Disney Cruise countdown checklist

Disney Cruise Line Site where you can make advanced reservations and complete the check in process. You can also do this in the Disney Cruise Line app.

So, my husband and I have very distinct roles when it comes to travel preparation. He is in charge of practical matters like airline tickets, car rentals, hotel bookings, and online check ins. I am in charge of the fun. I research locations, activities and food. I book excursions and make reservations for activities. I plan out our days and consider what we should do day to day ensuring that we have good variety and lots of kid friendly things planned. Because my husband is quite busy, I have been trying to take a few of these practical tasks off his plate. So I decided to create myself a checklist of all the various dates to remember leading up to a Disney Cruise so I can help with online check in, booking excursions, meals, character experiences and other activities on board. I found this checklist really helpful in keeping track of when different booking windows open and when I need to make those bookings. As with all things Disney most of these bookings are in high demand and knowing the earliest possible day I can make a booking can help me snag up a hard to get activity or reservation. Even online check in is important to do as early as you possibly can to help secure the earliest boarding time you possibly can. After all, the earlier you can board the ship, the faster you can start having fun. 

I find it helpful to set myself reminders on my phone for the day in advance to help make sure I am prepared for the next day’s bookings. I also like to set another reminder for a little bit before the booking or check in window opens so I can remember to be at my computer or in the Disney Cruise line app to click on those reservations as soon as they open. If you are checking in online it is helpful to have your travel documents and photos of each person in your party already scanned into the computer so you can just click and load and get through the online check in as fast as possible and get that earlier boarding time. My husband created a cruise document folder in our computer with everyone’s passport information, as well as a photograph of each family member so we have everything ready to go and easy to access for online check in. Also, note that some activities cannot be booked until your cruise is paid in full, so make sure to check those requirements so you are ready to book when the time comes. 

You will see that booking windows open at different dates depending on your Castaway Club level. Castaway Club is the Disney Cruise line loyalty program. The more cruises you go on the higher status you will earn. As you move up to higher tiers in the Castaway Club you will be rewarded with earlier check in booking windows, making it easier to get those hard to get reservations and earlier booking windows. The good news is that even after your first cruise, you will be a Silver Castaway Club member for your second cruise. There are also other perks you will receive as you move up the levels which you can look forward to. 

So here is my Disney Cruise Countdown Checklist. Hope you find this helpful!

As soon as you book

• Link the reservation in your Disney account

• Download the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app

• Make sure everyone in your party is connected correctly

• Check passport/birth certificate requirements

• Decide early whether you want:

  • Port Adventures

  • Palo / Remy / Enchanté / other adult dining

  • Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

  • nursery time

  • spa

  • beverage tastings

  • Royal Gathering / princess events

• Note your final payment date, because many things cannot be booked until the cruise is paid in full.

About 4–5 months before sailing

This is when Disney says onboard activity booking becomes available, depending on Castaway Club level.

123–130 days before sailing

If you are Concierge / Pearl:

• Concierge: Shoreside Concierge can help with requests up to 130 days before sailing

• Pearl: activity booking opens 123 days before sailing

• Be ready right when your window opens for the hardest-to-get reservations.

120 days before sailing

If you are Platinum:

• Book your activities and dining now.

105 days before sailing

If you are Gold:

• Book your activities and dining now.

90 days before sailing

If you are Silver:

• Book your activities and dining now

• For many itineraries, Disney notes final payment is due 90 days before sailing. If you booked inside that window, payment is required before reserving activities.

75 days before sailing

If you are a first-time Disney cruiser:

• Your booking window opens now for:

  • Port Adventures / excursions

  • adult-only dining

  • Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

  • spa

  • nursery

  • beverage tastings

  • many other premium onboard activities.

40 / 38 / 35 / 33 / 30 days before sailing

This is the online check-in period by status:

• Pearl: 40 days

• Platinum: 38 days

• Gold: 35 days

• Silver: 33 days

• First-time guest: 30 days

When check-in opens, do this immediately:

• upload travel documents

• verify personal info

• add payment method

• select or confirm arrival details

• try to get the best available Port Arrival Time.

30 days before sailing

Book Royal Gathering if your ship offers advance reservations:

• Disney says Royal Gathering opens 30 days before sailing, provided the cruise is paid in full

• On Disney Adventure, select character greetings including Royal Gathering are booked onboard in the Navigator app, not in advance.

Also note:

• character dining experiences such as Royal Court Royal Tea, Olaf’s Royal Picnic, and similar offerings vary by ship and are booked within your normal booking window, not necessarily at the separate 30-day mark.

7–14 days before sailing

Good time to double-check:

• all reservations

• excursion meeting times

• dining confirmations

• nursery bookings

• whether waitlisted activities opened up

• luggage tags and travel documents

This is also a good time to watch the app and website for cancellations from other guests.

3 days before embarkation

Last easy online deadline for Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique:

• Disney says you can book, change, or cancel Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique up to 3 days before embarkation.

1 day before sailing

Latest deadline for online check-in:

• Disney says online check-in can be completed up to 1 day before sailing.

Once onboard

If you missed something:

• open the Navigator app

• check for openings in activities and dining

• some ship-specific character greetings and waitlist opportunities may only appear onboard.

What to book first when your window opens

My suggested priority order:

1. Port Adventures at popular ports

2. Adult dining

3. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

4. Royal Gathering at the 30-day mark

5. Nursery

6. Spa / tastings / specialty experiences

That order is based on what tends to disappear first and on Disney’s separate booking structures.

I hope you find this checklist helpful as you are leading up to your Disney Cruise Vacation. There can be a lot to keep track of, but the good news is once you get this all booked and ready to go you will get to board that ship and relax, knowing you are going to have an amazing vacation!

Happy Sailing!