Walt Disney World is over 40+ square miles! That translates to a lot of acreage of fun and relaxation. Knowing key planning dates will help make your planning a breeze!

Rooms and Travel Packages

Your family has made the decision to go to Walt Disney World and stay at an on-property resort—AWESOME!

Did you know you can actually book your room 1.5 years in advance of your trip! As a Vacation Planner, I can easily hold your room a year and a half in advance and turn your room only reservation into a vacation package once vacation packages open up. Vacation packages become available about 6-12 months prior to your travel dates. Additionally, as an authorized Disney Vacation Planner, I can watch for any discounts or special promotions that become available that may suit your travel dates and needs. I will work to get what is best for your family without you having to stress on watching for discounts and deals on your own. If your trip needs to be modified to qualify for a discount, that is what I am here to do! I will help you get the best price and accommodations that suit your family best!

6 months – Travel Packages and ADRs

One hundred and eighty days(6 months) prior to your trip is a good time to make sure your accommodations are booked. At the 6 month mark you are eligible to book table service reservations at Walt Disney World. These are referred to as Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs). What does this translate to? Think dinner in Cinderella Castle, breakfast with Mickey, etc. There are 100’s of table service restaurants throughout the parks, resorts and Disney Springs that you can book in advance of your stay. The 180 day mark is best for those hard to obtain reservations, such as Cinderella’s Royal Table (located in Cinderella castle inside Magic Kingdom). This is important to keep in mind because locals, on and off property guests can all book at the 180 day mark!

3 months/90 days

Beginning at 90 days from the day of check-in, Walt Disney World Club level guests may book ALL FastPasses for their entire trip stay. This begins at 7 am EASTERN 90 days prior to check-in.

2 months/60 days

At 60 days from your check-in date, all Walt Disney World resort guests may book their FastPasses for the entire length of their trip. FastPass+ bookings begin at 7 am EASTERN 60 days prior to the guests check-in date.

This is an advantage to staying on property as off property guests and locals with Annual Passes can not book FastPass+ any earlier than 30 days prior to their park day.

Magical Express

If you plan on traveling to Walt Disney World via airplane and arriving at Orlando International Airport (MCO), you are eligible to use Magical Express. This is Disney’s complimentary shuttle service to and from the Orlando International Airport. Your vacation planner can book this service for you once you have booked your flights. Magical Express will send tags for your bags and details to your home about a month prior to your departure.

One month to go!

One month prior to your check-in date your Walt Disney World travel package will be due. You can make payments on your package anytime prior to your due date but your package must be paid in full by 30 days prior to check-in.

Additionally, if you have not yet done so, you would want to add anything additional to your package before your final payment. Things such as Memory Maker, dining plan or changes to your tickets.

Don’t forget about your MagicBands! Your will want to login to your MyDisneyExperience and select your MagicBands at least 11 days prior to your trip departure. I recommend one month in advance at latest so that you can have them mailed to your home. Otherwise, once you hit the 11 days prior to your trip, your MagicBands will be waiting for you at the check-in desk at your resort.

Knowing these primary dates are a HUGE help in taking the stress off your vacation. It’s supposed to be a fun and exciting time and it can be if you mindful of these key planning dates.