How Far in Advance Can You Book a Walt Disney World Vacation?
By Dave Shute
BOOKING WALT DISNEY WORLD FOR 2020
I can tell from my search traffic that people are already starting to plan their 2020 Walt Disney World vacations.
The Walt Disney World website currently only allows bookings through 2019…so how do you book for later dates? Do you have to wait?
The short answer is that you can book a Disney World resort room 499 days ahead…but it’s a little complicated…
I asked my friend Allison, a travel agent at Destinations in Florida, to explain, and here’s what she said!
BOOKING YOUR WALT DISNEY WORLD TRIP IN 2020 AND BEYOND
You can book rooms at Walt Disney World for 2020 up to 499 days in advance right now. But there’s a couple of tricks and complexities.
- You can’t do it on the Disney World website. You can only do it by calling Disney directly, or through a travel agent like Destinations in Florida.
- For dates beyond what are available on the Disney World website, you can only book rooms—not packages with tickets, the dining plan, and such. (You can add these to your reservation later.)
- The prices you’ll be quoted will be 2019 prices. These will be wrong. The prices for the next year are usually announced in the summer of the prior year–so 2019 prices likely will come out in summer 2019. This is also when the website is opened to 2020 reservations.
- You will have to pay a deposit to hold your reservation. This deposit will increase when the final prices for 2020 come available.
- When final prices come out, your travel agent will help you fix your deposits…and if any discounts come out, your travel agent can also help you take advantage of those! You can also add tickets and other parts of a package later, when final prices come out.
USING A TRAVEL AGENT FOR YOUR DISNEY WORLD TRIP
Thanks, Allison!
Since this site suggests you book your Walt Disney World trip at least 180 days in advance of your arrival date, and the Disney website likely won’t allow that for 2020 dates until summer 2019 the earliest, knowing that there are ways to book out to 499 days ahead is really helpful!
Many people don’t even consider using travel agents. But for a complex trip to a place where discounts come and go, there’s a lot to be said for using someone like Destinations in Florida and in particular Kelly B., the agent who for years has focused on the readers of this site.
To book your trip with Kelly B, use this form:
Travel agents are free to you to use—they are compensated by Disney, not by you—and the prices you end up paying are as good or even better as those you can book yourself!
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47 comments
I am an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and certified travel agent. One of the biggest things I do is help budget for clients. Currently, I run a Friday piece on my blog called Frugal Fridays – Ways to go to Disney under $2,000. I’d love to help you or any of our reads plan a Disney trip or just share tips and savings tricks if they would like! I believe everyone should experience the magic!
Hi Amanda, and thanks for posting!
Take a look at this page and its links, and let me know what you think! https://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/10/03/introduction-to-the-tightwads-guide-to-walt-disney-world/
Thanks, Dave
Hello there, I am just wondering as off today’s date 29/12/12 when is the earliest I could book a holiday to Disneyworld for 2014, I appreciate you get asked this question all the time lol.
Also what sort of deposit would be required I have two children aged 8 and 5 at time of travel, I know that I would need to book flights nearer the time.
Many thanks in this matter and look forward to your reply.
Hi Neil, you can book a hotel 500 days ahead, but it’s both complicated and not widely understood, even by the Disney staff. See this: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/02/21/how-far-in-advance-can-you-book-a-walt-disney-world-vacation/
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Yes, you sure can “cheat” 500 days in advanced, the best way to get the best deals with Disney is book early! that’s the key for making your vacation as affordable as possible.
Carrie, I don’t understand “cheat,” and don’t see how you save much–other than on tickets–by booking early? Can you expand your thoughts??
We are.starting to plan a trip to Disney World flying in March 9th, 2014 for 5 days. We have a large party of 7 adults and 3 children ages 4, 3 and 5 months and we would like to stay in the park to take advantage of all they offer. What and where do you suggest? Thanks!
Hi Audrey! There’s no hotels at Disney World in any of the parks, but a lot of good choices near the parks for 9–which is how Disney will count your party. See this: https://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/special-circumstances/special-circumstances-large-families/
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I have already booked my flight and hotel for Disney World. We are arriving on 12/2/13 and departing on 12/7/13. I have not purchased my tickets to the theme parks yet. My question is, can I purchase tickets now and they still be valid in December. I read that park ticket prices may increase in the late summer. Will my tickets be viod if that happens, will i need to pay an additional fee, or will I be OK.
Jason, you can purchase now and use in December at no penalty or risk. This likely will save you 3-5% or so–and you might even get a few points more savings from Undercover Tourist–see this: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2013/04/30/affiliation-with-undercover-tourist/
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Hi, I’m planning a trip for March 2014. My three kids are 7, 5 and my littlest just turned 3. I’ve seen that with these ages that I can’t book a 2 double or 2 queen room. I don’t need more, the littlest sleeps with us anyway. Do you have experience with this boarderline age?
Jason, the simplest answer (without paying for a 5 person deluxe) is to book a 5 person Alligator Bayou room at Port Orleans Riverside. See this: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2012/11/19/review-port-orleans-riverside-alligator-bayou-rooms/
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We are planning a trip to Disney World for November 2014, 2 adults 2 kids (ages 7&4), my kids first time…we are so excited! How far in advance should we plan to book a standard Little Mermaid room at the Art of Animation? We are trying to save so we can book everything at once and should be able to do so by March 2014, meaning we would be booking 7 months in advance, will we still be able to book a room by then? Or should we just book the room now and buy the tickets and flights in March? Also, how is the Christmas celebration held at Disney? Worth the extra money to attend with the kids? Thank you so much for your time!
