Walt Disney World Planning: Stress-Free Guide for Booking Resorts, Park Days, and Tickets (8 to 4 Months Out)
Welcome back to our Walt Disney World planning series! In Part 3, we’ll cover the crucial 8- to 6-month period before your magical trip. By now, the excitement is really starting to build, and it’s time to dive into the details that will make your vacation smooth and stress-free. From booking your resort stay to getting organized with your Disney must-dos, this phase is all about setting up a solid foundation for an unforgettable experience. Let’s dive in!
Eight to Six Months Prior to Your Trip
Decide How and When to Tell the Kids: Plan the best way to share the exciting news about the Disney trip with your kids.
Create a List of Disney Favorites: Start compiling a list of everything your family loves about Disney, including movies, shows, and toys. This will help build excitement and focus your trip planning.
Book Your Resort Room: If you haven’t already, now is the time to book your Disney resort room. A $200 deposit is required, and you can pay off the balance in installments, with the full amount due 30 days before your arrival.
Revisit the Budget: After booking your resort, review your budget to see how it aligns with your current plans.
Set Up My Disney Experience (MDE) App: Download and set up the MDE app on your smartphone. If you don’t have a smartphone, register your email at mydisneyexperience.com.
Encourage Other Families to Download MDE: If traveling with multiple families, encourage everyone to download the MDE app and register their email. This will be especially important as you approach the 90 to 60-day mark.
Decide on Park Days: Determine how many days you plan to spend in the parks. A general recommendation is to schedule one rest day for every two park days, especially if you have younger children. Remember, Disney can be overwhelming, and pacing is essential for a fun experience.
Download Park Maps: Visit the Well Hello Magic blog to download park maps and start researching the parks in detail.
Create an Email Folder: Make a dedicated email folder labeled “Disney” with the year (e.g., Disney '24) to organize all your Disney-related emails.
Prioritize Activities and Dining: Sit down with your family or travel companion to review the park maps and identify your top priority activities and dining experiences. This will help you decide on ticket options and whether to add a water park to your itinerary.
Start Collecting Disney Gift Cards: Purchase Disney gift cards during your trips to stores like Sam's or Target as a way to save for your trip. Consider using sites like mydisneygiftcard.com to manage and upload your gift cards for use at Disney.
Six to Four Months Before Your Trip
As you approach the six-month mark, it’s time to solidify some travel logistics and start preparing for your actual park days.
Book Flights or Confirm Travel Plans: Whether you’re flying, driving, or renting an RV, now is the time to lock in your transportation.
VIP Tour Consideration: If you’re thinking about a VIP tour, call Disney to check rates for your preferred dates. These tours can run from $475 to $850 per hour.
Buy Park Tickets: Purchase your tickets and be sure to check for any discounted sites like Undercover Tourist. Don’t forget to calculate taxes and fees in your budget.
Make Park Reservations: Once you buy your tickets, you’ll need to reserve your park days. This is especially important as some parks can fill up. If you’re staying at a Deluxe Resort, check for extended evening hours at certain parks.
Outfit Planning: Start looking for park outfits, especially if you want to Disneybound. You’ll also want to consider weather and comfort for each family member.
Revisit the Budget: Check your budget to see if there’s room for Enchanted Extras and character dining experiences.
Rental Car: If you plan to rent a car, four months out is the ideal time to book it. Look for package deals that include tickets and car rentals.
Lightning Lane: Start researching Lightning Lanes, and whether they’re a good fit for your family. If you have small children, Lightning Lanes is highly recommended to help minimize wait times.
TSA Pre-Check: If you’re interested in getting TSA Pre-Check for your trip, now is the time to apply.
Dining Research: Make a list of restaurants you want to visit, and look at menus to ensure they meet your family’s preferences. Character dining is often more about the experience than the food, so go in knowing it’s part of the Disney magic.
Decide on Magic Bands or Alternatives: Whether you want to use Magic Bands, Key to the World cards, or off-site RF cards, start looking into your options now.
Make a Must-Do Ride List
Start compiling a list of must-do rides and attractions for your family. This will come in handy as you get closer to finalizing your daily plans in the parks. Knowing your priorities will help ensure you maximize your time at Disney World.
With the 8–6 month window behind you, you’re well on your way to a magical Disney vacation! This phase is all about making smart decisions, fine-tuning your budget, and getting organized. Make sure to check out Part 4, where we’ll walk you through the final stretch of your planning process, covering everything from dining reservations to packing tips! You’re almost there—let’s finish strong!
Here are all the blogs in the Four Part Series:
Part 1: Walt Disney World: How to Plan a Disney Vacation Without Feeling Overwhelmed
Part 2:Walt Disney World: Early Planning Tips for a Stress-Free Vacation (12-9 Months Out)
Part 4:Walt Disney World: Final Steps for a Stress-Free Vacation (90 Days to Departure)
Planning a trip to Walt Disney World? You're in the right place! At Well Hello Magic, we have tons of helpful resources to make your Disney vacation as magical and stress-free as possible. Whether you're looking for advice on the best time to visit Disney, tips on finding the perfect character meal, or learning how to skip the lines with Lightning Lane, we've got you covered.
As a therapist by trade and a mom of four, I use my expertise in understanding personalities to help you discover your "Disney Enneagram"—a fun way to tailor your Disney vacation planning to suit your family's needs or large group dynamics, ensuring everyone enjoys the magic in their own unique way. With my firsthand experience navigating Disney with babies and toddlers, I'll share all my best tips to make your trip smooth and fun for everyone. Plus, check out some of our family’s favorite rides at Magic Kingdom—there's something for everyone to enjoy!
Make sure to explore our blog for even more Disney planning guides and insider tips!
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Thank you for visiting the Well Hello Magic Blog. If you have questions, please leave them in the comments, and I will be sure to answer them.
Planning a Disney vacation can be overwhelming, but you don't need to worry because we have got your back! Here are a few blogs to help you get organized!
How to Use My Disney Experience
Disney Infants: Everything You Need to Know!
Tips for Traveling with Family, Friends & Large Groups
What is Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass?
Strolling through Disney: Disney Stroller Tips
What to do if you Get Sick at Disney
Baby Care Centers at Walt Disney World
The Differences between Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort
Who is the Mom behind Well Hello Magic?
I am so happy to be on this journey with you.
