Your Disney Vacation Planning Timeline

Are you unsure where to start with planning a Disney vacation? What is the best planning timeline to ensure your family has a stellar time at Walt Disney World? Working with a Disney vacation planning timeline can help you break each stage of the planning process down in smaller chunks. Before you know it, you’ll have planned the most magical trip!

Planning a trip to Walt Disney World can be one of the most exciting family adventures — but it can also feel overwhelming. Follow this Disney vacation planning timeline will make your Disney vacation planning smooth, magical, and stress-free!

Choose Your Travel Dates & Book Your Walt Disney World Resort

This step should take place on the planning timeline about 6-12 months from your arrival date. This is probably the most important step in the Disney vacation planning timeline-WHEN do you want to visit? I tend to give some sound advice on this to guests who are unsure. We work around school breaks, crowds, and with a good park plan, anytime will work!

Disney offers magic year-round, but choosing the right time to visit depends on your family’s preferences. Do you love festive holiday decorations or prefer lighter crowds during off-peak seasons? Once you decide when to go and I have sent you options for your Disney vacation packages, booking your Walt Disney World Resort is the next step. Staying on property offers perks like early park entry and complimentary transportation.

Order Your MagicBands & Create a List of Must Dos

When you are 3-6 months from travel, it’s time to order MagicBands. These are ordered via My Disney Experience, after you have linked your Walt Disney World reservation to your account. MagicBands are your all-in-one tool for a seamless Disney experience. They act as your park tickets, room key, and can even store dining reservations and PhotoPass photos. Customize and order them early to receive them before your trip — plus, they make for great keepsakes!

Do you need MagicBands? Short answer, is yes. I should write and entire blog post about MagicBands, but in the meantime, yes. You want to order them and yes, they are worth it.

Next on the vacation planning timeline, in sync with ordering MagicBands, is to create a list of must dos at each theme park. Disney’s four parks — Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom — are filled with unforgettable attractions. Research rides, shows, and experiences, and make a list of must-dos for each park. This will help you prioritize your time and ensure you don’t miss your favorites. Having a list of 3-4 things each person in your family MUST do before they leave Walt Disney World is an ideal place to start.

Book Your Airfare

Two to four months before arrival, start planning your arrival into the Orlando area. For a lot of families, this means flying. Airfare can be so fussy, so this gives you time to shop for the best options that fit your schedule and budget. Once your Disney resort stay is confirmed, it’s time to book your travel. Plan your flights with enough buffer time to account for any potential delays, especially if you want to be there bright and early to start your adventure. Keep in mind that any transportation company from your Walt Disney World Resort to MCO is likely going to pick you up 3-hours before your departing flight. So an early flight home on departure day is something to be aware of.

Book Advanced Dining Reservations

This is the BEST part of the Disney vacation planning timeline-at least for me! When you are 60-days from arrival, and you book those dining reservations, that’s how you know your trip is right around the corner! Disney Dining is part of the magic! Disney offers a variety of restaurants, from character dining to fine dining experiences. Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs) open 60 days before your trip, so mark your calendar and snag reservations at popular spots like Cinderella’s Royal Table or Chef Mickey’s.

This is also the time when you will book any Enchanting Extras. Fireworks dessert parties, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Savi’s Workshop, tours….all these can be booked 60-days from arrival.

Pay in Full & Book Airport Shuttle

Your Walt Disney World vacation package will need to be paid in full 30-days from arrival. I send my guests a 2-week notice, so they can prepare for their payment. As your trip approaches, finalize all payment methods to avoid last-minute surprises. If using Disney Gift Cards, gather those and combine them as much as possible on the Disney Gift Card site.

Also, this is the time to book your airport shuttle or other transportation to ensure a smooth arrival at your resort. Disney’s Magical Express service has been replaced, so private shuttles or rideshares are great alternatives. My personal favorite is Mears Connect. If you want private transfers, Away we Go is a great option.

Schedule Grocery Delivery and Pick Up Last-Minute Items

When you are 10-15 days from arrival, it’s probably time to start packing! Or at least making a packing list! Also, you will want to set up a grocery order to your Walt Disney World Resort. I personally use Amazon Fresh. However, Instacart from the local Publix or WalMart is a great option as well.

Why grocery delivery? Having snacks, drinks, and breakfast items on hand can save both time and money. Schedule a grocery delivery service to your resort or stop by a nearby store for essentials. Don’t forget to pick up last-minute items like sunscreen or autograph books for character meet-and-greets.

Once the essentials are in place, it’s time to sprinkle some pixie dust! Plan for extra touches like personalized t-shirts, a countdown calendar, or surprises for the kids. These little details create memories that last a lifetime, and make the days leading up to your trip bearable.

With this Disney vacation planning timeline, your dream Disney vacation will be well underway. Planning ahead helps reduce stress and ensures you’ll have more time to enjoy the magic when you arrive. Need more tips or personalized planning assistance? Reach out via email to carrie@destinationsinflorida.com — I’d love to help make your Disney dreams come true!