Your Disney Summer Planning Checklist: 5 Things to Lock In Now

If you’re planning a Disney vacation for this summer, the clock is ticking on some important decisions. Disney trips reward early planning, and a few things that feel like “I’ll deal with that later” items are actually “I should have done that last month” items.

Here are the five things you should lock in now if you want a smoother, less stressful summer Disney trip.

1. Book Your Resort (If You Haven’t Already)

This might seem obvious, but I talk to families every spring who haven’t booked their summer accommodations yet. Summer is Disney’s busiest season across the board: Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and Aulani. The top resort rooms, staterooms, and hotel rates go first.

If you’re looking at Disney World, the resort you choose affects your entire trip: transportation options, dining convenience, pool quality, and how quickly you can get to the parks. Booking now gives you the widest selection. Waiting means you might end up in a room category that wasn’t your first (or third) choice.

For Disney Cruise Line, summer sailings to Alaska and the Caribbean are already filling up. If a specific itinerary or stateroom category matters to you, check availability now.

2. Set Your Dining Reservation Alarm

Disney World dining reservations open 60 days before your check-in date (for resort guests). If you’re staying on-property this summer, your booking window is either open now or opening very soon.

Here’s what to do:

• Calculate your exact booking date (60 days before your check-in).
• Set an alarm for 6 AM Eastern that morning.
• Have your priority restaurant list ready. Know your top 3-4 restaurants and which meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) you want.
• Be online and ready at 6 AM. The popular restaurants fill within minutes of the window opening.

The restaurants that book first: Be Our Guest (Magic Kingdom), Oga’s Cantina (Hollywood Studios), Space 220 (EPCOT), and Cinderella’s Royal Table (Magic Kingdom). If any of these are on your must-do list, you need to be there when the window opens.

For Disneyland, reservations open 60 days in advance through the Disneyland app. Carthay Circle and Blue Bayou are the hardest to get.

3. Buy Your Park Tickets and Lightning Lane

Disney uses demand-based pricing for park tickets, which means summer days (especially July and the weeks around Independence Day) are at premium pricing. Buying your tickets now locks in today’s price before any potential increases.

While you’re at it, decide on your Lightning Lane strategy:

Lightning Lane Multi Pass gives you the ability to book return times for multiple attractions throughout the day. During crowded summer days, this is where it earns its value. You’ll save hours in standby lines over the course of a multi-day trip.

Individual Lightning Lane selections let you pay per ride for the highest-demand attractions (like Tron Lightcycle Run and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind). These aren’t included in Multi Pass and sell out on busy days.

Understanding the system before you arrive saves confusion and frustration on your actual park days. Your travel advisor can walk you through the options if it feels overwhelming.

4. Plan Your Park Days

Which parks on which days matters more than you’d think. A few factors to consider:

Park hours vary by day. Check the Disney World or Disneyland calendar for your travel dates. Some parks have extended evening hours on certain nights (especially for resort guests at Disney World). Building your schedule around these extended hours gives you more park time.

New attractions draw crowds. If you’re visiting Disneyland, the new Mandalorian mission at Smugglers Run (opening May 22) and Soarin’ Across America (opening July 2) will spike attendance at their respective parks. Plan those park days for weekdays if possible.

Balance active days with rest days. A five-day trip doesn’t mean five park days. Build in a resort day or a non-park activity day. Your family will thank you by day four when they still have energy instead of being completely burned out.

Festivals and events. EPCOT’s Flower & Garden Festival runs through June 1, 2026. If your trip overlaps, plan at least one EPCOT day to enjoy the Outdoor Kitchens and topiaries.

5. Start Your Packing List

This isn’t about packing your suitcase today. It’s about making the list now while you have time to order anything you need. Summer Disney trips require specific gear that you might not have on hand:

• Cooling towels. Florida and Southern California summers are hot. A cooling towel around your neck is a game-changer during afternoon park hours.
• Portable fans. Small clip-on fans or handheld misting fans are popular with Disney families for good reason.
• Ponchos. Florida afternoon thunderstorms are a daily reality from June through September. Pack ponchos from home (they’re cheaper than buying them in the parks).
• Comfortable, broken-in shoes. You’ll walk 8-12 miles per park day. Now is the time to break in new shoes, not the day you arrive.
• Refillable water bottles. Staying hydrated is not optional in summer heat. Free ice water is available at any quick-service restaurant.
• Sunscreen and hats. SPF 50+, reapplied throughout the day. A hat with a brim. Non-negotiable.

Order these items now so they arrive with plenty of time. You don’t want to be panic-buying cooling towels at the airport.

The Bonus Step: Talk to Your Travel Advisor

If you haven’t already connected with a travel advisor, now is the time. A good Disney travel advisor helps you navigate all five of these items plus the dozens of smaller decisions that come up between now and your trip. They’ll watch for price drops, remind you of booking windows, and answer the questions you didn’t know you had.

Summer Disney trips have a lot of moving parts. Having someone in your corner who’s done this before makes the planning phase feel manageable instead of overwhelming.

Ready to get your summer Disney trip locked in? Our Guides are here to help with everything from resort selection to day-by-day planning. Let’s make this summer one your family will never forget.

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