Are you getting ready for your next trip to Disney World?

If you’re starting to plan a trip to Disney World, it can a pretty magical experience, but also, let’s face it, it can be a lot to juggle! Whether you’re going for the first time or you’re a Disney World pro, there are some things you’ve gotta do ahead of time to make sure your trip goes smoothly. And that’s what we’re here for! Let’s go over everything you need to do before you step foot in the Most Magical Place on Earth. Let’s get to it!

As we were saying, we’ve gotta talk about a couple of things you have to do before you get to Disney World. To help you out, we’ve created a handy, time-stamped checklist of everything you should tackle beforehand. Let’s dive right in!

ASAP: Lock Down the Big Stuff

As soon as you decide that Disney World is in your future, it’s time to nail down a few key details.

1. Book Your Hotel and Tickets

This is the first step, and trust us, the earlier you do it, the better. Disney World hotels can sell out quickly, especially during peak times, so you’ll want to lock in your dates and accommodations ASAP. And let’s not forget those park tickets! Buying your tickets early can help you score deals and packages, especially if Disney is running special promotions.

Pro tip: Keep an eye out for any hotel + ticket bundles or seasonal discounts that could save you some serious cash!

2. Decide How You’ll Get There

Now that your hotel and tickets are booked, we’ve got to figure out how you’re actually going to get to Disney World. Are you flying? Driving? Taking a magical carriage?

If you’re flying, book those flights as soon as possible for the best prices. If you’re driving, make sure to map out your route and, if needed, plan any stops or overnight stays.

60 Days Out: Dining Decisions

You’ve locked in your Disney dates and travel plans, now let’s talk food. Disney World dining is a whole experience on its own, and snagging those coveted reservations requires some strategy.

3. Book Your Dining Reservations

The 60-day mark is when you can start booking dining reservations, so hop on it! Popular restaurants like Be Our Guest, Cinderella’s Royal Table, and Oga’s Cantina can fill up fast, so if there’s a spot you’ve been dreaming of, mark this date on your calendar. Disney lets you book reservations starting at 6AM EST, so get your coffee ready the night before and set an early alarm.

Pro tip: You don’t need a park ticket to book dining, but you will need one to actually eat there (if the restaurant is in one of the parks). So, make sure your park reservations align with your dining plans!

7 Days Out: Lightning Lanes Prep (If You’re Staying On-Site)

If you’re staying at a Disney World Resort hotel, this is when the real planning begins to heat up!

4. Book Your Lightning Lane Multi Pass (LLMP) Reservations

At 7 days out, Disney World hotel guests get first dibs on booking their LLMP reservations. Lightning Lanes help you skip the long standby lines at popular attractions, and trust us, this is a game-changer!

You’ll want to start booking these as early as possible to secure top-tier attractions like Frozen Ever After, Space Mountain, or Slinky Dog Dash.

3 Days Out: Lightning Lanes for Off-Property Guests

If you’re staying off-property, don’t worry. We haven’t forgotten about you! You just have to wait until 3 days before your trip to book your Lightning Lane Multi-Pass reservations.

5. Book Your LLMP Reservations (If You’re Staying Off-Property)

The same rules apply here. Get those Lightning Lanes booked!

Keep in mind that on-property guests have a slight head start, so some of the most popular attractions may already be booked. But don’t stress, there are still plenty of amazing experiences you can snag.

Right Before You Go: Final Prep

It’s almost time for your Disney adventure! Here’s what to do in those final few days to make sure everything is ready.

6. Set Up the My Disney Experience (MDE) App

This app is going to be your best friend throughout your trip. So make sure it’s downloaded on your phone and set up before you leave, so you’re familiar with how it works.

Here are a few key features you’ll want to check out beforehand:

• Interactive Map: Use the map to see wait times, find dining spots, and navigate the parks.
• Mobile Food Ordering: You can order food ahead of time from select locations, saving you from waiting in long lines.
• Notifications: Make sure to set up notifications for dining reservations, boarding groups, and lightning lanes so you never miss a beat.

Pro tip: Take screenshots of your reservation times and set them as your phone’s lock screen. It’s a simple trick that saves battery life (because you won’t have to keep opening the app) and makes it super easy to check your schedule.

7. Set Up MagicMobile on Your Phone

Why carry around physical tickets or MagicBands when you can use your phone for everything?

Disney’s MagicMobile service lets you:

• Use your phone for park entry
• Link PhotoPass pictures
• Scan into Virtual Queues and Lightning Lanes
• Charge food and merchandise purchases straight to your room (if you’re staying at a Disney resort)

8. Check Into Your Flight (Or Plan Your Drive)

If you’re flying, go ahead and check in to your flight to save yourself time and hassle at the airport. If you’re driving, double-check for any road closures or delays along your route.

Pro tip: Snap a picture of your parking spot if you’re leaving your car at the airport. You’ll thank yourself when you get back from your trip and your brain is too fried from all the Disney World magic to remember where you parked.

One Final Thing: Time to Get Excited!

Now that you’ve done all the prep, you’re ready for all the magic! Since everything’s squared away in advance, you can relax and enjoy your Disney trip without the stress. From the moment you step into the park to that final fireworks show, you can be confident that you’ve got everything you need at your fingertips.

For more Disney news, keep following DFB!

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Will you be heading to Disney World in 2025? Let us know in the comments!