Hi Lisa,
Welcome to planDisney!
Of course, I have already done some celebrating since you are planning a trip to the Walt Disney World® Resort! Even though you are not staying at a
Disney Resorts Collection hotel, your
dining reservation booking window will open 60 days in advance of your arrival day. On the day that your reservation booking window opens, I suggest that you are up by 5:45 a.m. to get ready since reservations at select restaurants may open at by 6:00 a.m.
If you were staying at a Disney resort hotel, your reservation booking window would also open at 60 days in advance and you would be able to make dining reservations for the entire length of your stay up to 10 days. Since you do not plan to stay at a Disney resort hotel, you will need to get up several days in a row to make reservations for the length of your stay.
It's not too late to book a
vacation package at a Disney resort hotel! I know that there are other hotels that may seem to offer great deals. But I have come to value our time and the amenities of Disney resort hotels, especially the proximity to the parks and complimentary
Resort Transportation. There is nothing quite like leaving Magic Kingdom after the
Happily Ever After fireworks and walking back to
Disney's Contemporary Resort or
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
Lisa, keep an eye on the
Special Offers and do some pricing of resort hotels with theme park tickets. Disney's
All-Star Music,
All-Star Movies, and
All-Star Sports resorts are super cute and have been budget-friendly for my family. Consider the money you might save in
Parking as well. Remember that policies and procedures may change, so continue to review the guidance with dining reservations. In the meantime, keep up the
practically perfect planning!
Magic and memories,
Donyell