Hi there, Shannon!
I'm so excited for you that you're planning your very first Walt Disney World vacation! I'm also SUPER impressed that you're so organized and you've got your 180-day mark on your calendar for making your
Advanced Dining Reservations [ADR]! That is the very best way to ensure your best chances at getting into the restaurants you want at the times and days you want. Your reservations can be made online as early as 6:00 a.m. Eastern or by calling Disney Dining at 407.WDW.DINE [939.3463] as early at 7:00 a.m. Eastern on your [what my family likes to call] ADR day!
There is a fantastic
calendar feature on the Walt Disney World website. To find it from the main site, hover your mouse over "
Parks and Tickets." When you see the drop-down menu display, on the right you'll see "
Today's Park Hours." At the bottom of the list, you'll see "
More Park Hours" written in blue as a link, click there. Once the page loads, you'll see today's date written out completely and next to it will be a little calendar icon. If you click on that icon, you'll be able to change the day that is displaying below. The dates you are able to click on will display in blue and will be "
clickable." Park hours, entertainment, and
Extra Magic Hours are typically posted 6 months in advance for planning purposes. Your dates may even be available now!
I sure hope this helps, Shannon! Please let us know if we can assist you further with your planning!
Wishing you a Pixie Dusted vacation!
~Jackie