How Far in Advance Should You Book Your Walt Disney World Vacation
- Emma Hancock-Bontempo
- Oct 9
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 4
As a vacation planner, I can tell you—the magic of a Walt Disney World vacation begins long before you walk down Main Street, U.S.A. The planning process is part of the fun! But when it comes to creating that perfect Disney trip, timing truly matters. How far in advance you decide to book can make a big difference in resort availability, dining options, and even how much you pay.
So, how early should you start planning your Walt Disney World vacation? Let’s take a look at what I recommend to make sure you get the most out of your magical getaway.
Remember, as soon as you want to start planning a trip, reach out to your vacation planner! If we can book your dates, we’ll start pulling pricing. If it isn’t available yet, we’ll discuss options about how to move forward.
The Short Answer: 9–12 Months Is Ideal
For most families, booking your Walt Disney World vacation 6 to 12 months in advance is the sweet spot. That window gives you the best selection of resorts, time to secure dining and Enchanting Extras, and flexibility to take advantage of promotions when they’re released. You are also locking in the lowest possible rack rate for your room before dynamic pricing has taken place as more rooms start to book up.
Vacation Specialist Pro Tip: If you’re traveling during popular times like spring break or the holidays, plan closer to a year out to guarantee your preferred resort and dates.
Booking Timeline Breakdown:
12+ Months Out
If you’re dreaming of deluxe resorts like Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort or Disney’s Beach Club Resort, book as early as possible. These popular spots fill up quickly—especially for large families, groups, or holiday vacations.
At this stage you get to:
Pick your ideal travel dates
Explore resorts that perfectly match your family’s vibe
Plenty of availability
More time to pay off your trip
Your vacation planner will be able to monitor for promotions to apply to your already booked packages.
Vacation Specialist Pro Tip: Pop Century Resort is arguably the most popular value resort, can book up and be hard to find discounts for later on.
6–11 Months Out
This is the perfect planning window for most guests. Resort availability is still strong, and you’ll have plenty of time to learn about the parks and resorts and plan out your itinerary.
Booking now gives you:
Great resort options at every budget
Time to prepare for dining bookings
Peace of mind that everything’s in place early
Promotions may already be out or will become available soon
3–5 Months Out
Still doable—but you may need to be flexible. By this point, certain resorts or room types could be sold out, and less time to get your trip paid off.
Tips:
Consider moderate or value resorts for better availability
Be open to shifting your dates slightly for better options
Work with a travel planner to watch for cancellations or new promos
Last-Minute Trips (Under 60 Days)
Yes, it’s possible to plan a spontaneous Walt Disney World trip—but it helps to have flexibility (and an expert on your side!). Know that at this point, finding availability with current discounts could be difficult.
Vacation Specialist Pro Tip: If you have dining reservations that are high up on your list and not available when you book your trip, use online alert systems to let you know if and when there is availability. I like to use mousedining.com for email alerts.
Why Booking Early Pays Off
Booking ahead isn’t just about getting a room—it’s about unlocking the best experience possible.
More resort and room options
Easier access to top dining and Enchanting Extras
Time to budget and make payments over time
Flexibility to modify if Walt Disney World releases a new deal
How a We Can Help:
Working with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner (like us!) means you’ll have a professional watching out for your trip every step of the way. We’ll:
Monitor for discounts—even after you’ve booked
Handle your dining reservations
Offer expert advice based on your travel dates and group
If you’re dreaming of your next Walt Disney World vacation, don’t wait too long to start planning! In my experience, booking 6–12 months in advance gives you the best chance to secure the perfect resort, snag those must-have dining reservations, and make the most of every magical moment. It is never too soon to start planning, once you know you want to go, contact your favorite vacation planner!
Hey there! I’m Emma Hancock-Bontempo, your guide to a trip filled with magical moments! After traveling to Walt Disney World countless times growing up, I decided to put all this “Disney knowledge” to good use and help others plan their vacations to the “Most Magical Place on Earth”. After becoming a planner in 2022, I discovered a love for curating vacations for couples, families, and groups of friends; all with different wants and needs. Now married and mother to a little girl, I’ve learned how to best set up my clients for success, because as Edna Mode says, “Luck favors the prepared”, and my clients are always prepared to a tee!
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