A Patriotic Walt Disney World Itinerary (So Good Sam Eagle Would Approve)
Turkey day is upon us here in the United States, and it's got me thinking about what the perfect Thanksgiving would look like at Walt Disney World. Of course, I nixed the idea immediately. Thanksgiving brings high crowds to Walt Disney World and to be honest, I'm not much for dealing with holiday crowds.
But say you wanted to have a Thanksgiving-LIKE day. Or say you were from another country and wanted to make sure you got a good taste of the United States (one that goes beyond the gap in our bathroom stall doors). Here's what it could look like.
Before we start, this plan does rely on a couple of FastPass Plus and a couple of ADR's, and assumes you have a Park Hopper or equivalent.
ADRs:
Optional - O'hana - as early as you can possibly make it (you want to be at EPCOT at rope drop)
50's Prime Time Cafe - around 2:30 PM
Optional - Liberty Tree Tavern (about an hour before Happily Ever After)
FastPasses:
Rock N Rollercoaster - around 1:30 PM (until 2:30)
Muppet Vision 3D - around 3:30 PM
Any other Fastpass at DHS if desired (suggestion: Indiana Jones or Lightning McQueen)
Ready? Here we go!
Optionally, start your day at O'hana for an early breakfast. You want as early a reservation as you can get. You'll enjoy a little Hawaiian (yes, that's American) culture at the Polynesian Resort. If this makes the day too early for you, then do the quicker thing and grab Starbucks or Joffrey's coffee on your way to EPCOT.
If coming from O'hana, walk to the Transportation and Ticket Center (it's about a 10 minute walk from Ohana) and hop on a monorail to EPCOT. Your goal is to be there for rope drop to ride Soarin'. Yes, we know it's Soarin' Around the WORLD right now, and not just the United States, but the United States does feature in the Grand Finale and Soarin' is one of the best rides on property, so just do it.
You have a little time before World Showcase opens. You might consider positioning yourself in France or Norway (both of which open early) if you plan to walk, or you can take a boat across the World Showcase Lagoon when World Showcase opens at 11 AM. Your destination is The American Adventure, directly across World Showcase from Future World. Clearly this is the most American destination in all of World Showcase, and there are two main things you may want to do here to get your patriotism on: Try if you can to catch a performance of the Spirit of America Fife and Drum Corps (check the times guide), and experience the attraction here by the same name as the pavilion. This attraction, while it doesn't draw huge crowds, is one of the better animatronic stage shows in Walt Disney World, and is definitely patriotic. You'll learn a bit about American history.
Hello to Hollywood
Once you're ready to move on, walk or boat over to the International Gateway to exit EPCOT. Upon exit, get on a boat or take the Skyliner to Disney Hollywood Studios, which is your next destination. There are two attractions I suggest seeing here:
Rock N Rollercoaster - The United States is all about rock n roll and Aerosmith solidly fits the bill. Rock N Rollercoaster is a great ride and features their music. Because it is indeed a rollercoaster, I suggest seeing this BEFORE lunch.
Muppet Vision 3D - Everybody in the United States loved Jim Henson's The Muppets and this is just a cute show featuring them. Also, Sam Eagle is in it!
You're going to have one Fastpass left at Disney Hollywood Studios. May I suggest using it on either the Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy (because Americans love cars), or Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular (because Americans love Harrison Ford, scruffy archaeologists, and stunts)?
Now, let's talk lunch. There are two quite patriotic places I thought of at Disney Hollywood Studios, but I have to suggest one over the other based on reviews and experience. The runner up was Sci-Fi Dine In, which recreates a drive in theater, which just seems like a wonderful little piece of Americana.
But I have to choose 50's Prime Time Cafe, and part of that goes back to my original thought on this post of re-creating Thanksgiving. If you want to re-create dining at the kid's table at your family's gatherings, complete with gruff dad, and fun aunt, and mom who makes you eat your green beans, 50's Prime Time is where you want to go. And please, please, have a peanut butter and jelly milkshake.
Vintage Cars and Brewskies... Maybe
Right about now, it's probably mid to late afternoon and your next action will depend on whether the Magic Kingdom is open late or not. If the Magic Kingdom is open until 10 PM or later, then I suggest taking a little interlude over to Disney Springs. If not, then head directly to the Magic Kingdom.
If you go to Disney Springs, my suggestions are to take an Amphicar tour from the Boathouse (riding around in the lake in a vintage car-boat? Yes, please), and go to City Works Brewery to have a nice beer. If you want to go full on patriotic, then opt for a Sam Adams. But honestly, any beer that looks good to you will do. Vintage cars and beer. So American.
Magic and 'Merica!
You can't get directly to the Magic Kingdom from Disney Springs, so I have two suggestions. 1) Take a bus to the Contemporary Resort and walk over to the Magic Kingdom or 2) Take a boat up the Sassagoula River (HEY, Sassagoula!), and get off at Port Orleans French Quarter to get on a bus to the Magic Kingdom. Option 2 probably takes longer, but as you can tell from the name of my blog, I love boating on the Sassagoula, and Port Orleans French Quarter will also give you a little taste of New Orleans, so that's my favorite option. If by some sorcery you are still hungry, then grab some beignets at Port Orleans. You won't regret trying this New Orleans treat.
Time is of the essence, though, because there's a bit to do in the Magic Kingdom and of COURSE, you need to catch the fireworks. I wouldn't leave you hanging on a day to Disney without fireworks, now, would I?
So before fireworks, here's what you want to catch: First, you need to get yourself into the Hall of Presidents in Liberty Square. It shouldn't be hard. Even if the lobby seems crowded, when the theater opens, you all can go in. See every one of the United States presidents move and talk, in animatronic form, of course.
Next, if the line is not too long, I strongly suggest riding Splash Mountain or Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (or both!). Splash is wonderfully themed to the old South whereas Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is themed to the American West. Both are excellent rides.
Around sunset, see if you can catch the flag retreat at the entrance to the park on Main Street. It's a short and small ceremony, but it's quite moving.
If you are getting hungry, you may wish to dine at Liberty Tree Tavern. At Liberty Tree Tavern, it's basically a Thanksgiving meal served family style every day.
The other option for lighter fare is to either grab a turkey leg at a food cart (there should be one in Liberty Square) or head to Casey's Corner which is a baseball themed hot dog place.... because again, what's more American than a ballpark frank? And Casey's holds a little warm place in my heart because it's just SO cute.
Wrap up your big day with Happily Ever After, of course. You should find excellent viewing near any of the dinner places I suggested.
What do you think? Would you do the ultra-patriotic United States themed day at Disney? Do you like these itinerary suggestions or do you want to see more other content? Let us know by leaving us a comment here or on our Facebook page. We'll see you next week!
