So the idea of a Disney World vacation has made its way into your brain (we feel you). You know you want to go, you may just not know when or how to get there. Adventures by Jamie is ready to help make every step of the Disney planning process fun, exciting and stress free. If the past few years have taught us anything, it’s that things change…and they change a lot! And what’s required to plan a successful (and enjoyable) Disney trip is no exception. Planning your Disney World vacation looks different right now and we are here to help you navigate all the ins and outs. Grab your favorite Mickey pen (we can’t be the only ones who have one…right?), and take note of these dates and timelines so you can have the most magical Disney vacation ever!
10-12 MONTHS BEFORE YOUR DISNEY WORLD VACATION
ESTABLISH A VACATION BUDGET
Sit down and take a look at your finances to establish how much you can or are willing to spend on flights, accommodations, food, souvenirs, tickets etc… Making this decision at the start of your planning process helps making big decisions easier and less stressful.
10-8 MONTHS BEFORE YOUR DISNEY WORLD VACATION
PICK YOUR DISNEY RESORT
With over 30 different resorts on Disney property there is something for everyone in every budget. Disney divides their resorts into 4 different categories: value, moderate, deluxe and villas (check out our recent blog post on the differences between these categories). While each resort has different theming and amenities, all Disney resorts offer transportation options, food and fun activities to keep your entire party happy and entertained, it is Disney afterall! Besides your basic hotel rooms, you can find different accommodation options such as: family suites, cabins, overwater bungalows, camp sites and deluxe villas that boast full kitchens along with washer and dryers. Basically what we are saying is, your wish…is Disney’s command. Whatever you are looking for in a resort, there is one waiting for you on Disney property.
CHECK PARK PASS AVAILABILITY
Since Disney reopened after the virus that shall not be named turned all of our worlds upside down, it is now required to book a park pass reservation for each day for each member of your party (this is a separate step besides your park tickets). We highly suggest you look at Disney’s park reservation availability page https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/availability-calendar/?segments=tickets,resort,passholder&defaultSegment=tickets to see which parks are available on which days. This will help you narrow down which dates would work best for you and your party’s wants and needs.
SELECT YOUR TRAVEL DATES
Okay, now that you have referenced the park reservation page, it is time to choose which dates you will be living your best Disney life. Keep in mind that crowd levels vary throughout the year with weekends, holidays, and school breaks typically bringing in larger crowds. We have an entire blog post about crowd levels at Disney, so check out “When Should I Visit Disney World” for a more in depth look at what time of year sounds most pleasant for you.
START YOUR VACATION COUNTDOWN (AKA…BOOK IT!)
Phew! You and your Adventures by Jamie Disney Vacation Specialist have decided when to go, where to stay and what parks to enjoy so now it is time to lock it all in! If you ask us, this is the most exciting part of the planning process because it means it is actually happening! No longer is the thought of a fantastic Disney World vacation simply a wish your heart makes (see what we did there?). All that is needed to book your Disney vacation is a $250 deposit and you are all set! It really couldn’t be much easier than that.
MAKE YOUR PARK RESERVATION
As soon as you book your vacation package you are able to book your park reservations. Use your My Disney Experience App to select which parks you want to visit which day. Make sure to verify that you are making reservations for each member in your group.
6-4 MONTHS BEFORE YOUR TRIP
BOOK THOSE FLIGHTS
We suggest locking in your airfare anywhere between 6-4 months prior to your Disney World trip. Flights into the Orlando Airport sell out quicker than most other destinations so you definitely want to make sure you have your pick of itinerary options. While flights wont be at their cheapest this far out, they aren’t at their most expensive either. The peace of mind that you have transportation to Disney is worth the trade off, believe us.
WATCH VIDEOS AND GET EXCITED!
There are so many amazing videos online that show park tours, ride throughs, restaurant reviews and so much more. Sitting down with your party and enjoying these videos can help give you ideas of how to spend your days at Disney and get everyone even more excited (if that’s possible).
