Hi Kimberly!
How exciting that you are visiting Walt Disney World in January! You are going to have a magnificent time! If you arrive on New Year's Day, you will still get to enjoy the holiday decor around the parks. Make sure to check out the
EPCOT International Festival of the Arts.
You can begin making your
advanced dining reservations 60 days in advance. If you are staying at a Walt Disney World Resort, you can begin making your dining reservations 60 days in advance for the length of your trip (up to 10 days.) Therefore, both of you will be able to make advanced dining reservations beginning 60 days from the day you check into your Walt Disney World Resort Hotel.
If, for example, let's assume that both you and your friend check into your respective
Walt Disney World Resort Hotel rooms on January 1. The date that you can begin making advanced dining reservations will be the same (November 3,) but your friend will be able to book up until the 10th day of her vacation while you are booking to the last day of your vacation, which is the 8th day.
Similarly, if your friend is checking in on January 1, but you are not checking in until January 4, she can begin booking her advanced dining reservations on November 3 (60 days prior to January 1). You will be able to begin booking your advanced dining reservations on November 5 (60 days prior to January 4.)
I hope that this helps!
Magically,
Stacy