Family at EPCOT Festival of the Holidays; father holding son; mother eating a cookie wearing Santa hat
  • On Jun 19, 2025
    Ivana from IL Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    Hi, I booked a trip to Disneyworld starting on 12/19 and leaving 12/23. We are staying at the Polynesian Resort. What are the key dates I need to be aware of so I can set my calendar? We are 6 months out now, anything I should have done already?

    Hi Ivana! Welcome to planDisney!

    I'm excited to hear about your upcoming stay at the Walt Disney World Resort! A trip during the holiday season is the perfect time to visit. With holiday offerings and festive decor across the theme parks and resorts, there will be magic everywhere you go.

    The first key date to mark on your calendar is 60 days leading up to your arrival. This is when you can begin booking Advanced Dining Reservations for table-service restaurants. Beginning at 6 AM EST/5 AM CST, dining reservations will become available for you to book. Since you are staying in a Disney Resort hotel, you can book them for the entirety of your four-night stay. You can log in to your My Disney Experience account on the Walt Disney World website or use the My Disney Experience App on your mobile device to begin locking in your choices. I suggest beginning to research places you want to eat at and having a list ready to go.

    Many of the experiences in the Enchanting Extras Collection will also become available to book 60 days in advance. These include tours, dessert parties, fishing excursions, and so much more. If you're traveling with little ones and are interested in the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique experience, this will also be available at the 60-day mark. This is one of my fondest memories with my two daughters. Watching them light up, being transformed into their favorite Disney princess, was an experience I will remember forever.

    The next key date will be seven days before your arrival. Again, since you are staying at a Disney Resort hotel, you can begin purchasing Lightning Lane passes for your stay. These passes allow you to bypass the standby queue on select attractions and help maximize your time at the park. With Lightning Lane Multi-Pass, you can purchase it for whichever days you want to use it during your stay. On the days you have it, you'll select up to three attractions before you arrive. Then, you can book more on the day of your visit once you begin using your selections. Similarly to dining reservations, you can book Lightning Lanes for each day of your trip at the seven-day mark.

    Ivana, I hope this information helps you plan for your stay! Be on the lookout for special holiday parties that occur during this time of year. These are usually special ticketed events that become available for purchase months in advance. I suggest following along with the Disney Parks Blog for the latest information and announcements.

    Happy planning!
    Greg
thumbnail image for Greg

Meet the Panelist: Greg, South Carolina

Hello friends! Greg here from Charleston, SC. I am a Disney-loving husband and dad to two wonderful daughters. Walt Disney World Resort offers everything you want in a vacation and touches all the senses. From the sights to sounds and even the smells, there is something for everyone to enjoy! When our family is not riding "it’s a small world" or going on a Journey Into Imagination With Figment, we are readily planning our next Walt Disney World Resort vacation. Learn More About Greg

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