EDIT (Post-COVID Update):
This Parkeology Challenge run took place before COVID-19 and before Walt Disney World made significant changes to their ride reservation systems. The original FastPass+ program is no longer in use and has been replaced by Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane selections.
Important: Using Lightning Lane Premier Access is not allowed for official Parkeology Challenge completions.
✅ The challenge is still possible! In fact, less than a year ago there has been a successful completion using the current systems — so if you’re thinking about taking it on, it can absolutely still be done!
In February, I found out I’d be at Disney in September for a conference. Naturally, I asked The Google: “What kind of mischief can I get into if I go a couple of days early?”
That’s when I discovered the Parkeology Challenge — a wild attempt to ride every ride at Walt Disney World in one day. GAME. ON.
For the next seven months, I obsessed over it — studying runs, dissecting strategies, lurking in Facebook groups, plotting my attack.
I also decided to add purpose to my madness and raise funds through the Every Ride Challenge for Give Kids the World — an amazing organization that helps families of children with critical illnesses experience a storybook vacation at Disney.
Plan A… Meet Hurricane Dorian
My original run was scheduled for Sept 3 — a perfect setup with 6 AM EMH at Hollywood Studios and midnight hours at Magic Kingdom, thanks to Smuggler’s Run opening.
Then Hurricane Dorian showed up.
I shifted my run to Sept 9, which meant rebooking FastPasses, re-planning routes, and losing two precious hours at Magic Kingdom. Cue scramble mode.
Not a Local, Not an Expert… Yet
I’m not a Florida local, nor a Disney park expert. In fact, I’d never even been to Animal Kingdom. So, the day before my official run, I did a practice run through AK and EPCOT where the International Food & Wine Festival was gearing up (cause that is not crowed at all…)
TIP: Do a practice run! I learned how to document rides, modify FastPasses on the fly, and navigate the parks. Every mistake became a valuable lesson.
Game Day
Alarm set for 3:15 AM.
Packed a cooler with PB&J, water, and salty bars.
Arrived at Hollywood Studios at 4:24 AM — third in line!
Met fellow challenger Yvan and podcast host Jon — both practicing their own runs. We ended up running HS together. I told him my husband was going to wonder who the heck I was taking pictures with. Say hi to Yvan!
We made decent time at HS, running when we could. We chose the single rider line for Smuggler’s run. It went a bit slower than anticipated but way faster than standby.
Left HS at 7:48 AM, 18 minutes behind schedule — my plan was to be at MK at 8a.
Magic Kingdom Mayhem
Got to MK at 8:12 AM and immediately hopped on a Main Street Vehicle… then panic set in: Where the heck do I go next?
Lifesaver tip: Disney’s My Experience app → Get Directions became my navigation guide for the day.
Early on, my route wasn’t strategic — just reacting to FP availability and wait times. Ran into Yvan again at Liberty Square Riverboat. After Tom Sawyer Island, I realized crowds were too heavy to “grail” MK, I did make sure all of the early closers were accounted for before I left…such as Carosel of Progress, then I pivoted to AK.
Animal Kingdom Hustle
Arrived at AK at 1:22 PM, 22 minutes behind schedule.
Thanks to my practice run, I knew my route. Flew through rides until it was time for Flight of Passage.
Spent an hour trying to modify my 4:35 PM FP without luck. Finally got on at 4:22 PM — behind again.
EPCOT & Final Stretch
Rolled into EPCOT at 5:20 PM after a parking SNAFU (thanks, Food & Wine Festival), only 20 minutes off schedule. I was anticpating leaving EP by 7:45p for my final hope to MK.
Big win: scored a FP for Frozen — thank the Phoenicians! Note: this ride is back in the World Showcase section and while everyone was casually enjoying their food and wine I was hurdling strollers.
Hydration tip: I barely ate — 1.5 PB&Js all day — but kept my collapsible Hydaway water bottle full and supplemented with Pedialyte. Game changer in that heat.
Left EPCOT at 8:08 PM — still running 20 minutes off schedule — and sprinted back to MK.
Magic Kingdom — The Final Push
Arrived MK 8:29 PM, 7 rides to go.
Planned to save Seven Dwarfs Mine Train for last (if you’re in line before 10 PM, it counts).
Hit PeopleMover (felt eternal), Winnie the Pooh, then ran to Carousel — only to find it closed for fireworks (pro tip: watch out for that). On to It’s a Small World, where my sanity wavered somewhere around the 53rd country.
With one hour left and 4 rides remaining, I limped to Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain during fireworks — pure magic despite the pain.
Dashed back to the Carousel — 9 minutes left. Irrational thoughts surfaced watching other guests take their sweet time strapping in. Then, sprinted to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, entering the queue at 9:57 PM — success with 3 minutes to spare!
Reflection & Gratitude
Shaky, exhilarated, and slightly broken, I took my castle photo and waddled to my car to call my husband: “I did it!”
ONE. AND. DONE.
Disney was my jam years ago, and it just might be again.
This wouldn’t have been possible without tools like Touring Plans, the Theme Park Challenge App, tips from past challengers, and incredible support from friends and family.
Disclaimer: This Parkeology Challenge run was completed before major operational changes at Walt Disney World (including the transition from FastPass+ to Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane). While the core challenge remains possible today, some strategies and processes described in this post may no longer apply exactly as written. Please always consult the latest Parkeology Challenge guidelines and current park policies before attempting your own run!