Disney World Reservation Guide: Disney Dining, Lightning Lanes, and More
When planning a Disney World vacation, it’s important to book your hotel, select activities, and make key reservations. This Disney World reservation guide will help ensure you don’t miss any crucial steps.
Knowing when to reserve your hotel, dining, Lightning Lane, and special activities can make the difference between checking everything off your list or missing out.
Planning a Disney World trip can be overwhelming, especially for first-time visitors. With so many attractions, activities, and dining options, it’s tough to experience it all in one visit. But staying on top of important dates and deadlines will help you make the most of your time at Disney World.
To help plan the perfect vacation, Disney Travel Planners are available to make every Disney reservation and help keep you on track so you don’t miss important key dates. To learn more, read Disney Travel Planners.
The Best Time to Make Every
Disney World Reservation
So, when should you start planning a Disney World vacation and thinking about making a Disney reservation? The short answer is NOW.
Although you can just show up in Disney World and have a great vacation, planning in advance has become so much more important. The sooner the better.
Minimizing crowds, saving time, and saving money are all the benefits of planning in advance. Plus, informed and organized vacationers are less stressed, get to see and do more of what they want to see and do, and simply have more fun.
Although you can certainly plan a last-minute Disney Vacation, it’s become more and more important to plan as early as possible—ideally more than 6 months in advance.
Regardless of how much time you have to plan, a Disney travel agent can greatly reduce your effort in the process and help make your Disney vacation dreams a reality. Plus, their services are completely free of charge. You can’t get any better than that! We recommend booking your vacation through good Disney Travel Planners like Destination Magic Travel.
To learn more about planning a Disney vacation, read:
Download our Planning Timeline
COVID-19 UPDATE: During this time, some activities have been suspended, such as FastPasses. However, the rest of our planning dates for making Disney reservations are accurate as the date article this was published
Key Disney Reservation Dates
Once you have decided on the best time to travel to Disney World, determine the key dates and get started!
You may have been dreaming of going to Disney World for years and years. But now that you have decided to go, here some important, not to miss dates to help as you plan.
To help you calculate the exact date based on your check-in date, you can use an online date calculator
60 Days in Advance: Reserve Disney Dining
With over 200 dining options in Disney World, there is no shortage of wonderful dining experiences. However, there are some very popular restaurants and character meals that book up almost immediately. It is strongly suggested to reserve Disney dining times early as possible so that you won’t miss out on your favorites.
The booking window opens 60 days prior to your check-in date. You will be able to reserve Disney dining tmes for the length of your stay beginning on that day. Book online starting at 6:00 AM EST. You can also book by telephone by calling 407-WDW-Dine starting at 7:00 AM EST.
Popular restaurants and dining experiences that book quickly include:
- Be Our Guest Restaurant
- California Grill
- Chef Mickey’s
- Chef’s Table at Victoria and Albert’s
- Cinderella’s Royal Table
- Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue
- Le Cellier
- Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
- ‘Ohana’s
- Space 220
- Roundup Rodeo BBQ
- Firework Dessert Parties
To learn more Disney restaurants, read:
60 Days in Advance: Reserve Special Activities and Tours and Special Ticketed Events
In addition to dining, there are other activities and Special Ticketed Events that you can also book at this point. Other Special Ticketed Events periodically offered by Disney such as Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Merry Christmas Party.
Dates are typically released about than 6 months in advance, however additional dates may be added closer to the event.
Note: You do not need to have a resort reservation, or be staying on Disney property to book a tour or other special activities.
Popular activities and events that book quickly include:
- Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
- Cirque du Soleil
- Ultimate Day of thrills Tour
- Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
- Villains After Hours Parties
To discover a world of exciting activities to do during your vacation in addition to visiting the Disney theme parks, read:
- Fun Things to Do Beyond the Park
- Things To Do Check-in and Check-Out Day
30 Days or More in Advance: Order Magic Bands
Disney Resort guests can order customized Magic Bands at a discount. They will be delivered to your hotel for pick up at the front desk upon check in.
Disney now offers a number of special colors plus specially designed options that you can upgrade to. The designer bands will cost extra, but they are less expensive to buy before you arrive than they are in the parks.
Ordering and customization is done through My Disney Experience.
30 Days in Advance: Set up Airpot Transfers
Disney Resort guests flying to Orlando International Airport and can take advantage of several different type of transportation between the airport and their hotel.
- Standard Motorcoach
Round-trip standard service via a motor coach (bus) is available through Mears Connect, the same company that used to operate Disney’s complimentary Magical Express. While that service has ended, you can still get transportation through them. Another option is The Sunshine Flyer which decorates its buses with a train theme. Prices are comparable between the two companies. With this service, the shuttle could make other stops before getting to your hotel. - Direct Service (car or van)
Direct service will not make any other stops. No waiting to drop off or pick up guests staying at other Disney resorts. This is also offered by Mears. - Private Car Service
If you would prefer private transfers for just your travel party, that is available as well. Price varies based on the size of the vehicle (such as a town card, luxury SUV, limousine, or executive van). For a small additional fee, many car service companies will include a brief stop at a grocery or convenience store to pick up water, snacks, or other things you’d like to keep in your room. - Larger Group Transportation
If your group is all traveling together, there are some options that will accommodate everyone such as luxury vans up to for up to 14 passengers.
3 Days or More in Advance: Add Memory Maker
Disney’s Memory Maker allows unlimited downloads of all your PhotoPass pictures taken in Disney World. This includes character photos and those taken of you on rides (that you may not even realize are being taken). Plus it even includes Magic Shot—extra magical photo enhancements that you can not get with your smartphone.
You will save at least $30 on the Memory Maker by adding it at least 3 days in advance of your arrival.
It a great way for everyone to be in all the pictures, plus Disney adds in extra magic to many of the photos they take.
Have a stress-free vacation and leave the details to someone else. A Disney Travel Planner can take care of all the planning. All you will have to do is pack your bags and enjoy.
In Closing – Remember to Make Every Disney Reservation You Can So You Do Not Miss Any of the Magic
Long gone are the days where you can just show up, purchase a ticket and expect to have a great time at Disney World. Today, there are a lot of important dates you need to remember when that are is an important part of planning a Disney vacation. We hope this Disney World planning timeline keeps you on track. This is an area where professional travel agents that specialize in Disney can help. They make sure their clients do not miss these key dates and tasks.
Destination Magic is the top of the top 5 agencies of the Best Disney Travel Planners. Click HERE for a free, no-obligation price quote.
For more helpful planning tips, check out these articles:
RELATED ARTICLES
Disney World Basics
Are your planning your first trip to Disney World? Perhaps you have been to other theme parks like… [read more]
Why Use a Travel Agent for Disney
Today, it seems all the tools to book a Disney vacation are at our fingertips. And for many…. [read more]
Disney Resorts Overview
Choosing which Disney resorts Florida to stay at for your Walt Disney World vacation is one of… [read more
Get Your FREE Disney World Vacation Planner!
Enter your name and email and we’ll email you this free “Disney World Planner.” It’s the easiest way to keep organized when planning a trip to Disney World.
Get Planning Help From The Disney Experts
Be sure you are making the most of your vacation time and money. Click the box below to request a free, no-obligation quote. And start planning your vacation with The Disney Experts, Destination Magic!
Destination Magic Travel Agents specialize in all Disney Travel. They will help you plan and book an amazing vacation to:
- Walt Disney World
- Disneyland
- Disney Cruise
- Aulani, Hawaii
- Adventures by Disney
Their services will save you time, money, and stress. Start planning your simply magical vacation today!
