Pretend for whatever reason you only have one day at WDW from the opening of the turnstyles in the morning to the end of an after hours, specially ticketed event at night. (We’ll also pretend that this wouldn’t be one big and potentially overwhelming day.)

I’ll tell you what I’d do.

I’d try to go on a day that Animal Kingdom has morning Extra Magic Hours. (EMHs) and that way I’d have a 8:00 AM start to the day. The minute I got into the park I’d join the mad “dash” to Expedition Everest and either a) get in line if there is no line b) get a fast pass and come back later or c) get a fast pass for later and get in line now if it is not crowded.

I’d do Expedition Everest one or two times (it is extremely cool), Kilimanjaro Safari, Dinosaur, and then I’d be out of there right when the really big crowds are arriving. By 10:00 Animal Kingdom becomes crowded almost to the point of being unmanageable. There are other shows, attractions, and animals to see, but I only have the one day; remember? (Whose idea was this stupid one day trip anyway??) So I’d scoot off to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

If I don’t have my own car I’d find the WDW bus to the Studios and hopefully arrive by 10:30. Again, the first thing I do is head to the most popular attractions and get a fast pass for one of them (you can only get one at a time). With any luck the fast pass is not for 3 hours later or more, because if it is, I’m going to have to save “Tower of Terror” or “Rock “n” Roller Coaster for another trip. If the fast pass is for a decent hour, I’d go do “The Great Movie Ride” and then return with my fast pass.

I’d have lunch at the Studios, and for me the perfect place to have a relaxing meal and an over the top WDW experience is “Sci-Fi Dine In”, where you eat in cars under the “stars” at a drive in movie theater. It’s adorable - and it serves alcohol.

Then I’d be out of there - this time by boat. From the DHS boat launch you can get one of the Friendship Boats to EPCOT, with stops at the EPCOT area resorts. If I wanted to hurry I might walk, because I have actually beaten the boat on foot using the path that follows the waterway.

The boat lets you off at World Showcase, so I’d do that first. By this time of the day, the entertainment would be starting, like the acrobats in China or the drummers in Japan, so I’d just start walking around the circle seeking them out, shopping and having cocktails along the way. If it were timed right I’d do the “American Adventure”, a moving salute to our forefathers at the American Pavilion, and I’d try to jump on “Maelstrom” at Norway. I wouldn’t leave without a ride on “Spaceship Earth”, which might be my favorite attraction in all of WDW. ( I love the new incarnation!)

Now I’d jump on the monorail and head for my early ADR (advanced dining reservation) at the California Grill. I’d make it early because the after hours parties (Let’s say I’m here for Mickey’s Not Very Scary Halloween Party) usually start at 7:00 PM. I won’t be there right at 7:00, but I don’t want to miss too much of the party.

I’d have my usual, the “Unplugged” at the California Grill and then it would be time to walk over to the Magic Kingdom. I’d time it so that I’d be there for the parade, and then hopefully if the crowds are as light as they can be I’d ride everything they’ve got open! The park would officially close at midnight, but I’d try to stay for the “Midnight Kiss”, and then call it a day - A VERY BIG DAY!