Grandparents and Grandchildren meet Mickey and Minnie Mouse; Magic Kingdom; carousel
  • On Mar 11, 2025
    Jeremiah from MI Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    We have a reservation at Art of Animation in May. Do we need to make park reservations? Anything else we need to do? I want to make sure we’re not missing anything.

    Hiya, Jeremiah! Welcome back to planDisney! 

    I’d be delighted to help you get ready for your upcoming Walt Disney World vacation. You’re trip will be here before you know it and you’ll be enjoying all the attractions, shows, and Mickey-shaped snacks you could want! Woo hoo! 

    Regular date-based tickets (single-day or multi-day) do not require theme park reservations, so you’re all set if that’s what you purchased. If you have student or group tickets, sport and convention tickets, Disney Military Salute tickets, Florida Resident Discovery Disney tickets, or Annual Passes, then you will need to make theme park reservations. If you have park hopper tickets, then you will need to make a theme park reservation for the first park you plan to visit, but any parks after that do not require a reservation. You can find out more info and make any theme park reservations here

    Next, I would start making dining reservations. Guests can begin making dining reservations 60 days before their arrival, which would be March 8, 2025, based on the dates you’ve provided. So start making those reservations if you haven’t already! All of the theme parks have amazing table service restaurant options, but I think some of the best dining is found at the Walt Disney World Resort hotels. I recently had dinner at Sanaa at Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani Village and not only was the food outstanding, but you could watch African wildlife from your table. How magical is that? 

    Then you’ll want to get ready to book your Lightning Lane passes, if you decide to purchase them. As a guest of a Walt Disney World hotel, you’re able to book your passes 7 days before your arrival (all other guests can purchase Lightning Lane passes 3 days before). So for you that would be April 30, 2025. I suggest reviewing the list of attractions eligible for Lightning Lane Multi Pass, Lightning Lane Single Pass, and Lightning Lane Premier Pass ahead of time so you can make your selections quickly (attractions and entertainment are subject to change or closure without notice). 

    My most frequent pre-vacation reminder isn’t a specific step, but rather a suggestion for the whole process. Whether it’s choosing a restaurant or a ride, make sure you’re talking with your travel companions about their vacation priorities. Things will run much more smoothly when the lines of communication are open and everyone contributes to the itinerary. 

    Jeremiah, these couple of steps should have you well on your way to a magical vacation. It never hurts to double check that your transportation arrangements are set or that your luggage is in working condition, but I’m sure you have all that all taken care of. You knew to visit planDisney so you must be a top-notch vacation planner. 

    Come right back to if you have other Disney vacation questions. Your planDisney pals are here to help! 

    Magical travels! 

    Matt 
thumbnail image for Matthew

Meet the Panelist: Matthew, Minnesota

Hey there! I'm Matt, a husband, dad of three, and amateur Disney Parks historian. When I'm not enjoying the sights and sounds of Adventureland, you'll find me back home in Minnesota developing exhibits for children's museums and science centers. I've been visiting Walt Disney World since I was a kid and now I plan awesome Disney vacations for my own family and friends. Whether it's your first trip or 100th visit to the Vacation Kingdom, I'm sure you have some questions. So let's get you some answers!  Learn More About Matthew

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