To get the most out of your Disney World vacation, you'll need to plan ahead. These are the popular events that fill up fast.
7 Things You Have to Book in Advance for Disney World Vacations
Lighting Lane Multi Pass
The big Disney secret to making the most of your next trip to Disney World? A Lightning Lane Multi Pass. It lets you and your family reserve access to your favorite rides and attractions, so you can skip the long lines and maximize your Disney World fun.
The new Lightning Lane system works in two ways: You can purchase a Lightning Lane Multi Pass, which allows you to book three choice experiences in advance. If you’re staying at a Disney Resort hotel or another select hotel, you can buy Lightning Lane Multi Passes seven days in advance. If you’re not staying at an eligible hotel, you can purchase Lightning Lane Multi Passes three days in advance. You can also save time at the park by purchasing a Lightning Lane Single Pass for in-demand attractions, which allows you to reserve spots for up to two rides.
Another option is the Lightning Lane Premier Pass, which is sold in limited quantities and allows one-time entry to each Lightning Lane experience in a theme park. Download the Disney app to change your reservations and see what’s available.
Character meals
Want to guarantee that you’ll see your favorite Disney character up close and personal? Disney World’s character dining allows you to meet—and take photos with—your favorite Disney character at restaurants like Cinderella’s Royal Table in Fantasyland, Chef Mickey’s buffet at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and more! You can even book a breakfast with Lilo & Stitch at Disney‘s Polynesian Village Resort. Reservations can be booked 60 days out from your trip.
Holiday events
A Disney insider secret, and another Disney experience to book in advance, is definitely one of their special events, like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. With everything from costumes to fireworks, these extra-special holiday parties are not to be missed. They are generally available for booking as soon as they’re announced, and prices vary season to season.
Special tours
Disney World offers impressive themed tours that allow you to get special access to iconic behind-the-scene action and gorgeous backgrounds. Examples include “Caring for Giants,” which allows kiddos and adults an up-close look at the life and care of elephants at Magic Kingdom. Other tours offer culinary and art classes, VIP experiences, backstage tours, visiting the park after hours and more. Most tours can be booked 60 days in advance of your Disney World vacation.
Dessert with a view
Don’t love standing in a shoulder-to-shoulder crowd looking up at the sky? An extra sweet Disney experience to book in advance is the park’s fireworks dessert parties, held at Tomorrowland Terrace, where you can watch the show from the comfort of your own seats. For $119 per adult and $75 per child, you’ll get a buffet of sweets and sweet non-alcoholic beverages (cocoa, lemonade, coffee, tea) while watching the sky light up over Cinderella’s Castle.
Dinner shows
The popular Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue is a two-hour dinner show that features dancing, singing, comedy and fun for the whole family. Guests enjoy all-you-can-eat chicken and barbecue, side dishes and dessert, with prices starting at $40 for kids ages 3 to 9, and $70 for adults. Reservations can be made 60 days in advance.
The princess treatment
Taking a multi-generation trip? In the Magic Kingdom, you’ll find the unforgettable Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Here, kids ages 3 to 12 can get a full princess makeover, complete with hair and makeup applied by a Fairy Godmother-in-Training. The varying priced packages feature hairstyling, makeup, nail polish and clothing and accessories. Makeovers can be booked up to 60 days in advance.
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