First of all… Congrats! 🎉 Booking your Walt Disney World vacation is such an exciting first step and we're excited to help you plan the rest!
Here's our timeline for your next planning steps.Right After Booking
__Create a My Disney Experience (MDE) Account
This is the hub for all things Disney. If you already have an account, make sure it's up to date. If not, get one set up. It’s where you’ll see your reservations, tickets, and plans. My Disney Experience
__Link Your Reservation - You'll get an email with your confirmation number so you can link your hotel and tickets. Then, invite the adults in your group to join your Friends & Family list via email so you can plan together. (You will plan for the kids in your room.) Other adults can accept the invite to plan together from their accounts, and add their kids. Finally, accept the invites- and you're linked!
__Start Familiarizing Yourself With the Disney App
Download the My Disney Experience app. Play around with it! Explore the map, ride wait times, mobile food ordering, and more. You'll need to know it inside out for your trip.
__ Browse through Our Other Planning Blogs. Our planning page is full of Disney wisdom—from Lightning Lane tips and Top 5 lists, to restaurant reviews. It’s great to start browsing early!
__Begin Thinking About Your Travel Logistics
If you’re flying, look into transportation options to and from Orlando International Airport. Will you use Mears Connect, a private transfer, Uber or a rental car? Let’s talk about what’s best for your group.
6–9 Months Before Travel
__Browse Dining Options & Menus
Dining reservations open 60 days in advance, but now’s the time to look through restaurants and start narrowing down favorites. We can help you find the best ones for your family’s preferences! We have dined at all of the Disney restaurants, and have reviews and photos for many of them.
__Think About Upgrades
Would you like to add Park Hopper tickets? Or the Dining Plan? Maybe you want to add a water park day, or go to special event like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Let’s start chatting about these!
__Consider Adding Other Destinations
Want to do a day or two at Universal Orlando or SeaWorld? We can help you build a combo trip that flows smoothly. We also plan land and sea vacations, (which is a Disney Cruise before or after your Disney World Vacation.) Port Canaveral is only 45 minutes away, and the buses can take you back and forth.
3–6 Months Before Travel
__Track Airfare
Keep an eye on flights, especially if you’re hoping to use credit card points or you are waiting for a day like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Memorial Day etc. for a deal. Set up an airfare tracker on Google Flights or Kayak to alert you of price drops.
__Make Sure You Have the Right Luggage & Gear
Start thinking about things like portable chargers, comfortable shoes, rain ponchos, and packing cubes. Need help? We've got a packing list for that.
__Consider a MagicBand+
MagicBands are fun and functional—they unlock your room, scan into parks, and even light up during fireworks! You can buy them online or through your MDE account and link them to your trip. They are rechargeable and can be used again in the future. If you don't want to purchase them for everyone in your party, you can use Magic Mobile Service via your phones bluetooth.
__Think About Rentals
Need a stroller or mobility scooter? We can help you arrange those now so they’re delivered right to your resort. We can even help obtain medical devices for delivery to your resort. If you're staying at Fort Wilderness, maybe you'll want to rent a golf cart.
__Let Us Know Your Room Requests
Need a ground floor room because your hotel doen't have elevators? Want to be close to transportation? Prefer a specific building theme? We’ll put in your room request with Disney (although they’re not guaranteed.)
60 Days Before Travel
__Dining Reservations Open!
This is a big one. At 6:00 AM EST, you (or your agent!) can book your dining reservations. You’ll want to be ready, especially for hard-to-get spots like Cinderella’s Royal Table or Space 220. Your agent will need your list of desired meals at least a week in advance.
__Extras Open for Booking
You can also now book Enchanting Extras, such as Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Harmony Barbershop. Savi's Lightsaber Workshop, Fireworks Dessert Parties, and special behind the scenes tours.
__Check Ride Height Requirements
If you’re traveling with kids, start checking which rides they’ll be tall enough for. This helps manage expectations (and avoid meltdowns) and if you think they will be nervous about a certain ride, you can show them the POV videos on Youtube, or utilize Rider Swap so they can wait while everyone else rides.
__Look at Park Hours & Events
Disney posts official hours about 60 days out. This helps us finalize your itinerary and choose the best days for each park, and this is important for dining reservations and party nights too.
__Book Your Flights (If You Haven’t )
6-8 weeks before is often the sweet spot for booking airfare if you've been watching and waiting.
__Disability Access Pass Interview
Talk to a Cast Member about a Disability Access Pass via Zoom chat for anyone in your party with cognitive disabilities. You can do this on your Disney Experience account.
30–45 Days Before Travel
___Final Payment
Due 30 days before check-in, your agent can process this for you. This is your last chance to add travel protection to your package. Room only reservations are due in full at check-in. We’ll send a reminder email before this is due.
__Review Your Itinerary
Do you want to utilize Early Entry for on-site guests? Do you want to take a mid-day break? Do you know how to get to all of your dining reservations? Double check the park hours, events and shows. You’ll head into vacation feeling like a total pro if you learn the app like the back of your hand.
__Double Check Luggage & Outfits
Make sure everyone has comfy walking shoes, enough clothes, portable fans, sunscreen, and park-appropriate gear (like swimsuits for water parks and layers for changing weather.)
2 Weeks Before Travel
__Reconfirm Transportation To & From the Airport
Finalize any transfers needed.
__Review Historical Weather Averages
Central Florida weather can be unpredictable, so it helps to know what the forecast usually looks like during your travel dates.
__Pack Smart
Start gathering everything you need for travel. Don’t forget ID, MagicBands, and meds. Don't stress. Pretty much everything else is available at the airport, gift shops, or a nearby Walmart.
__ Online Check In
You can complete your Disney Online Check-In on your MDE app.
1 Week Before Travel
__ Lightning Lane Multipass
7 days before your arrival date, at 7AM EST, you can purchase the Lightning Lane Multipass to skip some lines at the parks if you're staying on site, and 3 days before your park day for off-site guests. Read all about it here: Lightning Lane Guide
__ Order Groceries
Use Instacart, Amazon Fresh, Walmart+, and Garden Grocer for food and snack deliveries to your resort. We love having a case of bottled water delivered, and snacks for the kids.
__Get Excited!
Watch ride videos on YouTube, listen to Disney music in the car, and dream about meeting Mickey and the fireworks. The countdown is ON!
Ask Us Anything! Whether it’s your first visit or your fifteenth, there’s always something new to discover. No question is too small, and we love helping you feel confident and prepared.
If you’re reading this because you just booked with Kingdom Konsultant Travel—thank you! We are so excited to help plan your magical vacation.
And, if you haven’t booked yet, but you’re dreaming of Disney, let’s chat. We’d love to help make it a reality. Fill out this Form for a Free Quote. Check out the rest of our planning guides On the Blog and follow us on social media for more tips, fun, and updates.
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