How Far In Advance Can I Book Disney?

How Far In Advance Can I Book Disney?

How Far In Advance Can I Book Disney?

Are you ready to start planning a Walt Disney World vacation? We all know it’s such a big step! But especially with all of the new steps Disney has implemented. Such as making Disney World park reservations and the continuously changing park hopper hours. However one of the most common questions we still receive is how far in advance can I book Disney 2023? So we have created this guide just for you! Whether it’s your first time visiting a Disney park, or you’re a seasoned Disney vet. We cover ever angle for you to know how far in advance should I book Disney World?

We hope you find this post helpful, and if you are planning a trip to Disney World be sure to check out our other FREE vacation planning tools. Our goal at The Park Prodigy has always been to help you save time and money on your next vacation. This includes helping you find the best time to buy Disney World tickets as well as book amazing Walt Disney World vacation packages!

SPECIAL NOTE: If you’re looking for the absolute best time to visit Disney World be sure to check out our Disney Crowd Calendar! 

 Disney World Crowd Calendar

How Far In Advance Can You Book Disney?

So when should I book my 2023 Disney vacation? While this is completely up to you and the vacation you want to have, we recommend 6 months in advance. If that short of a timeline stresses you out, go ahead and use our 9-12 months in advance guide! Below we will cover different time lines that we think are the best to achieve a certain type of vacation. We have been traveling to Walt Disney World for over 20 years and have planned vacations for our selves as well as our clients! I personally have planned a trip over a year in advance and up to 3 weeks! They’re two very different vacations. So let’s break down the best time to book a Disney Vacation!

How Far Out Can You Book Disney 2023?

• Disney World Room Only Reservations: 499 days in advance of your booking date
• Disney World Vacation Package Reservations: 365-499 days in advance of your booking date
• Disney World Ticket Only Orders: 365-499 days in advance of your booking date
• Disney World Park Reservations: 365-499 days in advance of your booking date
• Disney World Dining Reservations: 60 days in advance of your dining date

How Far in Advance Should I Plan a Disney Vacation?

• One Year +: 1 week vacations or longer
• Nine Months: 1 week vacations
• Six Months: 5 – 6 day vacations or less

The best time to book a 2023 Disney Vacation is at least 6 months in advance. To be clear, this is 6 months from the first day of your vacation! For example, if you want to check into your hotel or visit a park on March 9th, 2024, start booking and planning on September 9th, 2023.

Related Post: Discount Walt Disney World Vacation Packages

How Far in Advance to Book Disney World Hotel Rooms?

We will always advocate to stay at a Disney Resort. We have stayed both onsite and offsite. But the convenience and experience of fully immersing yourself in the “Disney Bubble” makes the vacation that much more memorable. So, how far in advance can you book Disney World hotel rooms? You can book a room-only Disney world hotel reservation up to 499 days ahead of time! This is more than enough time but the most sought after rooms go quick! If there’s a specific room or hotel you really want to experience, we recommend booking at the 499 day mark.

When Can I Book a Disney World Resort Hotel?

• 499 days before the first night of your stay

It’s important to note that this type of booking does not include your park tickets. Booking a room-only reservation needs to be made by a travel agent (like us!) or by calling Disney directly. It cannot be reserved using Disney’s online reservation system. Make when to book Disney trip this way, it can not be upgraded to a Disney World vacation package. Which means you would have to cancel this reservation and book a new Disney World package which includes tickets.

Related Post:  The Best Disney World Hotels

When Can I book a Disney World Vacation Package in 2023?

If you’re thinking of booking a Disney Vacation package, let me reassure you it’s the way to go. But how far in advance can you make Disney reservations for vacation packages? Guests will be pleasantly surprised that Disney World vacation packages are now released between 180 days to 360 days in advance. We typically see Disney World vacation packages for the next year release right around June. 2023 Disney World vacation packages are now available for all arrivals between January 1st, 2023 and December 31st, 2023.

How Early Can I Book a Disney World Vacation Package?

• 180 – 360 days in advance

However as you’ll see there are a few different factors you must consider when answering the question, how early can you book a Disney trip. However we will say that the perks of booking a Disney World vacation package are not the same as in years past and most families are trying to take advantage of the on-site hotel benefits which still come with hotel only reservations.

Can I Book Disney World Packages 2023?

• Yes! Disney has officially released 2023 vacation packages as of June 2023. This will allow guests to book their entire package including a Disney hotel and tickets for as little as $200 down.

