2020 Disney World Vacation Packages Booking Date & Info
When can we book Walt Disney World vacation packages for 2020? After dates and info about Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Free Dining, and which Country Bear is best (Big Al, obviously), this is the most frequently asked question we receive. The good news is that we finally have a date: June 18, 2019.
These packages will be valid for arrivals January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020. As always, reservations may not be made more than 499 days in advance, and can be made over the phone by calling (407) 939-1936 or via an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner.
In the past, we’ve recommended holding off on booking until closer to your travel dates as there’s little gain by booking so far in advance and you’re essentially giving Disney an interest-free loan vis-Á-vis your deposit. However, that’s not necessarily true anymore…
Some hotels sold out of select December travel dates (for this year) months ago, and we’re expecting to see more of that in 2020. This is especially true with both Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios debuting substantial new offerings late this year and in early 2020. Most notably, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge opens its first phase late this summer, with Rise of the Resistance expected to open before January 2020.
It’s premature to predict Walt Disney World crowd levels for 2020 (or, more importantly as it relates to this, hotel occupancy). Nevertheless, we get the sense that many Walt Disney World fans are holding off on visiting until after everything in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge has opened and crowds “die down a bit.”
We also get the impression that people think that’ll happen a few months after Star Wars Land opens, which is…questionable, at best. In our Revised 2019 Walt Disney World Crowd Predictions: When to Go & Avoid, we’ve basically stated that we expect the least-busy time to experience Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to be in the few weeks after it opens.
Pandora has seen no reduction in popularity in the couple of years it has been open, and that land is based upon Avatar. Avatar! A movie so unmemorable that you probably can’t name a single character from it. Galaxy’s Edge is a land based upon Star Wars, one of the most popular film franchises of all time, that has legions of diehard fans around the globe. (Also, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is a better land than Pandora.)
Relating this back to booking a 2020 Walt Disney World vacation package now, we wouldn’t be at all surprised to see the entirety of 2020 have significantly higher hotel occupancy numbers than all of 2019.
If you’re planning a visit during traditionally busy times (runDisney events, holidays, ESPN Wide World of Sports youth events, October, or December), there’s also the chance of rooms selling out before we even enter 2020, which is why booking early could be essential.
Of course, we have to underscore the fact that it is still early, and anything could happen. The economy or consumer confidence could worsen, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge could inexplicably flop, or myriad other extraneous variables could impact hotel occupancy at Walt Disney World.
Booking early is essentially hedging your bets against the former scenario, while still having the flexibility of applying future discounts as they’re released (in the event of the latter scenario). If you’re traveling to Walt Disney World regardless in 2020, you really can’t lose either way by locking in something early.
Now, this is not to say that you need to be up at the crack of dawn on June 18 to book a standard view Caribbean Beach Resort room for September 2020. Quite the contrary–you’d probably be just fine waiting days, weeks, or months to book that. Even December 2020 at Wilderness Lodge is not going to sell out on June 18, or in the next month or two.
Unless you enjoy Disney’s hold music on the phone (or dealing with Stitch eating your page) you might as well wait at least day or two after June 18, 2019 to book. The only exceptions to this are suites and other categories with only a handful of rooms in their inventory.
As for what we’re expecting with the release of Walt Disney World’s 2020 vacation packages on June 18, 2019…the obvious would be price increases on hotel rack rates. We’d expect this to occur across the board, on every single room category at every single Walt Disney World resort.
Demand is currently high, and Disney can tout significant investments in the parks and resorts as justification. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is likely going to be a marketing juggernaut, and plenty more is on the horizon in 2020, including Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway for the families that are less enthusiastic about Star Wars.
Some hotels will almost certainly see their biggest price spikes in years (ever?). Specifically, expect this to occur at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Pop Century, and Caribbean Beach.
In case it’s not clear, the commonality among those is Disney Skyliner gondola access to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which should prove to be a selling point for many guests. (If it’s not for you, we’d suggest looking elsewhere–otherwise you’re effectively paying a premium for an amenity you won’t use.)
One thing we’ve anticipated with the debut of the Skyliner is a shift from the Value, Moderate, Deluxe, and Deluxe Villa Resort tiers to something more location/amenity-based. Think Magic Kingdom Area, Epcot Area, Skyliner Area, Animal Kingdom Area, and so on.
We do not anticipate the Value, Moderate, Deluxe, etc. tiers to be immediately retired, but less focus is likely to be placed upon them. Whether this happens now or in the future remains to be seen; it’s just a bit odd to call something a “Value” hotel when it’s priced at $200/night or above for much of the year.
Plus, organizing resorts based upon locations or key amenities is arguably more useful to first-time guests than the previous tiers, which is information that more or less is ascertainable from the range of price points.
