Route Planning Guide — Park Navigation Tips

Everything you need to know about using the route planning feature to navigate your park day efficiently and confidently.

What Route Planning Does

The route planning feature calculates walking directions between your current location and a selected destination within the park. It uses available map data to suggest a path, estimate walking distance, and provide an approximate travel time.

Routes are computed on demand each time you request directions. The system considers park pathways, closures (when overlay data is available), and basic distance optimization. All route suggestions are advisory — they are intended to help you orient yourself, not to replace park signage or official directions.

Key principle: Route planning is an advisory tool. It provides suggestions based on available data, but park conditions change throughout the day. Always follow posted signs and staff instructions.

Best Practice Workflow

Follow these five steps to get the most out of the route planning feature during your park visit.

  1. Choose Your First Attraction — Select the closest high-priority attraction from the entrance. Example: Attraction A (5-minute walk).
  2. Let the App Suggest Your Next Stop — After selecting Attraction A, tap "Next Stop." The app evaluates distance and queue conditions.
  3. Confirm the Route Stays Inside the Park — Check the route banner and map. If the banner says "Route adjusted to stay in-park," the app has prevented an unsafe detour.
  4. Move Sequentially, Not Randomly — Proceed from Attraction A → Attraction B → Attraction C in logical geographic order.
  5. Avoid Planning Routes Across the Entire Park at Once — Plan one step ahead rather than selecting the farthest attraction immediately.

Example: Planning a Morning for a Family of Four

Starting point: Park entrance. Goal: Visit 3 attractions efficiently before lunch.

Select the closest high-priority attraction from the entrance, then let the app suggest your next stop based on distance and queue conditions. Move from Attraction A → Attraction B → Attraction C in logical geographic order instead of crossing the park for a distant ride. Plan one step ahead rather than selecting the farthest attraction immediately.

What to Expect vs. What Not to Expect

What to expect: Approximate walking directions between two points in the park; estimated walking distance and travel time; awareness of known closures when overlay data is available; suggestions for the next best attraction based on wait times and proximity; the ability to cancel and recompute routes at any time.

What not to expect: Turn-by-turn GPS navigation like a car navigation system; guaranteed accuracy of walking times (conditions vary); day-of obstacle avoidance (construction, temporary barriers); indoor navigation within buildings or queue lines; storage of your location history or personal data.