EPCOT You transfer at Transportation and Ticket Center.
How early do buses start Disney states resort buses generally begin about 45 minutes before park opening and continue until one hour after close. See the FAQ: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/transportation/park-bus-hours/
Sources
- Monorail routes and information: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/monorail-transportation/
- Disney Skyliner overview and stations: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/skyliner/
- Water transportation including FriendShip Boats and ferries: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/water-transportation/
- Disney Bus Transportation and operating window: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/bus-transportation/ · https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/transportation/park-bus-hours/
