Your Trip at a Glance
Everything you need to know before you go — timelines, booking windows, and the insider rules that make all the difference between a good trip and a magical one.
Planning Timeline
Disney World rewards the planners. The earlier you start locking things in, the better your dining reservations, ride access, and overall experience will be. Here's your general roadmap:
Today
Download the My Disney Experience app (using your Disney+ login if you have one). Link your hotel reseravtion / ticket confirmation number. Check that all guests are added. Then, read over my info here! Make sure you're good with what you booked. It's MUCH easier to add upgrades earlier rather than later.
EXACTLY 60 Days Out — Dining
Resort guests book dining for their entire stay at once, 60 days before check-in at 6AM ET. If you're staying 7 nights, you book all 7 days of dining in one window. Set an alarm — Be Our Guest and Cinderella's Royal Table sell out in seconds. Click here for my dining recs!
7 Days Out — Lightning Lane
Resort guests can purchase and book Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass starting 7 days before check-in at 7AM ET. Off-site guests book 3 days out. Go for your highest-priority ride first. Keep in mind that you can rope drop most rides as well!
Before You Leave Home
Make sure all adults have downloaded the My Disney Experience, linked your tickets, set up MagicMobile, and screenshot all your confirmations.
Dude. Where's your car?
Take a picture of wherever you park. Future, very tired you will be appreciate it!
Pack Ponchos
Florida afternoon storms are basically guaranteed June–September. Buy ponchos before you go — they're $2 at Target vs. $12 inside the parks. A little rain never cancelled the magic.
Screenshot Everything
Cell service inside the parks can be spotty. Screenshot your dining reservations, Lightning Lane bookings, and park passes before you walk through the gates. Don't hunt for emails in line.
Free Ice Water
Any quick service restaurant will give you a free cup of ice water — just ask. Bring a refillable water bottle and use it constantly. Orlando heat is serious and hydration is non-negotiable.
Break In Your Shoes
You will walk 8–12 miles a day. Wear broken-in, supportive shoes. This is the single most important packing decision you'll make. Do not wear brand new shoes on day one.
The Crisscross Strategy
Don't try to do one park in a straight line — you'll backtrack constantly. Use the MDE app map to plan a crisscross route that hits your priorities without doubling back through the same areas.
Rope Drop & Stay Late
The two least crowded times in any park are the first 90 minutes after opening and the last hour before close. Hit your must-do rides at rope drop, then again in the evening when crowds thin out.
No question is too small or too silly. Reach out any time and I'll help you navigate every detail of this trip — making magic is literally my job.