Dreaming of a Disney World getaway but short on time? Believe it or not, planning a last minute Disney trip can still be an incredible experience…if you know how to do it right! While most Disney vacations take months of planning, spontaneity doesn’t have to mean missing out on the fun. Whether you’re craving a quick escape to the parks, hunting for last-minute hotel deals, or strategizing how to snag those hard-to-get dining reservations, we’ve got you covered. So pack your bags, embrace the magic, and let’s dive into everything you need to know to make your last-minute Disney vacation unforgettable!

Should You Plan a Last Minute Disney Trip?

Before we dive into the details involved in planning a last-minute trip to Walt Disney World, let’s first talk about whether it’s even worth your time. There are whole books and websites (like ours!) dedicated to planning a Disney World vacation and we usually recommend planning at least 3 months in advance, but prefer 6-12 months for the best experience. So is a few weeks – or even a few days – enough to have a successful trip? The simple answer is, YES!

While your trip will likely be different than the one you might have planned with more time, a last minute Disney trip can be just as rewarding – if not more. If you aren’t attached to staying at a specific hotel, visiting specific parks, eating at specific places, and are willing to embrace spontaneity, then you’ll likely have a really great trip, regardless of how small of a planning window you have.

So, now that you’re fully on board with this last-minute trip, let’s talk about how you should go about planning it!

Last Minute Travel and Transportation

One of the first things you have to figure out when planning a last minute Disney trip is how you’re going to get there!

If you’re planning to fly to Orlando, the harsh reality of booking flights close to your Disney trip dates is that it often means paying premium prices. Make airfare the first thing you look into when you decide you want to go to Disney World so that you can check multiple airlines and keep your travel dates flexible if you want to find the best rates. And, don’t forget to make arrangements for how you’ll get between the airport and your Disney hotel.

If you live within driving distance of Walt Disney World, driving your own car is usually the best way to save on travel costs compared to last-minute airfare and rental car costs. If you’re split between driving or flying, calculate fuel costs and driving time to compare and help you make the best choice for your schedule and budget.

Once you’re at Disney World, Disney’s transportation system becomes your best friend. Staying at a Disney Resort hotel gives you access to complimentary buses, boats, the Disney Skyliner, and the monorail system connecting you to all parks and Disney Springs.

Last Minute Disney World Hotels

Finding last-minute accommodations at Disney World requires that you remain flexible with both location and price point. Availability can vary significantly based on when you’re visiting and if there are any special events going on at both on-site and off-site hotels. Here are a few things to consider when choosing where to stay for your last minute Disney trip.

Disney World Resort Hotels

The great news about Walt Disney World is that it’s huge and there are A LOT of hotel options (over 20 to be exact!). So, you’ll likely have at least a handful of hotel options to choose from if you’re planning a last-minute trip. Of course, availability can be hit or miss, especially at more popular hotels. The Value Resorts tend to be the first to fill up during particularly busy seasons since everyone is looking for a good deal on their stay. This means that you’ll either have to pay more for your hotel stay by opting to book at a Moderate or Deluxe Resort or opt for an off-site hotel.

Disney’s website makes it easy to search for availability at all of the hotels during your selected travel dates. You can usually find at least a few rooms open at:

• Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
• Disney’s Port Orleans Resorts
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Disney’s All-Star Resorts

Nearby Hotels

While off-site hotels near Disney World tend to be a bit further from the parks compared to on-site options, the cost savings and the ability to find last-minute rooms may make them perfect for your last-minute trip.

Hotels in the Disney Springs area are a great alternative with resort-like amenities and Disney perks. And, the Lake Buena Vista and International Drive areas house numerous hotels within 15 minutes of the parks. Plus, many offer free shuttle service to Disney World and some even let you take advantage of Disney hotel guest perks like extra time in the parks and more! Just be sure to check the hotel’s website or give them a call to confirm.

Popular off-site hotel last-minute options include:

• Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Hotels
• Walt Disney World Swan Reserve
• Hyatt Place Orlando/Lake Buena Vista
• Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista
• Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista
• Holiday Inn Orlando-Disney Springs

Last Minute Disney World Tickets

Securing Disney World tickets at the last minute is simpler than you might expect. Tickets rarely sell out, giving you flexibility even with short-notice planning.

