Hi Eva, welcome to planDisney!
It's an honor to be a trusted source of information for your upcoming Walt Disney World Resort vacation. PlanDisney panelists have been there, planned that, and our goal is to pay forward a bit of the magic Disney has brought into our lives.
You spoke two important truths in your question, Eva. The first truth is that it's important to plan ahead for a Walt Disney World Resort vacation. Valid admission, a
theme park reservation for each park day, and a method of entry (Disney band, Disney MagicMobile pass, or admission card) are currently required for theme park entry. The
Disney Theme Park Reservation Availability Calendar currently shows that some parks are booking up five days in advance. I expect this trend to continue, if not expand, in the busy spring break months of March and April. As such, I always recommend that Guests purchase their tickets and make their theme park reservations at least one month in advance, if possible.
The second truth you spoke, Eva, is that valued UK and Ireland-based Guests can only purchase 7 or 14-day tickets via the
Walt Disney Travel Company. I understand and regret that this does not suit your travel needs. You can purchase other ticket lengths on
disneyworld.disney.go.com as soon as you arrive in the United States. If theme park reservations for your desired park(s) are full at that time, you can purchase tickets with the Park Hopper Option that allow you to 'hop' to any park after 2:00 p.m. each day. With Park Hopper tickets, you only make a theme park reservation for the first park you plan on entering each day.
It's also helpful to know that you can book advance reservations for dining
online, 60 days in advance without a ticket or theme park reservation. If Winnie the Pooh knows you have plans to dine with him at
The Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom Park, perhaps he could ask Mickey Mouse to save you a theme park reservation. Wishful thinking is a powerful planning tool!
I hope this information helps you understand your options, Eva. PlanDisney is happy as can be to answer any other trip-planning questions you may have.
Choose magic,
Jennifer