Overall, I’m both curious to see 2020 Walt Disney World vacation package pricing…and a bit nervous about it. Normally, this isn’t a day I really care about one way or another; we don’t book this early and past price increases have been fairly consistent, predictable, and ultimately meaningless. This last one is because we never pay rack rates, so the important numbers for us are the release dates and amounts of discounts. I’m a bit worried that this time it’s different, and it might come to paying rack rates in 2020 if occupancy numbers continue to hold as strong as they are for December. More likely, if it comes to that, we’ll start delivering more off-site coverage for the sake of research. 😉
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
Your Thoughts
Are you expecting big bumps in Walt Disney World vacation package pricing for 2020? Think the anticipated attendance increases generated by Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will already be evident in price-points? Do you agree or disagree with our take that it might be a good idea to lock-in a hotel for 2020 earlier rather than later? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
I noticed that you stated that you can book by calling Disney or going through an Authorized Disney Vacation planner. What about booking online directly through the Disney site? Is that just as efficient or is there an advantage by calling or using a planner.
Thanks
Ken
Ready to book tomorrow! (June 18) I am in California, trying to figure out time difference and wondering what time the rates be available to book? Thanks!
I see that 2020 can be booked, but I don’t see the packages with the tickets, rooms, and meal plans. We’re you able to find that?
Tom – I appreciate the sharp edge you often put on your opinions, as it guides me to think, research, and find varied responses from others. Please be careful not to put that edge on your followers. I have used portions of the movie, Avatar, to teach the interdependency of all life on Earth to self-interested high-schoolers, many times. My granddaughters, 7 and 10, love the movie, as do their mother and I. The phrase, “I see you,” is powerful to us, because we had spoken to our beloved pets that way for years before the movie was made. When I read, “YOU probably can’t name,” I was truly stunned. Like Fern Gully and WALL-E and The Emerald Forest and Medicine Man and Planet of the Apes and Dances with Wolves . . . . . the message is to be careful with our beautiful planet. We don’t need the names of characters to feel the message in our hearts.
Will there be free dining offered ? for march/april time ?
Does anyone know if free dining might be offered for spring dates? of 2020
Big question (and anyone who has some insight is welcome and appreciated to share their advice!):
This December 2019, 5th and 6th, we have to choose to go to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios on a Thursday and Friday, but aren’t sure which day to do which park. Taking Galaxy’s Edge into account, is Thursday or Friday better for Hollywood Studios?
Whoops, meant this for a different post!
Somewhat related question – I am a coach for a youth team that usually partakes in the December ESPN event at WDW. If I am in a room with another coach and I am not the one that books the package, can I still utilize the bounceback offer when I am there for my own vacation at a later date?
Hi trying to book 2020 and cannot find information anywhere, can you please advise who has 2020 dates available for booking and possibly a link please
“When can we book Walt Disney World vacation packages for 2020? After dates and info about Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Free Dining, and which Country Bear is best (Big Al, obviously), this is the most frequently asked question we receive. The good news is that we finally have a date: June 18, 2019.”
It’s currently before the date in the first paragraph, so you can’t book it anywhere.
Call Disney. You can book through them now, you don’t have to wait until June 18th. That date is if you want to book online through their website. If you know your price range and dates, you can call Disney and they will give you options.
That date is also if you want to book a package, which includes park tickets, calling Disney beforehand will let you book room-only
I am so excited! I keep wanting to plan our vacation with my extended family, but with no real prices available we can’t get anyone to commit. I can’t wait for the packages to release so hopefully i can everyone to commit to a hotel and dates and the countdown will begin! We are planning for May 2020 the week of memorial day (not ideal, but need kiddos to be out of school and want to go before it gets even worse in june and july).
I agree about how booking early can’t hurt since you can always get the discounts applied later. We don’t know for sure what hotel yet and the thought of AOA going up even more in price scares me! The villas are just so expensive so it’s hard to get more room. The idea of renting DVC points intrigues me, but makes me so nervous about something going wrong.
Are packages are available to book online on this date as well? Your post only mentions booking by phone or Disney Vacation Planners. I’m trying to take advantage of 2x Disney VISA points by booking directly through Disney and prefer to book online…
Do you think Disney will offer free dining plan at all in 2020??
I fear that occupancy will be high enough where they will not be inclined to offer the free dining to US guests. I was curious as to what your thoughts are for 2020.
Haven’t WDW released free dining to the U.K. For all of 2020, however there home demographic is Denied the same! This practice is unfair and I have a very big problem with it!
I’ve played around with the reservation system for a few years, even for times when not going, and it seems to me that reservations for the so-called “quiet times” for the remainder of 2019, are far more booked than in past years. I look on this as pressure from SW:GE, and would bet that this will continue for the early months of 2020. The only question will be if there’s going to be a pause before the summer rush hits. I’m not going to count on it.
So I don’t see the 2020 packages and booking dates!! Is there a link?
You won’t be able to book those until June 18.
Just a note worth mentioning – because you can only book 499 days in advance, you won’t be able to book much of Nov or Dec 2020 for several weeks. 499 days from 6/18 puts you right at Halloween.
Just a thought. You might have found Avatar unmemorable but there are hordes of us who think it is one of the best movies ever… the classic tale of good vs evil, very evil. I absolutely loved it and I also love Pandora and am not at all surprised that the crowds have not dwindled. I’d take Avatar over Star Wars, though I am also a Star Wars fan.
