Disney World Vacation Timeline
Trying to figure out the exact date for all-important parts of your Disney vacation? No worries, the Disney World Vacation Timeline and Disney World Date Calculator make it simple!
Hey there, fellow Disney vacationers! If you’re dreaming of that enchanting Disney World vacation, you’re in the right place. I’m here to guide you through the entire planning process in the most relaxed and helpful way possible. Whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned Disney-goer, my Disney World Planning Timeline and Disney World Date Calculator are your ultimate tools to ensure an unforgettable adventure.
Start Planning Now
You’ve probably heard the buzz about how magical Disney World is, but did you know it’s massive? It covers an astounding 43 square miles – that’s almost twice the size of Manhattan! With so much to see and do, how can you prepare for your trip? I’ve got you covered! Let’s break it down.
Research, Book, and Itinerary – 7 to 9 Months Out
After diving into my Disney World Planning Timeline, your next move should be to start your research, book your trip, and create a daily itinerary for your chosen park. I know, I know – you might be wondering, “Why do I need a daily plan? Where’s the spontaneity?” Well, let me tell you, a little organization goes a long way in the most magical place on Earth. It means less stress, more savings, and more FUN!
The ideal timeframe to start planning is at least 6 to 9 months in advance, as I recommend in my Disney World Planning Timeline. But honestly, as soon as the Disney dream starts twinkling in your eye, kick off the planning process. It also gives you more time to stash away those Disney dollars.
Set Your Disney Vacation
First things first, figure out how much you’re cool with spending on this magical vacation. Getting a clear picture of your budget now will make sure you don’t accidentally splurge on that fancy hotel suite with the rooftop jacuzzi (unless you want to, of course ).
Pick Your Disney Trip Dates
Alright, time to circle some dates! When are you thinking of jetting off? While you’re at it, do a quick scan of ticket prices, places to stay, and flight deals. No need to hit the ‘book now’ button just yet. Just make sure the dates and costs work with your budget. And hey, jot down your arrival and departure dates. It’s always good to have a plan!
It’s always a good idea to check your dates against a Disney World Crowd Calculator to understand what you should expect from a crowd level. For my crowd calendar, CLICK HERE.
Determine Which Day to Visit Each Disney Park
Fantastic, so you’ve got your Disney days marked on the calendar. Now, let’s jazz up those days. Which Disney parks are you thinking of exploring? Do you want to check out a Disney water park? Or maybe a chill day by the resort pool with a drink in hand? Whatever floats your boat, just have a game plan. And heads up, knowing which parks you’re hitting is super key for what’s coming up next.
Find Your Must-Try Restaurants
Now that you’ve got your park days sorted, let’s talk grub! Think about the must-try spots you wanna hit each day. Dreaming of dining with Mickey and the gang? Those character meals can get pretty packed, so it’s a good idea to have those on your radar. No need to map out every snack break (unless you’re into that), but if there’s a special spot you’re eyeing, jot it down.
Popular Reservations
Some reservations get snapped up super fast, so make sure to set a reminder for the 60-day mark to book those high-priority experiences. Here are some of the most popular ones:
- Beaches and Cream
- California Grill
- Chef Mickey’s
- Chef’s Table at Victoria and Albert’s
- Cinderella’s Royal Table
- Crystal Palace
- Garden Grill
- Homecoming
- Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue
- Le Cellier
- Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
- ‘Ohana
- Topolino’s (character breakfast)
If you’re not going to have a Disney World ticket with the park-hopper option, make your preferred restaurants match up with your respective park day.
Starting Picking Out Attractions and Special Events
Feeling like going all out on this trip? If you’re thinking of diving into some of Disney’s extra magical experiences, keep these three things mind:
- What’s the cool event or attraction?
- When are you planning to check it out?
- When can you snag a reservation for it?
And just to sprinkle some pixie dust on your plans, here are a few fan-favorite events and attractions that usually go fast:
- Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique – Booking opens 60-days from your check-in date
- Disney Afterhours Events – Book when tickets are released
- Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party – Book when tickets are released
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party – Book when tickets are released
Choosing Where to Stay – At Least 6 Months Out
Alright, next up on the planning list – where to rest your head. You’ll need to decide between staying at a Disney-owned resort (on property) or a non-Disney resort (off property). The choice you make affects your planning, as you’ll see in the timeline.
For a breakdown of the Best Disney World Resort for you, check out my Disney Resort Recommender. CLICK HERE
When to Book Your Room
Not sure about booking early because you’re afraid of missing out on a fab deal? No stress! Here’s the scoop: When you’re eyeing a stay at Disney World Resort, it’s a smart move to snag your room early, especially during those super popular times. And guess what? If Disney drops a cool promo after you’ve booked, just give them a ring to see if the new promotion applies to your trip. If it does, they will apply the discount, no questions asked. And if you’re teaming up with a Disney Vacation Planner like yours truly, I’ve got your back! I’ll check on those deals for you. So, just chill and watch the savings roll in! Oh, and a quick heads-up: when you book a room at Disney World Resort, you’ll need to drop a deposit. Want the details on that? Dive into my guide on deposits for all the info. CLICK HERE
If you’re an early bird, you can book room-only reservations up to 499 days in advance, although it’s usually not necessary for most folks.
And don’t fret about not knowing ticket prices and dining plan packages too far in advance – you can book room-only reservations by calling your Disney Vacation Planner. Usually, the packages are available around late June for the following year.
My Disney Experience
The My Disney Experience website and app are your trusty companions throughout the planning process. They help you with details about your travel party, reservations, itineraries, and even your magical Disney PhotoPass pictures. Plus, they’re a goldmine for park maps, menus, wait times, and more.
