Hiya Ireka!
Welcome to planDisney, and thank you so much for sending us your question! Wow, Ireka, what an extraordinary trip you are planning! Your family will create memories that will last a lifetime, and I am honoured to be a part of your planning journey. You have also picked an especially magical time to visit with the
World's Most Magical Celebration in full swing, and I cannot wait for you to see all the special offerings!
Now, there are definitely good strategies for planning a Disney vacation, but I do not think there is a minimum set time. Disney is known for dropping incredible price offers here and there, and while these offers might come at similar times over the years, they are still unexpected. For that reason, my number one tip for planning a Disney vacation would be to keep an eye on the
Walt Disney World website's special offers section as well as on the
Disney Parks Blog. These two sources typically announce when special offers are available and might help guide you toward a better time to visit. Second, certain times tend to be busier than others every year. For example, the time surrounding the holidays is usually popular, which means that it might be more challenging to make a reservation for your whole party on these dates, especially when it comes to Resort Hotel reservations. However, you truly never know when more rooms might be released, so I would highly recommend
checking the Walt Disney World website frequently for any new offerings. Finally, don't be afraid to organize a split stay! If you cannot find resort reservations long enough for your vacation, consider staying at more than one resort. This way, you will enjoy the amenities and unique decor of the different resorts, and get a different experience within your one vacation!
I have planned vacations a year in advance as well as a month in advance, and while the latter might be slightly more expensive, there are always offerings available. When it comes to theme park reservations, I would recommend that you book them quickly after purchasing your tickets, although I have found that
they rarely fill up in advance. Since Disney does not use the FastPass system anymore, you will not have to worry about booking FastPasses in advance and can simply purchase
Disney Genie+ on the day of your visit. Lastly, I would recommend making your dining reservations as early as possible, especially if you want to eat at popular restaurants. In conclusion, though, I believe that if you keep an eye on the website and the different offerings, you can truly book a vacation at any time!
I hope this was helpful, Ireka, and that you and your family have the best day ever on your next Disney vacation! If you have any questions in the time leading up to your visit, please feel free to reach out. We are always happy to help and have all the suggestions for your trip!
Have a magical day,
Ariane