Discovering DISNEY in Orlando: A Three-Day Itinerary for High School Students

Day 1: Discovering Nature and Conservation at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Morning at Rafiki’s Planet Watch, Kilimanjaro Safaris

9:30 AM – 11:00 AM: Rafiki’s Planet Watch (2 hours)

Students will board the Wildlife Express Train from Harambe Station to Rafiki’s Planet Watch to discover the Conservation Station and get an in-depth look into the care that goes into Disney’s animals. Glimpse experts in the Veterinary Treatment Room, watch meal preparation at the Nutrition Center and check out the resident scientists at work at the Science Center. Animal experts are there to answer all your students’ questions.

11:15 AM – 12:15 PM: Kilimanjaro Safaris (1 hour)

At the Harambe Wildlife Preserve, more than 30 species thrive on 110 acres of idyllic open plains, forest lands and rocky wetlands. Hop aboard a rugged safari vehicle and take off on an epic adventure. Hear fascinating wildlife facts and witness exotic animals in the wild for a unique and unforgettable learning experience.

Lunch

12:30 PM – 1:30 PM: Flame Tree Barbecue (1 hour)

A group-friendly lunch awaits at Flame Tree Barbecue, offering a range of smoked barbecued meats and vegetarian options. Take a seat outside and enjoy the wild surroundings.

Afternoon at Pandora – The World of Avatar

1:45 PM – 3:45 PM: Pandora – The World of Avatar (2 hours)

A stunning and multisensory adventure awaits at Pandora – The World of Avatar. Begin learning on the Na’vi River Journey, brimming with bioluminescent rainforest scenes and exotic animal sounds. Afterward, take an immersive flight simulation over Pandora at Avatar Flight Passage and soar up close to the moon for incredible views.

Evening at Satu’li Canteen, Tree of Life Awakenings

4:00 PM – 5:30 PM: Satu’li Canteen (1.5 hours)

Enjoy a group-friendly dinner at Satu’li Canteen, located inside Pandora. This restaurant offers affordable dining options, healthy dishes, and internationally inspired cuisine with familiar flavors, including vegetarian choices.

5:45 PM – 7:00 PM: Tree of Life Awakenings (1.25 hours)

After dinner, enjoy a mesmerizing show on the Tree of Life displayed on a giant projector screen, which brings the park’s iconic centerpiece to life with vivid animations and fun music.

Day 2: Cultural Immersion and Innovation at EPCOT

Morning at Spaceship Earth, Soarin’ Around the World

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM: Spaceship Earth (1.5 hours)

High school students can travel through time at EPCOT’s flagship immersive attraction to learn about the history of communication and technological advancements. Spaceship Earth takes students back to the dawn of humanity. It explores cultures and human history, including early cave paintings and history-keeping through petroglyphs, Gutenberg’s printing press, media and newspapers, the moon landing, and more up to the present day.

10:45 AM – 11:45 AM: Soarin’ Around the World (1 hour)

Explore the world and spark curiosity for travel in your high school students with a multisensory adventure on Soarin’ Around the World, an exhilarating aerial experience. See natural and manmade wonders, including parts of the iconic Swiss Alps. Glimpse polar bears in frigid Greenland and soar through Australia’s Sydney Harbor. Witness elephants on the move toward Mount Kilimanjaro and see the enormous Great Wall of China and the Great Pyramids of Egypt.

Lunch

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Connections Eatery (1 hour)

Gather your group at Connections Eatery, located in World Celebration at EPCOT. Enjoy a diverse range of cuisines, including pizza, burgers, salads, and more, for an affordable dining option.

Afternoon at EPCOT’s World Showcase

1:15 PM – 3:45 PM: World Showcase (2.5 hours)

Take your students on a cultural adventure through the World Showcase to discover cultures from eleven countries. Visit various pavilions showcasing unique cultural exhibits and performances, educational films and insights into global traditions.

Evening at Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria, Luminous The Symphony of Us

4:00 PM – 5:30 PM: Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria (1.5 hours)

Stay in EPCOT’s World Showcase and enjoy a group dinner at Via Napoli in the Italy pavilion. They serve authentic Neapolitan pizza and other Italian favorites in a group-friendly setting.

9:00 PM: Luminous The Symphony of Us – New! (30 minutes)

End your second day with EPCOT’s new nighttime spectacular, Luminous. Bring the group together and watch fireworks, fountains, music and lights set to music selections from the Disney songbook.

Day 3: Historical Insights and Storytelling at Magic Kingdom Park

Morning at Liberty Square and The Hall of Presidents, Tomorrowland

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM: Liberty Square and the Hall of Presidents (1.5 hours)

Start by visiting The Hall of Presidents for a film and animatronic display on U.S. presidential history. Hear presidential speeches, learn about the formation of our Constitution, ascertain insights into the American Revolution and the Civil War, and more. Afterward, explore the colonial-themed Liberty Square, which showcases the Liberty Square Riverboat, a parasol cart, a portrait gallery, eateries and more.

10:45 AM – 12:15 PM: Tomorrowland (1.5 hours)

Head to Tomorrowland for attractions like the Carousel of Progress, which showcases technological advancements and their impact on daily life. Students will learn about the pre-electric era and how washing machines, telephones and other high-tech wonders were revolutionized.

Lunch

12:30 PM – 1:30 PM: Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café (1 hour)

High school students will enjoy an array of American favorites, including bacon cheeseburgers, fresh salads, chicken, and plant-based options, along with music and a fun atmosphere with plenty of room for the entire group.

Afternoon at Frontierland

1:45 PM – 3:45 PM: Frontierland (2 hours)

Students can take the log raft across the Rivers of America to Tom’s Landing on Tom Sawyer Island. They can walk the dusty roads in the footsteps of Tom Sawyer and Mark Twain in a one-of-a-kind experience. Located in the Frontierland section of Magic Kingdom Park, the island offers immersive learning opportunities about the early settlers and their pioneering lifestyles. Easy-to-read maps make a self-guided tour through the island a fun adventure with suspension bridges, narrow passages, secret caves and more.  

Evening at The Plaza Restaurant, Happily Ever After

4:00 PM – 5:30 PM: The Plaza Restaurant (1.5 hours)

Enjoy a casual group dinner in an elegant setting for an affordable meal at The Plaza Restaurant. Menu options include deli-style sandwiches, burgers, homestyle plates and decadent desserts.

9:20 PM: Happily Ever After (20 minutes)

End the trip with Magic Kingdom’s spectacular fireworks show, Happily Ever After, celebrating Disney’s beloved stories and characters.