Have you heard? Today is National Plan for Vacation Day! We were thinking that there’s no better day to start planning our Disney vacations for 2026 than today. You know, so we can really celebrate the day!
Magic Kingdom
There’s a lot that goes into planning a Disney vacation — costs, where to stay, how to get around the property, what parks to go to, which dates to avoid, and so much more. Here at DFB, we want to help plan the best Disney trip imaginable, so let’s get right into it!
Disney Discounts and Deals
You should always be checking for any ticket, hotel, or other deals and discounts available at Disney World before booking anything — you never know where you might be able to save some extra money! For example, Disney is having a big exclusive hotel discount at Disney World for the summer. Disney World is also having a special deal that allows kids to eat FREE. Of course, the biggest one to look out for is any discounts and deals on Disney World tickets and vacation packages!
EPCOT
Dates to Book
Another key thing to focus on when booking your Disney World vacation is finding the best dates to go. Typically, the summertime and major US holidays are the busiest days of the year at Disney. On top of that, there is a lot of work being done at the parks in 2026, which means you might want to avoid coming to the park till the work is done to get the full experience.
Construction walls at Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Lightning Lane
Major holidays at Disney World are the busiest time because it’s when most people have time available to come to the park. If you do come to Disney World on a busy day (and even if you don’t), buying Lightning Lane can really help save you time and energy on your vacation!
Lightning Lane
Research, Research, and Research
There’s so much to do at Disney World, between four parks, two water parks, and a shopping district. Look into the parks — what attractions they have, experiences, restaurants, etc. What do you want to prioritize when you’re here? Do you have kiddos with you? What attractions do you HAVE to see? Is it Cosmic Rewind? Flight of Passage? Rise of the resistance? There are lots to take into consideration. A place like Magic Kingdom is the most iconic park, making it almost unskippable, while also being the park that might have the most for little Disney fans to do. Whereas EPCOT offers a unique experience that kids may not enjoy as much. But then again, EPCOT has Frozen and Ratatouille-themed attractions, which kids love. You just need to really take the time to find what you want to prioritize. Our advice: try to visit all the parks, but also know your limits!
TRON Lightcycle / Run
Plan Your Day
Once you have your dates and parks picked out, make sure to plan ahead. This is essential for maximizing your day as much as you can. Yes, plans can change, and things can happen, but plan as best you can. The best way to do this is to use the My Disney Experience app or the Disney World website. Check the showtimes of different shows, parades, and nighttime spectaculars. Check what attractions may be closed. Book your restaurant reservation — this is SUPER important for popular dining experiences! This can all be seen and done on the app and website.
Crystal Palace
DON’T STRESS
You’re going to Disney World, so don’t waste your time stressing about getting X amount of things done, not missing X, or being somewhere at X. Yes, plan ahead and stick to your plan as best you can. However, just enjoy your time, YOU’RE AT THE MOST MAGICAL PLACE ON EARTH! One of the best things you can do is be flexible and willing to change plans when things happen.
Hollywood Studios
The agents at Small World Vacations know how to save money on your Disney Vacation! When you book your trip with Small World Vacations, their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings. They also compare discounts and figure out which one works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. And they share expert tips and first-hand advice with you about your magical vacation. It also costs you NO additional cost to book with a travel agency!
For more news and updates on anything that helps make your Disney vacation easier, make sure to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog!
10 Dates to Avoid Disney World in 2026
DON'T DO IT ALONE!
Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise.
Their agents compare current offers to find the best deal for you -- they've literally saved their guests millions of dollars since 1996. Plus, their services are 100% FREE FOR YOU! (They're DFB's recommended travel agency, and you can see why here!)
So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you 🙂
So, are you going to Disney World this year? Let us know in the comments!
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I’ll book my WDW vacation when they maintain the rides, clean up the parks and actually offer guests a top notch experience like Walt demanded.