For date-based tickets, you’ll need to choose between single park per day or park hopper options. The biggest difference here is that single park tickets limit you to one park daily, while park hoppers let you visit multiple parks on the same day. For a last minute Disney trip, the park hopper option may be best as it gives you more flexibility for last-minute plans.

Regardless of what you choose, be sure to purchase tickets as soon as you confirm travel dates and check park pass availability before buying (if applicable). Currently, park pass reservations are only required for annual passholders and non-date-based ticket holders. If you purchase date-based tickets you’re good to go even if park pass availability is sold out for that day.

Last Minute Disney Deals

Unfortunately, last-minute Disney deals are hard to come by. While Disney does offer their own deals and discounts on hotel stays and tickets, they often have a date by which you need to make the reservation to redeem the offer. This is usually about a month or so in advance, which means that you won’t be able to find discounted hotels or tickets if you’re planning after the discount’s deadline, even if there is one available for your travel dates.

So, if you’re planning a last-minute trip, we recommend going in with the expectation that your overall budget will be higher compared to how much it may have cost if you booked earlier. If you’re trying to save some money, you may have more luck finding a deal by staying at an off-site hotel in the area.

That being said, it never hurts to check with Disney too! You can find Disney’s current discounts and offers on their website here. You also may want to consider booking with a travel agent who can help ensure you’re getting all of the deals available to you. We love using our friends over at MEI Travel when booking our trips.

Last Minute Disney Dining Reservations

Securing dining reservations at Disney World with short notice can be one of the most challenging parts of planning a last minute Disney trip. Reservations for many Disney World restaurants tend to book up months in advance – but not all of them!

While you may not be able to get every dining reservation that you want, there will likely be reservations at one or two restaurants that interest you at the very least. We recommend not being too picky about what time and where you eat. This will give you more options to work with if eating at a sit-down restaurant is important to you during your visit.

If you don’t find a reservation for the restaurant you want at the time you want it, keep checking back! People are almost always changing their dining plans and you never know when a reservation that works with your schedule might pop up. You can also see if the walk-up waitlist is available on the day of your visit.

And, remember, there are plenty of quick service restaurants and snack options throughout the parks and resorts that are equally as good!

Last Minute Disney Trip Tips

Successful last-minute Disney trips require flexibility, quick decision-making, and a willingness to adapt your plans as opportunities come up. Here are three of our top tips for a last-minute visit!

Trust Your Instincts And Act On What You Can Get

Planning a last-minute trip to Disney World doesn’t give you much time to think over which hotels, parks, and restaurants are best. With less availability across the board, you’ll need to act quickly and reserve any dining or hotel availability you find immediately. Good options disappear within minutes, so don’t spend time comparing multiple choices!

Set An Alarm For Lightning Lane Booking Windows

If you’re planning to purchase any of Disney’s Lightning Lane services to skip the lines at attractions across Walt Disney World during your visit, it’s important to know when and how to book these in advance.

Disney allows anyone staying at a Disney World Resort hotel to purchase and pre-plan Lightning Lane selections up to 7 days in advance and up to 3 days in advance for all other guests. This means that you’re likely not late to planning this part of your trip!

Be ready at 7AM on the day that your booking window opens and reserve your highest-priority attractions first. Popular rides like Rise of the Resistance, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and Frozen Ever After (among many others) usually fill up fastest.

Ditch The “Must-Do” List And Embrace Spontaneity

People often spend many months, if not years, planning their Disney World vacation, so you’ll have to adjust your expectations for what you can (and can’t) do during a last-minute trip. When it comes to attractions, we recommend focusing on rides with shorter wait times rather than specific attractions. You likely haven’t had much time to plan the perfect itinerary, so this will give you the chance to do more in one day.

And, when you’re hungry, don’t waste your time refreshing the My Disney Experience app over and over again just in case a last-minute dining reservation pops up. Try dining at quick service restaurants instead and eat during off-peak hours when possible. You’ll usually find shorter lines and better seating between 2-4PM.

A last minute trip is the perfect opportunity to ditch the minute-to-minute schedule and experience Disney World without any plans. You may even want to consider exploring the different Disney resorts (which is free to do) or Disney Springs when the parks are crowded. These areas offer unique experiences without requiring advance planning.

Comments

Have you ever planned a last minute Disney trip? Let us know your best tips and tricks in the comments!