Hi there, Kendall!
It sounds like you're planning to get an early start on your vacation planning for 2026, so planDisney is the
practically perfect place to begin! While we firmly believe that it's never too early to begin dreaming (and planning) for your next Walt Disney World Resort vacation, it can occasionally be too soon to begin the booking process as is currently the case for vacations in 2026 and beyond.
While the date that 2026 bookings will become available has not yet been announced, we can use the timing of previous announcements to gain an idea of what we might be able to expect for this year. Between 2020 and 2023, vacation packages for the following year became available for booking in late May and early June. While you would think this would lead me to believe that we can expect a May or June announcement for 2026 bookings, the fact that most 2025 dates became available in late February 2024 makes me uncertain of this year's timeline. Although we don't yet know exactly when next year's reservations will become available, we can expect the announcement to be shared on the
Disney Parks Blog and
Walt Disney World's social media first, so I encourage you to follow along there for the most up-to-date information. Personally, I like to think of the surprise as a bit of the Disney magic we all love so much!
Before you go, Kendall, I wanted to remind you that while you'll be able to secure your 2026 reservation as soon as it becomes available, discounts likely won't be offered for your trip at that time. If you're like me and always hoping to save a bit on the front end of your Walt Disney World Resort vacations so that you can use the savings on snacks, Lightning Lanes, and merchandise once you're in the middle of the magic, you'll want to remember that
special offers are often announced as travel dates approach. These discounts that might offer savings on room-only reservations, vacation packages, and dining plans
can typically be applied to existing reservations, so you'll want to keep an eye on the Walt Disney World website's
Special Offers page as well as the Disney Parks Blog for announcements and details as you countdown to your 2026 vacation.
While I was unable to share an exact date, I hope the information I did provide is helpful for you, Kendall. Don't forget that you're welcome to
stop back by planDisney with any other questions that arise as you plan your upcoming vacation. We're always happy to help!
Thinking Happy Thoughts,
Lizzie