A very common question we have been receiving is, can I book 2023 Disney World vacation packages? Yes! Disney has officially released 2023 vacation packages as of June 2023. We expect the 2024 package release to be in June 2023. This will allow guests to book their entire package including a Disney hotel and tickets for as little as $200 down. This is so much more convenient than having to book your hotel and tickets separately and you will receive all of the added benefits that come with an official Disney World package.

Related Post: What are the Best Desserts at Disney World?

How Far in Advance Can You Buy Disney World Tickets?

Arguably the most important thing you need is a ticket to your favorite Disney Park. Whether it’s Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, or EPCOT, a ticket is needed to enter and enjoy the fun! If you don’t plan on booking a Vacation Package and staying in a Disney Hotel, you’ll have to buy your tickets separately. So how far out is Disney booking ticket only orders? Disney releases tickets 180-360 days in advance. Historically we have seen Disney release ticket prices for the next year around every June.

How Early Can I Purchase My Disney Work Tickets?

• Disney World park tickets can be purchased 180-360 days in advance. We typically see tickets for the next year released in June of the current year.

If you’re like us, you might be planning your 2023 Disney Vacation at the least crowded times. We suggest keeping an eye out for Disney World ticket prices. Disney World ticket prices now fluctuate based on the time of the year yo plan to visit. This is known as Date Based Pricing. Typically, the least expensive days to visit are the least crowded days!

Related Post: What is the Least Crowded Time to Visit Walt Disney World?

How Far in Advance Should I Book Disney Theme Park Reservations?

You should book your theme park reservation as soon as you purchase your ticket. If you haven’t been to a Disney park since early 2020, to keep it simple, a lot has changed. The biggest change is how you visit the park. Not only do you need to purchase a ticket to the park, you also need to book a Theme Park Reservation. This reservation is said to help elevate over crowding and give you a more enjoyable theme park experience. But how early can you book a Disney theme park reservation? We always suggest to make your park reservations as early as possible. Preferably when you purchase your ticket.

When Can I Make a Disney Theme Park Reservation?

• 180 – 360 days in advance. We highly recommend booking your park reservation when you purchase your ticket. You can always change them later based on availability. However if you take the risk and wait, the park reservations can fill up. Leaving you with a ticket that you won’t be able to book a reservation with for the day you want to visit.

Any guests who need additional help, we have created a full guide on how to book your Disney World vacation a year in advance and how to make your Disney World park reservations! As of right now Disney has not released the park reservation calendar for 2024 just yet. However, we do believe that will change as they release the 2024 Disney World vacation packages as well as 2024 Disney World ticket prices!

Related Post: Book Your Disney World Vacation a Year in Advance

How Far in Advance Should I Plan Disney World Dining?

When Should I Make Disney Dining Reservations?

• ASAP. Bookings open at 5:45am E.T. 60 days in advance.

Want our biggest secret? If you’re unlucky on Dining Day, use our dining scraper. This is a system that frequently checks for the reservation you want. This eliminates you having to manually go on the app at random times of the day to look for the reservation yourself. You can try it here for free! Guests can also take advantage of the new walk up dining feature in the My Disney Experience App. 

Related Post: Guide to Disney World Character Dining

How is This Year Different When Booking a Disney Vacation in Advance?

Like we mentioned earlier, a lot has changed at Disney World since March of 2020. The Covid-19 Pandemic shuttered the parks and when they opened their gates again, not much was the same. Since then, there have been a lot of things resorted to pre-closure ways. But some things have stayed in their changed state. If you’re planning your first visit or haven’t been since 2019, let’s go over what might be new to you on your next Disney Vacation.

What is Different at Disney World 2023?

• Theme Park Reservations
• Disney Dining Plans
• Disney Genie+
• Magical Express
• MagicBands
• Online Check-In
• Disney Booked Air Travel

Disney World Park Theme Park Reservations

One of the main differences is that you not only need a Walt Disney World park ticket, but you also need a park pass. So, if you purchase a 4-day park ticket, you will also need to pick ahead of time which parks you’ll visit on which days and reserve your spot using a park pass. It’s an extra step in your planning process, but Disney has instituted this additional step to ensure parks do not go over capacity limits.

Disney Dining Plans

Disney hasn’t announced any immediate plans to bring back the dining plan in the near future. If you were wondering about (or thinking of waiting for) Disney Free Dining in 2023, unfortunately, you will have to continue to wait. Our opinion is that you won’t see any free dining offered in 2023, and Disney has communicated it is not releasing any of its Dining Plans until at least the end of the year.