Hey Shannon! Little Mermaid rooms are selling like hotcakes, so I’d book them as soon as you can. The full Disney xmas program is not in place until the Friday after Thanksgiving, but parts of it emerge over November, and Mickey’s Very Merry Xmas Party typically starts around November 10 +/- a couple of days. I recommend it, but it is very expensive. See this: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2013/04/15/mickeys-very-merry-christmas-party-mvmcp-in-2013/
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Hi, planning a trip beginning December 28, 2013. Is this a good day to begin our week-long trip? When is the earliest I can book a room?
Tiffany, you can book 500 days ahead. See this: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/02/21/how-far-in-advance-can-you-book-a-walt-disney-world-vacation/
Hi Dave,
This is a fantastic piece, but I do have a couple of questions.
Firstly Iive in Australia and I saw you mentioned that Disney compensates agents not tourists (not exactly in those words but the general gist), does that apply to travel agents only in America or Australia too?
I’m looking into my boyfriend and I to go. At the moment I’d love to go around Dec 5th 2015, where it’s not too busy, everything is a tad cheaper and the Christmas activities are open. That way all the characters all all nice and festive.
That’s what I’ve gotten from these articles does that sound about right?
Also in YOUR opinion, would you book now, this far in advance or would you wait for Disney to bring more information out about its 2015 packages? I’d hate to put a deposit down now, wait for the packages to come out, not like it, then loose some of a deposit. So regarding a holiday that is still nearly 20- something months away, would YOU book?
TA!
Simone x
I’m trying to book January 2, 2015- January 6, 2015 and no site will let me. There are 10 adults all women, we would like two, 2 bedroom villas. I’m I doing something wrong?
Yup, Cathy, you can only book post 2014 dates over the phone.
Historically, does anyone know when the next years prices and reservations open up, besides just ‘summer’? We want to compare a few weeks to know which would be most cost effective to go, and we’re also wanting a couple character meals that it is recommended to purchase on day 180!! How Can I book the character meals when I won’t be able to book our hotels yet? That doesn’t make sense to me?
I just called customer service at disney. Cast member told me to call back in September or October for January 2015!! That would be ridiculous that I couldn’t book a trip until three months prior to?
Jess, regardless of when prices come out you can book 500 days ahead. See this: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/02/21/how-far-in-advance-can-you-book-a-walt-disney-world-vacation/
someone on the other board i post on said June.
Recently it’s been June, before that August was much more common…
Michelle—thanks!!! I hope so!!! I’m nervous to make sure I get everything booked okay but plus I’m just so stinking excited I just want it all booked so I can stop looking at that part!!! Lol
Hi, my family is looking to visit Disney World in December 2016 (around Christmas time). The potential dates would be Dec 22-26. We have never gone before and we are unsure of how many people would be going. We are trying to plan a large family vacation of 15-20 people but at minimum 8-12. What is the best way to go about setting that up (rooms, flights, parks, etc)?
Crystal, I was gonna recommend Kelly, but she beat me to it lol!!
Hi Crystal – I’m Kelly, the dedicated Destinations in Florida Travel Agent for YourFirstVisit.net. Disney historically releases its prices for the following year in late July or early August. When booking a large group, like you are speaking of, it’s best to have one member of your party as the lead guest and for all of your family to book through the same travel agent. I would love to help you all start planning and coordinating your Disney vacation. You can reach me at 980-429-4499 or kellyb@destinationsinflorida.com
If you book before prices are released for the next year, there are a few things to note:
1) You can not book a vacation package. You are only able to book “room only”.
2) Once the new year’s prices are released, if you choose to upgrade to a package (tickets, dining), you will have to make a new deposit ($200). Your original deposit will be refunded to you (This typically takes 1-2 billing cycles).
If you are interested in book a 2016 disney vacation, please feel free to contact me at kellyb@destinationsinflorida.com and I’ll let you know when prices are released.
Hello,
I finally decided to create an account w/Disney to make our dream vacation possible. My goal will be reached in Mid February, will there be any possible way to book a package for the following month Spring Break March 14-18 or will it be too late. Thank you!!
Alicia, I’m sorry but I don’t track the terms of those accounts…probably I should. You could just call reservations at 407-939-7675 to see when you can book. For “normal” bookings, it just takes a deposit to confirm.
Hi there,
I love your site, it’s so thorough!
I am looking to book for 29th Dec 2016-6th Jan 2017 and was wondering how I can do this from here in the UK? I phoned the UK Disney bookings line and they January 2017 won’t be on sale to them until the Spring! This has me really nervous! Please help….
Thank you.
Hi Susie and thanks! Fact is that the UK does a lot of stuff differently than the rest of the world–a lot of it good. Ask your question on the the UK Disney forum http://www.thedibb.co.uk/
Hi Dave, our family of 4 will be visiting DW late October. Would you recommend booking a hotel asap or 3-5 months out? We’re considering the little mermaid standard. Would you recommend going with the suites instead?
Megan the suites are so much more expensive that the choice has to be a personal one. Little Mermaid rooms are wildly popular, so that one I’d book ASAP. I’m keen on booking as soon as you know your dates, as that locks you against any later price changes, while still allowing you to try for any deals that come out.
Why did they change the ability to book early on-line for 2017? I have planned vacations earlier than 5-6 months out. As it stands now – I would be booking my 2017 vacation possibly after I book ADRs (180 days out).
Jill, it has been the case for years that while you can book over the phone for 500 days out, you can’t book the next calendar year online until Disney releases prices for it, which is usually in the summer.
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