We are thinking of waiting until 2021 to make it during the 50th Anniversary. Any predictions or recommendations? Should that be something to book early or wait until package deals come available?
It will be just as busy or even more so during the 50th. Try 2022 and beyond for a slight decrease and/or when the next recession hits.
We are wanting to be there during that time. Just looking for opinions on if we should book as soon as it becomes available or try to wait for package deals, and if normal attendance patterns would be altered.
Chelsea, we are planning 2021 for the anniversary as well. we are going to book as soon as we can then flip to a package. i think its roughly a month difference for our desired dates for when we can book to when packages are released. we personally have a specific hotel in mind so we would like to have the best chance at getting what we want.
So we are planning a trip for early February 2020, which is honestly not that far away. About 2 months from now we can start book ADRs so I’m pretty much ready to book our rooms whenever we can. We have our heart set on Pop Century because we’ve stayed there before and because of the Skyliner. Since we are most likely getting tickets from Undercover Tourist or Sam’s and aren’t doing the dining plan, we are very much debating whether or not to book our rooms NOW or wait until June 18th. The literal only factor is price. I thought prices might go down when the dates are “officially” released but this article makes it sound like they will go up? Should I call and book now or wait until June 18th?
With room only reservations, you can always call and change (or go online and change) to any promotional offer that comes along.
The rack rates will certainly not go down, just keep your eye out for promotions.
Booking now just locks you in to the current price as a worst case.
You can book a reservation for $200 deposit, which is refundable up to 30 days before arrivable, and if better deals are released, modify or cancel and rebook. Doing so now may insure you get the room type you want, which I assume is a lower rate room vs a more costly room with a promo discount.
The photos of the gondolas alone make me never want to go to Walt Disney World again. It’s like seeing your mother after botched plastic surgery. How awful!
By the way, it may be true you can’t name a single character from “Avatar,” but most people can’t name a single character from the obscure “Star Wars” offshoots that form Galaxy’s Edge.
I last visited WDW In 2015, and after 34 years of nearly annual trips, I don’t think I ever want to visit again. They’ve removed the heart and soul of the place, something ineffable, and replaced it with greed.
I was just there this past weekend. The gondolas were barely noticeable to me and, when I saw them on the line at Hollywood Studios (not moving) I thought they looked quite nice. Also of note, I was staying in Caribbean Beach Resort (Bldg 32) and had to really work to see the gondolas. Didn’t hear a peep of construction noise at the resort when we were there either (we came back every afternoon for naps for the kids). Not sure why you’re so negative about gondolas, but they seemed (to me at least) to not be the obtrusive monstrosities that you are imagining.
As for the characters of Star Wars, you do realize that Batuu is set in the time right after The Last Jedi, right? I hardly think that the most recent movie of the Skywalker saga could possibly be referenced as being “obscure,” but I suppose you can if you want. As far as characters from that movie, could I perhaps interest you in (from the top of my head) Leia Organa, Luke Skywalker, Mon Mothma, Rey, Finn, BB8, Poe Dameron, R2-D2, C-3PO, Chewbacca, Kylo Ren, Supreme Leader Snoke?
It seems that you’ve made up your mind to hate Disney World for some reason, but your opinion does not seem to be based on first hand experience or even on logic, based on your comments regarding the “obscurity” of the characters in Star Wars vs. Avatar. I believe the appropriate term for your comments might be “fake news” :o)
It’s funny because if they’ve been going for 34 years they should remember a time there were gondolas *inside* Magic Kingdom.
Yes. There were gondolas inside the Magic Kingdom. The Skyway over Tomorrowland! I loved it!!
Instead of adding more capacity to the parks, small lands with two ride attractions don’t do much of anything to actually in large park capacity, Disney increases hotel space to lure more people in to there already overcrowded parks, and then creates special upcharges to afford guests a more exclusive, less overcrowded experience at premium price points. This is headed to a state of critical mass, where the tables will turn against WDW, and we will all remember it as the place we used to love, and not the overpriced, overcrowded, gridlock it has become.
Thankyou Igor for ruining it all in the name of greed.
Tom – we rented DVC points for a stay in late January, so the packages don’t interest me, but I’m interested to see park ticket prices. My recollection is that tickets become available at the same time packages are released. Do you have any thoughts on strategy there? I anticipate purchasing from a reputable third party seller, as I have in the past, but I’m curious about prices and timing.
Agreed! We go the DVC point rental route as well, so packages do not interest me at all. However, ticket prices do! I shudder to think what tickets will cost post SW:GE opening! May not happen right away, but IT WILL HAPPEN!
co-sign
Hi, I booked for 7 of my family to go to WDW in August 2020 and I couldn’t even get 1 standard room at Caribbean Beach for then!! Have ended up with a reservation for POFQ instead…. we live in the UK so really dont get to go very often and for 5 of the 7 it will be their first trip!!
Much better choice. We stay at PORL Riverside and love it.
For what it’s worth, I booked a room at Art of Animation for January 30 – February 3, 2020 and did not see a considerable jump in prices. I think the reservation cost me $720 for the four nights.
Any updates on free dining ??