Disney Genie+

We all remember the mornings, 60 days out, booking all of our FastPass selections for our trip. Now, Walt Disney World is offering the free Disney Genie service, with the option of enhancing for a paid option of Disney Genie+.  The Disney Genie is your virtual guide, helping book reservations, understand wait times and make a personalized itinerary, just for you! Disney  Genie+ is the replacement for FastPass. You can read more about that in our Complete Guide to the Disney Genie.

Magical Express

The Magical Express is no longer be a free service offered to guests. Instead, Mears Connect will replace the service, but for a fee. The Standard service will be $32 for adults and $27 for children round trip on the Mears Connect service. You can also purchase a Premium service which will take you straight to your resort with a limited wait and costs $200 per group, plus $55 per extra person.

Magic Bands

Disney no longer provides free MagicBands to its guests. You can purchase them, use your older ones from previous visits, use Magic Mobile on your phone or use your Key to the World cards that you’ll pick up at the front desk. We do have a complete guide to the new Disney Magic mobile service and we have to admit we love it!

Online Check In

While online check in has been available for years, Disney is encouraging all guests to use this option to create less congested traffic in the lobby areas of resorts. The benefit of online check in is that you can get everything set for your arrival and simply go to your room once Disney messages you your room assignment. Of course, if you need to speak with someone at the front desk, there will still be Cast Members there to help you.

Air Travel

Disney is no longer booking air travel for its visitors. You will need to secure that on your own or have your travel agent assist you with that task.

Related Post: Complete Guide to the Best Disney Hotels for Large Families

Why Should I Book My Disney Vacation Early? 

Even if there are some restrictions such as adding a Dining Plan onto your resort stay for later in 2023, we still recommend booking as soon as possible. That’s actually one the benefit of working with The Park Prodigy. We will continue to search for new deals and promotions that Disney releases even after you book your Walt Disney World vacation package!

What are the Benefits of Booking a Disney Trip Early?

• Small Deposit – Disney World only requires a $200 deposit for any package booked. If you are booking only a resort stay, you’ll need to make a one-night stay payment to reserve your resort and then build the package in later if you desire.
• Flexibility and Re-fundability – If you need to change dates or cancel all together, Disney World is historically very flexible with transferring your deposit to the updated stay or even refunding your deposit if you need to cancel all together.
• Getting the Room or Resort You Want –  If you’re traveling during a historically busy season (such as Christmas or Spring Break), you might want to get your favorite resort reserved right away. And if your resort is one of the smaller resorts, or it has a limited number of rooms that meet your needs (like handicap accessible), booking early provides you the assurance of knowing you have your perfect room reserved.

Related Post: Best Disney World Pools

How Far In Advance Can I Book Disney FAQ

Q: Can I Book Disney for 2024?

A: Another popular question we have started to receive is, can I book Disney for 2024? And as a general rule of thumb, guests can book Disney World hotel reservations 499 days in advance from their travel date. Walt Disney World vacation packages which include your hotel and tickets are typically released in June for the following year.

Q: When Can I Book my 2023 Disney Vacation?

A: Now! Disney Vacations are able to be booked up to 499 days in advance! 

Q: When should I start planning my Disney trip?

A: We recommend planning your trip no later than 6 months before your arrival date. There is so much to plan when it comes to a Disney Vacation that you don’t want to miss any booking deadlines.

Q: Which Theme Park Sells Out of Reservations First?

A: Typically the reservations for Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios tend to sell out first. 

Q: Which Disney World Resort Books up first?

A: Typically the Deluxe resorts are the ones to book up the fastest. This is the Contemporary, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge, and the Grand Floridian Resorts.

When is The Best Time to Visit Disney World?

Our Disney Crowd Calendar is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time in the parks. We break down park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices, and average temperature. We also break down the best time to visit Disney World based on specific times of the year and special events.

If you’re brand new to Disney vacation planning we recommend our Walt Disney World Planning Page! Learn more about Disney hotels by reading our Walt Disney World Hotels Review page.

Last but not least if you’re also planning a trip to Universal Studios, be sure to check out the best time to visit Universal Studios and our Universal Orlando Tickets! All Park Prodigy Universal Orlando tickets come with Universal Studios Early Park Admission.

Are you planning on visiting Walt Disney World? Or have you visited in the past? Would you like to share your experiences and tips? Do you have any questions for The Park Prodigy? Hearing your feedback and helping with your questions is not only our goal but will help other readers! Please leave your thoughts and questions in the comments!