Planning a Walt Disney World Vacation can be overwhelming but not if you have the perfect timetable to put you on the right track!
More Than 7 Months Out
- Buy a good Disney planning book. Birnbaum’s is great for first timers – it is concise and not overwhelming. For a seasoned Disney go-er, I like PassPorter’s Walt Disney World.
- Research best time for your family to go.
- Determine the number of days for your trip.
- Research and decide on a resort.
- Study different packages available and decide which one is best for your family
- Download the My Disney Experience App and register. You will eventually link your resort, dining and FastPass reservations to this account.
- Make resort reservation with an Authorized Disney Planner.
- Order your free Disney planning DVD here.
7 Months Out
- Sketch out a working itinerary. Disney updates their park hours, special events and Extra Magic Hours about 6-7 months out. Also, check out the variety of crowd prediction calendars found online. These educated guesses will help you decide how crowded the parks may be. Map out your plan of attack, knowing that things may change. This is your rough draft.
- Research which park and resort restaurants you’d like to try. Pencil them into your rough itinerary.
180 Days Out
- With a Disney resort reservation you are able to make dining reservations 180 + 10 days before your trip. This means at 180 days before the first day of your trip you are able to make dining reservations for your first day and for the next 10 days after. This is only available to resort guests. Those staying off-property will need to make their dining reservations 180 day out from each day they would like a reservation.
- Set your alarm and get online (or on the phone) to make your dining reservations. Online reservations begin at 6am Eastern Standard Time and phone reservations (407-939-5277) begin at 7am Eastern Standard Time.
- Decide on and book other Disney reservation events. These include: fishing excursions, tee times, tea parties and pirate adventures.
100+ Days Out
- Book airline reservations.
- Make your Countdown Calendar. We like to start counting at 99. For families with younger children 30 days out may be better. It’s up to you! (For more Countdown Calendar ideas click here.)
- Around the 80 day mark, sketch out the “must-dos” for every park. This will be your rough draft for making FastPass reservations.
60 Days Out
- Make your FastPass reservations. This perk is for Disney Resort guests only. You can do this online or with your My Disney Experience app.
- Cross reference your FastPass reservations with your dining reservations. Make adjustments where necessary.
- Complete customizing your Magic Bands.
30 Days Out
- Pre-order Memory Maker Package.
- Compile your packing list. Check list to make sure you have everything on hand. (Go here for a collection of great packing lists)
14 Days Out
- Start packing!
- Complete online check-in.
- Prep auto if traveling by car: oil change, tire pressure, etc.
- Place order for grocery delivery to your resort.
7 Days Out
- Finish packing.
- Gather all important items and documents: itinerary, Magic Bands, airline tickets, confirmation numbers. If you’ve used My Disney Experience, all of your FastPass and dining reservations are on the app – but it can’t hurt to have a hard copy!
1 Day Out
- Set out toiletry bag and pack as you use. Add last minute items to suitcase.
- Eat a relaxing dinner and get a good night’s sleep!
0 Days Out – Have a magical vacation!
