How to Plan Your LAST Day in Disney World
Days at Disney World can often be jam-packed with rides, eats, and lots of other things to do and see.
Pandora
And sometimes, with so much to do, your trip can go pretty fast! Sooner than you know it, it’ll be your last day in Disney World and you’ll be getting your bags packed and ready to head home (we know, it’s mega sad! But all good things must come to an end eventually!). Maybe you want to make the most of your day, hitting up the parks and fitting in every last thing you can. Or, maybe you want to take it slow and relax before traveling. Either way, we’ve got all the info you need about how to plan your LAST day in Disney World!
Leave Your Bags With Bell Services
There are tons of amenities and services to take advantage of if you’re staying at a Disney World Resort. One of these perks is being able to leave your bags with Bell Services after you check out of your room! This way, your luggage will be stored until you need it, and you can still go out and enjoy the parks and resorts until it’s time to travel home.
Beach Club Lobby
Check out time for Disney hotels is 11AM, but you may find housekeeping knocking on your door much earlier than that eager to clean your room. Be prepared to head out by 11 at latest and leave your bags with bell services. This tip also applies to when you arrive. If you get in early and your room isn’t ready, simply leave your goodies with bell services and hit the parks running!
Bell Service Area
Plus, you can also continue charging purchases to your room even after you’ve checked out. This way, making payments is still convenient. You’ll receive an updated itemized report of your charges via email or within the My Disney Experience App after checking out. These options allow you to have a stress-free day and enjoy the last leg of your trip!
Note that Disney previously offered the ability to check your baggage at your hotel with an airport representative and have it sent off to Orlando International Airport for you, but this service is currently unavailable.
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Plan Ahead If Using Disney’s Magical Express
Disney’s Magical Express is a transportation service that brings Disney Resort guests to and from the Orlando airport upon their arrival and departure. Guests are picked up at the airport by bus and are brought to their resort (along with their luggage!). When it’s time to head home, you’ll be notified when and where the bus will pick you up to return to the airport.
Disney’s Magical Express
This is a really convenient service, but often, these buses will bring you back to the airport a few hours prior to your flight. If you’ve flown before, you probably know you’re supposed to be at the airport 1-2 hours before your flight departs. With Magical Express you’ll probably get there, in our experience, about 2-3 hours before your flight. Plus, the Magical Express stops at multiple hotels to pick up guests so you might be driving around Disney property for a while before ever heading off to the airport.
It’s important to pay attention to the return details provided to you, so you can prepare in advance and ensure you make it to your bus! If you’re headed to a park, try visiting the one closest to your pick-up location to make the most of your time.
Magical Express
Also, consider setting a reminder on your phone! It’s easy to get swept up in the fun of the day and before you know it, your departure time will have come and gone. Last month, Disney announced that the Magical Express service would be discontinued beginning on January 1, 2022. This change will leave guests to find their own transportation from the Orlando Airport to Disney World.
Learn more about the discontinuation of the Magical Express here
Enjoy a Character Breakfast
A great way to squeeze in some last-minute magic is by dining at a character breakfast! There, you’ll be able to see the characters one last time before heading home. Plus, this might soften the blow for any kiddos that are super bummed about going home. What’s a better send-off than breakfast with Mickey?
Mickey and Pluto at Garden Grill Restaurant
Character dining is definitely very different right now due to the health and safety guidelines Disney has in place. However, at locations like Chef Mickey’s, and Topolino’s Terrace, you’ll still be able to see Mickey and friends and snap some pics (at a distance), all while enjoying a filling meal.
Read our review of a modified experience at Chef Mickey’s here!
If You’re Not Going to the Parks
Visit Disney Springs
If you don’t want to spend the money on a park ticket just to visit for a few hours, there are plenty of alternatives! Disney Springs offers lots of shopping, dining, and fun activities like bowling.