START MASTERING GENIE +
If you have decided to utilize Genie + on your vacation, we HIGHLY suggest you take the time to learn all the in’s and outs of how it works before getting to the parks. Read articles, watch tutorials, and chat with your Adventures by Jamie Disney Vacation Specialist to get comfortable and confident with the platform. Having the knowledge before you arrive will help assure that you get the most out of Genie+ so you can enjoy the parks and those short lines!
60 DAYS BEFORE YOUR DISNEY WORLD VACATION
MAKE DINING RESERVATIONS
Disney allows guests to make dining reservations 60 days in advance, and while that seems crazy pants we assure you…it is necessary. Booking reservations in advance is especially important for those popular and classic Disney World restaurants. Think character meals, castle dining etc…all of those WILL book up 60 days in advance and you rarely will see cancellations leading up to your trip. As soon as the clock strikes midnight eastern time, go, go, GO. Or, let your Disney Vacation Specialist stay up and grab those reservations for you, all while you get your beauty sleep. Talk about easy!
30 DAYS BEFORE YOUR DISNEY WORLD VACATION
ARRANGE AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION
Unfortunately, Disney World no longer offers complimentary transportation to and from the airport (let’s take a moment of silence for the Magical Express). Nowadays, the most common transportation options are rental cars, ride shares (uber, lyft etc…), or Mears Connect. Chat with your planning specialist on which mode of transportation is best for you and your budget. After all, you want to make sure you get to the resort with zero stress, and we can help make that happen.
MAKE YOUR PACKING LIST
Now that you are just days away from your magical vacation, it’s time to start getting everything together and packed up. Sit down and make a list of everything you want or need for your Disney vacation (clothes, toiletries, medications, etc…). Don’t forget that merchandise you bought ahead of time to take at a discount for your kiddos.
COMPLETE YOUR RESORT CHECK IN
Completing the online check in speeds up or allows you to skip those long lines during the check in process. During online check in you can add special requests for your stay. Make sure to link your reservation to your My Disney Experience App (again something your Vacation Specialist can assist you with) and you will get a notification when your room is ready. Verify your room number in the app and then use either your magic band or smart phone as your room key. Talk about fancy pants!
7 DAYS PRIOR TO YOUR DISNEY WORLD VACATION
PACK
Now is the time to put that packing list into motion. Make sure to complete your packing a few days in advance to save on day of travel stressors.
MAKE A PLAN
If you are traveling with little kids or a larger party, make sure to discuss what to do in the event anyone gets seperated. Select a meeting place in each park, practice your phone number and show your kiddos pictures of cast members in uniforms so they know who to look for if they need help. Sit down together and make rules and guidelines to help keep everyone safe. This is a step that oftentimes gets overlooked with all the more exciting things to plan but it is SO important.
DAY OF YOUR DISNEY WORLD VACATION
ARRIVE AT DISNEY WORLD
If you have followed this checklist and worked closely with your Adventures by Jamie Disney Vacation Specialist, this day should be a walk in the park. We always like to suggest that you have your park bag ready to rock in case you get in early and can enjoy some rides. Otherwise, exploring your resort and enjoying the pool is always a nice way to kick off your Disney World adventure. No matter how you choose to spend your first day, we are confident it will be nothing short of magical.
With so many things to think about and do before stepping foot on Disney soil, it can be overwhelming. That is why we are here to help every step of the way. From the moment you contact us, until you safely return home; it is our job to make sure everything about your dream Disney vacation goes smoothly. By having plans, a good attitude and your patient pants, we are confident you will have the most magical time and be ready for your next trip in no time at all. Okay…enough reading, are YOU ready to get your Disney World vacation on the calendar? What part of planning a Disney trip are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments. Want some help with all of this craziness? Let us know that also and one of our Disney Vacation Specialists will reach out and start helping you plan your “happily ever after”.
Let’s go to Disney!