Welcome to planDisney, James! I'm so excited that I get to help you plan your big milestone vacation in 2028. A 50th celebration and a birthday in December at Walt Disney World sounds like the best kind of magical trip.
For the timing, you'll likely be able to book your December 2028 vacation sometime in the summer of 2027. The pattern in recent years has been that January through October dates open the spring prior, typically May, and then November and December follow a few months later in the summer. It's a pattern, not a promise, but it's a great planning target. When those dates go live, availability on popular room types can move quickly, so it's worth jumping in early if you're ready to do so.
If you're booking a vacation package, that is your
Disney Resort Hotel and
theme park tickets purchased together in one bundle, you can secure everything with a small deposit and then pay the remainder over time at your own pace. The full balance is due 30 days before check-in, so you can chip away with payments that suit your budget. If you prefer to book a room-only stay and add tickets later, that's fine too. Just note that room-only reservations have different deposit and cancellation rules, and you won't get the package payment plan structure.
I have a few friendly tips for you as you prep! It's a great idea to make a short list of your must-have resorts, and be ready with alternate room categories in case your first choice isn't available. After you book, set a reminder for your dining window, which is 60 days before your check-in date. It's a great idea to consider special celebratory extras, like
signature dining, a
fireworks dessert party, or a
Capture Your Moment photo session for those extra milestone memories.
I hope this answers your question, James, and please let us know if there's anything else we can do to help you plan your magical vacation!
Jessica