Hiya, Dan!
Welcome to planDisney! Oh boy! How exciting that you are planning a magical family vacation at Walt Disney World Resort. Dan, I like to say Disney is an experience, not just a destination. Enjoying the theme parks as well as the Resorts, Enchanting Extras outside the theme parks on Disney property and the unique thematic dining is all part of the experience. Get ready to make some magical memories!
Dan, different time frames apply for when plans can be made for your Disney vacation. For example, if you want to book your
Disney Resort Hotel only, those can typically be booked 499 days in advance and currently, according to the Disney Cast Member I spoke with, they are booking through 2024. As a Disney Resort Hotel Guest, you can book
Advance Dining Reservations and typically most
Enchanting Extras 60 days out from your check-in date for the entirety of your stay. However, if you will
not be staying in a Disney Resort Hotel, these reservations are available to book 60 days out from the date you will be dining or participating in the activity. So, there are many perks to staying at a Disney Resort Hotel!
Theme Park Tickets can be booked at any time, and if you book your stay for
any time prior to January 9, 2024, you will also need a
Theme Park Reservation in addition to a valid ticket for admission. However, after this date, you will no longer need a Theme Park Reservation for park entrance - just the valid Theme Park Ticket.
For
Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane and Individual Lightning Lane access, which is available for an additional fee, these are available in your
My Disney Experience app for purchase as an add-on on the day of your park visit. However, you won't be able to make any first selections
until 7:00 a.m. on the day of your park visit. The same is true for signing up for the Virtual Queues for the select rides that offer this, however, the Virtual Queues are not an additional cost.
One final note, Dan. If you are visiting during one of the special events, like
Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party or the
Very Merry Christmas Party, you can purchase those tickets as they become available. The
Disney Parks Blog is the best place to keep track of when these event tickets become available for purchase.
My recommendation is to make your Disney Resort Hotel reservation first, then purchase your tickets and make your Theme Park Reservation if applicable. Then, mark your calendar for when you can make your Advance Dining and Enchanting Extra Reservations. You can then keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog for any of the additional activities you might like to include.
I hope this helps you, Dan! If you have any further questions stop back and see us here.
See ya real soon!
Keri