Plan with us
Disney vacation planning timeline
When to do each step, from the first idea to the day you leave.
When should I start planning a Disney vacation?
Start six to twelve months ahead. Book the room first, then tickets, then dining when Disney opens its reservation window.
The full timeline
12 to 9 months before
Choose dates, a budget and a destination. Decide how many days and who is coming. Check passports for a cruise or international trip.
9 to 6 months before
Book the trip: resort or ship and stateroom. Resorts and popular sailings fill first. Note every payment date and cancellation deadline.
6 to 3 months before
Buy tickets if you have not. Start a rough day-by-day plan and list the meals and rides that matter most.
About 60 days before
Dining reservation window for Walt Disney World. Disney sets the exact rule, so check its page. Set a reminder for the morning it opens.
30 days before
Confirm final payments. Link tickets and reservations in the My Disney Experience app. Check ride height requirements for children.
1 to 2 weeks before
Check the weather forecast, pack using our packing list, and charge devices. Download your documents for offline use.
Travel week
Check in online, keep documents in your carry-on, and plan one easy first day.
Dates and rules vary by destination, and Disney changes them. Confirm on Disney's own pages: Walt Disney World reservations.
Your adventure starts here
Want us to keep track of the dates?
When you plan with us, we book each reservation as its window opens.