You’ll want to set up your My Disney Experience right after making your Disney World Resort reservation (if you do not already have one created). For more details on what’s My Disney Experience, check out my article here.
Build a Rough Itinerary – 5 Months
Time to map out your magical journey! Dive into the details of what you wanna see and do in each park. Remember, no need to go overboard. Just jot down your squad’s absolute must-dos and the “oh, that’d be cool” spots.
Got your list? Sweet! Now, group ’em by where they’re at in the park. It’s like your own personal treasure map. And hey, leave some wiggle room for spontaneous fun and exploration. We’re not looking for a minute-by-minute playbook, just a solid game plan to make the most of your Disney days. Ready to make some magic?
Buy Your Park Tickets – 4 Months
Time to grab those Disney park tickets! By now, you should be locking in your park selections, based on that epic plan we chatted about 5 months ago.
Snag your tickets either through the Disney Website or your trusty Disney Vacation Planner. They’ll make sure your tickets are linked up with your My Disney Experience account. Quick tip: double-check everything’s in order. Trust me, you don’t wanna rock up to the park and find out there’s a hiccup with your ticket. Let’s keep the magic smooth and stress-free!
Add-On Memory Maker
Thinking of capturing those magical moments with the Memory Maker? Smart move! Here’s a tip: snag it before you go. Not only will you score a sweeter deal, but it’ll be all set and ready for action. Trust me, you don’t wanna be sorting it out at the park when there’s so much magic waiting for you. Snap, save, and savor!
Advanced Dining Reservations – 2 Months (60 Days)
Remember all those drool-worthy meals we chatted about earlier? Time to lock ’em in! Now, you don’t have to set every single meal in stone right now. But if you’ve got your heart set on that fancy spot or a specific dining time, getting in early is your golden ticket. If you’re not able to secure the exact restaurant or time, keep checking back. Reservations are changing all the time and you would be surprised how often you’re able to secure a dining reservation later on.
Secure your spot at some of Disney’s top restaurants with Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs). On-site guests can start booking 60 days before check-in (plus up to 10 days from your check-in date), while off-site guests can book 60 days out (this has to be repeated for each day of your vacation).
Use my Disney Dining Reservation Calculator to figure out the exact day you can begin making your dining reservations. CLICK HERE
MagicBands – 1.5 Months (45 Days)
Get ready to wear those snazzy MagicBands! They’re like your golden ticket, connecting you to all your vacation choices made through My Disney Experience. MagicBands get you into the parks, unlock your resort room, and even let you buy food and merchandise – talk about convenience!
When staying at a Disney World resort you’ll be getting those snazzy magic bands in the mail. Usually, it’s a few weeks before your big adventure. Don’t forget to hop onto your My Disney Experience account and give them your personal touch. Make ’em uniquely you!
Transportation to Your Disney Resort – 1.5 Months (45 Days)
Ready to zoom to your Disney Resort? If you’re thinking of cruising with Mears Connect, now’s the time to lock in that ride. Just a heads-up: have your flight details handy before you book. Not feeling Mears? No worries! You’ve got options like renting a car, catching an Uber/Lyft, or even rolling in style with a private car service. Vroom vroom!
Early Entry – Each Day of Your Trip
Staying at a Disney-owned hotel comes with some perks, including Early Entry. This means you get to enter the park 30 minutes before the regular opening hours. Every day, you get to pick any park you fancy – you just need a valid theme park ticket.
Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane – Each Day of Your Trip
Disney Genie+ has taken over the FastPass+ system, and it’s now the way to skip lines for more than 40 attractions. You can make reservations via the Disney Genie app, starting at 7 a.m. on the day of your visit. Park hoppers, this one’s for you – use Genie+ at all the parks you visit on the same day.
For a small cost, around $15-$30 per person per day (varies by date and demand), you can enjoy quick access to your favorite attractions. Just remember that some of the most popular rides are not part of Genie+, so be prepared to purchase individual Lightning Lane passes for those.
Check out my Genie+ strategies for each of the parks:
Disney Travel Agents Are Your Besties
Feeling a bit overwhelmed? Don’t worry; I’m here to help! As a Disney travel agent, I can make your Disney dreams a reality, and here’s the best part – my services are completely FREE! You can’t beat that. Just fill out the form at the bottom, and away we go!
Disney World Vacation Date Calculator
Now, here’s a little extra magic for your planning. Use my Disney World Vacation Date Calculator to help plan your next Walt Disney World vacation! Enter your arrival date for your Walt Disney World vacation, and my calculator will tell you when you can begin booking your Advance Dining Reservations. In addition, the calculator will tell you final payment dates, when to order Magic Bands, when you can check in to your Walt Disney World resort and more. Jot down these dates on a calendar or return as often as you need to make sure you aren’t missing anything important!
Disney World Vacation Date Calculator
And there you have it – your Disney World Planning Timeline, all wrapped up with a bow. These are just the basics to get you started, but if you need more personalized guidance, feel free to reach out to me! I’m here to make your Disney dreams come true, and the best part is, it won’t cost you a penny. So, fill out the form below, and let’s embark on this magical journey together!
Looking To Book Your Dream Disney Vacation?
Meet the Author: Nate Bishop
I’m a die-hard Disney fan with 38 years of visits under my belt, having stepped into Disney World 120+ times. Proud to be a Disney Annual Passholder, a Vacation Club member since ’92, a Castaway Club Member, and a runDisney enthusiast. Oh, and I’ve graduated from the Disney College of Knowledge. Need Disney insights or planning tips? I’m your guy!
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