Planning a Disney vacation for your family? Whether you have toddlers, teens, or somewhere in between, prepping for your Disney trip can feel like a big task. As a mom of 6 who’s taken my crew to Disney more times than I can count, I’ve learned a few things along the way. And I’m here to help you have a magical trip with less stress and more fun! Here’s your Disney vacation checklist to guide you through the planning process and help you prepare for an unforgettable trip!

1. Your Disney Trip is Booked—Now What?

First off, yay! Your Disney trip is official! Now it’s time to start thinking about getting yourself and your family ready for the adventure.

• Start Walking: Believe me when I say, Disney means steps. You’ll cover lots of ground at the parks, so it’s a great idea to start taking family walks now. My family did 20-30 thousand steps each day on our Disney vacations. Get everyone moving, and you can break in the shoes you’ll be wearing at the parks. Trust me, Disney blisters are no fun. Same goes for clothing—take some time to try out your outfits. Are they comfy? Do they chafe after a while? Better to know now!
• Test Your Stroller: If you have littles, do some trial runs with your stroller on walks. Is it easy to navigate? Does your child seem comfy for long periods? Disney days are long, so getting everyone used to long strolls helps. It’s a key part of your Disney vacation checklist to ensure comfort!

2. Add Park Research to Your Disney Vacation Checklist

This is the fun part! You don’t need to turn into a Disney encyclopedia, but it helps to know the basics about each park and what they offer.

• Use the My Disney Experience App: The park maps on the app give you a feel for where things are, so when you’re in the parks, it’s less overwhelming. Plus, you can scope out restrooms, rides, and restaurants.
• Watch Vlogs Together: This is a great way to get the whole family excited! You can find ride-through videos, park overviews, and even reviews of different dining spots. This will help you and your kids figure out what rides they’re interested in and which they might want to skip based on height requirements.
• Check Out Dining Options: Disney has some fantastic table service restaurants. Start exploring your must-eat spots. This will come in handy when booking your reservations!

3. 60 Days Out: Add Dining to Your Disney Vacation Checklist

At this point, it’s time to start thinking about those magical dining experiences!

• Book Table Service Dining: If you’re planning to sit down at any of the table service restaurants, make sure to set an alarm for 60 days before your trip. You’ll want to be booking right at 60 days out to snag the popular spots.
• Other Experiences: Whether it’s character dining, a special tour, or a fun add-on like Savi’s Workshop (for building your own lightsaber), now’s the time to book these extras too.

4. 30 Days Out: Plan & Pack

With just a month to go, you’ll want to start thinking about the finer details—like what to wear!

• Plan Your Outfits: Of course, if you’re super organized, you might have already started planning, but this is a good time to finalize. Comfort is key, and if your family likes Disney-themed outfits, now’s the time to nail down those ideas.
• Make a Packing List: Start a packing list for all the essentials (cooling towels, sunscreen, snacks) and order anything you’re missing. Having extra clothes for the kids in case they get wet or messy is always a good idea.

5. 14 Days Out: Stay Healthy for Your Trip

As any mom knows, kids are magnets for germs, and there’s nothing worse than dealing with sickness during vacation.

• Start Taking Airborne or Vitamins: Now’s the time to start taking extra precautions, especially if your kids are like mine and tend to bring home everything from school.

6. 7 Days Out: Last-Minute Prep for Your Disney Vacation Checklist

With just a week left, it’s crunch time!

• Book Lightning Lanes (for On-Property Guests): If you’re staying on Disney property, you can book your Multi-Pass Lightning Lanes and individual Lightning Lanes 7 days in advance. Make sure you’re ready to book for the best access to popular rides.
• Begin Packing: Do yourself a favor and start packing now. Last-minute packing is stressful, and you don’t want to be rushing the night before. Lay everything out, make sure all your essentials are in order, and get those suitcases zipped up!

7. On Your Trip: Enjoy the Magic on Your Disney Vacation

You made it! Now it’s time to soak in the magic.

• Virtual Queue Booking: If you’re planning to ride anything with a virtual queue (like Tron or Guardians of the Galaxy), remember to set your alarm for 7 AM each morning to snag a spot.
• Have Fun: The most important tip of all—enjoy! Disney is all about magic, joy, and creating memories that will last a lifetime. Embrace the chaos and soak it all in!

---

By following this Disney vacation checklist, you’ll have everything in place to enjoy a stress-free and magical vacation. Whether it’s researching the parks, booking dining reservations, or prepping your family’s outfits, this checklist will ensure you arrive ready to experience all the magic Disney has to offer!