Disney Springs
Plus, you’ll be able to grab last-minute souvenirs at spots like World of Disney, Star Wars Trading Post, Pin Traders, and Disney’s Days of Christmas. Although you can find LOTS of Disney merchandise in these stores, we don’t recommend waiting until the absolute last day of your trip to grab souvenirs.
World of Disney
Certain items are park-specific. For example, most Haunted Mansion merch will only be found in Memento Mori in Magic Kingdom, and most Avatar-related merch will only be available in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. If items are exclusive, new, or especially popular, they can sell out quickly. That means, if you see something on Monday, you may not see it again on Friday. Plan ahead if you see something you’ve GOTTA have!
Pastel Collection in Disney World
Also at Disney Springs, you’ll find lots of great options for brunch! Grab a delicious and relaxing meal at restaurants like Wine Bar George or Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ before setting off.
Wine Bar George
And don’t worry, you’ll still find PLENTY of Mickey-shaped snacks, dole whip, churros, and many other theme park staples you might be concerned about missing your last day.
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Explore Your Resort
If your trip was filled with long park days, chances are you didn’t get the opportunity to see too much of your resort! Disney Resorts are all extensively themed, filled with intricate details, and have some awesome pools!
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Plus, LOTS of underrated restaurants can be found at Disney Resorts, like Olivia’s Cafe at Disney’s Old Key West Resort. Consider visiting another resort for a meal and doing some exploring! Remember, resort hopping is not allowed currently, BUT you can make a reservation at a restaurant at a different hotel and you’ll be allowed to visit.
Olivia’s Cafe
If you need a strict day of relaxing before returning home, hang out poolside. Kiddos will enjoy splashing around and you can lounge around getting some needed R&R before returning home. Just remember to keep a dry change of clothes handy for everyone!
Coronado Springs Pool
Hanging out at your resort is an easy, stress-free option for enjoying your last day in Disney World.
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If You’re Going to the Parks
Choosing Which Park to Visit
If your hotel is super close to a specific park we recommend staying nearby (say you’re staying at the Contemporary, for instance. Magic Kingdom would be a great choice.). But, depending on your travel plans, some parks are better than others to visit on the last day of your trip. If you don’t have time to do a full day but you still want to go to a park, visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This park typically opens the earliest out of the four, so you’ll be able to make the most of your day.
Tree of Life Carvings
If you have a full day, end your trip at Magic Kingdom. It’s the park with the most rides! And hopefully one day, you’ll be able to finish out the day with fireworks once again. Plus, there’s just something extra magical about looking back at Main Street, U.S.A. one last time before you say “See ya real soon!” and head home.
Cinderella Castle
Of course, if there was one last ride you wanted to squeeze in you didn’t manage during your trip, the park it lives in could be the right choice. Ultimately, it’s up to what you and your fam want to revisit or which experiences you may have missed that you want to see.
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Last Minute Experiences
At the end of your Disney trip, you might find that there were a handful of things you really wanted to do that you left until your last day. There might be some fun souvenirs, special snacks, or family photos that you didn’t find the time for previously.
Ear Wall
This is your last chance to do those things you may have skipped, so don’t miss out on them! If you have the time, be sure to revisit all the things you wanted to the most.
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Slow Down and Take it All in
A Disney vacation is definitely a fun one, but it may not be the most relaxing — especially if your family is very “go, go, go.” After a busy week, be sure to take the time to slow it down and take in your surroundings.
Pluto Statue near Cinderella Castle
There are so many little details that make the parks and resorts as immersive as they are. Take a minute to look more closely and appreciate the little things. Yes, we are literally asking you to stop and smell the churros.
French Toast Churro
Enjoy the magic of the park and take in all the sights, sounds, and smells.
5 Things You’re NOT Doing in Disney World (But You Should Be!)
Ultimately, you can’t really go wrong with how you spend your last day in the Most Magical Place on Earth. Find out what’s most important to your family and spend the remainder of your trip doing what excites you most. Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney tips!
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Do you have any traditions for your last day in Disney World? Tell us in the comments!
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