094: How We Conquered the Four Park Challenge at Walt Disney World — With Kids, Grandparents, and Zero Regrets!

Ever wondered if you could visit all four Walt Disney World theme parks in one day  with kids, teens, and grandparents in tow? In this episode of Well Hello Magic: The Podcast, I’m walking you through every magical (and exhausting) step of our family’s Four Park Challenge to celebrate my niece’s birthday.

From rope drop at Animal Kingdom at 7:00 AM to leaving Magic Kingdom at 1:00 AM, we tackled 17 attractions, dined at 5 different locations, and covered over 12.5 miles. Whether you’re wondering if this challenge is even possible with little ones or looking for a step-by-step breakdown on how to plan your own Disney park-hopping day, this episode is packed with everything you need to know.

✨ In this episode, I break down:

• How to plan a Four Park Challenge with kids of different ages
• The best route and park order to make your day efficient
• How to use Lightning Lane to save time on the most popular rides
• What to pack to survive 18 hours in the parks
• When to rest, when to push through, and when snacks save the day
• How to involve grandparents and still keep the day manageable
• Why renting a stroller was essential even for our older kids

You’ll get our full itinerary what time we entered each park, which rides we hit, how we handled mealtimes, and how we made it feel magical for every generation. From Kilimanjaro Safaris and Guardians of the Galaxy to Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway and ending with TRON and Barnstormer at midnight, this was a day we’ll never forget.

Meanwhile, our littlest traveler enjoyed a slower-paced day back at the resort with the grandparents  and yes, that was part of our strategy too. This challenge doesn’t have to mean dragging toddlers through the entire experience. In fact, I’ll talk about how you can plan your own Four Park Challenge while splitting the day to fit your family’s unique needs.

You’ll hear:

• How to do a Four Park Challenge at Walt Disney World with kids
• The most efficient way to park hop using Disney transportation
• When to schedule your Lightning Lanes and what to skip
• Why EPCOT’s International Gateway and the Skyliner are key to saving time
• Tips for squeezing in thrill rides 
• Where to eat fast, what snacks to grab, and why cinnamon rolls after 10 PM taste better
• How to still enjoy fireworks, parades, and character photos without burning out

Final stats from our Four Park Challenge:

• 17 attractions
• 5 dining stops
• 29,431 steps
• 12.63 miles
• Countless memories made

This is a real, honest look at how a family can take on the Four Park Challenge and make it work even when you're tired, it rains, or your daughter needs a stroller at hour 14. No highlight reel here, just the real magic.

Tune in now on your favorite podcast app and follow @wellhellomagic on Instagram for more family Disney tips, park strategy breakdowns, and how to ke